Analyzing Leadership & Management in Coca Cola's Operations: A Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of operations management, focusing on the case study of Coca-Cola. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within an organizational context, highlighting their distinct responsibilities and objectives. The report then delves into how these roles function in different organizational situations, such as delegation and employee engagement, and explores the application of various leadership theories and models, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency approaches. Furthermore, the report examines key approaches to operations management, such as total quality management, just-in-time, and lean production, illustrating the roles played by managers and leaders in implementing these strategies. It emphasizes the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives and concludes by considering factors within the business environment that impact operational management. The assignment showcases the practical application of leadership and management principles within a global corporation.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and compare role and characteristics of leader and manager................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of a leader and function of a manager in different organisational context...............3
P3 Application of different theories and models of approach................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P4 Key approaches to operations management and roles played by manager and leader.....5
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives........7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management .....8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is an area which ensures that process of production are carried
out in efficient and ideal manner. The tasks revolves around controlling and managing business
output so that business objectives can be attained (What is Operations Management?, 2014). The
efforts of management operations makes sure that desired level of output is obtained in an
efficient and effective manner. The project manager is the person who is responsible for carrying
out operations and managing the same effectively. The emphasis is on conversion of raw
material into finished goods. The main areas which are undertaken in this process are production
of products, managing quality and service creation. This assignment undertakes project
management and operations that are commenced by Coca Cola. The role of leader and functions
performed by manager are differentiated and applied on to various organisational situations.
Also, it demonstrates relationship between leadership and management in a business
environment.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare role and characteristics of leader and manager
In a contemporary business environment, both leaders and managers play a crucial role in
an organisation. Managers are known to effectively manage various resources of a company and
leaders are the people who lead a group of people to achieve organisational objectives. The
various differentiated roles played by a leader and manager are:
Role of manager
Goal oriented: Manager in an organisation are responsible to attain goal which are
established by management (Botton, Cavalletto and Marmeggi, 2013). The responsibility also
includes implementation of policies and practices formulated by management on to the diverse
resources of an organisation.
Risk Control: The manager in an organisation is responsible for controlling factors which
carry potential of causing harm to the organisation. The efforts of risk management are to be
undertaken by a manager in an organisation. Coca Cola ensures its manager develop and
implement practices of risk minimization.
Role Of a leader
Setting up a vision: The primary task which is to be performed by a leader is setting up
of vision for followers working together. Vision is defined as the purpose of an organisation
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which is to be established by a leader in an organisation. Along with setting up of vision, he
assigns task and duties which are to be performed by an individual to achieve the same.
Building morale: This is another role which is played by a leader. It is the process of
including everyone in the task to achieve objectives of an organisation and is performed by a
leader (Expósito and et. al., 2016). This is generally done through providing feedback and
appreciating good performances by followers so that they perform with their full potential. This
is a crucial factor which contribute in goal attainment.
The major differences between roles played by a manager and leader in context of an
organisation are:
Ground Manager Leader
Directing Manager in an organisation direct
its employee to perform the task
which is assigned to them in an
ideal manner.
Leader do not direct its followers
instead they work with them to make
them work ideally and be optimistic
about the task they are performing.
Change Agents Manager follow standard status
quo. The system which is giving
ideal output will be adopted by
them for a longer duration.
Leader are known to be innovators.
They act as change agents for an
organisation and identifies ways in
which task is to be done by them
(Eyal and Haim, Clarizen, 2014).
They are known to embrace change
in their working and their
environment.
Uniqueness Manager lacks uniqueness. They
are known to follow certain
standard protocol which is
communicated to them by
management.
Leader possess certain amount of
uniqueness in a manner in which
tasks are being handled.
Risk taking Manager working in an
organisation are known for not
Whereas leader on the other hand are
known for taking risks and to attain
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taking risks and take measures to
minimize risks in functioning of
business.
success in the same.
