A Comprehensive Report on Leadership and Management in JDM Food Group

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within JDM Food Group. It begins with a comparison of the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, exploring their application in various situations within the company. The report then examines different leadership theories and models, such as situational and contingency leadership, and assesses their strengths and weaknesses. Operational management is also a key focus, with an evaluation of its significance in achieving business objectives and the factors influencing it. The report also analyzes how leaders and managers can improve operational efficiencies and addresses the impact of external factors on the business environment, culminating in a critical evaluation of the application of operational management within JDM Food Group. The report incorporates different leadership and management theories and concepts to provide a holistic view of the company's operations.

Management and
Operations

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a) Definition and comparison of roles and characteristics of a leader and manager...................1
b) Examining the ways in which role of leader and function of manager is applied in different
situations in context of JDM food group.....................................................................................3
c) Applying theories and models of leadership approaches in specific situations in JDM food
group...........................................................................................................................................4
d) Analysing and comparing between role of leaders and functions of managers by applying
theories and concepts..................................................................................................................4
e) Assessing strengths and weaknesses of various approaches in situations within the work
environment.................................................................................................................................5
f) Critically analysing and evaluating various theories and approaches of leadership...............6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
a) Key approaches of operational management and role of leaders and managers.....................7
b) Significance and value of operational management in achievement of business objectives..8
c) Evaluation of factors within business environment that impacts operational management
and decision-making of leaders and managers............................................................................9
d) Evaluation of how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management to successfully meet business objectives.............................................................10
e) Analysing different factors that influence business environment and wider community.....10
f) Critically evaluating application of operational management and factors that influence
wider business environment in context of JDM food group.....................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is the field of management which is related to design and control of
process of production and recreating operations of the business for producing products and
services. This field is misunderstood due to its multifaceted nature. Operation management
majorly involves planning, organising and supervising the production, manufacturing and
provision of services. It includes utilisation of resources from human resources, materials,
technology and equipment (Langabeer and Helton, 2015). In acquires, develops and deliver
goods to the clients and customers on the basis of capabilities and requirements of companies.
The key terms of this field are supply chain management and logistics. These are the critical
functions of operational management. It is concerned with local and global trends as well as
needs and desires of customers and the availability of resources for the purpose of production.
The present report is prepared applying leadership and management development
programmes. For this purpose, JDM food group is being considered. The company supplies
garlic, organic garlic and ginger in several forms. It is one of the leading suppliers of garlic,
ginger, sweet potatoes and butternut squash along with other offering in United Kingdom. The
present study will review operations and the manner of managing it for increasing efficiencies,
responsiveness and quality of mentioned firm to be more competitive.
TASK 1
a) Definition and comparison of roles and characteristics of a leader and manager
Leader is the person who makes a large influence on particular group of people to attain
goals and objectives in an efficient way. He holds a superior position in his area of work and has
the capability to impose high level of control or effect on other individuals (Gimenez Sierra,and
Rodon, 2012).
Manager is an individual who is responsible for particular tasks and activities for
particular set of a firm. He has to manage employees who report him when they finish their jobs
or for taking guidance from him.
Basis of comparison Roles and traits of leader Roles and traits of
manager
Definition Leadership means the ability Management includes

of a person to impact, inspire,
motivate and enable people to
give their efforts for
attainment of targets and goals
of organisation in which they
work (Farahani Rezapour and
Kardar, 2011).
directing and controlling
an individual or group of
individuals or entities
having a purpose of
coordinating and
harmonising team mates to
achieve specific goals and
objectives in set time limit.
Role in decision-making
process
Leader plays facilitator role. On the other hand,
manager is fully engaged
in the entire process.
Style adopted Here the leader adopts
transformational, consultative
and participative styles of
leadership.
While, manager follows
dictatorial, transactional,
democratic and
consultative managerial
styles (Kerzner, 2013).
Influences A leader makes strong
influence on heart of his
followers.
Whereas, manager
influences head and mind
of team members.
Personality styles Leaders have a charismatic
power and are very brilliant.
They are very introvert and
private individuals (Murray,
2017). They like to take risks
and have very high
imagination power.
On the other side,
managers think rationally
and focus on solving
problems. They lay
emphasis on objectives,
structures, human resource
and resource availability.
Approach for tasks Leaders only see the problems
and prefer to solve them
through innovation and
creativity.
On the contrary, managers
form strategies, policies
and methods to create
teams and take out ideas

