Operational Management and Leadership Roles at Ford Motors

This report examines the roles and characteristics of managers and leaders within Ford, focusing on operational management's importance in achieving business objectives. It analyzes the functions of managers and leaders, exploring different leadership models and theories such as Situational Leadership, System Leadership, and the Contingency Approach. Key approaches to operations management, including human behavior and social systems, are discussed, highlighting the leader's role in optimizing resource utilization and meeting consumer demands. The report emphasizes the significance of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions, and concludes by reiterating the importance of effective management and leadership in Ford's operational success. Desklib provides access to similar assignments and study resources for students.

Management and
Operations

Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.......................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Roles and Characteristics of Manager and Leader..............................................................................3
TASK 2.......................................................................................................................................................6
P2 Role of a Leader and function of a manger.........................................................................................6
P3 Different models and theories of Leadership......................................................................................7
TASK 3.......................................................................................................................................................8
P4 Key Approaches of operation management and role of a leader.........................................................8
P5 Value and importance of operation management in accomplishing business objectives..................10
TASK 4.....................................................................................................................................................11
P6 Covered in PPT................................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management is a process of administrating the operations and activities related to a
business organization. Operation management refers to designing and implementation of
different systems and strategies for function the organization more appropriately (Barratt, Choi
and Li ,2011). The company requires managing this to monitor and control the entire activities
and document them properly to get the desired result. This is the certain method to gain the
output of implied practices in an enterprise. The main purpose of this report is to analyze the
roles and function of a manager and leader in Ford which is American automaker luxury car
company dominating the automate market from past few decades. This report will also evaluate
different types of approaches of leadership as well as values of management of operation in the
achievement of goals and visions.
TASK 1
P1 Roles and Characteristics of Manager and Leader
Operations management means designing, coordinating ad supervising various activities,
processes and make the desired or essential amendments o the activities of enterprise for
increasing the profitability. The manager role in organisation is planning and maintaining flow
the vision and mission which have been determined by the firm. This is the role of a leader is to
lead the entire Ford branches and determine the aims and objectives of a company was well as
motivate the entire worker for attaining them.
Characteristics of Management
Goal Oriented
This is the function of the manager to guide the entire group of staff to accomplish the
determined goals and objectives (Slack, 2015). The management process should be more goals
oriented which aid the entire organization toward the achievement of business objectives of a
company.
Persuasive

The process of management of organisation is persuasive. The manager of the enterprise
should be able to lead entire members of staff to achieve the target within a period of time.
Multidimensional Process
Manger should be versatile personality. The process of administration is
multidimensional able to manage the activities, people and work of enterprise.
Dynamic procedure
The process of management is dynamic which vary according to the time and new trends
according to the consequences and changes in environment. Manger should have the
characteristics to develop and changes the decisions according to the consequences and changes.
Characteristics of Leadership
Flexibility
Not every situation demands for same solution. Leader should be able to manage and change
their decision according to the different situation should be creative enough t get the new ideas
and opinions for the situation solving (Heizer, 2016). Leadership has the characteristics of
suiting according to the situation.
Honesty
The credibility is another characteristic of leadership contains when a leader the entire
group of people. Those leader who are more concern for their teams and make the decisions
according to their choices and benefit are more qualifies leader which have been proven more
effective and greatest leader in the history.
Optimistic
The styles of leadership are often more optimistic which are able to find a positive path
among all the stress and difficulties. A leader should be more positive and optimistic to lead the
team in even in darkest situation.
Role of a Leader

Innovative and Creative
The manager of organisation should be innovative to make the changes and alternation
according to the needs and demands of the situation. This is the role of manager to make the
improvisation in system and guidelines when required for betterment of organization or worker.
A leader should be creative and inventory personality. This is role of a leader to be
creative among their worker which not only inspires workplace and members of staff also make
the culture of company more innovative in nature.
Direct and Plan
Direction of vision and mission of organization is the role of a leader. They organize new
and creative strategies to meet the organisation to get to desired changes.
It is the role of manger to execute and design the targets for the employee to achieve
them which have set by leader. The leader guide employers to attain plans of a leader.
Control and Stimulate
Managers are the controller and organize the activities of administration and controlling the
activities which is occurring the enterprise (Peng and Lai, 2012). They coordinate and check or
lead the organized activities or operation to meet set outcome.
One of role of leader is to make motivate the employee group and employer as well for
meeting to the depth and monitoring their strategy or plan through keeping records provided by
the managers. This makes the entire process more authentic and organized as well as reduces the
issues and conflicts.
Organize and Allegation
This is one of role and function of manager to make the changes in the activities and
coordinate the required operations which can aid in accomplishing those goals which are
complex to reach. Manager organize various activities to get to the depth of the coordinated
activities for solving the question or issues weather it is related to worker or growth of company.

