Management and Operations: A Case Study of Mobexpert Furniture

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within Mobexpert, a Romanian furniture company. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, exploring their distinct responsibilities and contributions to organizational success. The report then delves into the practical application of leadership and management functions in various situations, such as delegation, decision-making, and training. Furthermore, it examines the application of different leadership theories and models, including situational, contingency, and systems leadership, to understand how Mobexpert's leaders guide and motivate their employees. The report also analyzes key approaches to operational management within Mobexpert, highlighting the roles of leaders and managers in optimizing processes. It assesses the importance of operational management and its value to the company. Finally, the report discusses the external and internal factors that influence the company's management and decision-making processes, providing insights into how Mobexpert navigates its business environment.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of leader and manager.............1
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................4
P2. Application of roles of leader and functions of manager in different situations..................4
P3 Application of different theories and models of leadership approach...................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches of operational management with role of leaders and manager in
Mobexpert Company...................................................................................................................6
P5 Importance of operational management and its value in Mobexpert.....................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6 Factors of environment of business that affect on company's management and decision-
making process of leaders and managers....................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
In every organisation, management and operations consists important part; as superior
require to take care business activities are being executed properly. Manager require to make
strategies and policies through which they are able to direct employees and make them perform
tasks effectively. This help firm to position themselves superior than competitors; by making
workers carry out tasks effectively (Tang, Musa, 2011). Present assignment is based on
Mobexpert which is a furniture company, established in Romania. They are providing products
and services to people through which they are able to enhance their market reputation. Manager
and leader of firm play important role in company. They make transformations in tools and
techniques so that they are able to make system properly. They distribute work among staff
members and examine that they function properly. Lastly, this report specifies elements which
impact decision-making process of firm directly or indirectly.
TASK 1
P1. Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of leader and manager
Superior require to design business operations through which goals and objectives are
accomplished timely. They provide adequate tools and techniques and take care that activities are
taking place properly. As in case of Mobexpert, manager formulate strategies and policies
through which they are able to direct staff members and make them perform tasks properly.
Thereby, leader keep employees dedicated and motivated so that they attain targets and complete
work effectively.
As per Fang and et. al. (2012), manager make strategies and distribute duties among staff
members. Thereby, regulate and maintain activities through which organisation goals are
achieved properly.
According to Moeini, Afshar and Afshar (2011), leader increase morale of employees and
take care that there are no issues between them ; so that they complete work within specified
time frame.
These are various functions which are performed by superior are stated below:
Planning: Executive frame mission, vision, goals and objectives; thereby communicating it with
superior so that they design system appropriately. Thereafter, marketing plan is made by
manager so that they are able to attain goals by making subordinates carry out activities.
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Organising: Superior require to distribute roles and responsibilities among employees in
according to their skills and knowledge.
Staffing: Employer take care that they have adequate human resource available, through which
they are able to get work done. By placing candidates in respect to their capabilities so that they
are able to function efficiently.
Coordinating: Superior require to take care that activities of all department are coordinates with
each other. By constructing communication among manager of all units, so that firm goals are
attained timely.
Controlling: Superior take care that employees are performing properly. By comparing actual
outcomes with standard; so that if both are not same then take appropriate actions. They also
make alterations in strategies so that business activities are being taking place adequately.
Mintzberg's managerial roles: These are various duties which superior require to
perform to take care that business activities are occurring properly (Fayol, 2016). This model is
divided into following roles to be performed by a manager :-
1. Interpersonal
 Figurehead: A manager has to be figurehead, a source of inspiration for its employees in
performing ceremonial & social responsibilities like visiting dignitaries etc.
 Leader: To be leader who manages ,motivate and encourage its subordinates & is
responsibilities for performance their subordinates .
 Liaison: Its includes making internal and external contacts on behalf of your
organization.
2. Informational
 Monitor: To seek out information related to an organization & track any relevant changes
in the field. It also involves monitoring Efficiency & productivity of your team.
 Discriminator: The role of communicating important and relevant information to your
team (Witt, Brooke and Buckley, 2013).
 Spokesperson: Managers acts as company's representative for sharing any information &
its goals with outside audience.
3. Decisional
 Entrepreneur: Think as an entrepreneur inducing new ideas,implementing them & solving
related problems.
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 Disturbance Handler: Taking charge & solving disputes arising among team members or
outside the group.
 Resource Allocator: This role is associated with allocating available limited resources &
making sure its optimum and efficient utilization.
 Negotiator: A manager takes part in negotiations within organization(team,department)
as well as outside the organization (GAO and et. al., 2011).