which cooperatively
operate smoothly.
b) Examining the ways in which role of leader and function of manager is applied in different
situations in context of JDM food group
Various situations under which role of leaders and function of managers is applied in
JDM food group are: Resolving problems and issues: A leader and a manager have various approaches to
solve any problem or issue which takes birth in the mentioned food company. For
instance: if there is a high labour turnover in the firm. In this situation, a manager will
simply create strategies and policies for improving human resource practices and
procedures for decreasing the retention rate in the organisation (Reid and Sanders, 2010).
On the other hand, a leader will prefer to look at the issue in a simple way and then try to
create creative and innovative ideas to solve the matter. Also he can use charismatic
powers for encouraging and inspiring others to contribute in solving issues. Building teams: To build effective teams, a manager only emphasises on delegating tasks
and assign duties to his team members. He is more concerned about completion of tasks
assigned to them. He will not pay attention on imparting new set of skills and capabilities
in the team members. Whereas, a leader will focus on developing new skills and
knowledge in his team mates and motivating them. In decision-making process: When difficult decisions are to be taken then the leader and
managers have different approaches and mentality. Leaders do not hesitate in taking
tough decisions for betterment of team members and cited Company. They do not
consider it as a mere duty (Holmström Främling and Ala-Risku, 2010). They take active
participation in the entire process of decision-making. On the contrary, managers of
mentioned firm will involve themselves only because they consider it as a duty or
obligation. They will contribute less when compared with contribution of leaders in the
whole process.
 Taking risks: When situation of taking risks arises in the cited company, the reaction and
responses of leaders and managers varies. For instance: If the food organisation wants to
introduce a whole new range of products for kids. There is a high level of risk involved in

this. In this situation, leaders will show his interest in this proposal and will not try to
avoid the risk factor. But on the other side, a manager will resist to take such step as he
may think that it will not be very beneficial for the organisation (Lewis and Brown,
2012).
c) Applying theories and models of leadership approaches in specific situations in JDM food
group
Situational leadership model: In the history of behavioural science, this model is the most
recognised, applied and an effective model. It allows leaders of all type like managers, fellow
leaders etc. to affect each other in an effective manner. This model is easy, understandable and
simple to execute in the cited firm (Wolinski, 2010). This model enables the leaders to ascertain
relationship between effective style of leadership and the readiness level which his followers
depict in the particular tasks.
System leadership model: The system leadership approach can be implemented in the
mentioned food organisation where employees and members of organisation can grow and
develop and bring social changes. This leadership model will allow the company to prosper
leadership in a systematic way through unionising management development and organisation
development psychology and techniques. It provides help to the managers to look and examine
what they are required to do with their leadership ideas, knowledge, capabilities and synergies.
Contingency leadership model: As per this leadership model, there is no best way of leadership
that can be applied in the cited company. The effectiveness of leadership style depends on the
situations and circumstances which takes birth in the firm (Rajan and et. al., 2010 ). According to
this model, task oriented and relationship oriented leaders are good for the organisation because
their orientation matches with the circumstances and situations.
d) Analysing and comparing between role of leaders and functions of managers by applying
theories and concepts
A leader will take use of several theories and concepts for playing their role effectively.
On the other hand, managers of JDM food group will apply different theories and concepts to
function in an efficient manner. It is elaborated through the following table:
Roles of leaders through various theories and
concepts
Functions of manager by using different
theories and concepts

