Analysis of Leadership and Management in Amazon - Unit 4 Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within Amazon, addressing key concepts and practical applications. It begins by differentiating between leaders and managers, exploring their distinct characteristics and roles within the organization. The report then examines how leadership and management principles are applied in various situational contexts, such as the launch of a new service and conflict management scenarios. Furthermore, it delves into different leadership theories and approaches utilized by Amazon, including situational leadership and the Hersey-Blanchard Model, offering insights into how these theories influence organizational practices. The report utilizes Amazon as a case study throughout, providing real-world examples to illustrate theoretical concepts and demonstrate their impact on operational effectiveness and overall business performance. The content covers operational management, factors affecting it, and decision-making processes of managers and leaders.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
PART 1............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Differentiate between leader & manager based on their characteristics................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 Role of a Leader as well as Manager in given Situations......................................................6
P3 Different Theories & approaches of Leadership....................................................................8
PART 2..........................................................................................................................................10
(Covered in PPT)...........................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operations management refer as a business practice that ensures maximum efficiency and
improves profitability of an organisation. It involves controlling as well as designing of
operational activities and production process (Bendoly, van Wezel and Bachrach, 2015). The
other part it involves is redesigning of functions and business activities in order to develop
effective products & services. It is important for every organisation to develop and manage
operational activities in an effective manner as it assist them to attain their objectives within
specified time frame. In the present report, Amazon is chosen as a base company. It is a
multinational technology company that emphasise on digital streaming, Artificial Intelligence, E-
commerce, Cloud Computing and so on. The company was established in year 1994 by a famous
personality “ Jeff Bezos”. Its own products are Amazon Echo, Amazon Kindle, Amazon Fire etc.
The company also offer services such as Amazon prime, Music, Web services, Alexa , App store
and many more. The report covers different roles of managers as well as leaders considering
differences. Also, various leadership approaches is going to be addressed. Moreover, it covers
approaches of operational management that help companies to improve their processes and gain
profit, Later, it covers factors that affect on operational managements as well as decision making
of managers and leaders.
PART 1
TASK 1
P1 Differentiate between leader & manager based on their characteristics
Concept of leadership & Leader: leadership is a process where a person is influencing
others for accomplishment of various objectives so that a individual can be influenced for
achievement if a common objective. Various process in a organisation are made more cohesive
& coherent with the help of appropriate use if leadership skills (Salmela, Koskinen and
Eriksson, 2017).
Leader is a person who is influencing a group or team in a organisation. Members in a
team are guided by a leader which helps in a achievement of expected outcomes and objectives.
Leaders posses direct responsibility of managing a team.
Concept of Management and Manager: Management is a concept that is used in planning,
organisation and monitoring activities of a organisation.

Managers are the ones who are responsible for a organisation to get their work done by
their workforce is they are able to make successful allocation of responsibility according to
competence of employees.
Identification and comparison of roles of a Manager and Leaders: Managers & Leaders play
a very important role in ensuring successful achievement of objectives in a organisation:
Leaders Managers
 Leaders in Amazon has the
responsibility of influencing behaviour
of their teammates by making them to
work according to organisation's
requirement (Stein, 2016).
 Leaders in Amazon are working
towards motivating their employees
with use of non monetary and monetary
incentives.
 In Amazon, Leaders induce employees
to accept and understand various
changes taking place in the
organisation.
 Managers in Amazon have the
responsibility to determine various
actions to be taken by employees.
 Allocation of responsibility by
managers in Amazon is done according
to competence, skill and potential of a
employee.
 Managers in Amazon are also
performing the function of planning,
organising and directing various action
and activities in a organisation.
Identification and Comparison of characteristics of a manager and a leader:
Characteristics of leaders & managers: There are certain characteristics posses by managers &
leaders in Amazon as explained below:
 Problem solving: Managers in Amazon have the responsibility to solve various conflicts
and issues arising in a organisation by applying creative solutions so that they do not
posses any negative impact on overall functioning of the organisation.
 Effective communication : Mangers in amazon posses skills of making effective
communication so that desired performance level can be achieved (Khoshhal and Guraya,
2016).
Characteristics of Leaders:

 Positive: It is very crucial that leaders in Amazon are very optimist and have a positive
attitude towards various issues arising in a organisation. This will help in changing
attitude of employees towards all problems and issues.
 Creative: Creativity is a skill which is very necessary for all leaders in Amazon as
application of creative solutions to different problems and new ways of doing things are
needed for effective functioning of this organisation.
Leadership Styles:
 Transformational: This style of leadership can be adopted by leaders in amazon where
they will have to share their beliefs, values, it will make them more capable of providing
various opportunities so that employees can be motivated.
Transactional: This style of leadership can be adopted by managers in Amazon where
they will have to give clear and specific instructions so that there is a consistent behaviour of
employees towards achievement of laid objectives (Gold, Thorpe and Mumford, 2016).
TASK 2
P2 Role of a Leader as well as Manager in given Situations
It is determined that all the staff members prevailing in an organisation performs different
activities as well as function in order to contribute towards attainment of organisational goals &
objectives. They execute and implement activities as per the guidance or direction given them so
that task should be completed on given time period (Fredendall and Hill, 2016). This situations
sometimes create issues and conflicts between the employees that directly affect on the
productivity as well as profitability of companies. It is important for managers and leaders of an
association to handle situations effectively and maintain healthy culture or environment at
workplace so that goals can be attained in a best manner. With reference to Amazon, there are
different situations occurred that impacts on overall performance and profitability of the
organisation. The situations is given below along with role of a leader and functions of manager:
New Service Launch: in order to grab the attention of more customers and raise its
profitability level, the top level authorities of Amazon is decided to start offering food delivery
services to customers within the market. This will increases their market presence as well as
market share. The functions of manager and role of leader in this situation is defined below:

Role of a Leader: In this situation the major role of a leader is to encourage employees
towards launching of new service (Heizer, 2016). Along with this, their role is to set vision in the
mind of employees and give direction to them regarding how to achieve it. Furthermore, the
leaders of Amazon align teams in an effective that will help company to attain organisational
objectives within time frame. The leader of AMAZON helps in giving direction to staff members
which in turn assist company to launch its new service at marketplace in a proper manner.
Functions of Manager: Herein, manager performs different roles so that its new service of
food delivery retain and gain success in market. One of the major function of manager is to
effective planning about how to implement and execute tasks related to it. Along with this, it is
important for manager to carry out planned activities within time frame (Hoyos, Morales and
Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015). The other major functions that managers play is developing budget
as it will help company to schedule activities as per given budget. Moreover, To monitor and
check performance as per set standards of employees who perform activities related to launching
of its food delivery service in market. The senior management of AMAZON required to have
effective communication skill that helps in gaining desired goals within specified time frame.
Conflict Management: In every company, many of the conflicts arises because of
different culture, thoughts and ideas of employees. This directly affect negatively on their
performance of employees which further impact on profitability of an organisation. The main
reason behind occurrence of conflicts is different opinions and thinking level of all the staff
members. By the assistance of Conflict Management, it is determined that AMAZON will be
able to handle and manage any conflicts in an effective manner. In context to Amazon, the
conflict arises among the employees regarding their payroll that develops negative mindset of
staff members due to which they did not put their full potential to attain desired goals of
company. This directly affect on the sales as well as profitability level of Amazon. The
manager's function and role of a leaders in this scenario is given below:
Role of a Leader: It is determined that leaders of Amazon give priority and focuses on
resolving conflicts which has arisen at workplace. According to the situation, the role of a leader
is to handle situations effectively and maintain a good relationship with its workforce so that
they can share their thoughts with them which is easy to solve (Hübner, Holzapfel and Kuhn,
2015). In addition to this, the major role of a leader here is negotiating that is making settlement
easily and in a positive manner. Listening to employees so that they feel valued in organisation

