Asda Report: Managerial Functions, Leadership Roles, and Theories

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within Asda, a prominent British supermarket chain. It delves into the core concepts of operation management, emphasizing the planning, organizing, managing, controlling, and supervising processes essential for producing goods and services effectively. The report explores the roles of managers and leaders, comparing their characteristics and functions, and examines the application of various management and leadership theories, including scientific, system, situational, system, and contingency leadership. It highlights how these theories support sustainable performance and addresses the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Furthermore, the report investigates how managers and leaders influence the organization's impact, particularly in areas such as recruitment and conflict resolution, and evaluates the impact of external business environment factors on operational management decisions. It concludes with recommendations for future improvements, providing a detailed overview of Asda's operational strategies and key approaches to achieving business objectives.

MANAGEMENT
OPERATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction to the organization and its management structure.........................................1
2. Define manager and leader and compare theories and characteristics...............................2
3. Differences of managerial functions and leadership roles by effectively apply with
management theories and concepts........................................................................................3
4. Example of different situations in the enterprise and examine how roles of manager and
leader can apply in those situations........................................................................................4
5. Management and leadership theories in the enterprise to support and growth for sustainable
performance............................................................................................................................5
6. Strength and weaknesses of different theories and approaches..........................................5
7. How managers and leaders make impact on the organisation with recommendations......6
TASK 2...........................................................................................................................................6
2. Identify roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders in successful management of the
operation.................................................................................................................................6
3. Evaluate how managers and leaders could be effective to improve operational efficiency to
business objectives.................................................................................................................8
4. Define the impact of external business environment factors on operation management
decision by leaders.................................................................................................................9
5. Critical evaluation on operation management to manage factors that impact on business
environment..........................................................................................................................10
6. Recommendation for future improvements taken by organisation..................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is defined as the process in which different activities are
performed such as planning, organising, managing, controlling and supervising. All these
consideration helps to describe operation of the enterprise that develop and transform to produce
right product and services. For instance, it increases flexibility, improved communication, reduce
support cost, etc. (Mitsuo, Tsunoda and Yuma, 2014).
Present study based on Asda which stand for British Supermarket Chain and they work to
increase effectiveness and perform better functions as per customers’ needs and requirements.
Furthermore, they have purpose to make effective goods and services which can be more
affordable for each person.
With respect to gain insight information of the present report, it covers operation
management in the business and key approaches which can be implement in the business.
Furthermore, report includes external analysis of business environment which consider impact on
final outcomes and results in successful way. Along with this, it helps to consider discussion on
strength and weaknesses of different theories and approaches.
TASK 1
1. Introduction to the organisation and its management structure
Introduction to Asda
Asda store trading is supermarket retailer which found in 1949. They expanded their
operations in different areas of the world from 1970 and 1980. They are continuously growing
and developing operations and functions to increase market share to compete with Sainsbury and
Tesco. In addition to this, in the core supermarket, they also offer several numbers of services
such as financial, technical, etc. Marketing or promotion of the chosen enterprise usually based
on price which determines by the company. Positive effectiveness of Asda is that they are
pioneering people with visionary ideas.
Management structure of Asda
Asda consider hierarchical management structure where different levels structured to
communicate appropriate findings and outcomes. As a result, it impacts negatively as this is
difficult to take decisions because of different layers. Managers are also play very important role
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to understand and motivate their staff members with effective skills and experience.
Furthermore, at higher level promotion are timely based so that employees are also demotivated.
2. Define manager and leader and compare theories and characteristics
Leader is a person who influences his subordinate to achieve a specified objective and
goals. And who lead and provide direction to the group in the organisation. Manager is a person
who is responsible for administering, controlling, monitoring the group of subordinates and
organisation. They control each and every activity in every department and guide peoples who
work for the organisation.
Comparison between roles and characteristics of leader and manger:
Basis of comparison Leader Manager
Definition Leaders is a person who
influences his subordinates to
achieve a specified objective
and goals. And who lead and
provide directions to the group
in the organisation.
On the other hand, manager is a
person who is responsible for
administering, controlling,
monitoring group of people and
control all the activities in
departments to guide people
who work for them.
