An Analysis of Leadership, Management, and Operations in Aston Martin

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within Aston Martin, focusing on the roles of leaders and managers in various situations, including new product launches and crisis management. It explores different leadership theories such as situational leadership, system leadership, contingency theory, and chaos theory, and examines their application within the company. The report also delves into key approaches to operations management, including control and distribution systems, process design, capacity management, logistics, and scheduling, while discussing operational strategies like Six Sigma, lean production, and queuing theory. The report highlights the importance of operations management in achieving business objectives and assesses how factors in the business environment impact operational decision-making. The analysis provides insights into the relationship between management and leadership in the context of corporate social responsibility, encompassing values, ethics, and organizational culture. The report uses Aston Martin as a case study to illustrate these concepts, offering a practical understanding of how leadership and management principles are applied in a real-world business setting.

Management and
operation's

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in various situations...........................................1
P3 Different Theories & Models of Leadership.....................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager...................4
P5 Importance and value of operations management in attaining business objectives..........6
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................7
P6 Assess factors in business environment impact on operational management and decision
making....................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is divided into two terms. Management is defined as a process
where they plan, manage, direct and control to achieve organisation goals whereas operation is
defined to ensure that resources are properly used and company is turning inputs into output in
an effectively manner. For the report Aston Martin is the selected organisation. It is founded in
1913 and main head office is located in United Kingdom, they operate in luxury products and
services of auto-mobile industry. This report includes about leaders and managers its differences
and their roles. Therefore, it include theories of leadership and operations, impact on business
environment, theories of operation and management such as six sigma, queuing theory and lean
production. It includes relationship of management and leadership in context of corporate social
responsibility like their values, ethics and culture.
TASK 2
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in various situations.
Managers & leaders have to deal with the changing and dynamic nature of organisation.
Presently there is analysis of the role played by leaders and manager functions in context of
different types of situations in organisation.
New product launch: In this situation there is new product launch that is taking place in Aston
martin. Such as there is development of new segment of electric vehicles to capture higher
market share to enhance the present market share.
Role of leader: In this situation leaders In Aston martin have to showcase the launch and all
the work associated with such new launch so that subordinates and team members can get aware
of the work associated with new product launch.
Function of manager: In this manager are guiding the employees by assigning them all the
task and activities to be performed in the process of new product launch accordance with the
skills, knowledge and competency of staff members.
Crisis management: It is situation when there is internal crisis taking place in the
organisation because of external changing environment. In Aston martin such type of situation
took place because of the COVID pandemic that affected the sales and profitability of the brand.
Role of leader: In Aston martin dealers continued to suffer because of service, repair, sales.
Because of COVID situation and compliant environment. Physical outlets were also closed. All
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this lead to a scenario to manage employees and lead teams so that they are able to feel a support
in such crisis situation.
Role of manager: Managers in such crisis situation in Aston martin are willing to develop
strategies that can lead towards reducing the negative impact of such situation on overall
operational management of the organisation. So there was implementation of some digital
marketing campaign in this situation so that customers can be kept engaged and aware about the
future new launches that are proposed to be made by Aston martin in coming future period post
pandemic.
P3 Different Theories & Models of Leadership.
Situational leadership: Situational leadership suggest that there is no single leadership style that
is suited for a leader but it depends on the prevailing situation. It is also regarded as Hersey
Blanchard situational leadership theory. He suggested that there are four major leadership styles
that includes telling where leaders are telling people what is to be done and not, selling involves
leaders selling their messages and ideas (Leiras and et. Al 2019). Participating is when leader is
offering direction and allowing members to participate actively in role. Delegating is tending to
make decisions.
In Aston martin in case of a provided present situation of new product launch:
Role of leader: the leader is playing role to show case new product and employees to employees.
The leaders’ role is to instruct and provide guidance and direction to clarify the way new product
is being develop and motivated to further work towards launch.
Role of manager: The main function that has to be performed by manager is to assign work
according to the competencies, knowledge and skills of employees so that there is a match
between their skill level and assigned work (Choi, Wallace and Wang, 2018).
System leadership: in Aston Martin the CEO has confirmed that there will be launching of 10
new derivate in their existing models in coming time period of two years. In case of this change,
System leadership there is set of capacities and skills that is used by leaders and managers to
catalyse, support and enable the process of system level change.
Role of leaders: In System leadership there is application of captaincies and skills that is used
for supporting the system change (Mišić and Perakis, 2020). There is combination of
collaborative leadership so that there can be coalition building & system insight for mobilizing of
innovation.
