Leadership, Management, and Organizational Approaches: ABF PLC Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within Associated British Foods PLC (ABF PLC), a multinational food company. It begins by comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting differences in personality styles, approaches, orientations, and functions. The report then examines how leaders and managers fulfill their roles in various situations, such as decision-making, risk management, and problem-solving. Furthermore, it explores the application of different leadership theories, including situational, systems, and contingency leadership, and differentiates between leader-manager roles based on these theories. The report also assesses the strengths and weaknesses of these theories in the context of the ABF PLC's working environment. Finally, it critically analyzes various leadership approaches, such as situational and systems leadership, and their impact on the organization, concluding with a discussion on the implications of different leadership styles on the company's operations and outcomes.

Management and Operations

INTRODUCTION
The management operations is used by the organisation in manufacturing process that
help them to provide high-quality of products with optimum utilization of resources at minimum
cost. The use of operational management effectively transform the raw material of goods into the
best possible outputs by maintaining a desired level of quality. Along with this, it help the firm
to add the value of services in the high-quality products as they convert the various resources in
the operations system efficiently. It also assist them in maintaining all the function of
management in operational activities are planning, organising, directing and motivating. It also
define the usefulness of management operations that are needed to tackle the business operations
in an efficient manner. In the project report, the management and operations that are based upon
the Associated British food PLC company ( Khan,Kellerer, Kozu and Yabusaki, 2011 ). The
organisation is a multinational food company in the UK and also its is a 2nd largest producer in
the sugar as well as barker yeast. Beside this, it also provide grocery items and manufacturing
both private as well as branded label in its products. In a retail division the Primark have a 360
stores in various countries are Ireland, United Kingdom and United states. The major aim of the
research project is that there is a comparison on leader and major roles. Also, various types of
styles of leadership used by them in various situations have strength and weakness. Also
discussion on various factors of business environment impact the organisation and critically
evaluate them with the management operations.
TASK 1
a)Compare role and characteristic of a leader and manager
Each and every organisation includes a group of individuals the two main player are the
manager and leader have a a different roles and characteristic in the Associated British food PLC
that are discussed below-
Definition- Leader is a person who sets the company's vision that are achieved by the
group of individuals in the organisation. Whereas, the manager play a main role in the firm they
formulate strict rules and regulation, decision-making and also formulate the policies.
Personality style- The leader is a risk taker as it have a ability to adopt the various
challenges so, the company's reach at higher level (Jabbour, Jabbour and et, al., 2013). They
also have a various qualities like analytical skills as well as innovative skills that leads to create

new ideas for the organisation. In contrast to this, the manager identify the problems and solve
them by developing an alternative solution.
Approaches- Leader inspire the team members to participate in a decision-making and
problem solving process that help them to finding the best solution effectively. Whereas, the
approaches used by the manager is that they implement the various policies and procedures so,
all the individuals done its work effectively.
Orientation- The leader is a people-oriented they mainly focus on the individuals in the
organisation so, they contribute more towards the firm goals and objectives. On the other hand,
the manager is a task-oriented as they encouraging people in the firm to done the task effectively.
Functions- The function of leadership is that they encouraging and motivating the
members towards work this will create a strong relationship among them (Kuruppuarachchi and
Perera,2010). Whereas, the function of management is that they control and coordinate the work
by planning, organising, directing and motivating the individuals effectively.
b)The role of a leader and function of a manager in the different situations in the firm
The manager and leader in the ABF play its role and function in various types of
situations that are describe below-
Decision-making process- The situations occur in the organisation in which they have to
take various type of decisions so, the work run smoothly and effectively towards the goals. The
leader play its role they invite the people to participate in the process so, they express their
various opinions at particular situations. On the other side, the management make managerial
decisions regard to various function in the organisation and they cannot invite the people to take
decisions on it.
Risk- The changes in the environment direct impact on the business operations and
activities of the cited organisation. In that situation the leader take risk to adapt the challenges
and also encourage to all the people towards it (Alderton and Saieva,2013). Whereas, the
management analyse the environment by the PESTLE model and develop strategies as well as
policies accordingly.
Problem solving- In the situations when the ABF company face any issue the leaders
play its role by encouraging and motivating the people so, they come up with new ideas. In that