The leader is responsible for assignment of work and task among employer and manger
of the company. They make the activity of allegation for attaining this process (Wu, and Pagell,
2011). They are often more practical in nature and convey the honest message keeping
transparency in FORD’s operations.
TASK 2
P2 Role of a Leader and function of a manger
Planning and Organising
The major function of a manager is to plan the strategy, target and objectives of organaton forte
organization and employee of the company. This is the duty of a manager to buid the goals and
objectives of the organization and manages a plan according to it for achieving that goal within a
period of time (Galindo, and Batta, 2013). Manager plan the goals of organsaiton which is
required t o focus on for meeting the objectives.
Where leader of the organization analyze the information and data according to the
different consequences as well as create the activity for it. Leader directs the manager for making
the required changes.
Organising and Structurelizer
This is the major function of the enterprise in which a manger organize the gals and
activities according t them for meeting those objectives. It is related with the planning function in
which the manager organizes the activities and action according implements the planned actions.
The role of a leader is to strcuturlise the plan and instruct the manager as well as guide
them through providing the plan and analyzing the situation. They command the manager for
forming the structure and how the organising activities can be done.
Leading and Socializing
Leading is not an easy process. Manager is the leader of the worker and staff member of
the organization which help them in organising the activities which have been determined. This

is the function of a manager to subordinate the worker and guide the entire plan on the right
direction to get the best and maximum outcome out of all activities which have been coordinated.
Leader has wider responsibility then a manager. Manager whereas guide the worker
employed under his department leader’s e is to lead the entire organization, its culture and
employer including manager as well as employee toward the tights direction through providing
same purpose. They are responsible for the overall stimulation and motivation of the entire
working group
Controlling and Conceptulizer
This is the function of the manager of the organization to control the entire employees working
in the organization to monitor the entire activities and implemented plan. This is very essential
process which is required to manage in which the manager check the operations, unfulfilled
targets and lead the efficiencies (Yang, Hong and Modi, 201).
Role of a leader in the function of controlling is very essential. They are the one who determines
the entire concept and motivate and guider manages toward the direction. This is their duty to
make the amendments in the system and determine the guidelines on which the entire manager
functions.
P3 Different models and theories of Leadership
Leadership refers to the ability and qualities to lead and guide individual, groups or mass
number of people with providing them certain purpose. Austin Fraser is a firm which needs some
good and effective worker which has abilities and qualities of leadership to lead the company
toward a good direction. This avail the company in growing and making the operation in
organised and structured way. There are various types of theories and models which can help in
proper leadership styles adaption within the respected company. Here are few o them:
Situational Leadership.
This theory f leadership is formed by Paul heresy and Ken Blanchard and this is formed
on the grounds of Theory of life cycle which was initiated in mid year of 1970’s which was later
known as situational theory of leadership. This theory states that a visible manner of leadership is
better or perfect which refer to the ability of leaders to deal with the conflict situations. Hence, it

is based over the specific job role and its consequences, which is the demand of the situation
required to be attained. This concept of the model majorly relay on the individual presentation
and performance of team work level.
System Leadership
This model is based initially concerned with the framework and oraganisation ‘s politics which
come while managing any conflicts situation and consequences. This theory is based on
management discipline through understanding and identifying required logics , data and facts.
The style of systematic leadership believes on the complying norms, regulation and rules,
executed by the higher oraganisation authorities, in order to function the business operations in
more effectively and efficiently (Sarkis, Zhu, and Lai, 2011). Therefore, it is also popular as the
model of systematic leadership.
Contingency Approach
These approaches refer to the leaders understanding and considerations of internal and
external factors that are interrelate. Additionally, the approaches of contingency is also linked
with the situational leadership on the grounds of believing the same facts which is no model is
better for the coordinating and guiding an enterprise. Thus, a manager or leader should react
according to condition which they are facing and make the decision according to demands of
situations. Hence, the leader which is contingent should adopt administration through
undertaking essential data and facts (Ford names Shirinov CEO of Russia JV, 2017).
TASK 3
P4 Key Approaches of operation management and role of a leader
Management of operation is important for managing the affairs and activities of a firm.
This includes the processes including manufacture, management and the administration action
that help a company in gaining the amount of revenues. The competitive benefit of a Ford is
influenced by the using efficiency of resources that are available and satisfy the needs and
demands of consumers. This process aid in transforming the entire inputs and outputs in the
organisation and make the total utilization f each and every process made by a company.

