Analysis of Leadership and Operations Management Strategies at ASDA

This report provides an in-depth analysis of leadership and operations management within ASDA, a British supermarket chain. It explores the roles of leaders and managers in various situations, including conflict resolution and adapting to rapid changes, and examines how they apply classical and transformational leadership theories. The report further delves into different management approaches and models, such as situational, systems, and contingency leadership theories, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in the context of ASDA's operations. Additionally, it discusses key operational management approaches, including Total Quality Management (TQM), Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory management, and continuous improvement, detailing how leaders and managers contribute to their implementation and effectiveness. The report underscores the importance of these strategies in achieving business objectives within a dynamic environment.

Management and
Operations

INTRODUCTION
Management is the process of planning, administrating, directing, dominating and
coordinating the business operations and activities so that the business concern of the firm can
run and malfunction effectively. Operation management is the administration of business
concern actions to bring forth the advanced extent of skillfulness possible within a company. It is
obsessed with change over substantial and labour into the goods and services as efficiency as
possible to maximize the profit of a company. It can be a process of effective management of
resources which are used by the firm in business operations like workforce, technology,
equipment etc. This report is supported on ASDA which is a British supermarket retailer and
headquartered in West Yorkshire, England (Bromiley and Rau, 2016). This firm was founded in
1949 and operating its business 633 locations with grocery and general merchandise products
and financial services. This report will discuss about function of leader and purpose of
administrator in various ascertains and postulation of several conceptions or models of approach.
Further, will explain about the key approaches of operation administration and the grandness and
value of operations administration in accomplishing business objectives. The business
environment which create effect upon operational management and determination devising by
leaders and managers will also determine.
TASK 2
P2. The role of a leader and the function of a manager in different situations
There are several role which are played by the leader of an organization in different
situations of it for instant, when the firm make innovation in the business, use new technologies
and make changes in the policies of the firm etc. Apart form it, managers of the firm also play
their important role by formulating strategies accordant to the innovation, new technologies and
others so that employees can work effectively. In context of respective organisation which is a
grocery firm sop that are various changes are generated in the firm as per the changes in trends
and consumers needs regarding its business operations and products & services (Chevalier and
et. al., 2015). In these kind of situations, the leaders and managers of ASDA play diverse role in
the different situations of the company which are generated in the firm due to make trading
operations and actions of the organisation. Some of them are characterized as under:

Conflict resolution- It refers to an activity of resolving disagreement and dispute which are
arising within the firm and create their negative impact upon the business activities as well as
performance of the workforce. For example in ASDA, the situation of conflict resolution can
generate when organisation want to make innovation in its business by providing a mobile
application to its target audiences so that they can take the benefits of the services and products
of this company properly. To make this innovation the management can form a team so that
employees can work regarding it. In team, the situation of conflicts can arise when team
members will not share their ideas, thoughts strategies and plan of actions etc. There is not
effective communication so all the employees work according to their own thoughts. It is the
reason of generating issues in the team (Gibson and Parkman, 2018). These kind of conflict
affect the work of innovation in negative term because when employees will not aware the plan
which regarding it and the in formation which is delivered by the administration regarding it then
they will not complete their task on time. So the reason of arising conflicts are communication
gap, ineffective team and unclear decision etc. which affect the company unfavourably.
Role of leader- To resolve the situation of conflicts leaders play an effective role by
providing effective and appropriate solution in context of issues and problems. In ASDA, in this
situation, leader set the vision and allotted the work as per the skills and competencies to the
employees so that they can effective complete it on time by attaining progressive outcome. By
making open communication in the team they can provide option of making participation in
determination devising activity so that teammates can share their issues it their seniors and get
appropriate solution.
Role of manager- In ASDA, in this situation, manager play a crucial role by formulating
plan of actions regarding the work so that team members can do their work according to them.
They can provide effective resources like technology, equipments and others which are required
for it so that they complete their allotted task adequately.
Rapid change- there are several kind of changes are devised by the organisations due to fulfil
the needs, taste and preferences of the customers. So that they take the benefits of the products
and services which are provided by the company as per their requirement. For example, the
management of ASDA want to make change in its billing activities and have decided to use
artificial intelligence in it by using robotics (Gillen, Jacquillat and Odoni, 2016). Apart form it,
the administration also decided that if this change will not work effectively then it can use

