Leadership Roles, Management Functions, and Operation Management

This report delves into the realm of leadership and management within the context of operation management, specifically analyzing the practices of Asda, a major retail company. The report elucidates the distinct roles of leaders and managers, highlighting their functions in driving business objectives and achieving organizational success. It explores various leadership theories and models, including situational, system, and contingency leadership, illustrating their application within Asda's operational framework. The report further examines key approaches to operation management, emphasizing the interplay between leadership and management in optimizing business processes. Additionally, it assesses the impact of external factors on operational decision-making and emphasizes the importance of operation management in achieving business goals. The report provides practical examples and case studies to illustrate these concepts, offering a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between leadership, management, and operation management within Asda.

Management and operations

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................4
P1. Difference between the roles of the leader and functions of manager..................................4
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................6
P2. Examples of roles of the leader and functions of manager in different situation of the
business........................................................................................................................................6
P3. Different theories and models of approaches includes situational, system and contingency
leadership.....................................................................................................................................6
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................8
P4. Key approaches to operation management and roles plays by leader and manager..............8
P5. Importance and value of operation management in achieving the objectives of business.. 10
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................12
P6. Different factors of business environment which affects the operational management and
decision-making of leaders and managers.................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operation management refers to the process and practices of the business which helps to
increases the efficiency and effectiveness of the company. There is the planning, organising, and
supervising the activities of production, manufacturing and many more services of the business.
The main focus of the management of operation is to transform the material and labour into
effective products and services so it will increases the level of profits in thee business. It includes
proper uses of the resources which increases the sales and productivity of the organisation in the
different situation of the market. This file determine the operation management of Asda which is
the largest retail company of the British. The headquarter of the Asda is at the Leeds, England. It
is the largest retailer of the supermarket they also provides the services like finance and mobile
phone services to the people.
This file involves the difference in the role of the leader and functions of the manager in
the Asda. There are various theories and models of the leadership which is applied by the
company. In this report there is the various important approaches of the management of
operation and different roles of the manager and leader. To achieve the goals of the business
there is requirement of the operation management. This file also involves the relationship
between the management and leadership in the business.
LO 1
P1. Difference between the roles of the leader and functions of manager.
Leader: A leader is the person who guides and directs the activities of the people towards the
achievement of the objectives and goals of the business. To meet the needs and wants of the
Asda the leader is the one who motivates the group of people to get the works successfully
(Addo-Tenkorang and Helo, 2016). In the business of the Asda the effectiveness of the leader is
that they performs functions and activities to increases the level of the profits in the current
future conditions of the market.
Manager: A manager is the person who is expert in this works provides the effective and
efficient support to their employees in the business. In Asda the manager is the one who works
with their employees to achieve the goals. He gives the different kinds of responsibilities to the
people of the company and provides the help when they needs (Benjaafar and Hu, 2019).
Manager will makes the effective working environment in the business of the Asda to improves
the performance of the employees.

Roles:
Leader Manager
In Asda leader plays an important roles to
creates the effective vision for the employees
so that they focused to achieve the goals. He
inspire the people of the business.
The focus of the manager is that they make the
objectives and goals of the organisation and
controls various situations to reach the goals of
the business.
There is the implementation good and
effective ideas by the leader in the task of the
business (Bromiley and Rau, 2016).
Manger of the Asda main aim to creates lots of
ideas and facts which helps in accomplishment
of the goals easily and at the faster rate.
The role of the leader is to take risk in the
business. Sales and profits increases when the
leader of the Asda is risk taking.
Manger play important in controlling the risk
factors which affects the growth and success of
the business (Choi, Cheng and Zhao, 2016).
Making effective relation with their
subordinates is also the essential roles of the
leader in the working environment of the
Asda.
Manger have the roles to make the effective
structures of the business which helps top chive
the success and growth of the business.
Leader uses the transformational theory of
leadership in their working because this
theory brings changes in the social and
individual systems (Choi, Chan and Yue,
2016).
Manger of the Asda focuses on the behavioural
theory of management in their working and this
theory states that relationships of the human in
the working environment.
This theory have four factors which helps to
motivate inspire and guides the activities of
the subordinates in the right direction.
The focus of the behavioural theory in the
business of the Asda is to understand the
behaviour of the employees in the working such
as motivation, improvement in productivity,
expectations etc.
Characteristics:
Leader Manger
Leader is the one who have passion to Manager have the ability to take the effective

