Leadership and Management: Theories and Application Analysis

This report delves into the contrasting roles of managers and leaders, examining their characteristics and functions within an organizational context, using Marks and Spencer as a case study. It differentiates between a manager's focus on goal setting and a leader's emphasis on motivating and influencing staff. The report explores various leadership theories, including situational, system, and contingency leadership, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications in diverse situations. It examines how managers and leaders handle conflicts, execute strategies, and make decisions. Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of operations management, considering factors within the business environment that impact decision-making. The analysis covers the impact of leadership approaches on operational efficiency and achieving business objectives, providing a comprehensive overview of leadership and management principles.

Management and
Operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Define and differentiate the role between a manager and leader.....................................3
M1. Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and a function of a manager by
effectively applying a range of theories and concepts............................................................5
P2. Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts..................................................................................................5
P3 Different theories and models of approach.......................................................................6
M2. Assess the strength and weakness of different approaches to situation within the work
environment............................................................................................................................8
D1. Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in
given context..........................................................................................................................9
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers.................................................................................................................................9
P5 Importance of operations management in achieving objectives within an organisation.10
M3 Leaders and Managers improve efficiencies of OM to meet business objectives.........12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P6 Factors within business environment which impact on OM and decision-making by leaders
and Managers........................................................................................................................12
M4 Factors affect business environment and wider community..........................................14
D2 Evaluate application of OM and factors impact on wider business environment..........14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is considered as the administration of business exercise which
develop highest level of efficiency possible under an organization (Brennan and et. al., 2011).
This is the process which main aim to balance the costs with revenue to acquire the highest net
operating profit possible. This report is based on Marks and Spencer which is British
multinational retailing company. It is situated in city of Westminster London. They are dealing in
clothing, home products and luxury food products. The main purpose of this assignment is to
understand the role of leader and characteristic of manager. It includes different theories and
models of leadership. Below mentioned assignment described characteristics, functions of a
leader and manager in different situation. A chosen role played by a leader in an organisation.
Their impact came in operational decisions made on certain situations.
TASK 1
P1. Define and differentiate the role between a manager and leader
Manager – A person who is authorised of a certain group of tasks, or different subset of a
company where several staffs works under.
Leader – A leader is a person who holds a governing or superior power within the field, and
have the ability to practice a high degree of control or influence over others towards achieving a
target or goal.
Manager Leader
Manager focuses on setting,measuring and
achieving goal.
Leader focuses on the staffs where they
motivate and influence them for achieving a
target.
Manager learns and adopts leadership style
from others rather than defining it.
Leaders are self aware and thus how they work
effectively with their unique style by making
as personal brand.
Manager often repeated the work which make
them successful as already.
Leaders always ready to deal the challenges in
their unique style.

Characteristic of a manager
 Leadership – In order to be a good manager a person should have the quality of leadership
(Handschin and Petroianu, 2012). This is the process through which a leader lead with the
staffs in efficient and effective manner. In Mark and Spencer manger deal with the workers
in appropriate way as they listen their problems and then deal with it.
 Communication – when a manager work in a firm then it becomes their responsibilities to
listen everyone and respond in a very clear and gentle way. This is the reason Mark and
Spencer manager will always have a good communication skill to communicate with their
employees. It also includes that to listen their team and working with them for the
productive output.
Role of manager
 Monitor – The manager of an organization has to look on all the tasks whether they
having normal or not. The person in Mark and Spencer has the same responsibility as
they have to monitor the things going all around. They will also have to manage the
things which are in not favour of the firm. This is why they keep their eye on each task to
handle any situation.
 Disturbance handler role – This is a situation where a manager is prepared to tackle and
control the unannounced events (Nakayama and Bucks, 2012). Mark and Spencer is a
company where manager were always ready for the unpredicted movements. As they are
one of the big authority which make them responsible and ready to deal with any kind of
unpredictable situations.
Leader is a person from a group who are responsible to influence and motivate to all the other
staffs for the work towards achieving a goal or target.
Characteristics of a leader
 Honesty – This is a very first quality, a leader should have in an organization. Mark and
Spencer company selects a leader on the basis of their honesty. Here it means the loyalty
and dedication towards their work.
 Confidence – A leader should have the confidence to speak among their mates. When a
leader speak then everyone listen and if the staffs are consuming the words of leader then
it means the impression has already taken space because of having loud and confident
voice by them.