atomistic billing machine. So in these rapid change situation, the company that kind of
employees who have great knowledge about 6technology.
Role of leader- In this situation leader play an effective role by selecting skilled and well
qualified employees for the task so that they can use their competencies and cognition for
adequately performing the task (Grant, Trautrims and Wong, 2017). They provide the guidance
to the workers regarding the work that team members properly aware with their work. If there is
any need of training and learning sessions they organise so that teammates can improve their
competencies and increase their knowledge.
Role of manager- The administrator of the respective firm formulate plans and policies
so that employees can work effectively in a structured manner so that the firm can easily adopt
the change without facing any unfavourable impact on its business operations and activities.
Classical theory of management- In the above defined situations, the administrators of ASDA
can apply this theory to minimise and reduce the problems. With the assistance of this
conception, the manager can decently direct the workforce and influence them for the utilisation
of their effectiveness and skills in their task and work.
Transformational theory of leadership- It is a leadership concept with the help of it leader can
deal with the defined situations. They can lead and encouraged the workers or providing clear
information about the situation which are occurred in the firm so that the team members work by
considering it. For example, they can provide the information about the reason of rapid change
situation and offer training etc. to improve their competencies.
P3. Different theories and models of approach
In ASDA, there are several concepts and models which are used by the leaders
administrates of the company to mange and encourage the employees so that they can make their
effective contribution in the effective running and success of the company. In context of ASDA,
explanation of some models are as below:
Situational leadership theory- It is an approach within leader play an effective role and
responsibilities as per the situation and condition of the firm. Theory was formulated by Paul and
Harsey and it include different styles of leadership like telling, selling, participating and
delegating which are adopted by a leader to work in diverse situation (Heizer, Render and
Munson, 2017). With the assistance of these different leading style, they can provide brief

information about structure, term and situation of the company to the workforce so that they can
work accordingly.
Strengths- It is an effective concept to increase the level of motivation of the workers. It
is crucial because it offer an opportunity to them to participate in decision making activity.
Weaknesses- The disadvantage of this theory is that sometimes it is not able to provide
clear information about some leaders (Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). It may create confusion within
the organisation which can mislead the workers.
System leadership theory- This leadership theory mention to the leaders of a company to
arrange situation within at all level where workers can execute their roles and responsibilities in
a proper way. In ASDA, the leader can perform their role in a systematic way by proving
effective directions to the workers. It is favourable for making a secure, healthy and friendly,
safe workplace where employees can perform their task without facing any issues. This concept
can be used by the firm for improving the performance of the firm.
Strengths- This concept is beneficial to the firm because with the assistance of it,
workers can perform their assigned work in systematic manner and adequately attain business
objectives. .
Weaknesses- The limitations of this approach is that it is a lengthy procedure which is
complex so there are several parameters make their involvement within it.
Contingency leadership theory- This concept of leadership is framed by Fred Fielder in 1964 to
standard the competences, abilities and influencing the employees. In ASDA, it can be used by
the firm to encourage the workers so that they can achieve the goals of their assigned work
timely. This theory run on a two fold procedure in which situation of the company and abilities
of the leader both are defined (Kapadia, Dong and Yang, 2018). In this approach, various
approach which are developed as an inner portion of it such as suitable task artifact of a business
concern.
Strengths- This concept is dynamic in nature so it can be modifies as per the situation.
This approach provide opportunities to the workforce which assist them in their development and
deliver their ideas to the business.
Weaknesses- This concept is basically reactive in nature so sometime it is hard to handle
the situations become hard for the leader and manager.

TASK 3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play
There are various formulations of operation administration and leader and managers
played several within them. The explantation of them are as following in context of ASDA as
follows:
TQM(Total Quality Management)- It indicates to an ongoing process of detection and
diminution or eliminate problems and conflicts for the production, contour supply chain
administration, processing potential client's experiences and assuring that workers are up to
velocity with grooming. In ASDA, it can be an ongoing activity of analysing and solving issues
from manufacturing procedure of the firm (Littlefield, Nallathambi and Chanchlani, 2016). This
approach focus on the quality of the product that it is as per the requirement of consumers. The
main motive of it is to hold all the companies and participants which are referred in fabricating
activities for overall attribute of the products and services. It is effective to the management of
the organisation to frame a good culture where workforce can perform adequately.
Roles of leaders and managers- This approach enable leader to show an efficacious role
to set up the measurement for the manufacture actions and activities. The administrators are
reassuring the continuous development of the business concern an fiction procedure.
Just-in-time- It mention as a tool and technique which can be implement by the organisation in
its business to increase the skilfulness and minimise the wastage by exploiting product during the
time of requirement in designing raw material actions (Song and Parola, 2015). In ASDA, this
approach is effective in operation management to decrease the deficit of attribute. It is beneficial
for minimising the waste of producing products and services according to target audiences
during the time of requirements.
Roles of leaders and mangers- In ASDA, with the assistance of this approach administrators are
help the company in building and administrating efficient relationship with the suppliers who
offer the raw material to the organisation for the production of the products ad services. Leaders
play an appropriate role by concerning that workers have proper information about theirs roles,
duties and responsibilities.
Continuous improvement- It is another approach which refer to an action of ensuring a
business to increase its expected activities and manufacture result in each and every situations
timely (Mahadevan, 2015). In ASDA, this approach can apply by the administration of the firm