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Role of manager: In system leadership managers are involved in managing of whole workforce.
Contingency theory: It is based on a unique approach that there is no one of the best ways to
lead a organisation. This theory is based on analysing the internal and external cinbstarints that is
selected according to suitability by a leader and manager in Aston martin.
Role of leaders: There are certain leadership traits that are assisting in the process of crisis
management that leaders have to change according to a given circumstances. In Aston martin
leader is working according to a management style so that there can be use of best way to
manage particular situation.
Role of manager: Managers are willing to spend time to know their subordinates so that they are
able to strengthen their position in relation with the contingency model as they have to analyse
the competence level of subordinates .
Task or relationship-oriented approaches: It is an approach where a person is focusing on the
tasks that are to be performed to meet some laid standards (Erjavec and Trkman, 2020).
Role of leaders: In relationship oriented approach leaders are focussing on motivation and well-
being of other team members in an organisation.
Role of managers: In case of task oriented approach the managers are focussing on the work of
developing in house engineering system. Where the managers are working towards ensuring that
all the regulation are properly implemented and adopted by the employees.
Chaos theory:
It is describing the quality of a point where stability is moving to disordered. In this there is a
system consist of the sensitive initial conditions (Hasegawa, 2017). The slightly changes in the
initial condition may possess an impact on overall outcomes.
In Aston martin leaders are applying the movement in context of organisational situation of
change and this aspect is regarded as “attractor”. The attractors chaotic systems are defined as
“strange attractors”.
Managers are focussing on practical application where there is simple physical system that is
focussing on deterministic laws.
Management by objectives:
It is a strategic management model that is aimed at improvement of performance in the
organisation by defining of objectives that are agreed by employees and management (Mayorga,
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Lodree and Wolczynski, 2017). In this action plans and goals setting are encouraged with
commitment and participation of employees by alignment of objectives across organisation.
Role of leaders: In Aston martin, MBO is a strategic management model that is aimed at
improvement of performance of employees by defining of goals agreed by management and
employees together.
Role of managers: In Aston martin managers are emphasizing on setting of goals rather than
working on a systematic plan (Helmold, 2020). Employees are recognizing timely feedback and
focus is on rewards. There is personal growth simultaneously taking place with the laid
objectives.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager
Operations management is considering activities that are to be performed in an
organisation for the purpose of performing the assigned roles and responsibilities (Reid and
Sanders, 2019). There are different operations that are required to be done for achievement of
laid down objectives. In case of Aston martin there are different organisational situations as
mentioned below:
Control & distribution system: In this the process is to oversee the movement of goods
from suppliers to final wholesale and retailers. In distribution function leaders are focussing on
managing the procedure that starts from distribution of product from their production till the time
it reaches to final customers (Kumar, Mookerjee and Shubham, 2018). Role of managers is to
oversee the entire distribution process. In Aston martin there is relying on automation of
effective managing the distribution process.
Transformation of raw material into finished goods/services: In Aston martin this
process is of turning are materials or parts in finished products. Leaders are analysing the way
employees are working towards their assigned roles. Managers are managing the flow of
information and materials to turn raw materials in finished products.
Process design: Process design is act of transforming of the overall vision, available
resources in measurable, discernible to achieve the vision of Aston martin. Leaders are working
towards using their leadership skills to implement changes at different levels of organisation
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(Barnes, 2018). Managers are working to implement the design systems and ensure that there is
a proper design leadership system that is focussing on designing of appropriate team.
Capacity management: It is regarded as the act of ensuring that business is bale to
maximize their potential for higher production & output. In Aston martin leaders develop goals
to ensure that information technology resources are used properly to meet the present and future
business needs in a cost effective manner (Chahal and et. Al, 2020). Managers are working to
maximize their potential and overall output in all business conditions.
Logistics and inventory management: Inventory management is focussing on application
of information’s and data to keep a proper track record of the way raw materials are moving
through the production process. In Aston martin managers are working towards execution of
activities to adapt and maintain stability in the organisation. Leaders are analysing different
functional areas such as sourcing, manufacturing so that there can be a continuity to implement
various innovation strategies and investment in the process.
Scheduling: It is a process of arrangement, controlling and optimisation of the workload
in a production and manufacturing process of organisation. In Aston Martin Leaders are
performing this function buy allocating all the machinery and plan resources so that further
activities can be completed according to provide time frame (Vidgen, Shaw and Grant, 2017).