Roles of a leader
 Representative of the organization – A leader is also called as a representative of the
company (Kristiansen, 2013). Mark and Spencer has given the responsibility to look after
the seminars, conferences, general meetings, etc. the other job includes interact with other
public outside the organization. Also the person becomes the representatives of their
department.
 As a friend philosopher and guide – The quality of a leader should be divided into three
dimensional traits. Marks and Spencer hired the position with feelings, interchange the
opinions and desires with the employees. The leader will equality such as friendly who
can share each other so become philosopher by utilizing their intelligence and experience
and somehow guiding the employees whenever they are in need.
M1. Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and a function of a manager by
effectively applying a range of theories and concepts
A manager is distinguishing personality from a leader who vary from each other on the basis
of numerous determinants that affect the decision making of organisation as well. Here is
discussed some concepts which is discussed as below:
 Hard skill of management: Hard skills can be referring to teachable and specific abilities
which can be elaborated and measured like wiring, typing, reading and mathematics
ability to opt software schemes. Manager of Marks and Spencer comply these skills to
manage, monitor and control the entire circumstances created across the business
organisation.
 Soft skill of management: Soft leadership can be referring to new relationship-oriented
style of leadership which effectively blends more soft activities and skills. This can
emphasise people's transformation than task transaction.
P2. Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.
The manager of an organization has been responsible for some certain duties in the way to
lead and guide the functions of the department and the employees as well. There are various
tasks given to them which depends upon the company. They only not have to look at the Mark
and Spencer activity but also have to noticed about the employees within their job roles. Such
described as under:

Conflicts and disputes – There are various types of issues and problems which are developed
within operational processes because of technical issue in techniques and method that will be
solved for continuous production. This involves certain conflicts that occurs between employees
and they have negative impact on daily outcomes which are required to reduce threats in regular
performance (Ellis and et.al.,2016). In Mark and Spencer, managers have to solve major issues
and problems along with resolving conflicts among the employees that create negative
environment in the company.
Executing strategies and technologies – This involves in developing and making advanced and
strategies for applying new technologies in order to improve productivity, product quality and
diminution in manufacturing time period. In Mark and Spencer, the managers are using modern
tools and modern tools and methods while developing proper strategies for all company.
Effective decision making – There are various types of factors which need to make proper
decision for conducting the process in fulfilling set goals and thus target the firms. In the respect
of Mark and Spencer, they are analysing, observe and measure to choose best option which
followed the process to develop the proper outcomes.
P3 Different theories and models of approach
Situational Leadership
It an adaptive leadership styles related with leader's effectiveness or behaviour to hold
situational factors. Leaders of Marks and Spencer has an ability to modify his behaviour
according to their subordinates. The approaches of leadership are based on styles and follower’s
maturity level. Theories identify 4 approaches of leadership are stated as below:
 Directing: In this, leader has to deal with unmotivated employees. Fresher’s or new
employees are not much familiar with an organisation or enough capable to perform task.
Best style of leadership needed in this situation who is a good instructor and monitor in
working process. The employees in Marks and Spencer are not competent to perform
their task are threatened.
 Coaching: In this situation an employee is insecure (Nakazato and et. al., 2012).
Employee wants to work in an enthusiastic mood but he is not capable to perform

