Leadership, Management Roles, Theories, and Environmental Factors

This report delves into the critical roles of leaders and managers within organizations, exploring their definitions, characteristics, and the similarities and differences between them. It analyzes the application of management and leadership in various organizational situations, such as introducing new team members and addressing employee turnover, highlighting the importance of effective communication and strategic planning. The report examines different leadership theories, including situational, systematic, and contingency leadership, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, it investigates how operational efficiencies can be improved through leadership and management approaches, considering the impact of external business environmental factors on decision-making. The report emphasizes the value of operational management in achieving business objectives, offering recommendations for future improvement and providing a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
1. Definition of both leaders and managers ...............................................................................3
2. Similarities and differences between characteristics of both modern leader and manager ....4
3. Different roles of management and leadership in application to different organisational
situation.......................................................................................................................................5
4. How role of leaders and function of manager are applicable to different situation................6
5. Different theories and models of approaches .........................................................................7
6. Strength and weakness of different leadership approaches.....................................................9
PART 2..........................................................................................................................................10
1. Introduction as to why Corus used its knowledge of key operations to win new business . 10
2. Each of the key operational functions, identify role and responsibilities of managers within
key operational functions .........................................................................................................10
3. Importance and value of Corus operations management in accomplishing objectives of
business.....................................................................................................................................11
4. Impact of external business environmental factors that affect decision making of leaders
and manager..............................................................................................................................12
5. How operational efficiencies will improve for successful meeting of business objectives
through using management and leadership approaches............................................................13
6. Conclusion and recommendation for future improvement...................................................13
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................14
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is broadly associated with various business practices in which
production control and other activities takes place. With the help of effective management a
business is able to offer new products to their customer so as to earn high profits and business
efficiency. The report is based on M&S which is a multinational retailer having headquarter in
London, UK. They are having approximately 78000 employees around globe. This report
includes roles and characteristics of leader within various situations. Along with this the report
includes theories and models of leadership and management (KS and Papaiah, 2018). At last
report is consists of impact of various factors on decisions making of leader and managers.
PART 1
1. Definition of both leaders and managers
Leaders: Leaders are those individual who are influencing employees in order to achieve
their goals and objectives. In other words leader is that influential personality who assists people
within an organisation so as to boost their confidence level and convince them. Leadership skills
are used by leaders in order to motivate them to achieve organisational goals within stipulated
time frame. Besides this accountability of leader is to persuade staff member for performing their
task in extra ordinary manner so as to set path within the company in goal achievement.
Manager: In a business organisation manager is having efficient function and they are
responsible to supervise their sub ordinates and motivate them. Furthermore manager is
responsible to administer business function and align business objectives with personal
objectives. Various managerial functions are executed by manager by which business is able ti
get its growth within marketplace (Тутова, 2020).
2. Similarities and differences between characteristics of both modern leader and manager
Manager and leader both are important for business organisation as they both are
responsible to manager overall working within business entity. By the help of both of them an
organisation is able to work with high efficiency and adaptability. They both consist of wide
similarities which are elaborated as under:

 Supervise group or team of people: Manager and leader of M&S is responsible to
supervise their staff members within team and individual level so as to make them
dedicated towards organisational goals.
 Effective communication skills: Leader and manager of M&S is having effective
communication skills which helps them in aligning their goals with their subordinates in
a considerable manner (Kim, 2018).
Besides this leader and manager are having role differentiation within organisation. These
differentiations are explained as under:
Difference between Leaders and manager characteristic
Basis Leaders Managers
Focus Leader of Marks & Spencer is
emphasized on motivating their staff
member so as to boost confidence in
them in order to get business objective
in desired manner (Liphadzi,
Aigbavboa and Thwala, 2017).
Manager of Marks & Spencer is
responsible to
Control all the inside business
activities so as to accomplish
business objective as a whole.
Risk taker Leaders of Marks & Spencer are risk
taker so they are ready to deal with
high risk which is arising within
business operations by the help of their
leadership styles.
Manager of Marks & Spencer is
working to minimise chances of
risk within business operation as
they are problem solver.
3. Different roles of management and leadership in application to different organisational
situation
In the business of Marks & Spencer various situation may arise in between in which
management and leader is required to execute their roles so as to tackle those situation in best
possible way.
Situation 1
Induction of new team member

