Management and Operations: Leadership at ASDA - Report

This report delves into the core concepts of leadership and management, using ASDA as a case study. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their distinct responsibilities. The report then examines how these roles are applied in diverse situational contexts, such as conflict resolution and rapid change, providing real-world examples from ASDA. Furthermore, it explores various leadership theories and models, including situational, systems, and contingency theories, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in the context of the company. The analysis extends to key approaches to operations management and the roles of leaders and managers within these approaches. Finally, the report investigates the factors within the business environment that impact operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers, offering a comprehensive overview of effective leadership and management practices.

Management and
Operations

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager........1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
diverse situational contexts..........................................................................................................3
P3. Different theories and models of approach...........................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play....6
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.............7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6. The factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision making by leaders and managers............................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is an essential aspect in a business industry as it helps in utilising
the assets of the firm to attain the goals and objectives by using and implementing different
strategies and concepts. Operation management is an proficient process of managing the business
practices of a venture in well controlled way by effectively running and operating trading action
of the enterprise. This assignment is supported to ASDA stores Ltd. which is a British
supermarket retailer (Aghajani and Ghadimi, 2018). This business venture was incorporated in
1949 and is headquartered in West Yorkshire, England UK. This company operate its business
globally with the help of its number of stores approx 631 and effective contribution of 165,000
employees. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the different kinds of leadership skills that
are practice in the company and attempt to devise evaluation towards their capabilities and
weaknesses. The operational and management needs vary enterprise to perform as per the
situation the firm and adopt leadership style accordingly. The document will consist information
about different models and concepts of leadership and management. The component of business
environment will also define that create influence over operational administration and
determination devising.
TASK 1
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leader- It refers to a person who assists in motivating and encouraging the person. In
ASDA, it indicates to an individual who assist in encouraging workers of the company so that
they can doing or executing their roles and responsibilities in an appropriate manner (Hu and et.
al., 2018). The leader offers guidance to the workers so that they can effectively accomplish their
target in granted time frame.
Roles of a leader
 The leader assists in encouraging workers so that they can accomplish their
objectives by utilising their all efforts and effectiveness.
 The individual plays a crucial role by providing a clear image and views about the
vision and mission of the work and task.
Characteristics of a leader
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 A leader has a good communication skill that help in developing the sense of
humour which assist in motivating workers and provide direction to them associated
work.
 In ASDA, the leader is confident and honest so they assist workforce to encourage
them in bad condition when they are feeling demotivation at the time of attaining
goals (Huang and et. al., 2019).
Manger- It refers to an individual who is accountable for administrating, controlling and
maintaining the business practices and process. In ASDA, manager is a person who is
accountable to frame plan of action and policies for the effective running of the venture.
Roles of leader
 In ASDA, manager plays an effective role of creating strategies and set aims for
the growth of the organisation.
 The administrator plays an adequate role in firm as the person enable in sharing
and offering data to the entire workforce regarding policies and new rules or laws
of the firm.
Characteristics of a manager
 In ASDA, the administrator has effective skills o communication, organisation
and management which assist in maintaining and administrating company’s
function and activities.
 Cause of having creativity and innovation competence and quality, they assist in
framing and developing policies and plan of action for the venture (Gibson and
Parkman, 2018).
Difference between leader and manager
Basis Manager Leader
Meaning It indicates to a person who
is accountable to plan,
organise, control and
administrate functions of a
business venture.
A leader is a person who
encourage workers
regarding a specific aim and
objective.
Approaches The administrator offer
brief and effective data
Leader devise guidlines for
accomplishment of specific
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about strategies and plans. objective of a task.
Subordinate Workers are subordinate of
an administrator.
Followers are the
subordinate of a leader.
Style An administrator follows
transactional style.
A leader follows
transformational style.
Transformational theory of leadership- It is an appropriate concept of leadership that assist
in devising modification in a person and social system, and create values for the effective
alteration in the workforce with the definitive objective o improving the followers into leaders
(Saucedo-Martínez and et. al., 2018). In ASDA, this system of leadership is better and
appropriate for the growth and development planning of the aims in the firm so that the company
will not face suffer the lack of leadership capabilities and traits in upcoming time.