because of his lack of knowledge and skills. When employees of Marks and Spencer
shows achievements were complimented by feeling confident about their skills.
 Supporting: they are skilled employees but sometimes unwilling to perform. It makes
them insecure and reluctant. Marks and Spencer employees having participation in
decision making process. Which helps them increasing efficiency and able them to work
independently.
 Delegating: The company Marks and Spencer discuss final goal with his employees
when the task performed by him is in deadline or how plan is to be carry out. Working
employees in an organisation informed about their progress and problems when work is
stagnating.
Application of Situational leaderships:
It would be effectively helpful in case Supportive and environment friendly that can
assist in increasing overall productivity of the company. The main role of manager is to increase
overall strength for Marks and Spencer. Using the situational leaderships methods which can
build morale between employees so they are can perform their role in effective manner in longer
period of time.
System Leadership
It enables leaders to work at different levels according to their potential in an
organisation. Dr Ian MacDonald developed this leadership throughout from his career in
management and organisation behaviour. Marks and Spencer company uses for maintaining level
of complexity among employees (Ruiz-Alvarez and et. al., 2012). The principles create on
human behaviour in which models define good leadership quality, system designs, organisational
strategy and social process. For predicting behaviour, the leaders are provided tools in
organisation. In this theory, not only provides glossary items by which researchers can
understood different fields of work. They are provided framework of phenomenon and realities
in their presentation and interpretation.
Application: Leaders that can perform their work within and beyond their individual
organisations have to make sure that there is less chances of conflicts. Sharing and harnessing of
effective resources that can offers to bring specific improvement in their own in respect to
another organisation. Our research tends to contribute to find out certain thinks that can impact
on certain characteristics of employees as well as leader.

Contingency Leadership
In this theory, it emphasises effective leadership matching with leader's style in a right
situation. It is developed by Fielder. Contingency is contradictory with situational- leadership in
which leaders are needed to adapt the situation. The situation defined by contingency theory are
considered as under:
 Leader- Member Relation: This is based on a relation in which how leader interacts with
his employees. Subordinates are motivated by their superiors with having trust and
confidence.
 Task Structure: It define as how a leader is capable to set tasks in an organisation.
Marks and Spencer measures clarity project or task of a leader.
 Positional Power: Marks and Spencer company measures the authority amount by
influencing productivity of their followers.
Application:
The use of this particular theories it to determine all specific kind of claims those are best
suitable for Mark and Spencer in make decision more effectively. Instead of this, optimal course
of action in relation to contingent upon the inner and external situational are analysed by the
leaders.
M2. Assess the strength and weakness of different approaches to situation within the work
environment.
The strength of the situational leadership model is that they develop peaceful and
comfortable atmosphere which assist in developing the better teams under an organization. They
help to enhancing the motivation which should be created for teams as to make positive
environment in the firm (Kato, 2014). It will encourage employees which help company in
attaining desired goals and targets. The weakness of this approach is lack of understanding in the
demographic difference due to high quality of experiences among employees. This model is
based for achieve the target with the coordination of employees and management while in case
of improving decision making process. The contingency approach is also help in taking
immediate decision which assist in gaining profitability for the company.

D1. Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given
context.
According to the view of Handschin and Petroianu, (2012) situational theory leadership
considered as that there will be no leadership model which is suitable for the company and it is
mainly depends upon the situations that occurs within an organization. This theory enhances the
productivity and efficiency of the firm which is necessary for gaining success and growth. In
situational theory, company can evaluate specific condition and learn how to handle all work in
such type of situations. On the other hand, the company leader uses contingency theory of
leadership which is necessary because this will handle definite situation in appropriate manner.
Sometime, the leaders are able to make appropriate decision as per the immediate situation and
requirements.
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
The operation management is mainly focused on planning, organising, directing and
controlling in all the activities of the organization which transform the raw materials and human
efforts into valuable goods and services for satisfying customer needs (Cheng and et. al., 2012).
The key approaches are -
Six sigma – This is the quality control program which is formulated by Motorola. The
main aim of this six sigma methodology is to analyse the issues and problems at the time of
manufacturing goods and services at the satisfaction level. It will help in reaching with
customer’s requirement, improving customer retention and developing sustainable products and
facilities. Marks and Spencer using six sigma methodology to reduces the issues and help in
improving quality of food products and facilities. For example, storage and packages of enable
items that should be qualitative. This will not harm the customers and buyers in appropriate
manner
Lean principal – The five Lean principals are -
 Define value – value is referred as the customer has desire to pay for it. It is a process to
discover the actual needs and demands of the customers that what they want actually.
Sometimes it has been seen that customers have no idea or calculation in case of novel
and technologies. Such techniques include interviews, surveys, demographics