Risks In Asda, leaders take risks
because they are willing to try
new things even when the
situations are not controllable.
And they believe that failure is
a path to achieve success.
Beside this, managers have
focus on minimizing and
reducing the risks. They try to
control and avoid problematic
situations rather than embracing
them.
Development of skills Leaders of Asda work with
creative skills and develop
more significant work.
As compare to this, manager
focuses more on what helps
them in becoming successful,
making their skills perfect and it
assists in development of
positive behaviour.
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3. Differences of managerial functions and leadership roles by effectively apply with
management theories and concepts
Management theories Scientific theory: Scientific theory consider with specific work to do something different
which depends upon work. This theory stated hypothesis with suggestion that occur with
explained ideas. It accumulated to support hypothesis which helps to move for next step.
In Asda, this theory applied to gain appropriate result and information (Bromiley and
Rau, 2016).
 System theory: According to this theory, Asda must consider multidisciplinary study in
which systems investigate with holistic approach. Therefore, it contains applied
psychology which helps to conduct study about human behaviour and complex systems.
Basis of difference Managerial function Leadership role
Meaning Management is an art of appropriately
organizing and coordinating things in an
efficient manner. As per Maslow's
theory, manager need to concentrate on
fulfil basic level needs of each
employee who work in Asda.
Leadership means the power of
leading peoples by examples. On the
other hand, as per Herzberg theory
leaders can lead their people when
they are recognised for their
achievements (Laudon and Laudon,
2016).
Formulation In the selected firm, it permits managers
to delegate the authority and
responsibilities to the subordinates. As
per Maslow hierarchy of need theory
people will able handle all the
responsibility when their personal need
is fulfilled and when they feel
motivated (Haksever and Render,
2018).
In Asda, leadership provide
guidelines for managing the
problems' formulation process. They
provide guidelines for team leader
and facilitators.
As per Herberg theory, of leadership
followed by subordinate with
appropriate guideline when the
organisation is taking step for the
growth and development of
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employees.
Power Managerial function of the chosen
business focuses on influencing people
to do their best in every problematic
situations Maslow stated that people
will feel motivated when they feel
recognised with power to generate and
implement accurate working (J Childe,
2017).
However, leadership in Asda help
leader making rules for their
subordinates as per Herzberg theory
all subordinates need to follow all
the rules and guidelines when they
feel good about themselves and feel
accepted by organisation.
4. Example of different situations in the enterprise and examine how roles of manager and leader
can apply in those situations
Following are different situations in the enterprise in which manager and leader play
important roles: Recruitment of new employees: Manager perform function in Asda for hiring employees
who perform all the function from recruiting planning meeting, they participate in every
aspects of the employee recruitment. Manager has a job responsibility of on boarding,
managing, and retaining staff. Whereas leader perform the function of leading new
employees by introducing them with the rules policies and procedure of the organisation.
 Conflict resolution: In the chosen enterprise, manager try to resolve conflict by
identifying the root cause. Whereas, conflict resolution is a crucial leadership role in
company in case of disagreement among employees. They call disagree co-workers in
office share their thoughts and try to solve their problem (Schönsleben, 2016). In some
cases, rather than giving speeches about learning to work together, a good leader plays a
role of the mediator that play effective approach like by asking them questions will
preserve their disinterest which will help them in getting to pause and reflect with clear
with themselves about what is the actual problem.
5. Management and leadership theories in the enterprise to support and growth for sustainable
performance
In Asda, following management and leadership theories assists to support and growth for
sustainable performances' development:
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1. Situational leadership: According to this theory, there is no specific leadership which
adopted by leader in all situation. Hence, it considers strength to building morale among
employee and create productive environment of Asda company. By adopting motivating
and supportive environment, they can increase productivity of the company. However, it
increases duty of manager and supervisor to focus on the growth for the company to deal
with particular situation.
 System leadership: System leadership enables the leaders of the Asda to create condition
where the people at all stages can work productively and effectively according to their
potential. For the human behaviour they use sound principles to create such models like
organisational strategies, good leadership, social process, for designing system. This
system provides leaders tools that helps them in predicting people's behaviour in the
company (Ptak and Schragenheim, 2016).