Human Behavior Approach
The attributes and behavior of styles of leadership and their management considered as
the approach of human behavior. It is based n the behaviors and different behavior of various
organizations on which the survey have been executed.
Social System Approach
It s linked with the culture as well as nature and background of a manager or leader
working on a large organisation like Ford which have wide business in global market.
Empirical Approach
This they focus over the observation of leadership of organisation and generate the own
hypothesis on the grounds of it.
The management of operation encompasses several numbers of concepts which are
theoretical and practical as well.
Role of Leader
Leader of Ford organizations aid it in reaching the business objectives through leading
them with effective strategies and giving them a purpose (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012). They
are responsible for the stimulation, motivation and inspiration of the members of staffs and
enhance the quality of entire performance by using mediums of media and communication such
as seminars team work activities, speech etc. Here are few of main roles which a leader plays in
conveying the enterprise toward the achievements of business objectives:
 The work on the enhancement of the quality of entity activities and programs which the
organization organizes for the evolution including the manufacture and distribution
procedures as well.
 Support and coordinate the arrangement of chain of products in the respected company
in the whole branches of company which increase sales and reduce threats of trade.
 Main role of leader is to leader guide. In context of business, they lead the business
objectives to right way and direct worker in functioning process trough maintaining
various distinct ideas and complying those according to situations and consequences.

They not only inspire employee as well as vision of Ford but also stimulate operation
methods and techniques in order to meet the set targets in adequate and most effective
way.
P5 Value and importance of operation management in accomplishing business objectives
The administration of operations has their worth and value in Ford for proper functioning
of their practices. Like every company, Ford manages a different administration system to
manage their activities as well as document the entire operations. The work have eliminated by
respected organisation into various different for proper leading and direction to various types of
tasks. CL avail the assistance in evaluation of various types of information and data as well as
examining response of consumers for future demands and trends according to that Ford develop
strategies and plans of evolution (Brandenburg and et. al., 2014).
Importance of OM
Main function of management of operations is to examine recent situation and develop
strategies and plan according to it. Ford needs to adopt suitable approaches and models to
increase the effectiveness and efficiency of activities or action which they imply. This assist in
achieving business objectives and aims through aiding in betterment of products and service
quality of Ford. This avail satisfaction to consumer ensuring about the quality and performance
of commodity and make proper utilization of their invested capital (Fernie and Sparks, 2014).
Ford have been dominating automate market from decades. Main cause behind the
leading and success of enterprise is meeting demands and expectation of buyers and
understanding client’s preferences (Dekker, Bloemhof and Mallidis). The respected organization
utilizes the system of inventory administration in their company for making the best decisions.
This supports in providing a roper patterns of all operation which are functioning in the entire
firm’s stores globally. This also avail a unique recognitions of brand among the society as well
as consumers. It helps in working entire system in harmony rendering more systematic and
organized framework and culture. Operation management is valuable for Ford for overall
evolution in market meeting the business objectives and targets as well as expansions of
company in international wide to gain more potential customers.

TASK 4
P6 Covered in PPT
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that management and leadership both are
different from each other as well as relay on the same time which are significant part of an
oraganisation. There various function and role a manger play in the smooth functioning of entire
operations. There are various theories of leadership which have eliminated the leader is different
types on the grounds of their traits and inheritances. There are various approaches of leading
which a company can undertake to maximize the effectiveness of organizational activities.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barratt, M., Choi, T. Y. and Li, M., 2011. Qualitative case studies in operations management:
Trends, research outcomes, and future research implications. Journal of Operations
Management. 29(4). pp.329-342.
Slack, N., 2015. Operations strategy. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heizer, J., 2016. Operations Management, 11/e. Pearson Education India.
Peng, D. X. and Lai, F., 2012. Using partial least squares in operations management research: A
practical guideline and summary of past research. Journal of Operations
Management. 30(6). pp.467-480.
Galindo, G. and Batta, R., 2013. Review of recent developments in OR/MS research in disaster
operations management. European Journal of Operational Research. 230(2). pp.201-211.
Yang, M. G. M., Hong, P. and Modi, S. B., 2011. Impact of lean manufacturing and
environmental management on business performance: An empirical study of
manufacturing firms. International Journal of Production Economics.129(2). pp.251-261.
Sarkis, J., Zhu, Q. and Lai, K. H., 2011. An organizational theoretic review of green supply chain
management literature. International Journal of Production Economics.130(1). pp.1-15.
Gunasekaran, A. and Ngai, E. W., 2012. The future of operations management: an outlook and
analysis. International Journal of Production Economics. 135(2). pp.687-701.

Dekker, R., Bloemhof, J. and Mallidis, I., 2012. Operations Research for green logistics–An
overview of aspects, issues, contributions and challenges. European Journal of
Operational Research. 219(3). pp.671-679.
Wu, Z. and Pagell, M., 2011. Balancing priorities: Decision-making in sustainable supply chain
management. Journal of Operations Management. 29(6). pp.577-590.
Brandenburg, M. and et. al., 2014. Quantitative models for sustainable supply chain
management: Developments and directions. European Journal of Operational
Research. 233(2).pp.299-312.
Fernie, J. and Sparks, L., 2014. Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new
challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers.
Online
Ford names Shirinov CEO of Russia JV. 2017. [Online]. Available through:<
http://europe.autonews.com/article/20170711/ANE/170719955/ford-names-shirinov-ceo-
of-russia-jv>.