Analysis of Management and Operations at Iceland Supermarket

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of management and operations within Iceland Supermarket. It begins with an introduction to the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, differentiating their responsibilities and highlighting essential qualities such as honesty, communication, and confidence. The report then delves into the practical application of leadership and management in various situations, examining how leaders motivate employees, resolve conflicts, and implement strategies to enhance productivity. Different leadership theories, including contingency, situational, and systems leadership, are explored, along with their practical implications for the organization. The report emphasizes the importance of operational management in achieving business objectives, assessing factors that impact operational management, and analyzing how leadership styles influence organizational success within the context of Iceland Supermarket. The report also discusses different management theories like Management by Objective, Behavioural theories and Classical management theory, and how these theories can be applied to solve the problem of employee conflict and improve productivity.

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1. Different roles and characteristics of leader and manager ....................................................1
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................3
P2. Roles of a leader and function of a manager in different situations......................................3
P3. Different theories and approaches of leadership...................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................7
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the roles that leaders play..........................7
P5. Importance and values of operational management in achieving the business objectives....8
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................10
P6. Assessing factors that impact upon operational management.............................................10
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Managers and leaders play an important role in the business. They tend to make plans,
policies and strategies for the long-lasting survival of firm. Iceland Supermarket is a large sized
British food retailer that is serving grocery services to the consumers. It delivers the best quality
products to consumers and makes a strong reputation in market. In the present report, Iceland
Supermarket is the chosen organisation with references to which all concepts associated with
management and operations are explained. Here, there will be discussion on different types of
theories and approaches of leadership. This report will also discuss the role of leader and
characteristics of manager. Further, difference between the role of a leader and function of a
manager will be analysed. Apart from that, application of different types of theories like
contingencies, situational, etc. will be discussed in the report.
LO 1
P1. Different roles and characteristics of leader and manager
Iceland Supermarket leader such kind of role play - Need for all level- Leaders play an important role in the organization for formulation of
plans and policies and maintain in business In Iceland Supermarket, leader makes
different types of plans that are related to business growth, expansion of the firm and
formulation of strategic decisions. Leaders provide the guidance to team members and
subordinates to achieve set goals (Smith, Maull and CL Ng, 2014). Organization representative- Iceland Supermarket’s leader represent their teams in
seminars, conferences and general meeting. Leader is also communicated with the
peoples those not related to business take succession for how to present their team in
front of others. Personal goals integrated - A leader and manager try to match goals with business and
coordinate them. Manager and leader always have some personal goals and they work
hard for achieving the same. He support solicits – A leader always work for the benefit of society and try to achieve
expectations of his/her subordinates. The personality, experience, maturity and
intelligence of leaders motivate his/her fellow workers and imbibe positive approach
among employees.
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 He is a guide and friend – A leader plays an important role in the team. He is a guide
and friend in the team because he shares all things like thinking, opinion and what team
member and organization want. The leader also efficiently mark a demarcation in his/her
personal and professional priorities. This in turn would help him/her to provide undue
support to his team and colleagues.
A manager such kinds of role play in the Iceland super market- Subordinates representative – A manager maintains link between the top level
management and work group. Iceland Supermarket’s manager carry voice of the
subordinates. Appropriate counsellor of leader- A leader has a lot of power and authority to exercise
within organization. He gives guidance to subordinates and business.
 Managing and leading- Iceland Supermarket’s manager manages all types of activities
and give directions that the leader plans and targets.
A leader must have following characteristics -
 Honesty- A leader is always open and truthful with subordinates, employees and the
organization. If Iceland’s leader has these qualities then lots of opportunity for the team
member and self (Daft, 2008).
 Communication- A leader must possess apt communication skills to facilitate proper
transfer of messages within a team. It also helps him/her in sharing the opinion, solving
problems and generating novel ideas. Firstly, they list employee’s problem and give the
positive as well as motivating successions.
 Confidence- Every leader should possess confidence to represent organization and team.
Manager has this kind of confidentially talk with peoples and give their questions answer
(Northouse, 2015).
A manager is having many characteristics among which the major one are like: Leadership skill- A good manager should be able to give direction to others and manage
employees. Managers in Iceland Supermarket are having quality that they can easily give
guidance and succession to subordinates. Planning skill- A manager having quality of making plan and implementing the same.