and remain for longer time period is also a role of a leader. It will assist leaders in handing and
deal with negative situations that brings out positive outcome for the company.
Functions of Manager: In this situation, the function of manager is to communicate with
employees and solve their issues. It is the responsibility of a manager to have written policies as
well as agreements signed by all the staff members so that issues cannot be occur in future. The
other function that managers perform here is to evaluate performance of employees and give
them feedback accordingly so that positive mindset is developed among all staff members of
Amazon. The higher authorities of AMAZON assist in taking better decisions that will help in
achieving their desired goals effectively as well as efficiently.
P3 Different Theories & approaches of Leadership
There are various approaches as well as theories that is adopted by higher authorities of
an association in order to perform activities and enhance functions of an organisation. The
leadership theories and approaches which is used by top level management of Amazon are as
follows:
Situational Leadership: This leadership theory is used by leaders of company
according the situations and conditions occurred. It also considered the growth and development
level of an organisation. The factors that is considered in this types of leadership are skills and
competencies of staff members to handle situations and perform them in a defined manner. With
reference to Amazon, the management team of company can use this leadership in order to
handle situations mad performs task in an effective manner (Ivanov, Tsipoulanidis and
Schönberger, 2017). In addition to this, situational leadership focuses on the skills of team
leaders by which all other staff members get encouraged & put their efforts in order to attain
organisational goals. Moreover, Hersey – Blanchard Model suggests that there is no specific
leadership style is exact and suitable to handle grievances or to implement at workplace. It
involves four styles which are participating, delegating, telling and selling as well. The mangers
of Amazon will adopt this model for effectively implement new product in the market as it helps
company to clarify objectives to all the staff members. It also helps them to clearly state their
expectations to employees that will leads to attainment of objectives within time frame. The are
basically two factors that involves in Hersey – Blanchard Model is suitability and Independence.
These factors are linked with four styles of leadership which is mentioned below:

Telling Style: Herein, leaders guide and give directions to employees related to the
particular task which help managers of Amazon to manage conflicts and attain organisational
goals.
Delegating Style: In this type of style, leaders give the opportunity to group members to
take decisions. This style assist management team of Amazon to motivate employees that
automatically reduce issues arise among them (Mahadevan, 2015).
Selling Style: Hereby, Leaders sell their innovative ideas to all the staff members by
giving them guidance in a defined manner. The new product Launch of Amazon will be easily
implemented if they adopt selling style of Leadership.
Participating Style: In this, management team of an organisation allows subordinates to
share their thoughts and take part in decision making. Acquisition of this style by Amazon
encourage employees to implement activities related to new product in a best and effectie
manner.
Fiedler's Contingency Model:: This Leadership style directly recommends that there is
no particular approach is appropriate in order to handle situations and conditions that is occurred
in the working premises. In context to Amazon, if the higher authorities use this theory within
the organisation, it is important for management team to undertake decisions by focusing on
external and internal factors of an organisation (Khanna, 2015). This will assist them to
implement the idea of new product launch in a defined manner and also help them to execute
activities of it in appropriate manner. Moreover, it is determined as best approach which holds
ability to manage and implement work of an organisation in a effectual manner. By the
assistance of this, an organisation gains positive results that creates an effective relationship and
encourage all the staff members to work efficiently and effectively. The key factors which is
considered under this model are:
Task Structure: It involves the task or activities which is required to be implement by the
company to achieve their desired goals within the specified time given. This will help senior
management of Amazon to clear tasks which declines the levelm of conflict arise in the
company. Moreover, it also help them in effectively carrying out tasks related to New product
launch.

Position Power: It is refer as the authority to give appreciation as well as punishment to
employees according to the work they perform. The management team of Amazon could adopt
this as it helps them to motivate employees and reduce the level of problems arise in company.
Leader-Member Relations: This factor analyse the level of trust among the team members
and higher authorities. Greater the level of trust rises an opportunity for Amazon to reduce
conflicts and handles situation in an appropriate manner.
System Leadership: System Leadership theory states that functions or activities which is
associated with specific project as well as task is to be implement and execute in a systematic
manner. This assist companies to gain objectives effectively as well as timely (Lee, 2018). In
relation to Amazon, If this leadership approach is acquire by management team of company it
will help them to perform operations systematically. It will assist them to identify market
conditions and provide exact information to their team members so that they will be able to
manage supply according to the demand of customers. Moreover, system leadership theory assist
an organisation to deal with dynamic market conditions and maintain profitability level of
company in the coming future also.
Online
Transformational Leadership style,2017 [Online] Available
through:<https://hrssconsultinggroup.com/transformational-leadership-style/>
PART 2
(Covered in PPT)
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above discussed topics that there are various styles of
leadership which are adopted by organisations so that they are able to mange their operational
functions in a most effective way. Managers and leaders play a very crucial part in improving the
overall functioning of a organisation and enhancing the performance level of employees. There
are various approaches which are also used for this purpose such as TQM, Six sigma which helps
in increasing the performance level as well as profitability level of companies.

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