Manager and leader are not similar roles, as both have several differences which are as follows:
Manager Leader
They frame strategies and policies for firm
which staff members are required to follow.
Leader execute strategies and plan which are
made by management.
Manager conduct various training sessions
through which they provide adequate skills to
enhance employees performance.
They provide arrangement to all activities
through which employees function well.
They provide duties according to capabilities
of workers so that they complete tasks timely.
Firm is being symbolise by them as they keep
workers dedicated towards their duties.
Manager and leader comprises these characteristics, which are as follows:
 Both require to take care that business activities are attained properly.
 They require to have healthy relationship with staff members.
 They should interact with employees; to acknowledge problems and issues faced by
them. Thereby, providing them adequate solution so that their performance is not
affected.
Therefore, it can be comprehended that manager and leader play important role in
organisation. By distributing duties which staff members are required to perform, so that they
complete tasks within specified time frame (Logenthiran and Srinivasan, 2012). They even take
care that subordinates are dedicated and motivated towards their work. Hence, by making them
perform effectively through which firm goals and objectives get accomplished properly.
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TASK 2
P2. Application of roles of leader and functions of manager in different situations
Executive of every organisation want that business activities are being conducted
properly and that goals and objectives are accomplished. By making superior responsible that
they require to take care that staff members perform activities properly (Hugos, 2018). As in
Mobexpert, manager and leader plays important role in taking care that company operations are
being executed adequately. Thereby, regulate and maintain system through which employees are
dedicated and work effectively.
These are various situations in which manager and leader function are as follows:
Delegation of authority: Manager require to involve in every activities which are being
occurring in enterprise. They formulate strategies and program through which duties are assigned
to staff members. By taking care that employees are performing effectively and complete
activities within deadlines. Besides this, leader keep subordinates dedicated and increase their
morale that they function effectively. As executive have given superior responsibility that they
require to make system function and utilise resources properly. In Mobexpert, superior make
plans and distribute duties to employees, so that they perform tasks through which firm goals and
objectives are accomplished.
Decision-making process: Superior require to make select alternatives which are
beneficial for company. They require to take care that business activities are carried properly.
They require to construct healthy relationship with employees; and should take opinion and
suggestions from them. This will help manger to make adequate decisions for organisation,
which are benefit for company. Manager and leader require to provide positive working
environment to staff members (Expósito and et. al., 2016). Hence employees feel connected with
firm; so they will perform tasks effectively. As in Mobexpert, executive involve manager and
leader in decision-making process; taking their opinion through which adequate judgements are
made. By examining that employees are functioning properly and attain targets within specified
time frame. Henceforth, by making system through which firm is able to generate sufficient
revenue for their business. Thus, firm is able to enhance their profitability as well improve
reputation in marketplace; and also compete with rival firms.
Training and development: Manager evaluate staff members performance to enquire that
that whether they are able to complete tasks within specified time. By conducting various
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sessions and seminars to enhance capabilities of employees and they perform activities properly.
This help leader to sustain workers for longer period by providing them adequate skills in
according to duties given to them. As, staff members are essential resource of enterprise; require
to have adequate skills and knowledge so that they perform tasks effectively (Bainton and et. al.,
2011). Firm productivity depend upon staff members, so manager require to provide them
instruction through which they complete work within specified time frame. As in Mobexpert,
superior conduct training programmes to provide adequate skills and knowledge to employees.
This help them to attain goals and targets timely.
Henceforth, manager and leader take care that in organisation, system functions in
according to market conditions. Superior require to make decisions and select alternatives which
are benefit for company. Thereby, taking care that employees carry out activities through which
they are able to complete targets within specified time frame. Thus firm is able to earn adequate
profit and enhance their market share.
P3 Application of different theories and models of leadership approach
Superior uses various leadership theories and models to make employees function
properly. They require to provide adequate instructions and information to staff members. As in
Mobexpert, manager is able to make success by taking care that business activities are taking
appropriately. By using these theories, they are able to get work done from subordinates; are as
stated below:
Situational leadership theory: It is suitable tool which superior uses so that they are able
to make system in according to market conditions. They require to provide adequate instruction
so that employees complete tasks properly. So, leader require to take care and keep subordinates
dedicated towards their work (Mohammadi, Mozafari and Solimani, 2014). As in Mobexpert,
manager keep making improvement and adding updated techniques through which they are able
provide offerings in according to customer requirement. By providing adequate skills to staff
members so that they perform tasks properly. This help company to improve reputation in
market and enhance their profitability.