complete the task effective and efficiently in
the business of the Asda. Passionate leader
makes the effective decision which helps to
reach the goals of the Asda.
decisions at the right time which makes the
working of the organisation effective and leads
to the success and growth (Choi, Wallace and
Wang, 2018).
Leader must be a good communicator so that
they share their ideas and opinion with their
team members which leads to the success of
the Asda.
Manager is responsible for all the activities
done in the business of Asda whether it is good
or bad.
LO 2
P2. Examples of roles of the leader and functions of manager in different situation of the
business.
There are various roles and function of the manger and leader in the business of the Asda
which helps to achieve success and growth of the business. For example the working of the Asda
is not not effective then the manager guides and directs the employees so that they will improves
the performance level. To increases the profits and productivity of the Asda there manager
focusses to improve the performance of the employees so that they will works effectively
towards the gaols of the business (Hammer, 2015). The leader also plays important role in
improving the performance of the team members with proper motivation. Employees get inspire
when the leader motivates them by providing reward on their better performance.
For example to achieve the growth of the Asda the manger makes the effective plan in the
organisation and directs the employees to works effectively to achieve the goals of the business.
The roles of the leader is to creates different types of strategies and communicate with the
employees so that they will reach to the success of the organisation easily.
Training and development practices is done by the manager in the Asda which improves
the skills and understanding of the new and existing employees. For example when there is the
production of the new products by the Asda in their business then they organise the training and
development programmes which helps the employees to work better (Ivanov, Tsipoulanidis and
Schönberger, 2017). The roles of the leader is also important because he makes good ideas and
facts which helps to achieve the profits from the production of the new products in the business.

For example when there is any difficulty which is faced by the employees in the working
environment of the Asda then the manger provides the proper support to them and takes
effective decision which makes effective structure of the business. The leader maintain the good
relation with their employees so that they give ideas and suggestions to solve the problems of
Asda.
P3. Different theories and models of approaches includes situational, system and contingency
leadership.
For the effective functioning of the business Asda uses the different theories of leadership
which helps to motivate, inspire and improve the performance of the employees towards the
achievement of the goals. These models and theories of leadership are explained below
Situational leadership:
In this theory the leaders adopts the style of leadership as per the situation and level of
development of the people of team. The leader of the Asda uses this style of leadership because it
helps to fulfils the needs and wants of the team and maintain the whole working of the
organisation (Mahadevan, 2015). It is the very effective way to manage the members of the team
in the different situation of the organisation. This theory includes four level such as
leader tells: In this level the leader makes effective decisions and tells team member
what to do and how to do the work.
leader sells: To increases the profits and productivity of the Asda leader gives the
constant supervision to their team and also provide feedback on their working. For effective
contribution of the employees in the task of the business the leader provides the ideas,
information and suggestion and improve their performance.
leader advice: This stage states that the leader motivates and encourage their team
members. The proper guidance and direction to the employees leads to accomplishment of
objectives effectively.
leader delegates: The leader have the knowledge and understanding to allocates the tsak
with the members of the team. In this stage people are mature enough about their roles, task and
behaviour towards the success and growth of the business (Matthias, and et.al., 2017).
Strength and weakness:
The strength of this leadership theory is helps to creates the effective and comfortable
environment of working in the Asda. As per the needs of the employees this theory motivates

them which brings the positive outcome. This theory helps the team to work together with
effectively. The drawback of situational leadership theory is the focus only on the urgent needs
of the business not on the long term needs (Merigó and Yang, 2017). Leader cannot get the full
and enough information. Sometime the Asda faces the problem of confusion because of this
theory.
Systems leadership:
This theory of leadership treats the company as a system and helps to find the
interrelation and interdependency in different parts of the organisation. So organisation is treated
as the open system of the business which works to get the success in the future and present. This
leadership involves the various skills, ability and capabilities which is used by the Asda to
provide the support to all the level of the system in the business. When the business is facing the
difficult challenges in the business the leader uses the this style of leadership which applied the
lots action to the business (Mijumbi, and et.al., 2016). Problems which is not solves by the
business easily this style is fit best in this situation.
Strength and weakness:
This theory aims to achieve the goals of the Asda in relation to achieve the individual
goals also. When there is changes in the environment then it will increases the adaptability of the
company. All the declension re made as per the internal and external environment of the
business. The weakness is that the nature of this leadership is not clearly defined by the leaders.
Because of this leadership it take long time in making of the decision by the leader in the Asda.
Contingency leadership:
In this theory the leader applies their style of leadership in the accurate situation of the
business. The proper action is taken on the basis of the situation of business which is internal and
external (Olsen and Tomlin, 2019). In the business of the Asda the styles of the leader is fits as
per the situation then it show the effectiveness and efficiency of the leadership.
Strength and weakness:
Advantages of this theory it changes as per the situation of the business of the Asda. The
manager and the leader of the Asda changes the plans and policies according to the situation.
This theory helps the leader of the Asda to improve the skills of leadership and decision making.
With the help of the contingency theory employees get the various options for the growth and
success of the business. Disadvantages of contingency theory that it is very complex in the