to demesne working redundant time, occurrence of business, purchasing extra instruments and
selling commercial products and services. It is beneficial to the organisation because it assist the
administration in managing the capability and quality of the goods and services which are
offered by the firm.
Roles of managers and leaders- By adopting this approach, the administrators are
answerable for uncovering out the extent of task and determining the progress of the group who
are acting in a specific task (Nakagawa, 2015). Leaders are accountable to distinguishing that
which workers would perform their responsibilities in task.
P5. The importance and value of operations management in accomplishing business objectives
The grandness and worth of operations administration in achieving business concern
impersonal can be explained with the assistance of utility of operation management. They are
defined as below:
Control and distribution systems- It is a very crucial purpose of business activity
administration because it is accountable to control the activities of manufacturing process and
assuring the effective distribution of the goods and services in order to meet the business
verifiable of the company. It accomplish that the impersonal of the company which is effective
usage of origins is locomote. The effectiveness of this method can be developed by accepting a
powerful relation method and to evolve the provision substructure of the respective organisation
in order to attain the business aims of the firm (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018). The activity and
allocation system is connected with the effective control of origins as per the different activities
in a calculative way so that the wastage can be minimise of the resources.
Process design- With the assistance of this function, the administration of the
organisation can frame and design production action of the organization. It is important for
ASDA because with the assist of it, the establishment can make betterment in the manufacturing
procedure and manufactured products accordant to consumers inevitably and needs. It will be
advantageous to the firm in term of accomplishing business goals by fulfilling consumers needs
by offering products as per their requirements (Neelakandan, Tyagi and Nagalkar, 2019). This
function help the company in term of raising the productivity of the company.
Logistics and inventory- It is essential function to the company because with having
effective support of logistics, goods can not be supply and distribute in the market at the time of
high requirement of them by the market. In ASDA, this function of operation management

enable the company and the administration can concentrate on inventory administration because
it help the company in maintaining an appropriate supply of the goods and services which are
produces by the company according to target audiences needs. As per this process, the
administration of respective company can distribute products in adequate way timely which is
provided for manufacturing by leading a systematic structure.
TASK
P6. The factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision making
Corporate social responsibility- It is explained as a business concern formulation that
take part to the sustainable improvement by intercourse economical, ethnical and environmental
benefits to all its neutrals. In ASDA, the administration of the firm designing CSR policy which
are efficacious to the neutral and also for the cultural goodness (Reid and Sanders, 2019). The
firm invest it a small portion of its profit for the social and environmental welfare in term of
conducting educational program, planting and work for the safety of the environment etc. The
organisation operate its business so that the business activities did not harm the environment and
atmosphere where it is running its business. The administration of the company also use better
quality raw material to produce good products and also conduct an effective production which
did not create unfavourable impact upon the environment.
Value- It is advised as a crucial component of the business of a firm because the products
and services are produced by the organisation which involve value and the target audiences are
ready to purchase them by paying any cost. It influence the determination devising the leaders
and mangers because the commodities and services which are manufactured by the company,
have some value in term of increasing the profit margins and productivity. It also unfavourably
affect the decision making when the products are manufacture but do not have value then there is
not any customer to buy them. In ASDA, it negatively impact the decision making when the
goods are manufacture but not valuable (Ravindran, 2016). When managers and leader
concentrate on framing an effective working environment then employees can work effectively
by producing good products.
Ethics- It refers to the process of performing activities by considering culture and values.
If the administration of the firm offer a healthy and secure work culture to its employees then

they can effectively complete their allotted task and work by achieving setted business
objectives. Ethical business refer to a business which is operated by the firm by following all the
rules, regulations, ethics, values and provide its advantages to its stakeholders. In ASDA, if the
company will not operate its business activities appropriately then they will not help in offering
advantage to the firm and the decision making of leaders mangers will negatively influence.
Sustainability- It mention to a factor which concentrate on attaining the need of the
present generation without devising any kind of compromises with the requirements of future
generation (Schönsleben, 2018). In ASDA, it is crucial for the firm so that the consumers can
get information about the firm and the management can accomplish its set business aims in
context of save the origins which are needed by the organisation in future. It affect the decision
making when fluctuation occur to achieve current and upcoming customers needs.
CONCLUSION
As per the preceding mentioned data it can be drumhead that operation management is an
effective process of management of the actions, activities and procedure of the business of a
company. It is crucial to manage and control the actions of manufacturing merchandise and
services. There are various roles which are played by the leaders and managers in the company
in different situations. Various conceptions and models of leadership which are used by the
leaders in the company to lead and direct the employees. Several operation management
approaches and functions are beneficial to make control on the business operations and
production of the firm.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals