An Analysis of Leadership and Management Roles at British Airways

This report analyzes the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within British Airways (BA). It begins by defining and comparing the distinct functions of leaders and managers, using examples to illustrate their differences in employee turnover, management structure changes, and task allocation. The report then delves into various leadership and management theories, including classical, behavioral, situational, system, and contingency theories, applying them to BA's operational context. Furthermore, it explores key approaches to operations management, emphasizing their value and importance. Finally, the report identifies factors affecting BA's business environment, providing a comprehensive overview of leadership, management, and operational strategies within the airline industry.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Defining and comparing the different roles and characteristics of leader and manager........1
P2 Presenting examples of how the role of leader and function of manager different from each
other.............................................................................................................................................2
P3 Applying different theories and models of approach of leadership and manager.................3
P4 Explaining the key approaches to operations management and the role of leader and
manager.......................................................................................................................................6
P5 Presenting the value and importance of operation management...........................................7
P6 Describing the factor that affect business environment.........................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management is the process of dealing and controlling the things or people, while
operation management is the administration of a business practice in order to create high level of
efficiency. Thus, the report main aim is to provide an importance of operation and management.
The chosen firm for this report is British Airways (BA), which is second largest airline in UK as
per company's fleet size and passengers. The quoted firm is the first passenger airline that
generated more than $1 billion with a single air route. Study will describe different roles and
characteristic of leader and manager and by using different example, report will explain role of
leader and function of manager. Then, report will describe different theory and models of
leadership and management, further, it presents the importance of operation management and
different key approaches as well. Lastly, report will describe different factor that affect the
business environment of British Airways.
P1 Defining and comparing the different roles and characteristics of leader and manager
Overview of the company: British Airways is transportation airline company of UK and
consider second largest airline in UK as per passengers carried. In 2011, the firm is merged with
Iberia and then create International Airlines Group, which is third largest group in Europe as per
annual revenue. The management structure of BA is hierarchy that consist of four essential
components that is CEO, and they are responsible for overall functioning of company.
Leader: Leader in BA is that person who holds superior position within own field, and
they have a strong influencing power that helps to convince others. They mainly guide others and
provide ways to complete the assigned duties.
Role of leader: Leader in British Airways main role is to provide support to the
employees and this can be done by their own personality, intelligence and experience which can
provide them positive results (Kwiatkowski, 2019). Further, organizing is the second important
role-played by leader in BA, in which they create and shape the organization by assigning roles
to every employee. Leader are made to provide guidance and direct their group and also motivate
their employees to do best in order to achieve the defined goals. In addition to this, they act as a
link between management and workers such that they interpret policies and programs of
management.
Characteristic of a leader:
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 They have good personality, have emotional stability and creative thinking that make
them different from others.
 They have good communication skill and better understanding and sound judgement that
helps to take better decision for the firm (Holley, Wu and Avey, 2019).
 They have ability to guide and teach their employees so that they will motivate their team
members, and they are also honest towards their work as well. Leader posses self- confidence and diligence, such that they have courage to accept the
responsibility in a firm.
Manager:Manager is the person who is responsible part of a firm and in BA, they are in-
charge of a department and the people who work in it. Further, he is the person who exercise
managerial functions primarily.
Role of Manager: Hiring and firing is the main role of a manager and they also provide
training session to new employees in order to make them comfortable in the working place.
Further, manager also evaluate the performance of all employees and also initiate actions to
strengthen results (Ma and Tang, 2019). Further, manager keep tracking and reporting scorecard
results to their senior management in order to analyse the results and also make planning and
goal setting for the future period. Manager also play their role in finance such that they keep
monitoring and controlling the expenses and budget that helps to evaluate the financial
performance of BA.
Characteristic of Manager:
 Manager must have proper education and knowledge so that it will help to understand the
critical situation in company. Further, manager must posses managerial skill which
includes training, human skills, conceptual skills (Qualities of Manager, 2019).
 They have technical knowledge of production process in BA and always have a positive
attitude, because they have to deal with many people within an organization.
 They posses strong vision and self-confidence that helps to take right decision for the
company and leads it towards growth as well.
P2 Presenting examples of how the role of leader and function of manager different from each
other
Situation 1: Employee turnover
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Employee turnover is consider one of the biggest common problem and BA also faces the
same issue and also loss employee retention as well. Therefore, in this situation, both manager
and leader play their different role. Such that Manager has to set up the goal that helps to
understand future state of a firm, while on the other side, leader motivate their employees and
analyse the needs so that they become comfortable in the working area (Hofmans and et.al.,
2019). Therefore, both manager and leader has to build the morale of the employees so that they
feel comfortable and the issue can be resolved In better way.
Situation 2: Change in Management structure
Sudden change in management also affect the entire structure of BA and in that situation,
both leaders and manager play their own role. Such that manager main function is to provide
training session in order to let their employees understand about the need of changing
management structure so that it will help to create comfort zone for employees. While on the
other side, the leader of BA tries to motivate their employees so that they can adjust in new
management structure. Apart from this, it is the responsibility of managers and leaders, that they
should provide make sure with regard to maintain the positive working culture in a business. It
has been analysed that if BA change its management structure and also start involving their
employees into the decision-making, then it will make positive working environment and
employees also feel that they are an important part of an organization (Jiang and et.al., 2019).
Situation 3. Allocation of tasks
The allocation of tasks and activity to the employees as per their qualification and job
role within the organization. In this situation, manager follow the planning function for assign
the tasks to the employees. As well, leaders guide and giving instructions to them for completing
the assignment as per time-frame (Brouwer and Veldkamp, 2018). With this, employees easily
performing their tasks or activity by following instructions of their team leaders within the BA.
Apart from that, it is the duty of manager and leaders by which they should make sure in terms of
assign the tasks appropriately which can aid to effective decision-making by the manager and
leaders within the BA.
P3 Applying different theories and models of approach of leadership and manager
Different theories of management and leadership are as follows:
Classical theory:
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Classical theory is traditional theory which is based on belief workers physical and
economic needs. This theory is not take an account in the social needs and job satisfaction, this
will be centralized on leaders decision-making and profit maximization.
Scientific management theory:
It is well-known application of science at production and operation level. This theory is
mainly focused on improve efficiency of employees who are working at British airways. This
help to increase production by uses of effective and valuable technology and human resources of
company are use machines for complete their daily tasks at workplace (Storey, 2016). For
example: if company is use suffers from low production and operation quality. In this, company
is use new technology for manage work on time. This help to improve productivity of firm with
the help of efficiency. This theory have strength and weakness which are as follows;
Strength Weakness
 Strength of this theory is to sell quality
of products at low prices by using
technology.
 This help to completely utilization of
resources by stoning wastage.
 This theory have weakness which, it is
ignored environmental factors,
technology uses impact to environment
of company.
Behavioural theory:
Behavioural theory is focused on leader and employees behaviour. This theory is called
the human relations movement. This theory is believed that better understanding of employees at
workplace. Elton Mayo's contribution to classical theory to reveal its shortcoming. For example:
if British airways is face problem with human behaviour because this impact to the productivity
of company. In this case, by adopting this theory manager is able to control human behaviour
which is help to build strong relations between humans and creativity, Because this experiment is
highlight level of employees productivity (Harrison, 2018). It is highly important for improve
productivity of company. Strength and weakness are as follows;
Strength Weakness
 The strength of behavioural theory is
result of work is good and effective as
 This has weakness which is peoples and
employees can learn in different ways
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per employee's performance.
 This help to build strong relations
between employees and team.
of task.
Situational leadership theory:
Situational leadership theory is refers leaders and managers of company are adjust and fit
the development level of followers are trying for influence them at great level. This theory of
leadership is changed from situation to situation. This is effective and successful for leaders to
adopt this theory in British airways. For example; rising conflicts between the employees and
team members are affect to working ability of team and its result. In this case, situation theory is
adopt leaders of British airways by changing employees roles and responsibilities according to
skills and talent. This decision help to solve conflicts between team members and completing
project on time with the best result and outcome.
Strength Weakness
 Strength of this theory is to analysis
skills and talent of each employee at
workplace.
 This help to allocate resources at
workplace in proper manner.
 The weakness is to unqualified and lack
of skills in employees and staff
members.
 Lack of resources is main weakness of
this theory.
System leadership theory:
System theory is qualities that is focus on result and outcome of work rather than the
process or steps (Thompson and Glasø, 2015). The activities are planned before working and
matched with result. For example: in the airlines company safe and healthy working conditions
are most important, because there are various activities like training and development program.
At their employees are want safe and heathy working environment, in this case system theory is
help to leaders of British airways by providing safe working place. Leaders can check all the
equipment before using and giving training. By these employees are feel safe and loyal for
company, because system theory is help to build loyalty of employees towards company.
Strength Weakness
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 The strength of this theory is lies in
adaptability and exchange of resources.
 This give proper system to employees
for work and complete task.
 This theory have weakness which is,
this take lots of time in constant
learning.
Contingency leadership theory:
This leadership theory is suited as per situation which is happing at British airways. This
leads by leaders for take effective decision in organization by observing internal and external
situation of British airways (Gerasimov and Gerasimov, 2015). For example: the situation is
change in management structure is create problems for employees for understanding those
changes. In this situation, leaders are give task to employees by analysing skills and abilities of
employees because this theory is most effective for task structure and employees relationship.
Strength Weakness
 Strength of this theory which is
innovative theory. This help to create
various opportunities for employees.
 This gives various and different types
of solution for handling situation at
workplace.
 Weakness which is slow growth in
changes as per work limits.
 Result of this can be delay and come
after long time.
P4 Explaining the key approaches to operations management and the role of leader and manager
Operation management is refers with the different function which are controlling and designing
the process of product and services at British airways. Approaches of operation management are
help to understand operations at workplace in better manner.
Just in time:
Just in time is management of inventory of company. This approach support to
production process of British airways. Production process is completed on the time by setting
target of company in effective manner. In this leaders and managers are plays an important roles
at British airways for controlling wastage. In this role of BA manager is obtained planning of
technology and resources uses at workplace and also recruit best or skilled candidates for team.
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Other hand, leaders are give instruction and direction of technology work and also analysis needs
of employees and motivate them for work (Honarpour, Jusoh and Md Nor, 2018). With the help
of this, leaders and manager are able to decrease wastage of resources by using potential process
of production.
Kaizen/continuous improvement approach:
Continuous improvement approach is refers the good and best idea of work by ongoing
positive and effective changes at BA. This help to improve productivity, quality, safety and
culture of workplace. Leaders and managers of British airways are play an important role at
workplace which is help to improve productivity by ongoing best changes. The roles of manager
are to measure success of team and ensure about work. Other hand, roles of leader is to assist and
guide their followers related to problems. By this, both are able to improve quality of employees
performance at workplace.
Total quality of management:
Total quality management is systematic approach which is help to get success by
continuous improvement in workplace. This approach is helps in long term planning for get
success. This also support to manage quality with best prices of product and services offers by
British airways. In these leaders and managers are plays their important role for managing
quality of services (Dale and Plunkett, 2017). The role of manager is to manage all the resources
as per employees skills and efficiency. They are also controlled on wastage by using the best
resources. Other hand, role of leader is to work on rising potential employees as well as
productivity. Leader also measure employees performance by giving proper training to them.
Those approaches of leadership are help to control wastage and improve productivity by
using the best resources.
P5 Presenting the value and importance of operation management.
The operation management is important and effective process which is help to improve
overall productivity of British airways. With the help of operation management, manager of
British airways are able to achieve desired result by giving bes services to customers. The
importance of operation management in achieving objectives and goals of BA are as follows:
Increasing revenue:
The operation management is help to rise profit of British airways. Increasing in profit
and revenue is help yo expand their business with the help of capture different segment of
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marketplace. For example: if employees are done their work on time and give the best result of
work than profit of British airways are increase in positive manner (Omotayo, 2015). Increasing
profit of company is help to achieve goals and objectives of BA.
Improve productivity:
With the help of operation management manager and leader of British airways are able
top improve productivity. It is very important part of British airways to improve overall;l
productivity. This will gives a measures efficiency of employees as well as manager. For
example: proper discipline is not followed in company than it impact to company productivity
(Importance and values of operation management, 2017). In this case manager have to make
focus on proper discipline and uses of resources in the best possible way to achieve goals and
objectives of British airways in positive manner.
Operation management is help to achieve goals and objectives of British airways in
positive manner. It is effective and valuable for the company and its growth.
 Operation management is essential to develop the overall productiveness. It provides
measure of efficiencies of the manager and workers.
 It is the arrangement of different actions which takes place within company and efforts in
making the goods to align with requirements of consumers rather than they will be sold at
speedy rate.
 Operation management is essential to optimal usage of resources leading to profitability
of the firm. The contribution of workers and different raw materials are used and
regenerate into services and goods needed through firm.
P6 Describing the factor that affect business environment
The mixture of internal and external elements which effects operating situation of
organization (Kim, Yoon and Shin, 2015). The business environment can involve elements like
consumers, suppliers, competition, technology improvement, legislation and government actions,
social and economic trends.