situation it will resolve the various issues effectively (Brown,Bessant and Lamming, 2013).
Whereas, the management does not invite the members to solve the situation but they formulate
policy and strategy to solve them.
c)Leadership theories apply in the situations
In the British Food PLC a leader and manger adopt various models of leadership theories
in the different situations. These types of theories of leadership that are discussed below-
Situational leadership theory- The situational theory of leadership adopt by the leader it
help them to influence the team member and also motivating them effectively towards firm'
objectives (Hill and Hill,2012). This are used in various situations such as coordinate individuals,
solve various issues and also make effective decisions. This model support to match the various
type of individuals behaviour and also support in various situations effectively.
System leadership theory- The another theory of leadership is system model that help
the organisation to analyse the various type of complex variables that impact each other. The
model have ability to make predictions relating to future such as various complex variable that
are uncertain (Slack and Brandon-Jones,2011). Along with this, with the use of these system
theories it facilitate the leader to analyse the environment and also deal in the business activities
so, the objectives and goals are achieved successfully.
Contingency leadership theory- This type of theory is used by the leader to apply in
that particular situations where the group of members are closely monitor. It also helps in
maintaining a strong relationship among group of individuals and leader ( Alderton and
Saieva,2013). The use of contingency model leader can determine which member done the
effectively or not. It also facilitate the leader to define the task clearly and also have a ability to
punish as well as reward to the worker by analyse its performance.
d)Differentiate among leader-manager role and function by adopt the theories
The Associated British food PLC adopt various theory through which leader play its role
and manager perform it function that are describe below-
Role of a leader Function of a manager
Trait theory- The trait theory describe that the
leaders in the organisation have their own
Chaos theory- This type of theory adopt by the
management in that situation where the things

abilities and attributes by birth or made in the
firm (Haksever and Render,2013). The
attributes can be define as a people have their
own responsibilities, capabilities, intelligence
and creativity skills etc. This theory helps in
identify the type of attributes in a leadership
that will help to solve the various issues
happen in the organisation. Along with this, the
leader play a role of problem solving by
develop various alternative solution regard to
issue effectively.
Behavioural Theory- In the trait theory there is
a some disadvantages due to which another
theory is develop that focus on the behavioural
of leadership (Kuruppuarachchi and Perera,
2010). They ignore the various attributes
relating to social, physical as well as mental
attributes etc. The behavioural theory helps in
categories the leaders into two parts that are
focus on task-orientation and another leader
mainly focus on people-orientation. The main
role of leadership is that they have to done its
responsibilities as well as use of its power in a
positive manner. This theory believes that the
behaviour of a leader can be changed some
they behave like a non-leaders
are not in control that impact badly in the
organisation. They majorly deal with the
uncontrollable factors as well as non-linear
things such a natural calamities, stock market
are in loss (Jabbour,Sousa and Jabbour,2013).
The ABF company use this type of theory by
the manager so, they can make predictions as
well as assumptions so, the business activities
run smoothly without any barrier.
Human relations theory- The another theory is
human relation that are used by the
management that are focus on the people work
in the organisation. It is used by the cited
organisation to motivate and lead the personnel
by analysing the human behaviour. The
manager is also use this theory to identification
of the needs and desires of a manpower so, the
company's objectives can achieved
successfully.
e)Asses the strength and weaknesses in various type of theories used in the working environment
situations
The theory used by the cited organisation have some strengths and weaknesses that are
discuss below-

Trait theory
Strength
 The major strength of this type of theory is that it majorly supports the society by provide
them various benefits as per their requirements (Karlsson,2016). It also deliver the information relating to human behaviour in various type of situations.
Weaknesses
 The major weaknesses of this type of approaches the predictions are not on true
assumptions of different types of situations.
 It mainly focus on human behaviour reaction in different types of situation but it failure
to determine each personnel behaviour as they all are act in different way.
Behavioural theory
Strength
 The major strength of this theory is that it support attributes of the leadership experience.
 They conduct research to analyse the human behaviour in the workplace that provides
clearly defined information (Koontz,2010).
 It influence the people to done work in an positive manner that maintain the healthier
environment. This theory motivate the people by financial and non-financial rewards.
Weaknesses
 The major weakness of this theory is that it require a high knowledge and skills to apply
in the organisation.
 This type of theory is not suitable in various situations especially in the culture difference
arise in the workplace.
Chaos theory
Strength It control the uncertainties that impact positive effect in the workplace as its only based
on modern science as well as technology (Loorbach,2010).
Weakness
 This theory is mainly focus on the dynamic factor that is the major weaknesses.
Human relations theory
Strength