business. In Asda the leader cannot handle the situation because of this theory (Reid and
Sanders, 2019). These is the dependence of the actions of the manager on the situation of the
business.
LO 3
P4. Key approaches to operation management and roles plays by leader and manager.
Asda uses various approaches in managing the business operations and the roles of their
leaders and manager are also very important. Total quality management approach, lean
management approach and just in time approach are described below:
Total quality management (TQM): It is the process from which the quality and performance
will improves to meet the expectations of the customer. This is the continuous process which is
used by the Asda in their business operations measure the errors in the process of manufacturing,
management of supply chain and training with the employees and eliminate those errors. The
focus of this approach is to manage and maintain the quality of the products and services which
is provided by the Asda to their customer for the effective image of the brand and increase in
sales.
Total quality approach is the process of customer oriented and there main aim is to make
the continuous improvements in the different functions of the business. They drive the activities
of the employees in one common directions by effective improvements in the products and
services. Asda focuses to makes changes in the long term business operations by achieving the
goals which is short term (Robinson, and et.al., 2016). With the help of the TQM the manger will
organise the training programmes aims on the quality to produce the effective quality products
and services. It will increases the satisfaction of the customer because of the effective quality.
The leader of Asda implement the effective and good ideas which improve the quality of the
products and services and trained their team members.
Lean management:
It means with the use of the minimum resources the organisation could run their activities
and operations to gain the greater satisfaction of the customer. Asda uses this approach in the
business because it aims to creates the values for the customer and reduces the waste of the
company. The main aim of the Asda is to increases the efficiency so they uses this approach.
The role of the manager in this approach is to hire the skilled and talented employees
which creates the healthy atmosphere in Asda (Roda and Macchi, 2016). When they select the

better employees they works effectively to get the work done and reach to the success in the long
run. Manger gives direction to their employees when they uses the lean approach to place the
inventory at the correct place which gives the safer and organised working environment to the
employees.
Just in time (JIT):
The focus of this method is to increases the efficiency, reduces the cost and decreases the
waste from the goods and services. It is the method of inventory management in which the
material, goods and labour are manages when the is need in the process of the manufacturing.
When there is need of the materials in the process of products of Asda then this method is
applied for ordering and receiving the material. Just in tie method is required when there is need
of more products of the products and services then more supplies of manufacturing are ordered
in the business of the Asda (Samson and Kalchschmidt, 2019). This method gives the various
benefits to the Asda like the cost of the inventory is very low and the level of the increased in the
organisation.
The role of the manager is to make the effective planning of the production and sales
process from which the employees works s per the plans and increases the products and reduces
the cost of the inventory in the business (Spring, 2017). In the business of Asda leader guides the
sales team that they have to increase the sales of the business by motivating and encouraging
them. By applying this method in the business it will also improve the quality of the products and
services attracts the large number of customer which increases the sales and profits. Leader plays
an important roles in maintaining the better relation with the employees.
P5. Importance and value of operation management in achieving the objectives of business.
Operational management involves various process planning, organising, managing,
controlling, supervising the production and manufacturing processes. It plays important role for
any organisation to run there project successfully. Following are the importance and values of
operating management for Asda:
1. Operation management help in effective utilisation of resources : It is necessary to
make effective utilisation of its resources like labour, raw material, money and other
resource. It is obligatory for any organisation to manage their daily work as it involves
significant element such as planning, organizing, staffing, monitoring, controlling,
directing and motivating .It is similar for every organisation or industry irrespective of