Contingency leadership theory: This concept defines that superior cannot use single tool
to make appropriate decisions for company. They require to carry out activities in relation to
internal and external conditions. As, employees performance depend upon leader abilities and
direction given by them. In Mobexpert, superior take care that they utilise market opportunities
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and build system through which they are able to attain targets. Leader construct healthy
relationship with staff members; so that they are able to anticipate issues faced by them.
Thereby, providing them adequate solution for problems, so that employees complete tasks
within specified time.
System leadership theory: It is adequate concept which superior can utilise to take care
that appropriate business activities are being carried. This help manager to provide adequate
instruction to employees so that they perform well. By taking care that system is functioning and
that market opportunities are utilised (Dineshbabu,Thomas and Radhakrishnan, 2012). So,
making appropriate changes and improving tools and techniques; so that they are able to offer
competent products to people. This help superior to sort complex situations and take care firm
goals are attain timely.
In Mobexpert, superior take care firm goals and objectives are accomplished and firm is
able to make adequate profit for their business. As manager frame plan and programs through
which they are able to direct workers and make them function effectively. Thus, leader uses
Democratic style through which they are able to enhance performance of employees. This help
them to keep employees dedicated towards their duties. By increasing morale, benefit superior to
take care that staff members complete activities timely.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches of operational management with role of leaders and manager in Mobexpert
Company
Operational management in a company administer the entire activities within workforce
as well as improves quality of production. Manager of a company utilize its resources in an
effective way. The main purpose of management is to increase productivity and profitability
(Hugos, 2018). Following are some key approaches of operational management in an
organisation. It also describing in these approaches the role of managers and leaders:-
Six sigma approach:This methodology focuses on efforts of a team in accomplishing a
task. Six sigma approach mainly used to eliminates defects in the process of manufacturing to till
its transactional as well as from product to services. Through this approaches, Mobexpert
Company can achieve maximum customer satisfaction as well as their loyalty (Operations and
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Project Management (OPM), 2017). This approach helps in reducing the defects, improve return
on sales, investment and improve production.
Role of leaders:
 In Mobexpert, leaders are used to invest in six sigma training for employees. Through
this, employees can help in preventing defects in manufacturing process.
 Leaders recognize and support the employee participation also in order to drive six sigma
project.
Role of managers:
 Using this approach, managers of Mobexpert are giving reviews and support employees
to implement this successfully.
 Managers are also monitoring the performance of each employees as well as
implementation of six sigma approach in Mobexpert.
Total quality management: This approach is used to bring efficiencies in the production.
This management concerns with quality of products or services by considering demands and
preferences of customer's (Kim and et. al., 2014). In order to improve quality of product,
Mobexpert need to focus on systematic approach in its management. Through this, its quality of
furnitures becomes more efficient.
Role of leaders:
 Leaders of Mobexpert used to motivate its employees to work in team. This will
eliminate resistance of changes among employees which result in better quality of
production.
 Leader's main role is to ensure effective involvement and utilisation of employees'
efforts.
Role of managers:
 Managers' main role in Mobexpert is to monitor performance of production.
 Their main role is to treat suppliers of this company as business partners.
Just-in-Time inventories: This model helps an organisation to increase cost
effectiveness. As just-in-time inventory refers to purchase the required materials only when it is
needed in production (Tang and Musa, 2011). So, it would reduce inventory wastage as well as
storage space in organisations. Thus, Mobexpert use this approach to saves its cost of
purchasing.
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Role of leaders:
 Leaders have to make sure that goods which are purchased should be utilised properly.
 In Mobexpert, leaders are used to check conditions of each machines so that it will not
affect the process of production.
Role of managers:
 Using this approach, leaders of Mobexpert are able to order for goods only when it is
demanded.
 After analysing the demand, leaders can order to appropriate amount of goods to the
suppliers.
This would helps in maintaining good relationship with suppliers also.
P5 Importance of operational management and its value in Mobexpert
Operational management concerns about overseeing, designing and controlling complete
process of production (Tang, Musa, 2011). In order to build effective production of goods or
services, operational management can redesign business operations also. Following are some
main functions of operational management in an organisations:- Control and distribution the system: Operational management is responsible for
controlling the process of whole production. In order to fulfil the objectives of
Mobexpert, its managers are ensuring that distribution of products should be done in a
proper manner. Managers must concern with proper control and distribution of resources.
It would reduce the wastage of resources also as well as increase cost effectiveness. Conversion of raw materials into goods or services: Managers of Mobexpert are always
analysing the customers' demand of its products. After analysis, managers order sufficient
raw materials to its suppliers for production of products or services. This will help this
company in proper utilisation of its resource.
 Capacity management: It specifies capacity of production process so that resources can
be utilised in a desired way. Through capacity management, managers of Mobexpert will
be able to produce better quality of its products. This would helps in maintaining
sustainable development as well as attain business objectives of developing products
(Fang and et. al., 2012).
