Management and Operational Leadership Analysis: Ford Motor Company

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within Ford Motor Company. It begins by defining the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their distinct responsibilities and the implications of their actions in various situational contexts. The report then explores the application of diverse leadership models, theories, and situational leadership approaches, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses in the context of Ford's operational environment. Furthermore, it delves into the approaches of operational management, assessing its importance in achieving business objectives and identifying opportunities for improvement in operational efficiency. The report concludes with an evaluation of different leadership theories and the impact of operational management on the business environment, providing valuable insights into effective leadership and management strategies for achieving organizational success. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering AI-powered study tools and resources.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers................................................................1
M1 Difference between the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers........................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Implication of the role and function of a leader and manager in different situational context
of ford..........................................................................................................................................3
P3 Applying various models, theories as well as situational leadership for management and
leadership....................................................................................................................................5
M2 Strength and weaknesses relevant with the work environment faced by management and
leadership....................................................................................................................................7
D1 Evaluating the different theories of leadership.....................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Analysing the approaches of operational management.........................................................8
P5 Evaluating the importance of Operational management for achieving the business
objectives.....................................................................................................................................9
M3 Improvements in operational efficiency by leaders and managers.......................................9
D2 Implication of operational management which impacts in the business environment..........9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Managing the operational area of the firm needs the skilled and qualified leader which in
turn helps the firm in making the adequate decision as well as provide the fruitful solutions in
which they can be able to have the favourable operational framework. Hence, in the present
report there will be discussion based on the various roles and responsibilities of a leader,
operational managers as well as other operational heads in Ford Motor Co. which in turn
responsible for enhancing the operational activities of the firm as well as generate the innovative
ideas which will help in having the adequate profitability. The report will also shed some lights
over the implication of such leadership roles in context with achieving the objectives of
business.
TASK 1
P1 Roles and characteristics of leaders and managers.
Leaders and mangers both are integral part of an organisation in achieving its business
goals and objectives (Taylor and Scapens, 2016). However, it should be recognised that the roles
and characteristic of them highly differs from each other.
Leaders
Roles
 Change Implementation: Leaders are the people who highly believes in taking risks that
can expand the business. For this they emphasise on the innovative ideas that can be
implemented in the organisation (Garg and Dhar, 2016). Leaders of Ford should also
develop implement effective ideas and thoughts that can cope-up with the technological
advancements.
 Direction to employees: Leaders aims on rendering right direction to the employees so
that they can work effectively in the right direction.
 Employee Motivation: This is one of the most crucial role played by the leaders.
Employee motivation helps in increasing work productivity. This in turn will increase the
profitability of Ford.
 Alignment: There exists one more significant role that should played by the leaders of
Ford. Under this, they are required to assign tasks to right employees depending upon
their skills and abilities.
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Mangers:
Roles Planning: Managers are those people who undergoes effective and detailed a planning of
all the activities that are going to be performed or implemented in the organisation.
Managers of Ford are effective in this context as they realistic goals and then segregate
tasks. Further, allocation of resources, budgeting, etc. are also a part of this planning. Organisation: Tasks segregated are then organised on the basis of their priorities. Later,
all these activities are carried in effective manner by managers. Co-ordination: After organising all the business activities mangers are required to
manage co-ordination in them. This will assure quality in all the tasks (Mee San, and et.
al., 2017).
 Monitoring: A consistent control and monitoring of the business operations is required to
be performed by a manager.
Characteristic of leaders and mangers:
Personal: As compared to managers, leaders are more open-minded. They communicate
with all the employees. Also, they listen to the ideas and thought of workforce and then come to
a decision. On the other hand, managers takes the decisions and then discusses them with the
leaders.
Relationship with employees: Leaders emphasises on gaining trust of employees. For
this, they maintain an effective relation with employees. Managers do not have any direct
connection with the employees, they contact with them by the leaders,
Grouping: Managers creates boundaries and does not allow everyone to cross that. They
make groupings with the leaders and other mangers. In contrary to this, leaders develops good
relations with all the employees. They believe in team working (Qu, Janssen, and Shi, 2017).
Outcomes: Leaders do posses an ability to take risks. These risks are fort the
development of the business. Whereas, in context to managers, they believe in maintaining
stability in the business operations.
Some general characteristics of leaders and managers are tabled below:
Feature Leaders Managers
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Behaviour characteristics Hears all employees. Aims on
earning trust of employees.
Sanity and control over
juniors.
Relationships High level of communication
with workforce.
No direct contact with
employees.
Direction Vision directed. Directed on detail planning.
Group Communicated with each and
every member.
Line and staff management.
Business Agenda Believes in implementation of
effective changes.
Believes in stability of the
business operations.
Foundation Trust Administration
Strategy Proactive Reactive
Role for employees Guidelines Methods
Power Influence Ruling
M1 Difference between the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers.
Leaders are those components of the organisation which creates a vision and imagine the way in
which work can be implemented. On the other hand, a manger is the person who develops
the business goals and then manges situations to achieve that.
Leaders focuses on the achievement of trusts of employees so that they can work effectively.