Behavioural theory- This theory identifies the
particular behaviours in leaders that leads to
successful leadership. If this theory is adopted
by cited food company, the leaders may depict
task oriented or people oriented behaviours and
will take decisions by taking use of laissez-
faire, authoritarian or democratic leadership
styles (Hillier, 2012). These leadership styles
can produce different type of outcomes in
different type of situations and conditions.
Chaos theory- This theory realises that change
is inevitable and uncontrollable. However,
some of the situations, events, conditions can
be taken in control but many of them cannot be
controlled. To bring changes in cited food
company, managers can apply this theory by
growing energy for maintaining new level of
complexness.
Trait theory- This theory focuses on traits or
characteristics in leaders. But this theory can't
be implemented in situation when mutual traits
are required for solving any specific problem
in mentioned food organisation. This is due to
the fact that all leaders cannot have similar
traits and qualities.
Human relations theory- This theory is
mainly inclined towards human factors. It
focuses on motivation, group motivation and
leadership and behaviour of human beings
working in the cited firm (Bai and et. al.,
2015). For applying this theory in the
organisation, manager should ascertain that
wants and desires of people are decisive
variables for achieving effectiveness in the
company.
e) Assessing strengths and weaknesses of various approaches in situations within the work
environment
Behavioural theory:
 Strengths: The two main strengths of this theory are that it aids the idea that qualities of
leadership can be attained by developing and experience only. This theory has viewpoint
that leadership is a trait or a quality which can be build in anyone. Another strength is the
new concept (Benjaafar and Daskin, 2012). This concept states that leaders can be
created has provided more current leadership theory research which relies on making
leaders to gain desired results.

 Weaknesses: The main drawback of this theory is that it states that people learn practice
and behaviours. This does not assure that they are able enough to apply the theory in an
appropriate manner. There is an inadequate knowledge on how to apply this theory in
different cultural contexts and situations.
Trait theory:
 Strengths: The advantages of this theory is its capability to separate observable
behaviour and their use in objective criteria. It offers a strong relationship for united
behaviours. Weaknesses: This theory has faced criticism for its predictive value. It has been asserted
that traits do poor performance in foreseeing behaviour of an individual under every
situation or circumstance (Paryani, 2011). Along with this, patterns of variability in
different conditions are important for identifying personalities and averaging in such
conditions for determining an overarching trait makes crucial difference among persons.
Chaos theory:
 Strengths: The theory have a broad applicability in the field of modern sciences and
technology Weaknesses: The methods which are used for computing parameters of input relies on
dynamics of data and the form of analysis desired.
Human relations theory:
 Strengths: This theory possess explanatory powers which foresee that persons reduces
costs and increases rewards through their relationships. This has made a new hypothesis
and so it extends the range of prospective knowledge (Holsapple and Lee-Post, 2010).
 Weaknesses: The theory overemphasises on wants and desires of human beings. It was
applied as a technique to manipulate individuals to adhere to directives of management
rather than making the management to understand human aspects and their nature.
f) Critically analysing and evaluating various theories and approaches of leadership
Situational theory: There are no strong and reliable research findings for justification of the
assumptions and propositions made under this theory. This theory do not clarify as to how
subordinates will move for low level of development and how commitment changes with the
passage of time. Also it does not focuses on impacts made by demographic factors on employee's
preferences of leadership (Drake and Spinler, 2013). It do not provide guidance to leaders as to

how this theory can be practised in group settings. The leaders suffer enough pressure to
regularly examine situations before they take decisions.
System leadership theory:If this leadership theory is implemented in the mentioned food
organisation, then chances of conflicts, disputes, grievances increases. There will be slow and
poor communication in the firm because this theory emphasises on hierarchical structure to be
followed in the organisation (Dobrzykowski and et. al., 2014). It results in hurdles in the path of
achieving goals and objectives of mentioned firm as it encourages to cross the boundaries. It
focuses on particular thinking level of leaders and their capabilities.
Contingency leadership theory: This theory is not able to explain that why leaders needs some
specific leadership style that are beneficial in some situation and disadvantageous in another type
of situations. It does not correlate well with other standardized measurements in leadership. It
fails to describe what should be done if traits and characteristics in leaders and the circumstance
does not aligns with each one in the cited food organisation. It cannot be executed when one
leadership style has to be selected (Closs Speier and Meacham, 2011).
TASK 2
a) Key approaches of operational management and role of leaders and managers
The below stated approaches of operational management can be used by JDM food
group:
 Dynamic approach: Many business firms are quickly progressing and evolving their
operations due to the global competitive environment in manufacturing sector. This
approaches comprises of four elements which are knowledge, learning, problem solving
and contingencies. These components are not well thought out by various static
approaches (Fuller and Martinec, 2011). For studying these constituents in deep, the
focus shifts from improvement in efficiencies which assumes that technological
knowledge and skills intentionally increases rates of betterment and to adopt new
conditions. System approach: All business firms do not function under a vacuum. They depend on
the outer environmental factors. They are a component of larger system such as industries
under which they operate, the economic system and the larger society. So, business