Leaders and managers of a company can increase operational efficiencies of operational
management. This will lead an organisation to meet its objectives in a certain period of time.
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Leaders' role in increasing efficiencies of operational management:
 Leaders should be empowered workers so that they can contribute their efforts in
achieving company's goal and objectives.
 They should identify all redundancy factor as well as eliminate it from the production
process. To maintain efficiency and productivity of the operational management, leaders should
ensure that communication process of its organisation is effective in nature.
Manager' role in increasing efficiencies of operational management:
 Managers should improve collaboration in order to increase efficiency of operational
management. It also helps in improving the team work among employees (Moeini,
Afshar and Afshar, 2011).
 To motivate morale of employees as well as to provide job satisfaction in them, managers
need to create incentives programs. It will motivate workers to work harder which
indirectly improves the productivity of operational management.
 Managers should communicate properly with customers. This would help in maintaining
good relations of company with customers as well as to retain them.
TASK 4
P6 Factors of environment of business that affect on company's management and decision-
making process of leaders and managers
Organisations today mainly concerns with maintaining the values, ethics and
sustainability in their operational management. This would improve relations of organisations
with their customers as well as retain them in company also. Businesses of an organisation can
be affected by many internal and external factors. These factors are present in business
environment of an organisation, therefore, affects on its decision-making process also(Fayol,
2016). Mobexpert is largest distributor of furnitures and accessories in Romania. Its managerial
and leadership's role are much affected by environmental factors that influence its decision
making and operation of business. These factors include some internal and external factors also.
Factors that create within the organisation are internal ones which can be controlled by its
management. On the other hand, external factors affect from outside so, these are out of control.
External factors:
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CSR: Corporate social responsibility is performed by managers and leaders of a business
by deciding a proposal that gives sustainable development for economic, social and
environmental benefits. It focuses in achieving short term goals by making some minor
adjustments in the company policies for long period of time. Main aim of CSR policy is to
benefit community that have been affected by business, by focusing growth of an individual and
local society (Witt, Brooke and Buckley, 2013). Such as level of pollution must decrease in order
to provide healthy living to company's nearby society.
Business ethics: While practising CSR, ethical responsibilities come along with it.
Business ethics means following ethical norms to benefit all of the stakeholders and people
associated with the business. Here, leaders and top management consider valuable and ethical
approach to redefine vision and mission of a company. Moral policies are designed to promote
welfare of stakeholders and encourage a sustainable business environment. Ethics play a vital
role in decision making as it aims in delivering rightful product to the customer without
providing mislead and false information in promotion.
Stakeholders: These units hold stake in business and area affected by day to day
business activities. They can be employee, customers, creditors or suppliers of the company. Job
of managers and leaders is to meet the expectations and demands of the stakeholders. In a
company they expect proper taxation policy, legislation practices, demand and supply chain
along with quality of product. Stakeholders can affect operation of a company as they are
responsible for investment which is an input for operation management (GAO and et. al., 2011).
Hence, it becomes essential for a business to meet the needs of stakeholders in ethical way for
high profits.
Internal factors:
Employees- Employees are the most valuable assets for an organisation. Without them a
company can't attains its objectives and success. So, managers of Mobexpert need to provide all
benefits including compensation, training and development, security, performance appraisals and
job satisfaction. Leaders' role in Mobexpert are to influence its workers towards achievement of
goals and objectives. They should try to manage conflicts among employees as well as convince
them to work in a team.
Technologies- Technology and its innovation affects working process and production of
a company. In order to maintain sustainability of a company, management should introduce
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latest technology in its workforce. This will lead business of a company in an effective way.
Also, through introducing the technology, a company like Mobexpert can gain competitive
advantage also. So, leaders and managers need to initiate and implement these technologies in
workforce in a desired manner (Logenthiran and Srinivasan, 2012). They should convince its
workers to adopt this change as well as to work on it.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that superior require to organise and regulate
system and its operations. They require to distribute duties among their workforce, in according
to their skills and knowledge. As, manager frame plan and strategies through which they are able
to direct employees and make them function properly. Leader responsibility is to increase morale
of staff members and keep them dedicated towards work. By using various leadership theories
and models so that they are able to make subordinates function effectively. Henceforth, in firm
both manager and leader play important role. They take care that employees function properly;
so that goals and objectives are accomplished. Thus, firm is able to earn adequate profit by
offering adequate products and services to people.
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Online:
Operations and Project Management (OPM). 2017. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.beds.ac.uk/research-ref/bmri/centres/bisc/okm>.
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