TASK 2
P2 Role of a leader and function of a manager in different organisational context
Both leaders and manager are responsible to play different roles with the help of their
skills and capabilities. The efforts of both leader and manager are directed to achieve the goals
and objectives of an organisation. The different organisation situations to which role of leader
and function of manager are applicable are:
Delegation of authority and responsibilities: The manager are responsible for assigning
task to employees working for an organisation. The management provides a management a
performance target which he have to accomplish with the help of employees by providing a
balanced approach to authority and responsibility (Handschin and Petroianu, 2012). Whereas
leaders on the other hand provides employee with responsibilities and guides the same into
fulfilling his tasks and duties. Leaders use their supervision and feedback mechanism to get the
work done and whereas manager apply standard techniques and tools to achieve targets
determined.
Example: Coca Cola's management ensures manager are provided with right mix of
authority and responsibilities so that he is able to achieve performance targets established by the
management.
Employee engagement: Employees constitute as a crucial component of an organisation.
The ideal participation of employee help in goal attainment for an organisation. The leader and
manager both make effort to achieve maximum participation of employees so as to achieve ideal
participation.
Example: Management for Coca cola have built employee engagement initiative to
enhance level of participation of workers in organisational activities. This mega corporation
employs around 700,000 employees worldwide and ensures contribution of each and every
employee in the final output. Encouraging communication and development are the means
adopted to ensure maximum participation of employees.
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Training and development: It is another vital function which is to be performed by
manager and leader in their respective functioning. The supports or employees working with an
organisation are to be developed and trained according to demand of the market (Johnstone,
2016). The incorporation of new technology in business activity assess need for development of
employees so as to operate latest technology in an ideal manner. Leader guides and motivate its
followers so that they are able to nurture their skills whereas managers employ standard tools
and techniques to upgrade skills and capabilities of employee working with organisation.
Example: In context of Coca Cola, UK have paid special emphasis to training and
development of employees through measures such as on-the-job training platforms and feedback
mechanism to make sure employees possess resources which help in enhancement of skills and
knowledge.
P3 Application of different theories and models of approach
Leadership in an organisation is supported by various theories applicable to diverse
situations arising in an institution. Leadership function is facilitated and supported by such
theories which help in carrying out the task in an ideal manner. The major leadership approaches
practices by Coca Cola are as follows:
Situational Leadership: It is one of the most popular approach to leadership developed
by Dr. Paul Hersey. It is a tool to influence the behaviour of supports by using behavioural
sciences. It defines relationship shared by a leader and its supporters. This approach can be
demonstrated through four core stages which are helpful in influencing behaviour of supporters
i.e.
 Diagnose: this step aims to identify current problems or queries. To influence behaviour
of an individual it is necessary to diagnose present circumstances (Liu, Yin and Fu,
2011).
 Adapt: this step aims to adapt to the present needs of situation so that it can be
manipulated.
 Communicate: this step focuses on interaction between leaders and supporters so that
they understand and accept changes which are to be incorporated.
 Advance: this step focuses on effective management of movement of people in context of
particular situation.
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Systems leadership: This leadership approach is categorised as dominant approach to
leadership. System theory perceives establishment as a system which can either be open or
closed system. Most of leadership theories and approaches views organisation as a open system
as it interacts with outside environment through numerous means. A system is defined to be a
body comprising of various parts which interacts with each other on various occasions. The
various parts of system are employees, assets and other resources. Coca Cola is an institution
which follows open approach therefore influenced by the happening in external world. The
efforts are on the management of external environment so that organisational productivity can be
enhanced.
Contingency approach: Contingency approach states that there is no ideal approach to
handle a particular situation. The best manner in which a situation can be handled is to assess
internal and external environment of the company so that ideal decisions can be formulated
(Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera, 2014). There are various factors which are undertaken in such
situations are task, personality and approach to solve the problem. Path goal theory is a popular
contingency approach which aims to identify the style which will lead a company to its targets.
Management by objective: It is an contemporary approach to leadership where as
objectives established are provided with priority and performance of an employee is measured on
such basis. This approach was given by Peter Drucker in 1954. Each and every employee is
assigned a objectives which he have to fulfil in given amount of time. This approach ensures
employees are guided and motivated to achieve objectives determined by leader.