Classical theory of management- It is also known as the scientific concept of administration
which is supported to the values that within a company, the workers have only economic and
physical requirements. In ASDA, the administration of the venture satisfies these demands of the
employees by offering them job fulfilment so that they assist in development of the company in
form of profitability increment. This concept is best suited to the firm as it only concerned
regarding productivity and not any other needs of workforce.
TASK 2
P2. Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in diverse
situational contexts
There are different roles and responsibilities are performed by leaders and managers in
different situations. In ASDA, there are numerous changes are generated in its business due to
change in needs and requirements of people, fluctuations in government plans and policies and
many more (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018). The explanation of some situations in context of
ASDA and the role of managers and leaders are also defined:
Conflict resolution- It refers to an activity of solving dissonance and contravention which are
increasing in the venture and negatively impact the business actions & operation and workers
execution. For example, in ASDA, the situation of conflict resolution can be create in form of
devising creation in the goods and services with the motive of increasing productivity and
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profitability of the organisation by satisfying customers’ needs. So to make innovation in term of
delivery services etc., the management will also build a group and improve new plan and
strategies to attain the goals and aims. When workers are performing in a team then the options
of conflict occurrence are high. There are different reasons to occurred issues n group work such
as ineffective communication, bad employee relationship and unclear determinations etc.
Roles of leader- When the organisation is facing issues or conflicts, the leader play an
important role to increase the problems by offer suitable solution (Reid and Sanders, 2019). In
ASDA, clear set up vision of the task and allotted work to workers as per to their competencies
and competencies. So that they can accomplish it in set time frame in term of gaining appropriate
outcomes. By devising open communication in group they can provide option to teammates to
make contribution in decision making act where they can deliver their complexities and
problems and get efficient solution timely.
Roles of manager- In ASDA, the administrator play an effective role by framing plan of
action in reference of task so that the task can be accomplish its set objectives and goals. The
manager also offers reliable and needed resources to the employees so that they can perform
their work and task in effective manner.
Rapid change- There are diverse kinds of changes that are make by the business venture with
the purpose of fulfilling needs, demands, taste and preferences of target audiences. So that they
can take benefits of the products and services that are provided by the venture as per their
desires. For example, the management of ASDA form changes in the delivery and promotion
activity as every day a new technology innovated in the business environment that generate
rivalry for the firm. To make effective and rapid change, the venture can provide training and
development sessions so that employees can get information about different technology and
adopt change in easy manner or perform according to them.
Roles of leader- In this situation, leader plays an effective role by selecting skilled and
talented employees so that they easily and effectively perform their work by accepting new and
innovative technology. They also assist in leading and directing by provide effective guidance.
Roles of manager- The administrator play an essential role by framing appropriate plan
and policies so that employees can perform in systematic manner (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). It
will assist in accepting change with suffering any complexity.
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P3. Different theories and models of approach
There are diverse concepts and models that can be implemented by administration of
ASDA to manage and motivate employees of the firm so that they can make their participation in
operating the business in well manner (Choi, Wallace and Wang, 2018). The description of some
theories in reference to ASDA is as under:
Situational leadership theory- It is a model within leader play an effective role as per the
situation of the business firm. This conception was developed by Paul and Harsey and the
concept consist diverse kind of leadership forms like telling, selling, participating and delegating
that are accept the leader to work in diverse situation of the organisation. With the help of these
diverse leadership forms, they can provide clear data regarding framework, plans & policies and
condition of enterprise to the workforce so that they can execute their work and assigned work
effectively and efficiently.
Strengths- It is an effective method and theory that assist in increasing the level of
encouragement of the workforce. It is also essential as it offer an opportunity to the employees to
make contribution in the decision making activity.
Weaknesses- The main demerit of this theory is that sometimes is not capable to provide
clear data about the leaders and also may create confusion in the firm which can mislead the
employees.