information, and web analytics which can able to identify the valuable needs of the
customers. The inaccurate procedure is identified by analysis which can lead towards
getting desired goals of Marks and Spencer.
 Map the value stream – This is the step the focus on to use the customers value as a
reference point and find out the values which contribute to these values (Gholmieh and
et. al., 2012). At the end by deduction and elimination of unnecessary processes or steps,
customers are getting what they are looking for where at the same time by reducing the
cost of increasing that product or services. Marks and Spencer leaders ensure about the
inputs that are develop main issues and problems. It will have evaluated the starting
performance of the packaging of process.
 Create flow – After deducting the wastes from the values stream, the pursuing action is
to ensure that the flow of the left over steps run smoothly without any interruptions. After
analysing the exact results, the company managers are eliminating the waste products and
goods. Then the process which have certain values for the packaging can be flow in
smooth manner.
 Establish pull – This is the step where inventory is referred as the biggest wastes in any
production system (Anghileri and et. al., 2012). The aim of the pull- based system is to
control inventory and work in process item while assure that needed materials and
information are for smooth work flow. After completing the past stages and improvement
in packaging. Marks and Spencer will put hard efforts in the marketing of food items.
Pursue perfection - This is the step where wastes are prevented through the accomplishment
through four steps which are 1) identifying value 2) mapping value stream 3) creating flow 4)
adopting a pull system. Marks and Spencer provides eatable item as per the requirement and
needs. The company leaders are developing policies and strategies which help in getting
perfections.
P5 Importance of operations management in achieving objectives within an organisation
Operation management is defined as a process of changing inputs and outputs by adding
some value in an entity (Stoppato, 2012). It is concerned with managing resources which help in
producing products and service. The resources usually deliver primary service or product in an
organisation. Marks and Spencer manages inputs through transforming to deliver output.
Importance of operation management in an organisation are stated below:

 Product Selection and Design: Perfect designs and right kind of products of Marks and
Spencer lead success in an organisation for achieving objectives. Alternatives in products
or services chosen for detailed evaluation in operation management for developing
product and service design in conformity with organisations (Nakazato and et. al., 2012). Process Selection and Planning: process selection is considered with making decisions
concerning with choice of technology, equipments, mechanization etc. in operation
management. For planning process Marks and Spencer involves detailed processes of
resource required in sequence for achieving objectives. Facilities Location: Location of a plant is decided for production at considerable costs. It
is an important to select right location which helps in reducing delivered costs either of
production or distribution. Marks and Spenser locational decisions involves evaluation of
alternatives considering important for an achievement of objectives. Inventory Control: In operational management control in inventory deals with optimal
uses of raw material, finished goods, tools, component with minimum availability (Ruiz-
Alvarez and et. al., 2012). The two latest techniques help in reducing inventory used by
Marks and Spencer are material requirement planning(MRP) and just in time( JIT). This
is more probably used by a any organisation for achieving desired objectives. Maintenance and replacement: Their use in company involves maintaining policy by
using higher equipments at minimum repair costs. Preventive maintenance include
periodic cleaning, monitoring of equipments and machines. Marks and Spencer uses it
by minimising costs in maintenance and repairs. Cost reduction and Cost Control: For an effective production management ensures
minimum cost acquires significant importance. On making production cost, Marks and
Spencer company uses large number of tools and techniques for betterment on achieving
objectives.
 Quality Assurance and Control: For production system quality is an important aspects
that declared quality standards at minimum cost. It includes Marks and Spencer product
standard in quality, control in quality while manufacturing including performance testing.
 Work Study and job design: Work study is defined as study of time and motion. Marks
and Spencer consider productivity improvement and maximization in new job designs.
There are basically two principles components as method study and work measurement.