The above mentioned are the various approaches which are to be undertaken by leader to
resolve particular query or situation arising in an organisation. Every approach defines diverse
approach to resolve query in the company. Situation theory focuses on assessment of situation
and system and contingent approach defines that there is no particular manner in which
behaviour of a follower can be influenced.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and roles played by manager and leader
Approaches to operations management are defined to be a manner in which ideal output
can be obtained by emphasizing on the qualitative aspects as well. The key approaches which are
used by Coca Cola in operations management are:
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Total quality management: It is an approach which aims to improve quality of products
and services through continuous development (Moghaddam, Seifi and Niknam, 2012). The
efforts of this approach are aimed to exceed expectation of customer's. Manager and leader play
a vital role in this approach through providing adequate resources to business activity. The
another function which is carried out by a manger is that manager have to continuously
understand requirements of customer so that they can be fulfilled through this approach.
Just in time: This is an operations management approach popularised by Toyota
Production system. It is one of the contemporary approaches which aims on minimize wastages
by ordering inventory only when required along with efforts of continuous improvement are
undertaken as well (White, 2016). The manager and leader play a crucial role as they have to
determine requirement of resources. Another function which they have to perform is to maintain
long term relationship with the suppliers so that inputs are available whenever required.
(Source: Just in time Coca cola, 2016)
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Illustration 1: Just in time Coca cola

Lean production: It is an approach which focuses on production in a systematized
manner. The efforts are to cut out wastage which conversion of raw material to finished goods
while maintaining a certain level of quality (Moghaddam and et. al., 2011). The manager and
leaders in this approach of operations management utilises tools and techniques to ensure that
there is minimum wastages of resources.
Queueing and continuous production: As the name suggests, this approach focuses on
production of goods and services without any interruption. It is an 24*7 hour process which
consists only few breaks for maintenance purposes. The sales forecasting is done and to fulfil
requirements of the same continuous production system is adopted. In the case of Coca Cola
where its prime product is seasonal in nature even then this approach is preferred as it carries a
huge demand in the summer season. The manager play a important role as it conducts sales
forecast of product just to determine future requirement of product in the market. The
identification of various tools and techniques of productivity will also be mentioned by the
manager.
Six sigma: it is an approach which aims to eliminate disruption in the process of
production (Mohammadi and et. al., 2013). The efforts of this approach are directed towards
fulfilling requirement of customers at cost effective manner. It provides an establishment with
tools with which they can improve their process of production. When a process of production is
efficient and effective it boost moral of the employees and results in improvement in profitability
of the company. Coca Cola employs this approach to improve process of production so that it
results in ideal supply chain. The manager working for this organisation ensures that right set of
tools and methodology are employed such as control charts and SPC's. The methods which are
preferred by manager are DMAIC (Define, measure, analyse, improve and control).
P5 Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
Business objectives are defined to be set of targets established by the management for a
certain time period. The objectives defines platform which they aim to accomplish within
defined period (Nakamura and et. al., 2015). This most common business objectives of a
business organisation are survival in market, improvement in sales, maximising profits and
satisfaction of customer's. This cited organisation aims to maximise sales of the company to
attain a improved level of profitability through its operations.
Role of operations management:
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APHSA specifies operation management as an approach to improve quality and capacity
of business operations. The most important role which is played by operations management is
that it helps in evaluation of production processes which are carried out in business. It is
necessary to evaluate business operations to identify the errors in business. The another role
which is undertaken by management of operations are resources and capacity of business. It
ensures that resources of a business are used in ideal manner and there is minimum wastages of
the same. The evaluation of process helps in identifying capacity of business which is
determined in quality and quantity aspects of operations.
The importance of operations management is as follows:
Operations management plays a crucial role in an organisation. It is not only beneficial to
manufacturing sector but to whole organisation. It involves undertaking of process to from raw
material to it reaching to the final user. Coca cola ensures that tools and techniques of operation
management to be applied on the processes due to its following significance:
Customer satisfaction: the most important significance of application of operations
management is that needs and expectation of customer are fulfilled. The operations management
processes aims to improve quality of products keeping cost of products stable (Ruiz-Alvarez and
et. al., 2012). This help in providing quality goods to the consumer at same prices which
improves their level of satisfaction.