Managers are working towards planning of the production process, purchasing of materials,
managing work assigned to the actual operational workforce and solving their issues to prevent
hindrances in smooth functioning of operations.
There are some of the key operational management approaches that are to be adopted by
management of Aston martin as mentioned below:
Six sigma: It is a method where organisations are provided with requires tools to improve the
capability of business process. The enhancement in performance and the decrease in process
variation leads towards reduction of defects and improvement of employee morale, profitability
and product quality.
Lean production: Lean production is a management approach that is focussing on cutting of
waste and ensuring high quality. In Aston martin this approach is applied to business aspects that
is ranging from production to distribution. The aim is to manage cost by making the business
efficient and highly responsive according to the changing market needs.
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Queuing theory: Queuing theory is regarded as a mathematical study where there is basic
involvement of two parts. It is focusing on examination of each component of waiting line that
includes arrival process, services process, number of system places, number of customers. In
Aston martin queueing theory is assisting to make informed decisions so that there can be
building up of a cost effective work flow system to provide faster customer services, efficiently
shipping of orders from warehouses, designing of communication system.
Total quality management: TQM is defined as a system of continual improvement. In Aston
martin this concept is based on participation of employees by managers & leaders to develop an
integrated system according to different functionalities.
Role of managers: Managers are working towards ensuring that whoel staff is working
according to the laid quality standards.
Role of leaders: Leaders have to develop some specific quality measures which can assist the
employees in Aston martin to understand the set quality standards that have to be met a particular
point of time.
Just in time: It is a management technique that is based on enhancing efficiency, cutting of cost
and reduction of waste. In Aston martin this method is used for efficiently managing of
production and fulfilment of orders are received.
Role of managers: In Aston martin managers have to focus towards developing efficiency and
managing of waste to have optimum utilisation of available resources at actual fractional areas.
Role of leaders: Leaders in this function have to manage teams and subordinates, clear all their
doubts so that there is clarity to understand the direction in which work is to be done.
Continuous improvement (Kaizen): Kaizen is a lean manufacturing tool that is focussing on
improvement of productivity, workplace culture and safety, Kaizen is used in Aston martin to
make timely improvements by improving the areas of improvement and involving employees.
Role of managers: Kaizen is a system of continuous improvement where managers in Aston
martin are willing to develop a system where there is improvement graph from present level of
performance.
Role of leaders: Leaders in Aston Martin, have to set the high quality measures so that there can
be working towards high level of performance from the present state.
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P5 Importance and value of operations management in attaining business objectives
Operations management is a basic process where business activities are focusing on
creation of high efficiency in organisation. Management is focusing on conversion of raw
materials in final products to enhance present profitability ratio. In Aston martin operations
management is focusing on assisting the organisation to deliver higher value. There is
application of Situational leadership approach that is assisting leaders in making decision
according to a particular situation.
Maintaining quality of products: the operations manager in Aston martin is focusing on
creating a set of process that determines that everything is in specific order during the process, it
ensures that production is according to pre specified quality measures to ensure higher
efficiency.
High customer satisfaction: In operations manager there is timely quality management
process that is used for creation of products and services to meet the customer needs.
Organisation is part of service provider to ensure that best quality product are offered to
customers that helps in maintaining their level of satisfaction.
Competitive advantage: A well-defined operations management process assists the
business in creating of higher value for the organisation in Aston martin it leads to achievement
of higher competitive advantage.
Minimization of operational cost: In the year 2019 the performance of Aston martin has
not been according to the set requirements that has led to shift of management focus to revitalise
the business so that there can be cost cutting programme where there is need to manage the
present videocassette cost. A well-developed operational management strategy is focusing to
assist in dealing with higher cost and situation of lower profitability.
TASK 4
P6 Assess factors in business environment impact on operational management and decision
making
In organisation there are various factors that are part of external business environment are
affecting the functions. In present scenario there is analysis of various factors that are part of
external business in context of Aston martin are mentioned below:
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Corporate social responsibility: Aston martin is having higher commitment towards
implementation of suitable CSR strategy.
Role of leaders: Leaders are Working toward development of strategy to develop CSR practises
based on 10 principals guiding the UN global impact.
Role of managers: Managers are working towards strategies to assist smooth implementation of
integrated CSR business strategy.
Business ethics: It is a situation where there is need to deal with the issues of social
responsibilities, discrimination and corporate governance.
Role of managers: In Aston martin managers are making timely distinction of ethically right and
wring perspectives according to standards applied on individuals and organisation.