However, in context to managers they aim on governing the workers using their power as
influence (Garg and Dhar, 2016).
Leaders have high level of communication with all the employees that are working in the firm
whereas manages may or may not have any direct contact with the workforce.
Leaders bring new ideas for the development of organization. In contrary to this, managers aims
on stability in the operations.
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TASK 2
P2 Implication of the role and function of a leader and manager in different situational context of
ford.
In accordance with the operational activities helps in the premiss of ford motor co. which
reflects that there will be use of various kinds of techniques as well as need of qualified staff
which in turn helps business in making the adequate rise in such operational tasks (Esquivel And
et.al., 2017). Hence, it can be said that with the help of talent and skills of such professionals
business could be able to have the adequate growth as well as there will be increase in the
profitability of the firm. Hence, the role of leader in Ford Motor Co. can be understand such as:
Representative: A leader of Ford Motor Co. is the main representative. It can be anyone
such as mangers, directors and the owner himself. Thus, the main responsibility of the leader is
that they must represents theme selves in every corporate meet or events such as meetings,
seminars, conferences etc. hence, this reflect the ability of such individuals in making effective
promotion of firm (Role of a Leader, 2017).
Supportive nature: The quality of a leader reflect in the duties performed by the
workforce in the organisation. Hence, in Ford Motor Co. there will be requirements of large
numbers of skilled employees who have the adequate information relevant with the technologies
and manufacturing the effective cars in the market (Tatoglu and et.al., 2016). Thus, here the
responsibilities of the managers in context with motivating the employees to make the favourable
performances in firm.
Good friend and Philosopher: In order to motivate workforce as well as make
improvement in the quality of their performances there is need to make the proper execution of
the work. Hence, the quality of a leader is to make adequate decision as well as appointment of
duties to the workers in context with making valuable efforts for Ford Motor Co. They will need
to observe the employees as well as their ability in performing such organisational tasks on
which they can make fruitful decision as well as helps in giving them training and education on
which they can be able to generate the effective operational activities in the firm (Grimsrud and
et.al., 2016). A leader must be a good friend or philosopher in between his employees who can
understand their issues as well as can be able to suggest them in adopting the effective changes.
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However, they provide vision or mission in front of employees as well as ask them to make
suggestions
The Best Guidance: In context with having the adequate work which will only be
possible with the help of perfect framework in Ford Motor Co. Hence, a leader must make the
adequate guidance to the employees as well as must acquire the quality of mentor. Hence, this
will be helpful for the workers in having the appropriate guidance may be between the tasks they
are performing (Azcárate, Mallor and Mateo, 2017). Thus, it can be said that the leader should
have ability to timely give bets solution to any problems to its workers as well as frequently
suggest term in making fruitful efforts in such daily operations.
Individual growth with Organisational growth: The guidance of a leader will affect
enchanting the quality of work as well as it helps in improving the knowledge of the workers
(Franzetti, 2016). Hence, with the help of valuable knowledge gathering of worker which will
result enchaining the operational activities as well as profitability of Ford Motor Co.
P3 Applying various models, theories as well as situational leadership for management and
leadership
To analyse role of management and leadership in context with attaining the goals of the
organisation there are requirements of adding such effective theories which will reflect the
operational activities of the firm. Hence, it can be said tat there will be use of various leadership
approaches which in turn helps the professionals at Ford Motor Co. in making the adequate
decision as well as efforts in attainment of such business objectives. However, a leader should
acquire personality to meet any situation in the operational activities as well as motivate
employees even in the very tough situations or conditions in which the firm is seeking the way to
get survive (Pizzo, Lawley and Rubenstein, 2017). Hence, it can be said that with the of
following theories and approaches the managers will be able to adopt necessary steps in context
with improving the internal environment of entity. However, there can be use of several
Situational leadership approaches such as:
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Illustration 1: Situational Leadership Approaches for FMC
Source: (SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP MODEL, 2017)
Coaching: In accordance with the Situational leadership approach a leader must acquire
the ability to direct the workforce as well as must be supportive. Thus, such kinds of leaders will
help the firm in gaining the adequate guidance as well as a qualified and supportive person who
can be able to make the effective solutions for the business (Buch, Thompson and Kuvaas,
2016). Hence, It can be said that the cos\aching will play main role in create awareness between
employees which in regards with
Supportive: These kinds of leaders have the quality of handling the maximum pressure
of the work as well as they make the equal efforts with their workforce such doing work with
them. Hence, it can be said that they will be very supportive and friendly with them but have
poor direction (Su, Su, Baird and Baird, 2017). Thus, it can be said that they will not be able to
make the effective solutions to any decisions. These kinds of leaders may not have strong
decision power, adequate vision and situational analysis.
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Delegation: These are the leaders who would have fewer delegations in context with
making the efforts in the operational tasks. Hence, they pass their workload or pressure onto their
supportive group or the lower level of workers (Güngör and Açıkalın, 2016). Hence, they may
not be able to create the favourable image in the mind of workforce as well as do not have
effective solutions which in turn distract the workforce in their performances or duties
Direction: There may be perfect vision or mission facilitated to the employees with the
effective plan or method but these kinds of leaders are less supportive (Lynch And et.al., 2017).