Role of management
 In this context management of Marks & Spencer is required to give that new member all
those amenities and opportunities in which they may feel comfortable to work.
 Further management is required to give training and development to their staff so as to
make their skills enhanced in such a manner that they can meet needs of their customer in
an effective manner.
Role of Leadership
 At the time of induction of new member within team leader is accountable to introduce
that member with whole team and establish effective communication so that they do not
feel bounded.
 Along with this leader is responsible to make them aware about latest technology so as to
make them efficient to perform their task within stipulated time frame.
 In this situation leader is supposed to use systematic theory of leadership so that to
enhance their brand image within marketplace in order to enhance business efficiency
(Guthrie, and Jenkins, 2018).
Situation 2: Decreasing employee turnover
For an organisation employees are their most valuable asset by whom businesses are their
high growth and success in marketplace. So it is essential for every organisation to enhance their
employee’s performance so as to align their business goals with market needs and scenarios.
Leader and manager of Marks & Spencer are having various roles in improving performance of
their employees which are elaborated as under:
Role of management
 Management of Marks & Spencer is responsible to make plans and strategies so as to
give fringe benefits to employee for their better performance and methodology to
improve the same within short span of time. This will help the employees to enhance
their performance up to the level which is essential for the business to grow in a
prominent manner. On the other hand management is required to frame plans for
compensation and incentives so as to boost their morale in order to make them efficient
in long run. This will lower their employee turnover due to which business will have high
skills remained inside only so as to get high competitive edge in the market.
Role of Leadership

 Leadership is having prominent role in enhancing performance of individual working in
organisation. Leader is having authority to retain those employees who are having high
experiences and put huge contribution in growth of organisation. This helps the
employees to enhance their productivity and capabilities which resultantly exhibits
positive business environment due to which all the employee may feel safe and enhance
performance thereon and retention in considerable manner.
4. How role of leaders and function of manager are applicable to different situation
In business organisation there are many situations which are contingent and hamper
business working. So in this manager and leader is required to perform their role in significant
manner so as to deal with those situation by critical solution. Several situations are elaborated
which are having prominent impact over business:
Situation 1: Implementation of new technology within operations
Role of leaders
 In this context leader is required to frame proper strategies so as to implement them in an
effective way. These strategies are required to be inculcated with latest trends so as to get
high end business success in marketplace. In adopting new technologies suggestions are
to be taken from workforce so as to motivate employee and make them feel valued.
 Along with this leader is having role to motivate their workforce so as to use emerging
technology and take feedback about their benefits.
Function of manager
 Manager is responsible to design policies and process of adoption of technologies in
desired manner.
 Further management is accountable to arrange training sessions for employees about new
technologies so as to make them, used to of that (Novas, Alves and Sousa, 2017).
Situation 3: Arranging training and development session for staff
Role of leaders
 Leader of Marks & Spencer is the person who conveys needs of training for employees as
they analyse that employees are having trouble within usage. This will guide the
employees and helps them to perform their operation in more effective manner.
Function of manager

 Manager of Marks & Spencer arranges sessions for training so as to stimulate proper
management within business and assist employees in covering their tasks in effective
manner. The main motive of training is to make their employee capable to perform
business operation and provide personal development.
5. Different theories and models of approaches
Situational leadership Theory: In this leadership style leader adopts style as according
to the prevailing situation. In this leadership theory two behaviours are followed which are
supportive and directive (Meier, 2016). According to Blamchard and Hersey there are numerous
style of leadership such as:-
Illustration 1: Situational leadership style
(Source: Situational leadership style. 2019)
 Telling leader: This type of leader they are decision maker and takes decision by
communicating their team and establishing two way communications.
 Selling leader: In this leader execute numerous roles within Marks & Spencer so as to
supervise their team. In this decision are taken by wholly and solely the leader only.