System leadership theory- This theory o leadership indicates to those leaders of the company
who administrate the situation of all level where workers can execute their responsibilities
towards assigned task and work. In ASDA, the leader can perform their duties in a systematic
manner by providing effective direction to the employees. It is better for creating and making
friendly and healthy working environment where employees can do their work in proper way
without facing complexities (Fettermann and et. al., 2018). This leadership concept can be
utilised by the administration of the rim to make improvement and enlargement in the execution
of the firm in business environment.
Strengths- This concept is better for organisation as with the assistance of it, workers can
perform their assigned work and task in a systematic way by considering all rules, strategies and
regulations of the firm and offer appropriate results.
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Weaknesses- The drawback of this concept is that it is a long term activity within there are
diverse issues occurred and to deal with them there are several plan of actions and parameters
frame by the administration to involve within it.
Contingency leadership theory- This leadership theory is framed by Fred Fielder in 1964 to
standardized the strengths, competence and influencing the workers. In ASDA, it can be used by
the firm to encourage the employees so that they can attain the objective and goals their assigned
work in specified time (Mou, Robb and DeHoratius, 2018). This model operates on a twofold
activity in which organisation’s condition and leader’s capabilities are defined. In it, different
approach that are framed as an internal part of it, such as effective task unit of the business.
Strengths- It is impulsive in nature so it can be modifies as per the situation. This method
provide chance to the workers that assist them in their growth and development or transmitting
their ideas and thoughts to the business.
Weaknesses- This method is crucially reactive in quality so sometime, it is hard to
administrate the circumstances become challenging for the leader and administrator.
TASK 3
P4. Key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play
There are several approaches to operation management and leader and administrator play
diverse roles in them. Some of them are explained as below in references to ASDA:
Six sigma- It is defined as method that is corrected in nature and data driven. This approach acts
like a system for obviating imperfection in any process ranging from producing to interact and
from goods to services crosswise several firms. If ASDA form utilisation of six sigma in the
operational management of the venture then it can assist in gain target audiences satisfaction by
minimising the problems that are generate in the business activities of the firm.
Role of leader- If the administration of ASDA accept this approach, then in this condition,
leader play an essential role by organising training and assets regarding six sigma (Hazen and et.
al., 2018). They also communicate the workers and administration of the firm about the
essentialness of this approach and help in motivating sig sigma task.
Role of manager- The managers of the venture also play an efficient role by including it in
term of cost saving. The management of the firm also offer review and support to the employees
and senior administration.
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Lean production- It is defined as simple and systematic system that help in the exclusion of the
waste in the production system. In ASDA, the administration of the firm can apply this process
in its business activities and operations then it can help in the operational administration of the
firm by devising development in the quality of the products, decrease the utilisation of man
power, devise easy the management o the entire process, offer a healthy and secure working
environment and improve the morale of the employees (Leiras and et. al., 2019).
Role of leader- Leaders helps the employees in understanding their actual accountability in
reference of lean production. They also offer efficient direction and guidance to the workers to
increases the production.
Roles of manager- The administrator play an effective role by carrying out analysis
towards the effectiveness of the products. They check the production process so that no useful
materials are damaged.
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
The importance and values of operations managements in attaining business objective can
be explained with the assistance of utility of operation administration. They are defined as
beneath:
Process design- With the assistance of this operation management function, the
administration of the venture can make and form business activities of the enterprise. It is
essential for ASDA as with the assistance of it, the management can make development in the
production system and commodities according to target audience’s requirements. It will be
efficient and useful for the firm in form of attaining business goals by fulfilling consumer’s
needs by offering products and services accordant to the demands. This function assists the
company in form of increasing the productiveness and profit margins of business venture.
Control and distribution system- It is essential function of business process management as it
is accountable to devise control over the distribution activities san d assuring the effectiveness of
allocation of goods and services in reference to accomplish business aims and objectives of the
venture. It perform that the objective the company which is effectively use of assets is locomote
(yan Zhang and Van Den Bulcke, 2018). The efficiency of this function can be developed by
accepting a powerful comparative system and to addition the prerequisite structure of ASDA o
attains the business objectives. The action and the allocation method is connected with the
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effective control of assets as per to the diverse actions in a calculative way so that the waste of
the resources can be minimise as it will assist in developing distribution activity of the enterprise.