Then they increase employed skills and productivity.
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 Problem solving – A good manager is also having these qualities good listing and
speaking. Good leader always taking the responsibility and solve the problem. They
listing to problem of employees and try to solve individual and organization level.
LO 2
P2. Roles of a leader and function of a manager in different situations
Role of leader and function of manager gives the right direction of organization. They
make policy and strategy for fulfilment of the objective and target of the firm. A manger is use
different type of function for good health of company as well as their personality and trait also
help to managing Iceland Supermarket company. In this company facing the problem on work
place employee conflict and employee productivity in this type of condition effective
implementation of the different function of management and leadership style require for making
plan and implementation such strategy those can easily handle this situation and increase the
productivity and profitability of the company in this type of condition in this condition leader
need to some model and theories it can through they motivate and improve their performance
and manger make the policy and strategy to solve this problem and try to improve employees
relations (Rupp and ET.AL., 2015) .
This company uses many types of leadership approaches and management theories which help to
resolve conflict.
 Contemporary theory of management has been applied by Iceland Supermarket
company to handle this current condition to increase productivity and reduce workplace
conflict. In this type of situation, manager makes different types of plans and strategies
for finding reasons of conflict and what type of employee facing problem. They leader
of Iceland company use different type of strategies those help to motivate employee and
resolve conflicts and providing different type of technology in order to help in removing
conflict and give the every employee different target and try to develop the motivating
work environment those increasing in the production and develop the good
communication strategy those solve this problem manger also listing the employee
problem and providing the best facilities those give benefits of employees (Riceed,
2013).
Role of leader Role of manager
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▪ Motivate employees through
example. Extra facilities.
▪ Make new process improve
productivity.
▪ Providing proper technology
and training.
 Listing employee problem and try to
solve it.
 Finding reasons of conflict like
emotional, communication etc.
 This company also applied management by objective theories this is focus on the
employee's manger In this condition, managers give lots of time to employee an help to
achieve target and set the standards of performance. Leader also helps managers. In
addition to this, leader and manager formulate policies and reward system approaches
that gives motivation to employee and thereby increases the productivity(Saleem, Saqib
and Zahra, 2015).
Role of leader Role of manager
Give lots of time to employee and try to
understand which condition conflict develop
Allot different and personal target.
Develop new strategist and police those give
motivation in employee.
 Behavioural theories is applied in Iceland company employees and the manger also
follow the rule and policy those take consideration of employee skill , ability and leader
also use the transformation leadership style in this style leader also communicate the
employees and explain the policy in the effective communication those give excitement
to work on project and reduce the conflict.
Role of leader Role of manager
▪ Understand employee behavior
and give according to task.
▪ Providing information time to
time because some time
conflict develop in receiving
information on time.
 Make reward system strategy those
give motivation to employee and try to
perform well.
 Make other rule and regulation with
help of leader like new technology
provide, extra money, increment in
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▪ Define job specification role
and responsibilities related to
job and organization.
salary etc.
 Classical management theory also use by the Supermarket company where manger need
to change in the productivity it helps to reduce employees productivity and work place
conflict. Manger is also developed the strategy like KAIZEN in this strategy give efforts
on improve employees relation and staff relation it also applies he participates
leadership style because this style give the opportunities to employee share some ideas
and views or take part in company dissension.
Role of leader Role of manager
 Give opportunities to share their views
and ideas it can help to understand
thinking of employee
 Arranging events meeting those help to
increase employee relations.
 This company also use the contingency theory for resolve employees conflict and work
place conflict because it is focus on the change in strategy according to condition . In
this leader play role to explain different type of influences in the company in front of
employees and try to match with challenges in organisation. Manger of this company is
also applying these theories because they want to some changes in the operation
activities and reduce employees problem ((Caniani and et.al. 2015))
Role of leader Role of manager
 Leader explains the company changes
in rule and regulations give the target
every employee individual level.
 Apply old management theories and
then make rule and give the target of
leaders.