 The manager used human relations theory that makes assumptions that are strong relating
to human behaviour leads to minimising overall cost.
 It mainly focus on increase the knowledge of all individuals in the organisation through
the latest update in the business environment (Loorbach,2010).
Weakness
 This theory manipulating the member in the organisation.
f) Critically analyse the various approaches in different situations in the organisation
The different approaches used by leader and manager in various situations have negative
impact as well as positive on the ABF that are as follows-
Situational Theory- The situational theory used by the associated British food PLC
company's manager through they cannot deliver effective communication to all the member in
the management. This will impact on the organisation negativity as the leader cannot done its
responsibility appropriately in all types of situations (Parry, Mills and Turner,2010). The leader
act as a democratic by adopting this theory as they invite the member to participate in the
decisions-making process. The various types of views and opinions resolve the various issues by
develop a better solution.
System leadership theory- The leaders and manager in the organisation use system
theory that are only applicable in the hierarchical structure of the organisation that give negative
impact in the organisation. Whereas, it impact positive in the workplace as they identify all the
activities of individuals in the organisation that help to motivate them towards work that leads to
attainment of goals in a desired manner.
Contingency theory- This type of theory is not successful in various situations as they
create shortfalls in some situations (Parry,Mills and Turner,2010). It does not coordinate with the
standard leadership is the major weakness of contingency theory. It is not flexible in all
situations as they cannot analyse each type of information effectively.
TASK 2
a)Key approaches to management operations and role of manager and leaders play
Management operations help the firm to meet the customers expectations by provide
them products as per its requirements. It will facilitate them to reach at objectives and goals
effectively by proper utilisation on man, material and machine (Wang,O’brien and Li,2010).

Their are various types of approaches used by the leader and manager in the ABF that are
describe below-
Total quality management- It is that type of process used by the organisation to provide the high
-quality of products to the customer by improvement in the whole process and system. The cited
organisation take feedbacks from the customer's about product information so, they can make
improvement in the product. The TQM practices require huge investment and also identify the
proper budgeting techniques. It also require a great efforts in planning and researching to make
further improvements in various areas of business. In context to managers of the cited firm
allocate the budgets for the implementation of TQM in the financial year (Singhal and
Singhal,2012). The role of manger is a facilitator while they guide the members of organisation
at the time when they implement it. They also provide various training programmes to the
manpower so, they can easily use this approach and produce high-quality products as per the
customer's expectations.
On the other hand, leader play a great role in the use of TQM approach they influence the
team members to adopt this approach and also explain the various importance in the workplace.
Also, they implement in all department of the company so, the overall quality can be maintain
and improve leads to reduce cost, production capacity increase, deliver high-quality products and
maintain the brand image (Farahani, Rezapour and Kardar,2011). They leader motivate and
supervise the employee while they work on this management operations that aid them to attain
goals and objectives in a desired manner.
Just-in-time inventory- The cited organisation of management play a great role by adopting this
approach they are able to make improvements in the various process and strategies in the
corporate world. The firm used as tactic to make continuous improvement so, they provide high
quality of services to the customers. The another role of manager is that they have a capabilities
to optimum utilisation of various resources in various areas of operations that help them to
develop policies and also attain Kaizen goals.
On the other side, the role of leader in the ABF company is that its help them to manage
the work by motivating the employers to done its task by grouping efforts. They influence the
people so, they go in the right direction and achieve goals successfully (Closs, Speier and
Meacham,2011). In addition to this, they also deliver useful data to the manpower so they can
provide high-quality of food product in the potential target markets.

b)Importance and values of operations management
Management operations is an important functions that are strategically used by each and
every organisation so, they can meet the strategic objectives and achieve the goals successfully.
In the context of Associated British Food PLC they adopt approaches that help them to achieve
its objectives in a desired manner. The various importance and values of management operations
is that they will successfully utilize the resources with minimum cost leads to deliver high-
quality of goods and services to the customers (Ham, Hitomi and Yoshida,2012). It also assist
the organisation to identify the customers taste and preferences so, they deliver them products as
per the customers expectations. In addition to this, it also help in manage the overall cost,
flexibility, speed and also maintain quality of various products and services. Their is a majorly
two reasons of importance of operational management. First, it will improve the production
capacity this will resultant into maintain the financial position of the company. Second, it will
support the customers by satisfy them at higher level that helps them to sustain in a competitive
environment. It also assist the organisation to effectively manage the scare resources in the
manufacturing process by proper utilization (Singhal and Singhal,2012). The management of
operations play a significant role in various task are the planning, scheduling, management of
material and also maintain quality. The another important is that management of operation now
highly demand by the every firm so, profitability of the firm will be enhance. The another
importance of operational management in the firm is that its will help them to integrated all the
management activities that are know as production management. This will assist them to handle
the situations effectively that leads to productivity and profitability in the firm. This will also
reduce the wastage of resource this will increase the profitability in the company. The customers
are highly satisfied and it will manage all the operations effectively and efficiently. So,this
indicates that there will always be set of operations irrespective of what field a business is in and
at the end of the day .
c)Asses the factor of business impact the leader and managers decision-making process
Their are various types of factor impact on the ABF organisation decision-making
process which are describe below-
Internal factor