 Contingency style of leadership: It emphasizes on matching situation and leader
characteristics to increase their effectiveness. It puts ideas that is effective to make
control over the situation. However, the selected company unable to deal with particular
situation on the basis of contingency plan and leadership.
6. Strength and weaknesses of different theories and approaches
Following are strength and weaknesses of different theories and approaches:
1. Situational leadership: situational leadership is easy to understand and spontaneous to
most manager's. This leadership recognizes need for the adaptability on part of leaders.
Situational leadership as a model have not felt intuitive to task oriented or heavily
controlled manager's.
2. System leadership: when company is hiring new employ it will help in generating more
sales but they may lack interpersonal skills. In this situation, by employing system
leadership approach Asda company can know the past sales issues result can examine the
sales team behaviour and practices. However, it is time consuming process as well.
3. Contingency leadership: This model of leadership provides managers tools to create
effective groups by changing different variables. However, contingency leadership
approach the types of questions are not adequately spelled in various situations
(Schönsleben, 2016).
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7. How managers and leaders make impact on the organisation with recommendations
Effective leaders are capable of making hard, risky or complicated decisions. And they
promptly take charge and offer the best courses of actions. Secondly complexity of the
interactions, intuition of a needed response. It ultimately helps in achieving the future growth of
the Asda company.
Whereas managers also play a very important role in Asda company they perform
planning function which involves determining various courses of actions, defining objectives and
identify what are environmental condition company is facing which help in the growth and
development of company. They should kept operations with business website that assists to deal
with large number of audience in successful way (Ptak and Schragenheim, 2016).
TASK 2
1. Operation management in the organisation and key approaches adopted by it
OPERATION MANAGEMENT OF Asda COMPANY:
Asda is one of the largest retailing companies in the UK and major subsidiary of Wall-
mart. They deal with various merchandise products which include grocery, food, housing and
entertainment goods in the retail sector. The chosen company has faced several supply chain
issues which have been rectified to gain competitive advantage. Some problems are identified in
the operational management process of the Asda company.
One of the problem was regarding the procedure of reverse logistics. The company
encountered problems in management of process relating to the return of goods and products that
the supplier receives from the customers as well as manufacturers (Hunt, 2017). They were learnt
to witness enhanced bulk relating to return of electrical products owing to the moderate return
guidelines. So they develop certain competitive strategies in order to deal with such return
effectiveness, cost efficient method. They need to control the flow of the products.
Key approaches of Asda company:
In the Asda company Six Sigma and lean manufacturing two approaches implemented
that assists to meet with desired level efficiency. It also helps to reduce wastage of material and
increase significant advantages to deal with innovation and creativity.
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2. Identify roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders in successful management of the
operation.
Manager is an individual who is responsible for running the organisational activities
effectively and efficiently (Gray, Wharf Higgins and Rhodes, 2017). He works as to make
effective plan, organize, control, coordinate and directs things in manner that helps to achieve
desire aim so that productive result can be obtained (Syafii and Andre, 2017). The main role of
manager is to frame policies, design procedures and directs that to leaders of enterprise. On the
other hand, leader is person who influences group of people towards direct achievement of
goals. He is person who is responsible to directs other employees about policies and procedures
framed by managers.
Role and responsibilities of manager-
 Leadership- A good manager is person who has the ability to make the person do things
effectively. He has the responsibility to provide direction to people and lead them to
accomplish desired objectives. Thus, effective manager should set vision and direct
employees towards it.
 Administration- Manager should timely oversee and administer operational area (Gray,
Wharf Higgins and Rhodes, 2017). He should have proper track on the performance and
requirement of department that they are met on time or not.
 Delegation- The manager must have the capability to monitor the process of work.
Role and responsibility of leader
The leader has many roles and responsibilities. They must be visionaries, manager and problem
solvers. There are various roles and responsibilities of leader and it has been discussed in
following manner as are-
 Delegate- To have effective and efficient result it is responsibility of leader to meet the
desired goal (Fogliatto and et.al., 2018). It is essential to delegate the power to employees
so that he can able to perform his function efficiently. The leaders should have idea about
the strength and weakness about the employees so that they can delegate important task
to talented employees.