TASK 4
P6. The factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision making by leaders and managers
CSR- It states corporate social responsibility and explained as a business conceptualisation that
devise part to the sustainable improvement by inter-house economical, ethical and environment
advantages to all its shareholders (Aghajani and Ghadimi, 2018). In ASDA, the administration of
the firm devising CSR policy that is efficient to the stakeholder and also for the welfare of the
culture. The enterprise invest a small portion of its profit margins, that is gained by its business
acts, for the welfare of the social and environmental form of company education programs,
actions regarding environmental protection and counselling programs etc. It is also effective
essential for all the companies as each business are incorporated and operated in society so the
venture effectively considers the welfare of the society and environment.
Culture-It indicates to the ideas, customs and social behaviour of the people of a particular
area. It play an effective role in operation administration at tome of operation process, the culture
of the workforce are taken in to account and according to that strategies are framed to increase
the effectiveness of the workforce. In ASDA, the determination devising of leaders and
managers influence when the administration will not frame plan of action by considering culture
of the nation so that local individual can also execute their work in effective manner, then it
affect decision making.
Value- It is explained as an essential factor of business environment that is considering by a
business firm in term of producing valuable goods and services and for which target audiences
are ready to pay any cot. It impact the determination devising of managers and leader when the
produced goods and services have some value and relevant for consumers and enable in
developing productivity and profitability (Hu and et. al., 2018). But when the firm will not
manufacture valuable commodities then people will not ready to pay then it unfavourably
influence the venture in form of decrement in sales and customer base etc. It can also affect
brand image of the venture and market position in specific business sector.
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CONCLUSION
This has been summarised from the above content that operation management is an effective
activity and process of administrating business activity and operation so that business of the
venture can be operate in adequate manner. Leaders and manager are also functioning in well
manner in term of framing plans & policies and directing employees to perform their task and
assigned work in well defined manner. By implementing different concepts and approach, they
can perform their roles and responsibilities and in diverse situation without facing any kind of
complexities. Different business environment components like CSR, values and culture etc. form
influence over operation management and impact determination devising activity of leaders and
managers with the firm.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
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grid. Energy Reports. 4. pp.218-225.
Hu, Z.Z. and et. al., 2018. BIM-based integrated delivery technologies for intelligent MEP
management in the operation and maintenance phase. Advances in Engineering
Software. 115. pp.1-16.
Huang, Q. and et. al., 2019. Analysis of Administrative Management and Operation Cost in
China's Maritime Shipping Market. Journal of Coastal Research. 94(SI). pp.398-405.
Gibson, P. and Parkman, R., 2018. Cruise operations management: hospitality perspectives.
Routledge.
Saucedo-Martínez, J.A. and et. al., 2018. Industry 4.0 framework for management and
operations: a review. Journal of ambient intelligence and humanized computing. 9(3).
pp.789-801.
Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., 2018. Operations and process management: principles and
practice for strategic impact. Pearson UK.
Reid, R.D. and Sanders, N.R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Meredith, J.R. and Shafer, S.M., 2019. Operations and supply chain management for MBAs.
Wiley.
Choi, T.M., Wallace, S.W. and Wang, Y., 2018. Big data analytics in operations
management. Production and Operations Management. 27(10). pp.1868-1883.
Fettermann, D.C. and et. al., 2018. How does Industry 4.0 contribute to operations
management?. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering. 35(4). pp.255-268.
Mou, S., Robb, D.J. and DeHoratius, N., 2018. Retail store operations: Literature review and
research directions. European Journal of Operational Research, 265(2), pp.399-422.
Hazen, B.T. and et. al., 2018. Back in business: Operations research in support of big data
analytics for operations and supply chain management. Annals of Operations
Research, 270(1-2), pp.201-211.
Leiras, A. and et. al., 2019. Operations management for social good: 2018 poms international
conference in Rio. Springer Nature.
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yan Zhang, H. and Van Den Bulcke, D., 2018. International management strategies of Chinese
multinational firms. In Management Issues in China: Volume 2 (pp. 141-164). Routledge.
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