enterprises receives input, transforms them and export the outcome to environment and
society.
Role of managers in operational management:Managers realise the fact that employees are the
most valuable asset for any business firm as they communicate with operation department very
effectively. The operational manager is expert and commands the management of input and
output of resources. They make optimal use of processes to decrease costs of goods per unit. This
in turn make the products ready to sell with lower prices and maintains a high margin for
remaining active in the tough competition (Singhal and Singhal, 2012). To assure value at
source, they also pay attention on the quality of products and services. This results in motivation
in employees for reaching the expectations and desires of manager.
Role of leaders in operational management: The leaders in cited food company will align the
mission and vision with the routine jobs and assignments. One particular way to achieve true
value is through development of leadership roles. The strategic planning should be made by
turning the mission into the plans and policies. This has to be completed at this phase only
because they possess impressive capabilities for creating a united team of staff. The team
members are said to be he strategic partners irrespective of their job designations (Kerzner,
2013).
b) Significance and value of operational management in achievement of business objectives
The value of operational management has potentially increased in current times. Factors
such as cut throat competition, short life cycles of products and services, smart customers,
advancements in technology has put pushed this function to enhance productivity and provide
wider range of high standard goods and services. Therefore, this is a very important function of
JDM food group. It has become significant to provide world class standardized products and
services to its consumers (Lewis and Brown, 2012). If operational management does not function
in an efficient and effective manner, then cited firm cannot attain success and growth. It takes
use of available resources in properly to produce products and services for maintaining speed,
flexibility, quality and cost.
The role and accountability of this field stays within maintenance of good supplier
relations for assuring that raw material is reached within the set time frame. Customer relation
management is one of the key aspect of this function which provides best quality products and
services to consumers for meeting their desires and needs. Operational management has

significant importance due to two key grounds. The first is that it facilitates in improvement of
productivity that leads to betterment of financial well-being of the mentioned food organisation.
Second reason is that it aids in alignment of customer's competitive concerns. Productivity is a
technique which assesses potential of managers or staff in taking use of inadequate resources
present in the firm to manufacture goods and services (Hillier, 2012). It is the main activity in
organisation of tasks and activities. This function determines what has to be sent in the operating
system. It is liable for critical jobs such as managing material, planning the capacity, buying,
quality and time management.
c) Evaluation of factors within business environment that impacts operational management and
decision-making of leaders and managers
Factors which influences operational management and decision-making of leaders and
managers of JDM food group are discussed below:
Internal factors: Financial factors: These factors consists of financial policies, plans, procedures, financial
health and structure of capital in the cited organisation. All these factors influences on a
large level on operational management and its tasks and activities (Drake and Spinler,
2013). Internal relations: The bonding and relationship which is shared between among
employees, employee and employer, relationship of top, middle and low level
management, relations in all the stakeholder of mentioned firm affects its functioning. Value system: Operational management functions as per the culture, values, ethics, rules
and regulations of cited organisation (Fuller and Martinec, 2011). Every functional
department works and functions by following laws, norms, policies laid by the firm.
External factors: Suppliers: Persons who are accountable for supply of required input in form of raw
material are called suppliers. They have an important role in the function of operation
management. Marketing intermediaries: The middlemen who helps the cited food company for
promotion, selling and distribution of products and services to its end users are known as
marketing intermediaries. They are like a bridge between the firm and the final
consumers.