 Set company priorities- The employees should breakdown the vision into series of
objectives so that one particular aim can be full filled (Tweedie and Holley, 2016). The
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leader should prioritise the work and they should take effective steps to accomplish desire
result.
 Seeking solutions- The leader should listen unexpected problems of their teammates. He
must take initiative to resolve its. Leader should act as that he is ready to face any
challenges come in his way. It will motivate the employees can directs them to achieve
on specific goals.
3. Description on importance and value of key approaches to meets objective successfully.
There are number of approaches but Asda put their major consideration over this two
approaches as are-
Six sigma- It is kind of technique that helps the enterprise to improve business processes. With
help of it, organisation can maximize the performance and reduce products defects that leads to
higher profits. Six sigma is process that works as to measured and continually improve the
sigma level so that enterprise can perform its activities effectively. Therefore, sigma is more then
the quality system, set of statistical tool and certification system that has to be implemented in
order to over process of business functions. It is assistive tool that helps the firm in terms to
improve customer satisfaction, minimize operating cost, boosting profits and reduces cycle time
(Wheelen and et.al., 2017). Thus, benefits has been categorised in following context as are-
2. It helps the organisation culture to have continuous improvement and makes the job
easier.
3. Six sigma thrives on promoting changes with help of eliminating barriers and inherent
resistance.
4. It aids to improvise working of enterprise and sustain quality improvement.
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Illustration 1: Six sigma
(Source: Six Sigma, 2018 )
Lean production system- It is approach to management that puts its major consideration over
cutting out waste and ensures quality products (Ferguson and et.al., 2017). Thus, it is one of
integrated set of activities that designed to achieve elimination in waste at time of manufacturing
products. This can be termed out as minimal waste manufacturing approach. It has adopted by
Asda that ultimately leads to add value for both customer as well company. The Importance of
Lean production system has been presented in below context as-
4. It focuses on elimination in unnecessary activities, stocks, work spaces and man power
with regard to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost.
5. It aids to improvise productivity that frees up employees and resources for innovation and
quality control.
3. Evaluate how managers and leaders could be effective to improve operational efficiency to
business objectives.
The effective managers should have idea to balance workplace productivity against the
need of workers, financial, regulatory agencies and productivity pressure (Eveleens, van
Rijnsoever and Niesten, 2017). They must have the ability to listen and prioritising the work and
to make sound decision. The manager should work as to prepare policies and procedures so that
all things can be conducted effectively and efficiently. In addition to it, manager of Asda need to
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put their focus on streamlining communication with customers so that lacking areas can be
identified and their requirements can be easily accessed. Furthermore, managers must promote
high quality in their products and services.
The leader of Asda must be responsible for ensuring that their teams remains efficient
and productive. The quoted firm using time management method that supports to break work
into short intervals, helps to limit procrastination and boost productivity. In order to maximise
team productivity, it is essential to to keep focus on priorities so it leads to enhance overall
productivity. In addition to it, leader must responsible for streamlining workflow of their
subordinates so there can be maximisation in productivity.
Hence, it can be said that manager and leader plays essential role in order to improvize
operational activity that leads to meet to business objectives.
4. Define the impact of external business environment factors on operation management decision
by leaders.
The external environment impacts the working of the enterprise and such factors has been
presented in below context as are-
1. Political- It relates with government laws and legislation and overall political and legal
situation of country. In this, leader should direct their employees to perform their role as
per regulation set by legal authorities. The relation between enterprise and government is
essential for success of business. At time of making decisions leader should be ensured
about it.
2. Economic dimension- It is inclusive of factors as inflation, interest rates and
unemployment. This always affects the demand for products. Thus, short term changes in
need of customer’s impact over capacity utilisation and productivity etc. In addition to it,
leader should take decision by keeping in mind about such issues.
3. Social factors- The socio culture dimension also has great impact over productivity and
profitability of the enterprise (Clark and et,al., 2017). At the time of making changes,
leader of Asda should have idea about the current trends, needs and wants of customers.
4. Technological factors- It relates with methods that helps to covert resources into product
and services. This helps to bring out the innovative procedures that leads to produce
products which can attract customers in market. The leader of Asda should upgrade
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