Analysis of Leadership, Management, and Operations at M&S Ltd

This report examines leadership and management practices within M&S Ltd, a major UK retailer. It begins by differentiating the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their responsibilities and contributions to organizational growth. The report then explores managerial functions and leadership roles, providing examples of their application within M&S Ltd, such as planning, organizing, directing, and motivating. It delves into various leadership theories, including contingency, system, and situational theories, assessing their relevance and impact on the company's operations. Furthermore, the report analyzes key approaches to operations and management, such as business process re-engineering and lean manufacturing, and their importance in achieving business objectives. Finally, it discusses the influence of external business environment factors on leaders and managers, concluding with recommendations for future improvement in leadership and management strategies. The report emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and management in driving organizational success and adapting to changing market conditions.

Management and
Operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of leader and manager:....................................................1
P2. Differences of managerial functions and leadership roles with examples:...........................2
P3. Theories and approaches of leadership: ...............................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P 4. Key approaches to operations and management followed by leaders and managers..........5
P5: Importance and values of operation management in achieving business objectives:...........7
P6: Impact of business environment factors on leaders and managers: .....................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations are important elements of a company without it success can
not be achieve. In 1984, M&S Ltd was founded in United Kingdom i.e. now one of the largest
multinational retailer company of UK. It has specialisation in clothing, home products and
luxury foods. In this report, management consultant of M&S Ltd has focused on the different
roles and characteristic of a leader and manager and how they are important and beneficial for
the organisational growth and success. M&S Ltd has followed different managerial functions and
leadership role which are also mentioned.
This report will discuss about how operation management is important for the
achievement of goal of company and also talk about the contingency theory, situational theory
and system theory. Managers and leaders how can be effective for the growth of company and
impact of external business environment upon operation management (Lindström and et. al.,
2012).
TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of leader and manager:
Leader is that person who have superior position in its field of work and lead the group of
persons for doing a specific task. Manager is that person who is responsible for the overall
operations in the company. M&S is dealing in retailing sector in UK. Leader and manager of M
& S Ltd has following roles such as:
Roles of leader and manager in M&S Ltd:-
Role of Leader Role of manager
It is a narrow term than manager because
responsibilities are less because leader has
to manage its group of persons.
It is a wider term than leader because
responsibilities are more because manager has to
manage whole organisation.
It perform limited task of management
functions that is directing, influencing and
controlling to its group of persons.
It perform various task of management functions
that is controlling and directing to whole
organisation. Manager of M&S Ltd is performing
these activities very well.
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Its holds low level position in the
organisation.
It holds high level position in the organisation.
It follow rules which is made by the
management. Leaders of M&S Ltd is also
following the rules of its management.
It can frame rules and regulations for company.
Managers of M&S Ltd is able to frame rules that's
why company has good growth.
Leader manage to a particular group of
people. M&S Ltd has different leaders for
different departments like food and clothes
department (Bodnar and Hopwood, 2012).
It manage the whole management operations in the
company. Manager of M&S Ltd is managing its
whole departments like clothes,food and home
products departments.
Leader and Manager in M&S Ltd:-
Leader Manager
It mainly focusses on the achievement of goals of
its group of persons to whom it is leading.
Manager also work for the achievement of
goals of the company. Manager is
managing M&S Ltd in a very good manner
so that company is able to survive in UK.
Responsible and committed towards their work.
Leaders of clothing and food department is very
focused and committed towards M&S Ltd.
Manager is also responsible and committed
towards their work. Manager of M&S Ltd
is so much responsible so that all
departments of company doing well.
Primary motive is to manage and direct the group
of its team. Leader of M&S Ltd is efficiently
managing the group of their respective team so
that company is performing well in UK.
Manager have to manage and direct whole
employees who are working in the
company so that M&S Ltd is performing
well from last 34 years.
Leader of M&S Ltd have better strategy for all
divisions in the company.
Manager of M&S Ltd have clear strategy
that what they want to achieve in future.
P2. Differences of managerial functions and leadership roles with examples:
Managerial function Leadership role
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Manager has to plan the whole activities for
the future growth of the company means it
prepare the frame work and planned that how
activities has to be done in future (Moghaddam
and et. al., 2012).
Leader helps in execution of the plans which
are made by the manager through its group
members.
Manager organise the task and divide activities
and roles and delegate the authorities.