 Value system- The operational management function impact the cited organisation values
and culture. The company frame various rules and regulation so, the member done work
in a discipline manner. The various department in a company carry out its activities and
functions by following various rules and regulation of a firm. Financial variable- The various elements of finance that impact on the operational
management that affect the ABF company's functions (Ageron, Gunasekaran and
Spalanzani,2011). The various elements include in it are the financial policies, its process
and company's financial positions as well as capital structure.
 Internal relations- The relationship of employer and employee are ever-changing that are
not-properly coordinate. The cause and effect relationship of all members impact highly
on the company's functions.
External factor Suppliers- Supplier is the major player in the operational department who supplier useful
raw material to them on time (Farahani, Rezapour and Kardar,2011). The attitude of
supplier are change if , the company cannot pay on right time this will impact negativity
on the firm's objectives. They shift to the firm by supply good to those who are ready to
pay higher payments. It will affect the organisation in a negative manner.
 Competitors- The company highly impact with its competitor if they provide high-quality
of goods and service at same price. It will reduce the organisation sales and profit
generation capacity reduce (Reid and Sanders,2010). It require to monitoring the
competitor strategies and process used to enhance sales so, they can maintain their brand
image. This is only possible when the firm introduce new strategy or modify the existing
procedures in the market.
d)Evaluating how the manager and leaders improve efficiency of management operations
The effectiveness in the operational management by the leader and manager in the
Associated British Food PLC. The follow the various methods to motivate the employees such as
compensation plans, recognise, reward schemes and incentive plans etc. Along with this, they
done various activities relating to promotional so, the company's profit increase as well as
individual performance also (Closs,Speier and Meacham,2011). In addition to this, they also

influence them towards work so, the performance efficiency will also enhance towards the firm
goals and objectives. In contrast, the leader also play a role in perform in different manner they
manage the time as well as resources by adopting various techniques and methods in the cited
organisation.
It can be said the managers set the deadlines, scheduling the work and also rate the
employees work performance, This will impact on the firm positive manner as the company
satisfy the customers at the highest level leads to achieve goals and objectives in an appropriate
manner. Along with this, effective use of communication leads to minimising the conflicts as
well as reduce the confusion among all the individuals (Mahadevan,2015). It also encourage the
people towards organisational activities and functions so the task done at the stipulated time
framework. This will resultant into efficiency in the management operations will be improve.
The leader and manager both adopt the TQM approach to maintain overall quality this leads to
productivity and profitability will also improve.
e)Analyse the various factors impact the business environment as well as wider community
The various factor that impact the organisation by various external environment that are
discuss below- Political factor-This type of factor highly impact on the food industry as the government
change various rules and regulation that impact on the business operations (DeHoratius
and Rabinovich,2011). The cited organisation operate in various different countries
various laws are regulate by the government relating to foods. The various rules regulate
are the taxation policy, restriction in free trade and tariffs. Economic factor- The change in the micro-economic factors as well as macro-economic
factor highly impact on the company's pricing strategies and business policy (Ashby,
Leat and Hudson-Smith,2012). The RBI monitoring the fiscal as well as monetary policy
such as fluctuation in exchange rate, inflation rate and also interest rate. Social factor- The change in the customer's taste and preferences are constantly fluctuate
this will impact on the company's sales. The change in the customer's attitudes, style and
behaviour change relating to food products.

 Technological factor-The advancement in the technology impact the firm both positive as
well as negative manner. The technology helps the food company to provide the high-
quality products to the customers that leads to increase in production capacity (Ashby,
Leat and Hudson-Smith,2012). The worker not accept the new technology as it require
the training so, the employees can done on it effectively.
 Legal factors- The various laws and rules are formulate by the government in various acts
such as Food and safety act etc. for the food industry ( Ellison and Boyd,2013). The cited
organisation operate in many countries that are impact by the changes the profits does not
maximize effectively. It require the firm to closely monitor the legal aspect so, they can
make effective business strategies and policy accordingly.
f)Evaluate critically operations management applications and factor affect the organisation
The various factors that are ever-changing that impact the cited organisation activities
and operations. It is difficult for the firm to make predictions in advance so, they can identify the
various consequences that impact in the current scenario. In addition to this, these factor impact
adversely on the organisation for a long time period that no possible to asses at the first stage of
operational management (Singhal and Singhal,2012). It is very difficult for the firm to collect the
true information about these factors in advance so, this will impact the company as a whole. The
main problem is that to choose the appropriate sources so, they can manage the large information
effectively and they can handle the situations in a desired manner.
CONCLUSION
Summing up the whole report, it has been concluded that operational management play a
very vital role in the ABF organisation. This will leads to achieved the various goals and
objectives in an appropriate manner. This will be possible by the optimum utilisation of resource
in the production this will also minimising the overall firm's cost. The production capacity will
also enhance by adopting various approach like Total quality management. It will also satisfy the
customer by deliver them high-quality of service and product in the potential target market.
Along with this, the various leadership theory used by the manager and leader help them to
tackle the various situations happen in the organisation. The company have to monitor the

internal as well as external factors that affect the business operations. It will help them to adopt
those strategies so, they can improve the business functions effectively.

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