Role of leaders: In Aston martin leaders are integrating the core aspects of ethical philosophy in
business activities and other institutions.
Sustainability:
Role of managers: In Aston Martin managers are committed towards ensuring that they are
managing a sustainability approach where they focus is on optimum utilisation of resources to
that is leading towards development and no harm to the present natural resources.
Role of leaders: the leaders are focussing on development of a sustainable luxury business by
promoting of a sustainable economic growth.
Values: It is determined as the way culture and vision are supporting a business organisation.
The overall values of Aston martin are based on offering most exceptional customer experiences
and creation of best place to work by supporting community.
Role of leaders: Leaders are focusing on building up of great teams and delivering of excellent
customer services to foster innovation.
Role of managers: managers are working towards creating a sense of commitment at the
workplace in Aston martin
Stakeholders and stakeholder expectation: It is a process of managing stakeholder activity by
managing their expectations to meet the needs by addressing of issues, resolving of conflicting
situations and achievement of project goals. In case of Aston martin various stakeholder includes
employees, customers, government.
Sustaining entrepreneurship: in Aston martin there is providing of unique insights in the
relationship among innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development with timely
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comparison of the external available opportunities and present business growth. Government as a
stakeholder is supporting the role of entrepreneurship for market expansion, commercializing of
innovation, reduction of unemployment.
Role of leaders: In the process of sustaining entrepreneurship leaders in Aston martin has to
develop policies and procedures that can create a proper adherence of laid laws and regulations.
Role of managers: In Aston martin, managers have to work towards managing the employees in
a way that it can generate a sense of entrepreneurship among them and not just as a employer so
that further expansion strategies can be implemented successfully in the organisation.
Sustaining Intrapreneurship: in Aston martin the organisation is willing to support the sense of
entrepreneurship amongst the stakeholder that is employees. Where they have to take a sense of
ownership while working towards their assigned roles. It is a practise of corporate management
that integrates the innovation and risk taking approaches to develop timely motivational and
reward techniques.
Role of leaders: In Aston martin there is focus on application of entrepreneurial thinking to
encourage and develop a culture in the organisation. It can create a situation where employees
can act like entrepreneur in the construction of a organisation.
Role of managers: Managers in Aston martin, are working to develop the drive and spirit where
employees can get experience of entrepreneurship without dealing with personal risk.
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CONCLUSION
As discussed above report, it is analysed that management and operation is necessary to
conduct for all level of firm so that objectives are clearly communicated in order to achieve
organisation goal in appropriate way. There are various functions of management such as
planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling. However, there are some approaches of
operation to attain objectives of company such as contingency, system and situational. Therefore,
manager and leaders have various difference such as delegation, goals, characteristics. Managers
gives responsibility and have hard skills whereas leaders do not delegate responsibility as they
only guide, instruct and gives direction to followers.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barnes, D., 2018. Operations Management. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Chahal, H., Gupta, M., Bhan, N. and Cheng, T.C.E., 2020. Operations management research
grounded in the resource-based view: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Production
Economics, p.107805.
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.
Erjavec, J. and Trkman, P., 2020. Behavioural operations management-identification of its
research program. International Journal of Services and Operations Management, 36(1),
pp.42-71.
Hasegawa, H., NEC Corp, 2017. Operations management apparatus, operations management
method and program. U.S. Patent 9,600,391.
Helmold, M., 2020. Lean Management in Operations. In Lean Management and Kaizen (pp. 65-
72). Springer, Cham.
Kumar, S., Mookerjee, V. and Shubham, A., 2018. Research in operations management and
information systems interface. Production and Operations Management, 27(11), pp.1893-
1905.
Leiras and et. al 2019. Operations management for social good: 2018 poms international
conference in Rio. Springer Nature.
Mayorga, M.E., Lodree, E.J. and Wolczynski, J., 2017. The optimal assignment of spontaneous
volunteers. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 68(9), pp.1106-1116.
Mišić, V.V. and Perakis, G., 2020. Data analytics in operations management: A
review. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 22(1), pp.158-169.
Reid, R.D. and Sanders, N.R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Vidgen, R., Shaw, S. and Grant, D.B., 2017. Management challenges in creating value from
business analytics. European Journal of Operational Research, 261(2), pp.626-639.
Online
Aston Martin to launch 10 new derivatives in two years, says boss, 2020[online], Available
through<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/aston-martin-launch-10-new-
derivatives-two-years-says-boss>
Chaos, 2021 [online], Available through<hhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-
planetary-sciences/chaos-theory>
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