Leader has to perform all the task and duties
according to the instructions given by the
manager.
Leader of M&S Ltd have different roles in company like to manage, directing and
motivating the group of person and to perform in a team for the achievement of organisational
goal. For example, if employees are not confident about their work which they are doing, in that
case, leader can motivates them that they are very much capable. They are skilled also and leader
of M&S Ltd should remind to their staff that earlier they perform very well so that company
achieve its goal. Another example of role of a leader as follows- If members of a group is not
taking initiate towards a work then leader should take initiate and complete the task so that other
members of his group can influenced and motivated to take initiate.
Manager of M&S Ltd has many functions in the company like planning, organising,
directing, controlling and managing for the achievement of organisational goal. For example, if
expenses of purchase department is increasing then manager should identify the issues in
purchase department and identify those sources from where expenses are increasing and profit is
decreasing. Manager will analyse the purchasing cost of raw material and wastes in the
department and according to that they will find solutions to minimise the expenses of purchase
department. Another example of functions of manager as follows- If organisational goal of M&S
Ltd is to increase its sales in next 3 months then manager will set the priorities of work and
according to that he will set steps and standards to achieve organisational goal. These steps
include increment in production and advertising and company can give attractive offers to
maximise its sales. In different situations leader and manager has different roles like-
 If groups members are wasting time in gossips then manager of company will gives the
instructions to the leader and leader will take care of this next time. Leader will tell to its
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group members that its hamper the productivity and performance also. So manager will
give the instructions to the leader and leader will follow them. Leader is responsible for
the performance of its group members.
 If employees does not have raw material for production than they will inform to their
group leader and leader will inform to the manager. Manager will arrange the the raw
material for production. So there is link between leader and manger and communications
plays a very important role in it.
Manager and leader can make great impact on the organisation by following their roles
and duties for the organisational growth. For the future improvement, leader and manager should
give first priority to the organisational goal rather than individual goal and always try on learn
new and unique things and should know how to implement them. Always focus on minimise the
errors in work so that productivity can be increased and from it M&S Ltd will able to achieve its
organisational goal (Gholmieh and et. al., 2012.)
P3. Theories and approaches of leadership:
Leadership has different theories and approaches and M&S Ltd is also following these
theories and approaches for the organisation growth and sustainability. Leadership has following
approaches such as follows:
Quality or traits approach:
This approach is inherent in nature which is comes in a person by his birth. This approach
focus on that leaders are not made, they born. Leaders of M&S Ltd has possess this
approach.
Functional or Group approach:
This approach focusses on function and responsibility of leader and it also describe that
how a act of leader can influence its group members. Leaders of M&S Ltd is following this
functional or group approach in their organisation. This is can be strength where leader have
good influencing power and it can be weakness where leader does not possess influencing
power.
Behavioural approach:
It focusses on the behaviour of leader which means how group of people can influence
from the behaviour of a leader. Leaders of M&S Ltd is able to influence their group of people by
their act or behaviour because they have positive behaviour in their work.
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Leadership has following theories which are as follows:
Contingency theory:
It says that there are certain situations where people perform better. For example if a
contingency arises that company have to produce 1000 units in two days which is beyond the
normal capacity of company. If company achieve this target then it shows the capability of its
employees. Managers and leaders of M&S Ltd is able to meet these types of contingencies so
this theory is the strength of M&S Ltd.
System theory:
It is multidisciplinary study of abstract organisation of phenomena,independent of their
substance and type of organisational scale. It also include models which are followed by the
organisation. M&S Ltd follows transparent system theory. It means transparency in the
management system and also between the leaders and manager. This theory can be weakness
when company does not follow its core systems of working but for M&S Ltd is the strength.
Situational theory:
This theory describes that a particular leadership style should not be followed in the
organisation. Things depends on situations and according to these situations decisions should be
taken. This theory focusses on adaptability of changes. M&S Ltd is doing business in retail
sector and it adapt the changes according to the situation. Changes can be in taste, habit and
fashion and it take decisions according to the situation. This theory can be strength only when
company have efficient manager and leaders who can take the decisions on the basis of
situations. Situations can be favourable or unfavourable for the company but decisions should be
effective. For the M&S Ltd situation theory is the strength.