Improving quality: the another significant factor which can is crucial for a business. The
approaches such as continuous development and improvement aims to product better quality
output. When a business delivers quality products at competitive prices it helps in obtaining a
superior position in the market. Gaining a competitive edge for Coca cola helps in sustaining in
market for longer duration.
Brand Image: when a company is able to deliver quality products at competitive prices to
its customers it helps in building a positive brand image for the company. Brand image is a
summation of opinion and views held by the people. Coca Cola is a renowned name which could
only be possible due to quality products they offer to the market.
Profit maximisation: it is one of prime goal of carrying out a business in the market.
Operation management approaches such as lean production and six sigma aims to minimize
wastage of resources of the company. Coca cola has adopted tools of operations management so
that efficiency can be attained in processes and profit can be maximised.
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Distribution control system: It is a computerised tool which helps in controlling of
operations of business. Coca cola carries a complex industrial processes which means that it
involves variety of function in completing a task. It is an automated control system in which an
individual is responsible to control all the functions. A central machine is connected to various
small computers which assist in carrying out of operations.
Process design: a process design identifies and ensures the suitability with the objectives
established by the organisation. The process should be far sighted and carries a broader view of
the same. The process of Coca cola should be able to ensure that value products are delivered to
consumers through selection of ideal process. The strategy in process takes into consideration
procurement of input, machineries, investment and customer participation. The process in
context of the company process initiates with sugar, fruit juices and special beverage base which
results in packed Pet bottle of Coca cola.
Capacity management: it is the measure of the company to ensure that current and future
requirements of the organisation are met. The incorporation of IT functions will make sure that
demands for the product of the company are fulfilled.
Facilities and layout: It is defined to be administration of processes which are directed in
increasing output and improvement in product quality simultaneously. It is the arrangement of
facilities in which operations are carried out. The emphasis in this function are given to
equipment, space, machineries and supporting accessories which help in fulfilling manufacturing
process.
Work structure:Another major thing which get done through operation function of a
company is that they have to prepare and formulate an appropriate work structure under which
each and every activity get done in an appropriate manner.
TASK 4
P6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
Business environment consist of factors which affects the functioning of operations
management along with decision making capabilities of a leader and manager. The vital factors
are as follows:
Corporate Social responsibilities: Abbreviated as CSR, it is defined to be self regulation
of business undertaken by the management itself. It identifies the manner in which a business
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organisation interacts with various factor of environment (Shuxin, 2011). It is an approach
through which an organisation established balance between economic, environmental and social
factors. Coca cola's CSR activities ensure sustainable and inclusive of all the factors. CSR
activities impacts decision making of leader and manager in the most significant manner. The
use of resources which are scarce in nature should be utilised efficiently and means which put the
communities around in danger should not be adopted. This organisation have paid emphasis to
concern of water, environment and social grounds and have to keep in mind while formulating
decisions.
Sustainability: Sustainability is define to be maintaining a certain level of economic
growth by maintaining a level of ecological balance as well. This mega beverage provider have
developed sustainability programme for 2020. the various segments which are to be undertaken
in this programmer are workplace rights, climate protection, agriculture and packaging. The
leaders and manager have to ensure sustainability before formulating decisions.
Stakeholders: These are the people who are directly influenced by the functioning of
business. The stakeholders of a business are employees, society, investors, suppliers and
shareholders. Before making any decision a manager or a leader have to make sure that decisions
are formulated are beneficial from point of view of all members concerned with the organisations
(Strande and Brdjanovic, 2014).
Intraprenuers: Intraprenuers are defined to be the people who promote and support
innovation in an organisation. The innovation in a large organisation are carried out in sector of
product and marketing domains. Coca cola have designed various programme which promote
entrepreneurship in the organisation. The decision making of a manager and leader is influenced
to a big extent due to this internal environment factor.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above report that operations management plays a crucial
role in an organisation. It not only helps in improving production processes but also is significant
for an organisation in attainment of goals and objectives. Managers and leader play a diversified
roles and functions in an organisation and plays an important role in managing and controlling
business activities. The project manager in this segment ensures right set of tools and techniques
are employed so that ideal output can be attained along with consideration to various factors such
as corporate citizenship, sustainability, intraprenuership and major stakeholders.
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