 Human resource: This particular department is most crucial for the overall growth of
other department that can help in attaining overall management of Mark and Spencer.
 Assets and cost management: This department is working with the motive of controlling
assets and reduce chances of cost that are incurred during the time of production process.
Role of operational functions:
 Marketing: The role of this department is to arrange all the specific information from the
customer about their demand from the company. They can sell their products in the
market by using all the essential information after collecting from other clients.
 Finance: It is said to be backbone of the company without which no one can make any
planning regarding the investments in their coming projects. It can be helpful for
arranging necessary resources as the requirement of Mark and Spencer’s.
M3 Leaders and Managers improve efficiencies of OM to meet business objectives.
Leaders and managers refers to as coordinators among each other in achieving
organisational goals and objectives. Leaders play a role to lead his team members by motivating
and encouraging them for focus on an specified objective. Marks and Spencer has qualified
employees which helps in meeting expectations. The staff in order to provide satisfaction to their
customers in operational management. The management chain starts from raw material to
finished goods with sustainable prices. Manager roles and responsibility towards an organisation
is based on dealing with day to day operations in management. Leaders work in between their
team members to provide guidelines or interacting with them for enhancing their performance.
TASK 4
P6 Factors within business environment which impact on OM and decision-making by leaders
and Managers.
Business environment factors comprises impact on company success and operational
approaches by a number of external factors (Cheng and et. al., 2012). Marks and Spencer
manages their operations by identifying their impacts on environment. There are various
identifies are political, economic, social and technological (PEST) are consider as under. Political Stability: Lack of stability effects on operations and disrupts in business.
Leaders and Managers hate instability in environment because their negative impact

came on operating management. Marks and Spencer operates business by forecasting
future certainties. Decisions made by leaders for influencing regions and states where
there is stable political environment. Impact on the economy: Marks and Spencer outsources their task and job in economic
development. The impact on management is related with activities in services
organisations. Empirical results are made in performance influencing leaders and
managers in services. Scheduling operations in an economy and service process bear
strong efficiency in firm. Corporate social responsibility: It is a business approach that contributes in delivering
economic and social benefits to stakeholders. Leaders and managers played a vital role in
this context (Gholmieh and et. al., 2012). It provides short term goals for Marks and
Spencer which is beneficial in long term. This policy helps leader for growth of an
individual from local community of operational management. It also ensures contributing
in pollution level of particular place.
 Technological factors: It interacts with the user. Marks and spencer using logiostics
technology and emerging manufacturing products. Operations management is technology
makes direct impact on their models enterprise functions. Leaders facing big challenges
across multiple industries. (Anghileri and et. al., 2012).
 Organisational culture: It refers as underlying beliefs, assumption and other ways of
interacting that contribute to unique social feature of Mark and spencer. They are most
risk taking which would have ability to increase the innovation among the employees.
 Employee: They are most valuable part of Mark and spencer that are working with the
motive to increase profitability position of the company. Staffs are working with full
potential to attaining overall growth in near future time.
 Organisational structure: It is an innovative system that can be used to hierarchy within
Mark and Spencer. It used to examine each job, function and their report about the
overall growth and profitability of the company.
 Human resource management: It is a strategic method to effective management of
organisation staffs so that they can assist the business in gaining competitive advantage in
coming period of time.

M4 Factors affect business environment and wider community.
The factors are of two types that effect on an environment and wider community are
internal and external. Internal factors involve suppliers, competitors, customers, employees and
distributors. In this they have direct interest in activities of a firm. The effect came by launching
new product in market share that changes customer taste and preferences. Increase in supplies in
Marks and Spenser company by this effect came on deliveries and greater profits. External
included economic conditions that constitute growth rate, inflation, trade practices. Socially
preferences, priorities in buying and consumption patterns and beliefs etc.
D2 Evaluate application of OM and factors impact on wider business environment
In this, it expands positive and negative impacts. Positively they review smooth
operations of a business effectively. Transforming their raw material to finished goods relating
with the growth which impact on operational management. Marks and Spencer runs quickly their
transformation process. Their negative impact in operation management is not distributing
channels in effective and consuming lots of time. Involving activity is in interpreting form ehich
is not understood by leaders and managers. Operation management using logistics portfolio lead
problems.
CONCLUSION
From the above the mentioned report, it can be concluded that operational management is
the business exercise which is responsible for managing company procedures and developing
goods and services. There are various theories and model which help in determining appropriate
outcomes in effective manner. Different roles and responsibilities are performed by leaders and
managers in an organization and also satisfy their customers’ needs and demand. There are
various approaches of operational management used by Mark and Spencer such as Just in time,
Lean principle and six sigmas.

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Online
The Major Leadership Theories. 2018. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-theories-2795323>