Internal Factors:
Clients: It includes employees which influence on operation management and decision-
making of leaders and managers. In this context, effective performance of employees in relation
to manage and complete the operations of BA such as offering the airline services to consumers
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(Cepel and et.al., 2018). Effective working by employees that can impact on decision-making of
leaders in terms of allocation of tasks and activity to each and every employee of the firm.
Financial resources: It involves financing, investment chances and source of income
which influence on operation management and decision-making of leaders and managers
(Dowell and Muthulingam, 2017). In this context, appropriate utilization of financial resources
which can help to manage the operations of BA such as providing the airline facility, booking of
flights etc.
External Factors:
It involves corporate social responsibilities, ethics, sustainability etc. which has
influenced on the operation management of the British Airways and also impact on decision
making of their leaders and managers.
Sustainability:
It is the kind of economic factor which influence on operation management of British
Airways and decision-making of their leaders and managers. Sustainability directs on meeting
the wants of present without yielding the capability of future generations to meet their
requirements. Three pillars composed in sustainability such as economic, environment and
social. It involves inflation, interest rate, economic decline etc. which influence on operation
management and decision-making of leaders and managers. For example: economic declines
which are very ordinary in airline business. Different ways in global downturn effected on BA
such as raise in prices of oil and services, collapse of superior and extraordinary financial crisis
faced by the UK (Brouwer and Veldkamp, 2018). This kind of factor effect on the decision-
making of leaders and managers in terms of set up the prices of flights services. This can impact
on managing the operations or activities of the organization.
It included water, noise, land take, sustainability which influence on operation
management and decision-making of leaders and managers. For example: BA has to contend
with different environmental care like climate change. The policy-makers and government have
begun to make rules and regulations to cope with this matter (Dowell and Muthulingam, 2017).
This can require airline to limit the development of energy and emergence. BA has to come
across widespread scope of national, global and localized environment regulations. This can
impact on managing the operations or activities of the organization.
Corporate social responsibility:
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It is kind of social factor which influence on operation management of British Airways
and decision-making of their leaders and managers. CSR is the kind of business ethics which can
be followed by the company. It also involves ethics, value, culture, consumer demand etc. which
influence on operation management and decision-making of leaders and managers. For instance:
the value of money looking by consumers which will provide them large quality facilities and
standards at lower costs. This impact on decision-making of manager of firm in terms of try new
airline which offer good value of money (Kim, Yoon and Shin, 2015). Therefore, company
should adopt the corporate social responsibility practices for increasing the consumer satisfaction
that can aid to effective managing operation of BA. This can impact on managing the operations
or activities of the organization.
Political Factor:
It included government stability or instability, taxation policies, exchange rates etc. that
kinds of factors influence on the overall organization. For example: high regulations made by
government which are useful for the ways that are selected by the airline like BA. Government
of various nations put forward many security measures fighting the risk of violence and improper
immigration (Pati and et.al., 2018). This kind of factor effect on the decision-making of leaders
and managers in terms of offering the airline services to consumers. This can impact on
managing the operations or activities of the organization.
Technological Factor:
It involves technological advancement, online booking, check in through internet that are
influenced operation management and decision-making of leaders and managers. For example
travellers utilize mobile phones and internet for checking-in. This become needs for many airline
like BA to maintain website to reply all queries of consumers (Cepel and et.al., 2018).
Nowadays, environmental reduction technologies and capacity increasing devices are being
orientated like departure manager system. This can impact on managing the operations or
activities of the organization.
Legal Factor:
It includes employment regulations, consumer protection acts, health and safety etc.
which influence on operation management and decision-making of leaders and managers in
relation to provide safe and comfortable services to consumers. The airline business like BA is
being increasingly controlled (Pati and et.al., 2018). The choice of these controls depart from
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issues regarded to structure of ways flights and slot capacity which is keeping in mind the
modern security and environmental requirements. This can impact on managing the operations or
activities of the organization.
CONCLUSION
This report has summarized that comparing the role and characteristic of leader and
managers within the company. It can be concluded that different situations like employee
turnover, changes management structure and allocation of tasks in these situations leader and
manager play different role and functions to solve them as well. It can be discussed that different
theories of leadership and management such as classical theory, behavioural, system leadership,
situational and contingency theory of leadership and its strengths and weakness utilized by
company. Furthermore, it can be concluded that key approaches such as Just in Time, Total
quality management which aid to management of operation effectively in the firm. It can be
discussed that importance and value of operation management for achieve the business
objectives. Moreover, report has completed that different factors of business environment such s
consumers, technological improvement, ethics, value that impact on decision-making of leaders
and managers of the company.
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