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P3. Different theories and approaches of leadership
Leadership is a process which emphasizes on achieving set goals and leader tends to
mobilize people and resources. In this process, leader of Iceland motivate the staff and give them
instructions to achieve common goals of company in the most effective and efficient manner
(Northouse, 2015). Leadership involves emotions and commitment towards company. An
effective leader increases the ability of team members. Supervision is one of the most important
concepts in Iceland organization's management (Dinh, 2014). This system has different types of
leadership such as situational, systems and contingency. Leader focuses on staff that how they
perform their work to achieve the set goal. There are different types of qualities approaches of
leadership which are followed by Iceland supermarket. These theories used in organisation as
follows:
 Contingency leadership style: This hypothesis is focused on specific situational factor
that can affect the relationship between independent and dependent factor effect on it.
This concept gives motivation to the leader of cited company to achieve set targets in any
kind of condition. This says that every condition is different and leader will be lead in
different style. This concept is based on the internal and external factors of the firm.
organization(Doole and Lowe 2008).
 Situational leadership: This theory means that same kind of leadership cannot be
applied in all situations as it needs to be changed as per the alteration in environment.
Iceland Company works for the society. This theory does not give suggestion to one type
of leadership. Situational leadership involves emotional ties and commitment. Iceland
can also follow this leadership style. Leader can lead the employees and team members
according to tasks. This theory is based on the relation between leader and workers.
According to this theory, a leader is best who can change his leadership style according to
situation and easily handle that condition. This theory includes main role of leaders such
as directing, planning.. But this theory also develops some issues like taking long time in
decisions. A leader should have the knowledge about the situational approach to improve
his leadership. By following situational leadership cited company can improve the
business growth.
 System leadership- Company works for the society. In society, changes are rapidly
related to the trends, expectations and social media, globalization, etc. Sometimes, result
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come positive and negative. This theory is focused on the business improvement. Leader
of Iceland supermarket has to focus on the different activities to motivate the employees.
In this style corporation determine the skills and ideas of individual. They follow only for
old rules. This type of leadership is not good for company because these type of leader
mindset is switched according to organizations and individual thinking. This type of
theory is beneficial to organization like a leader can concentrate on the end results.
Through this style leader can maintain and coordinate activities. This leadership style
works only employee having experience, loyalty and intelligence this also not increase
the group productivity because in this leader work under system (Ecademy 2014).
 Behavioural style approach: This is the most important approach for mentioned
organisation. In this approach, the system is focused on leader's behaviour. A good
attitude and behaviour are the most important aspects for leadership (Contractor, Kundu
and Lahiri, 2016). It is because; leader has to make his team members happy and
satisfied. When Employee is not satisfied with the job then it is leader's responsibility to
make employees happy with his good behaviour and attitude. Leaders have to help and
give proper advice to his workers. He has to maintain a positive attitude that will
motivate the workers and give effective output. This approach is also suitable for gaining
reliability and accuracy in work (Signore 2015).
LO 3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the roles that leaders play
Operations management is important for managing the output gained by firm. This
management improves the quality of products. Operations management in Iceland supermarket is
the process of utilizing resources in effective manner. There are three important approaches in
operational management which are as follows:
 Six sigma approach: In Iceland supermarket, this approach is focused on the quality of
product. Trending charts, potential defect calculations and other ratios are used as the
tools in six sigma approach (Saleem, us Saqib and Zahra, 2015). This approach also
focuses on the team efforts to complete the task. The role of mentioned supermarket's
manager is to plan strategies by which they can make optimum utilization of resources in
effective manner.
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 Total quality management: It is used in the supermarket to bring efficiency in
production. In this approach, the management of supermarket focuses on customers’
needs and requirements. Manager also focuses on continuous improvement in the quality
of products. The role of leader in Iceland supermarket is to motivate the employees to
work in team and provide high level of performance.
 Just in time inventory or continuous improvement process: In just in time inventory
system, the manager of supermarket orders the products from suppliers only at the time
of need (Northouse, 2015). This approach increases the efficiency of production and try
to minimise the losses. In continuous improvement process, the manager continuously
makes efforts to improve the quality of product according to customer’s need. The role of
leader in this process is to measure performance of employees on regular basis. i.
Iceland supermarket is trying to follow all those approaches by which customers can be
made highly satisfied. Operational manager and leaders have role in these approaches.
This management involves the planning, stuffing, directing, controlling, motivating and
organizing. These factors are highly useful to increase the benefits and brand image of
organization.