 Participating: In this leaders try to motivate their team mates so as to obtain new ideas.
This leadership style is helpful in developing efficient communication and coordination
between team mates.
 Delegating: Under this leadership style is all about rendering opportunities to the entire
team mates as by completing their task in their own way and help the company in
decision making. This leadership is required least guidance form leader.
Systematic leadership theory: This leadership style is helpful for leader as in this style
every people is having liberty to perform their level operation with best of their efficiency and
productiveness. Systematic leadership theory helps the leader in Marks & Spencer so as to create
appropriate system in company where all the team mates are controlled by leader so as to
enhance their efficiency and productivity in drastic manner. Besides this this is a tool of
predicting behaviour of staff member as accordance with leadership style of Marks & Spencer so
as to give market distinctness to business (Turnnidge and Côté, 2018).
Contingency leadership theory: In Marks & Spencer this leadership style is used so as
to deal with contingent situation that may affect business operations. Contingent leader have
ability to choose style by seeing business contingency and enhance skills of their employees in
such a manner that they can deal with complex situation in very effective way.
6. Strength and weakness of different leadership approaches
Every leadership style is having their advantages and disadvantages and that are required
to be analysed in such a way that business may have their advantages and ability to reduce their
negative impacts. This differential study is shown as under:
Situational leadership theory
Strength Weakness
 Working environment within this
leadership style is accurate for
employees and helps them stay
comfortable.
 This style stimulates coordination in
team member and employees of Marks
& Spencer will have high working
 This style is less focused on long term
goals of Marks & Spencer.
 Information provided is not enough
sometimes to take effective and
beneficial decisions.

efficiency by this style.
System leadership theory
Strength Weakness
 This style is emphasized on achieving
individual and business goals at a
collective level.
 This style is taking care of multiple
business dimensions so as to take
effective business decisions.
 This is not practical at all times so may
take long time in decision making
process.
 This theory is high dependent on each
other departments.
Contingency leadership theory
Strength Weakness
 This is the most flexible leadership
style and has ability to get modified
whenever required.
 This involves suggestions of team
mates so enhances coordination.
 This is complex to be implemented
within businesses.
 This requires huge knowledge and
skills which is not present in every
business.
PART 2
1. Introduction as to why Marks & Spencer used its knowledge of key operations to win new
business
Businesses are required to exhibit various activities which may have direct impact over the
business. Marks & Spencer is a multinational retailer brand which is market leader in fashionable
clothing, accessories, eatable items, fashionable household item etc. On the other side in order to
get high business competitive edge businesses are required to maintain and enhance their quality

time to time so as to satisfy market and customer needs as well. Significant vital operations are
described as below:-
 Planning: This is the role of manager so as to make effective plans which are helpful in
achieving business objectives in an effective manner. (Cassidy, 2016)
 Organising: Under this aspect functions are organised in such a way that no area may
remain unserved such as finance department, HR department etc.
 Directing: Under this aspect proper direction are given to staff member so that to
delegate them responsibility.
 Controlling: Under this performance is being measured in such a manner that business
will get its highest efficiency.
2. Roles and responsibilities of managers within key operational functions
Operation department is having numerous functions which are having prominent impact on
goals and objective of business. Those major functions of operational department are elaborated
as under:
 Forecasting: This refers to the procedure of recognising upcoming needs of products and
services of company within marketplace. For this manager of Marks & Spencer is
working to develop their business as according to the market needs and requirements so
as to enhance their customer base with meeting their level of satisfaction.
 Product design: Developing and designing product is the major function of operational
department. This function is helpful in enhancing market value of product by obtaining
new and innovative feature of product or service so as to match up customer need. In this
context role of manager is to ensure that innovations made by organisation is having
market value so this will enhance value of the organisation.
 Managing quality: This function is helpful in giving best quality product to customers.
So for this Marks & Spencer is required to uphold their quality so that they will be able to
supply best quality products to their customer so as to gain competitive market edge.
Role and responsibilities of managers within key operational functions.
Operation manager is required to manage so many business activities in order to conduct
business with high efficiency and productiveness. Manager of Marks & Spencer is required to
put those measures by which their business many get high efficiency so as to earn high
profitability and market capture. These functions are elaborated as under:

 Developing strategies: Operation manager of Marks & Spencer is requisite to develop
and implement strategies so as to give maximum benefits to business. These strategies are
having prominent impact on profitability and employee efficiency.
 Supervise supply chain and inventory: Operational manager is having responsibility to
manage inventory and monitor supply chain of business so as to enhance business
efficiency. By properly managing supply chain customer will have their product on time
and any difficulty arising within the process can easily be determined.
 Managing staff members: One of the most prominent roles of operation management is
to manage their employees in an effective manner. In this grievances of employees
should be solved of priority basis so as to motivate them towards achieving business
objectives.
3. Importance and value of Corus operations management in accomplishing objectives of
business
Operational management is the most essential component of business which is helpful in
management of product’s quality and procurement of resources for final goods (Higuchi, 2016).
This is the prominent factor in achieving business objectives and receiving customer satisfaction
there on. Marks & Spencer is having various business objectives such as customer satisfaction,
enhancement of relation in international business market and updating their business and
products with new innovations. For Marks & Spencer importance and value of operational
management has been explained as under:
 Waste reduction: This is the most prominent aspect of operation management. With the
help of just in time approach Marks & Spencer is bale to minimise their wastages so as to
enhance business sustainability within marketplace. By this they will be able to save their
additional coast which was occurring due to wastages.
 Converting raw material into finish goods: The major agenda of any business to obtain
best resources and utilise them full of their capacity so as to generate desired revenue.
Here the function of operation manager is to find out market demand of their product so
as to estimate requirement of raw material to manufacture finished goods and meet their
customer’s demand. Marks & Spencer may also examine market demand of the product
so as to generate high profits thereon. This process helps the business to enhance
utilisation of resources in proper manner and minimise their organisational wastages.

This will help the business in their pricing strategy as affordable prices can be set for the
product so as to meet customer’s expectation and enhance their sales.
4. Impact of external business environmental factors that affect decision making of leaders and
manager
In the process of decision making in Marks & Spencer numerous external factors are having
significance within leader and manager which are explained as under:
 Customer’s demand: Customers are the major stakeholder for businesses and they are
having prominent impact on profit of the business and their market share. Marks &
Spencer deals in fashionable clothing and home ware, so it is essential for manager to
recognise market demand as this is essential for them to position their brand within
marketplace in a successful manner. On the other side major role of a leader is to
continuously motivating their team mates so as to boost their morale and encourage them
to perform in a better way. Besides this on changing of demand the manager is required
to take decisions regarding product which is beneficiary for customer’s requirements.
 Ethics: Ethics are the set of morale principle and difference between good and bad
practices of business. Marks & Spencer is executing their routine operation with
following their business ethics so as to upkeep interest of their employees and other
stakeholders. Within this context manager and leader is required to take decisions which
are in favour of business and its workforce so as to stimulate ethical practices within
business organisation. Besides this manager is required to frame ethical code of conduct
for business so that to bifurcate right and wrong business practices in an effective
manner. This will affect their process of decision making as all the ethical practices are
requite to adhere while making any decision (Crane and et. al., 2019).
 Sustainability: Success for a business is decided by their market positioning for long
term. Marks & Spencer is having high market sustainability as they are focused on
introducing innovation within their product so as to keep their market position up to the
mark and enhance customer base in prominent manner. So this is the responsibility of
manager to look forward for any needed innovation in their product so as to stay ahead in
market competition and to take appropriate decision regarding business expansion.