 Competitors: Rival companies also influences operational management of mentioned
organisation to a great extent. Therefore, it has to keep an eye on the market situation and
swing so that it can sustain and survive in the cut throat competitive environment. It has
to formulate its policies, plans, strategies accordant to these factors (Gimenez Sierra and
Rodon, 2012).
d) Evaluation of how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management
to successfully meet business objectives
Leaders and managers takes the liability to improve the efficiencies in operational
management of JDM food group. For this purpose, they apply several ways and means to
achieve business goals and targets. They also provide rewards and recognition to employees
when they perform at their best. These can be in form of bonuses, appreciation etc. so that their
motivation level is always boosted up. This in turn inspires employees to give their sincere
efforts in their jobs and achieve their personal goals as well as organisational goals. Leaders take
use of time management skills and tools for managing their time effectively. He makes the time
limits, prioritise his tasks and assignments, creates time table (Reid and Sanders, 2010). This
gives positive results to the mentioned firm because products and services are provided to the
clients and customers on time. This makes the clients and customers happy and quenched. This
in turn helps the manager to meet business objectives and maintaining productivity. Leaders
prefer to communicate with the staff and try to solve their work related problems. This decreases
the possibilities of conflicts, disputes, misunderstandings and grievances in the organisation. This
helps employees to focus on their jobs and put their best contribution to finish assigned tasks and
activities. Also this is helpful for manager also to efficiently manage his job and making the
functions of operational management more better. Along with these, leaders and managers adopt
total quality management approach for improving productivity and performance of employees as
well as of cited food company (Benjaafar and Daskin, 2012).
e) Analysing different factors that influence business environment and wider community
Several factors that impacts business environment and wider community are elaborated
below: Political factors: Factors consisting of policies and schemes of government, political
stability, laws, legislation, rules and regulations, tariffs, war situation, social unrest and

other type of trade restrictions influences foo industry and operations of cited food
organisation. Economic factors: The variable which determine economic health of the cited firm and
has a significant impact on its functions and sustainability are called economic factors.
There are two sub-sections of these factors which are micro economic factors such as size
of market, distribution chain, number of rival firm etc. the other head is macro economic
factors such as currency exchange rates, consumer saving rate, recessions etc. (Langabeer
and Helton, 2015). Social factors: Variables that are generally linked to the society and social relationship
which influences cited food company ans wider community are referred as social factors.
They comprise of social movements, environmental issues, changes in wants of
consumers etc. Technological factors: Advancements and up-gradations in technology can create
opportunities as well as threats to the cited food company. Some of the innovations in
technology can improve its performance and profits while some may reap negative
outcomes (Reid and Sanders, 2010). Legal factors: Factors including laws, legislation, rules, regulations, important for the
business firms to adhere can affect it functioning and goodwill. Ethics and moral values
also influences the success and growth of mentioned food organisation.
 Environmental factors: Variables that determine the environment of business
organisations are known as environmental factors. For instance: climate, global warming,
weather conditions etc.
f) Critically evaluating application of operational management and factors that influence wider
business environment in context of JDM food group
The factors which are discussed above are very dynamic and changes at a very fast speed.
It it so tough to anticipate the influences of these factors on current and future position of the
cited food organisation. Many times it happens that the reverse affects of these variables cannot
be ascertained in their initial phases. This results in negative outcomes for business and its
growth. To handle these factors cited organisation needs to collect information and data of each
factors which is a very difficult job (Kerzner, 2013). Handling with too much data and
information creates confusion and misunderstandings. Assembling large amount of data and

information from trustworthy sources is also a problem for company. It is hard to find out that
which factor is impacting more on the business. Therefore, it is important to prioritise these
factors as they are to be considered in the planning process. Also these factors are not adequate
for making strategic plans as they are the extrinsic factors. The external factors are not
predictable due to which the mentioned firm is not able to fully prepare itself for the future. For
instance: Demands and tastes of customer changes rapidly which create difficulties for
organisation to assume that their products and services will make them happy or not. For
overcoming this type of issue, mentioned food firm should conduct continual surveys, researches
and studies (Drake and Spinler, 2013).
CONCLUSION
With the present study, it has been evaluated that different roles of leaders and functions
of managers in JDM food group are giving serious efforts for taking the firm towards success
and growth. The key approaches of operational management i.e. dynamic and system approach is
being beneficial for mentioned firm. Various leadership styles and theoretical concepts applied
by leaders and managers under different situation and conditions has promoted team ethics in the
staff. Moreover, variables which influences the business environment are examined in the report
along with their implications on field of operational management and decision-making
procedure. Further, a critical analysis of operational management and the factors which impacts
wider community has been evaluated.

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