P5. Importance and values of operational management in achieving the business objectives
Operation management is important for cited company because it had to take care to
more number of product process and operations is start from obtaining the raw materials till the
goods are sale the product. Operation management is focused on the services in organisation. To
run others system smoothly organisation management is used in corporation. . The main aim of
this management is to mange the ways of success for organisation. They focus on different areas
in the business to improve the quality and services.
Operation management is a key to increase the productivity and success of Iceland
Supermarket. Effective operation management helps company to grow rapidly in the market.
This process focuses on the production of goods or services in Iceland supermarket. It can that
operation management is an art of management of people, sources and system.
Iceland supermarket has effective operations' management that continuously focuses on it
when administration's functions are managed properly, the functions of all other departments run
smoothly or when an organization's dealings are not managed effectually, rest of the divisions
may have to suffer with losses (Avolio and Yammarino, 2013). This management involves the
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planning, staffing, directing, controlling, motivating and organizing. All these factors are very
important for the success of business.
Objective of operation management: Operations management has two primary
objectives and both are interrelated with each other. These objectives are as follows:
Customer Service: Customer service is the main objective of Iceland supermarket
because customer satisfaction is the backbone of any organization. It is because when customer
is not happy with the business services and products then the purpose of entire business gets
failed (Fuchs and Diamantopoulos, 2010). Iceland Supermarket follows quality management and
assurance as well as develop new products targeting actual desires of the consumers. Moreover,
with the help of CRM strategies, it obtains consumer feedbacks and make decisions accordingly
to overcome their complaints and issues by providing them superb quality services.
So, operation management makes plan to satisfy the customers. This management makes
sure that all the needs and demands of customers match with each other. If customer is satisfied
with products and services than reputation of organization will increase in the market. This
process increases more customers towards the organisation.
Resource Utilization: Apart from this, another major aim of every organization’s
management is to focus upon optimum utilization of resources. If possessions are not used
carefully; then there will be a chance of increasing the cost of production. So, management tries
to focus on all employees utilizing their resources carefully and effectively. Iceland Supermarket
uses various resources like fund, personnel, equipment, machinery and others. Thus, sound
resource allocation and its proper utilization are necessary. Operational management through
functional administrator like marketing expert, production director, purchase manager and others
helps in allocating resources optimally and also track its maximum utilization. It helps to combat
any possibility of over and under-allocation in the enterprise.
Overall margin and benefits will reduce if resources are not used carefully. So, main role
of this system is to focus on both the factors. By using this management, business can improve
its growth and benefits.
As business environment becomes more challenging, company started understanding the
importance of operations management. It helps to overcome the competition in Market Island
supermarket that focuses on the operation management. In the mentioned company, operations
manager play an essential role in managing different processing, taking inquiring, making good
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decision and directing other processes to perform at a higher level. In Iceland supermarket,
operation management always try to satisfy the customers. They make efforts to give their best
and high quality of products and services to satisfy customers (Smith, Maull and CL Ng, 2014).
All employees utilize the resources in effective manner and try to satisfy their customers as much
as they can.
There are five performance operation objectives such as quality, speed, dependability,
flexibility, product flexibility and cost which are considered by the operations' manager of
supermarket. Apart from this, operations management has role in another sector of association
such as planning and control, production process, conversion process, innovation and
improvement, supply chain, etc.
Operation management should have some qualities such as directing, planning and
metagenetic to improve the business growth. at the correct time. Operations manager needs to
take decision at a fast rate. He should not make any judgement without having the complete
knowledge.
LO 4
P6. Assessing factors that impact upon operational management
Organization and its activities are always affected by the environment. Business
environment has a huge impact upon operations management and decision making by the leaders
and management. The role of leadership and manager is an essential internal factor because
leadership and management styles put a direct impact on corporation’s culture.
Mentioned company affected by the internal and external environment.
External environment in comes all those factor related to organization but not include in
the company. The business has no fully control on external businesses. This external
environment is further divided into two parts such as general and task. However, general
environment has direct effect on operations but still power the activities of business.
Competitors: Operation management and leadership get affected by the competitors. In
the current world’s economy, competitors in all respects have increased. When new firms enter
in the market then customers get more choices for purchase of product. At that time, the benefits
and margin of organization decreases because new entrant company provides same product at
low price. So number of customers were decrease. That time operation manager and supervisor
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