They may know how to make workers to implement their efforts in achieving the business
objective but they will not beng able to create the favourable image in between firm. Hence, Ford
Motor Co. may have such kids of workers but they will not being able to sort out any personal
issue of them.
M2 Strength and weaknesses relevant with the work environment faced by management and
leadership
This style of leadership is highly effectual which in turn helps in enhancing the
relationship that takes place between leaders and followers. Such style of leadership has some
strengths and weaknesses which manager or leader of Ford should keep in mind are enumerated
below:
Strengths: Such leadership style is known for the aspect of its simplicity. Along with this,
such leadership also makes focus on assessing the need of flexibility on the side of leaders
(Advantages and disadvantages of situational leadership, 2017). In this, managers are allowed to
undertake suitable management style as per the business condition.
Weaknesses: Sometimes, situational leadership diverts its attention from long term goals
to short term which in turn closely influences its significance. Along with this, situational leaders
also avoid priorities and communication style which in related to other culture.
D1 Evaluating the different theories of leadership
Transactional leadership theory
Advantages Disadvantages
 Enhances productivity and  Such leadership style is highly based
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profitability by empowering
employees
 In this, structure is highly clear which
in turn develops clear image in the
mind of personnel pertaining to
manager’s expectation.
on the system of punishment or reward
which in turn places negative impact
on employee motivation.
 It affects creativity of personnel in a
negative way and thereby growth.
Transformational leadership theory
Advantages Disadvantages
 Such leadership is highly significant
which in turn helps in assessing the
current situation of firm and
formulates vision for future growth
and development (Esquivel and et.al.,
2017).
 Transformational leaders have ability
to motivate others in line with the
organizational vision.
 Under transformational leadership,
workforce performance is highly
based on leader’s ability. Hence, if
leader fails to inspire others then it
may result into loss of productivity
and profitability (Pros and Cons of
Transformational Leadership, 2017).
TASK 3
P4 Analysing the approaches of operational management
The role of operational mangers is to make efforts in the analysing the requirement of
funds in the particular tasks or business operations (Ghorbani and et.al., 2016). They will
provoke the workforce in making the operational activity very healthy such as purchase of
material, dealings with supplier, production as well as delivering of such products. Hence, in the
Ford Motor Co. there will be need to various kinds or efforts which in turn helpful for the
workforce in making valuable efforts such as:
Human resource management: The main aim of the leader or manager is to make the fruitful
efforts as to analyse the requirement of the employees as well as suggesting them the adequate
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solutions. Hence, this may include the remuneration or wages payable to them as well as the
managements of such operations (Du Preez, 2016). On the other side, in the operational point of
vie the managers also seeks the requirements of numbers of employees to make the fruitful
efforts in performing the tasks as well as their training and development.
Inventory management: There will be necessity of maintain the records of the all
imports and exports of inventory and raw material in the premises of Ford Motor Co. hence,
which will be fruitful for the managers in obtaining the actual record or need to such goods
(Laudon and Laudon, 2016).
Cost management: The expense incurred while purchasing, producing as well as
distributing such material must be controlled or monitored by the operational heads of Ford
Motor Co. hence, this operational must be monitored by the managers as well as they must
suggest the fruitful advise to overcome such costs (Tatoglu and et.al., 2016).
P5 Evaluating the importance of Operational management for achieving the business objectives
In accordance with having the profitable results in any operational tasks ODF the
business there is need to enhance the operational activities of Ford Motor Co. Hence, there will
be some importance of the operational management in context with achieving the business
objectives such as:
 It helps in monitoring the production of goods and service as well as costs requirements
in such operations (Grimsrud and et.al., 2016).
 It helps in improving the work quality of the workforce as well as they can be able to
make the fruitful efforts in attaining such tasks.
M3 Improvements in operational efficiency by leaders and managers
In accordance with motivating the workforce to make their valuable efforts there will be
need of motivating the workers as well as increase in the operational efficiency of the business.
Hence, this will in result in analysing the requirements of funds and motivating the staff to make
the effective efforts (Azcárate, Mallor and Mateo, 2017).
D2 Implication of operational management which impacts in the business environment
There is need to implement the new technologies such as robotic arms and various
software which will help the firm in making the innovative designs of the products. Hence, in
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context with implementing such changes there will be need to analyse the requirements of the
consumer and their problems while they travel (Franzetti, 2016). Hence, there will be need to
manufacturing the cares which give the luxurious experience to the travellers as well as it helps
in building up the brand image.
TASK 4
Enclosed in PPT
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above study which is relevant with the leadership and managerial
guidance to Ford Motor Co. hence, it can be said that there is need to make changes in various
technical fields such as appointment of qualified leaders or managers who could have the vision
in context with achieving the organisational aims. Thus, they must have ability to motivate the
workers in making the fruitful efforts. Further, it can be said that leaders must have ability to
execute business activities as well as give guidance or training to employees in context with they
could make the valuable efforts.
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