their nature of operation. Like Asda with the help of operational management can
organise their daily works and other business processes in an effective manner so in this
way company can achieve its objectives of business as all day today activities are
managed in an effective manner.
2. Improve overall productivity of employee and enhance production: Focus of
Operational management is to use the available resource in the most effective manner so
that organisational objective are achieved with increase in overall productivity. It can be
achieved only through efficiency of manager as well as of employee. Thus in these way it
help organisation in reduction of cost of the product and cause less wastage which will
lead to increase in the production capacity of the company.
3. Controlling operations: Operational management control entire operation of an
organisation from product catering to needs of the customer , so that they can be sold at
rapid pace . It is also known as heart of an organisation as it help in alignment of
customers needs with product and manage various activities that take place within
organisation. So for company Asda it is useful at every stage from planning, organising
and directing day to day task in order to achieve daily tasks.
4. Operation management help in enhancement of profit of the company: Operational
management enhance the profit of the company by effectively utilising the resource of
the company and effort of employee(Suarez, Calvo-Mora and Roldán, 2016) . Thereby
converting raw material into finished goods with minimum wastage this increasing the
profit of an organisation. Company by fulfilling the needs of the customer can increase
the demand of the product thereby increasing the profit of an organisation.
5. Useful in day to day activities: It handle various issue like design, operations,
maintenance of resource, which are used in the production of goods . So it is important
for any organisation. Asda company by using operational management can design,
maintain their resource effectively which are used in the production of goods.
6. Required at every stage: Earlier it was believed that operational management is not
important for an organisation but later it was found that it is an essential part for the
smooth functioning of an organisation. As it start with manufacturing of raw material
converting them into finished good and selling them(Wu and et.al., 2017) .So operational
management is necessary for any organisation. Asda company by using operation

management at various level such as planning, organising, managing, controlling can
supervise their product and manufacturing process.
7. Improves goodwill of an organisation: As operational management cater the needs of
customer and align them with the product. So company manufacture those goods which
fulfil the needs of the customer and by supervising production and manufacturing process
it produce good quality product at lower cost.
LO 4
P6. Different factors of business environment which affects the operational management and
decision-making of leaders and managers.
There are various factors present in Business Environment that have storng impact on
opertional activities. There are two major factors, Internal and External which affects the
decision making and operational management of Asda. A company have to take various
important decisions on varuious aspects of business in order to gain profits and competitive
advantage in the industry (Stolzer, 2017). One of the major external factor of business
environment which can have impact on the decision making process and operatinal managemet
of the company is political factor, social and environmental which are discussed below.
Political factor: this factor affects the various aspects of decision making for example
supply chain management strategies. Due to Brexit Asda can face various political unrests with
other neighbouring European countries which can affect the supply of resources form other
countries. So, this factor have an impact on operations managemenet decision making as
company has to take decision on building a suitable and feasible supply chain.
Social Factor: It is also called socio-culture factor and have negative impact, such as
population growing that incerases the demand of products, according to different age group they
prefer different choice of products, so Asda has to emerge with new ideas to deal with changing
trends, according to customers demand which will enhance their profitabilty.
Envionmental Factor: This external factor influence company's operating activities and
decision making process, as resources are scarce and need to be utilized efficiently and with the
changing climate condition company should adopts precautions. Along with that, Asda using
nature resources so it is the responsibilty to give it back to the society using various CSR
intiatives.

There are two internal factors that impact on the company's opreting management process
these factors have various Strength and weakness. These factors are present in the organization
and there are numerous elements that influance the operation managemenet of company and
decision making process of manger and leader.
Layout design and strategy: this element has become company's strength as well as weakness,it
consider placment of desks, machinary and how material used, if the company followed correct
Layout and strategy it gives positive effect instead if they didn't followed the correct strategy it
has adverse effect. So to achigve the profits of Asda have the effective design and strategies of
the layouts
Maintence: It is company's huge responsibilty to maintain their quality as well as keep stable the
resources. Asda has maintaing their product quality since past years so it increases the imge of
the brand. The decisioin making of the manager nad leader of the Asda are also affected becaues
they make the decison to maintin the quality of the products and guides the employees so that
they works to maintain the quality.
Scheduling: It includes the needs and wants of customer which required machine for production
and manpower requirment to execute the process of production. Asda has good scheduling skills
that is benificial for the company (Zherlitsyn and Kravchenko, 2016). Company maintain and
follows their schedule step by step.
Inventory: Company have to plan and maintain their inventory as it affect supply of products
and labour of the company. If sudden demand increase company will fulfill from the stock that is
stored in the godown. Asda has maintain their stock of inventory for their daily work. The
manger of the Asda makes the effectiuve plan and policies from which they maintain the
inventory. It is the strength of the asda to which reduces the cost of inventory.