Managers and leaders can impact on the organisation by managing and committed
towards their work for the achievement of organisational goal because they control the things in
the organisation. For the future improvement managers and leaders can do following things such
as- identify and remove internal roadblocks, use training and development strategy and focusing
their business strategy.
TASK 2
P 4. Key approaches to operations and management followed by leaders and managers
Operations management consists of planning, organising and controlling processes. It
means management of all operational activities and required improvements need to be done for
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the achievement of organisational goal. There are following key approaches of operation
management such as follows:-
Business process re-engineering:
It refers to the recreation of core business process for improvement on the basis of
maximum output, quality or price reduction. Leaders and manages of M&S Ltd has played a
very important role in this because they help in the implementation of whole process. This
process is not an easy task because all process of operations has need to be change like
production process, inventory management process, quality management process etc. M&S Ltd
is focusses on restructuring so it is strength for the company.
Lean manufacturing:
It mainly focusses on the reducing wastage in manufacturing process and maximize the
production capacity in manufacturing. This approach is based on the Toyota Production System.
Toyota use this approach and increase its production with reduction in wastage in the
manufacturing process. This approach focusses on the continuous improvement in the
manufacturing system. Leaders and managers of M&S Ltd follow this approach in their
company. They focusses on the maximum production and minimum wastage by continuous
improvement in the quality and the production system. This approach has been followed in home
products, clothes and food department of M&S Ltd so it is the strength for the company.
Six sigma approach:
This approach has mainly focused on the quality control by reducing the errors or defects
in the manufacturing process. Six sigma approach helps in quality improvement. Now this
approach is almost followed by all companies because everyone wants to minimise the errors in
the production. Leaders and manager of M&S Ltd efficiently focusses on the minimisation of the
errors with quality improvement because they continuously monitor the work of clothes
department, home products department and food department. This approach is the strength for
the company.
Project production management approach:
This approach is also applied in the operation management. This approach mainly
focusses on project as a production system. It includes project transforms inputs like raw
material, machinery, labour etc. and the outputs are goods and service. Leaders and managers of
M&S Ltd. has following this approach in their projects inputs so that output can be better.
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Projects input includes raw material and labour and output is final goods and services. Final
output of goods and services are good of M&S Ltd in the food, clothes and home products. So it
reflects that Leaders and managers of M&S Ltd are following their roles perfectly for the benefit
and success of the company. M&S Ltd doing its business efficiently because of their leaders and
managers so company is able to meet is business objectives. Business objective of M&S Ltd is to
earn profit by satisfying its customers.
P5: Importance and values of operation management in achieving business objectives:
Operation management:
It is a process of controlling, measuring, directing and organising organisational activities
that are manufacturing, operations and other. There are several elements of operation
management such as planning, controlling, organisation, staffing etc. It is very important for an
organisation as it can guide managers while performing their duties. In Marks and Spencer it is
done by the managers and leaders to run organisational activities in effective manner. It provide
guidance to the employees to fulfil all the responsibilities effectively. Following are the
importance and values of operation management:-
Increase effectiveness:
Operation management help to increase effectiveness of various activities of organisation
by guiding managers and leaders to complete their work on time. It also help to increase
effectiveness of employees as it can provide various information to the leaders and managers
that can help them to motivate employees and increase their work quality. Main use of operation
management in marks and Spencer is that it results in increasing effectiveness of employees and
organisational performance (Bodin and et. al., 2012).
Help to motivate employees:
While managers and leaders are dealing with various problems within their work place
than operation management help to resolve the same. The major problem that is faced by the
managers and leaders of Marks and Spencer is decreased employee morale and it help them to
enhance the same and increase employee morale by motivating them by providing them benefits
in form of monetary or non monetary resources.
Helps to maintain performance:
As marks and Spencer is a large organisation hence it is important for the company to
maintain performance and operation management help for the same as it can guide to provide
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best training to the employees of the organisation and also help managers to bring out best from
their employ
Enhance employee involvement or engagement:
Operation management helps in enhance employee involvement because it includes
various activities like planning, organising, directing and controlling. These all activities are
done with the help of employees and all employees has its specific roles and duties according to
their task. All employees are engaged in their respective role. All employees of M&S Ltd are
involved in their activities of their respective departments. Departments of M&S Ltd includes
clothes department, food department and home products departments. All employees of M&S
Ltd has engaged efficiently so that company is performe well and able to meet its business
objectives.
Help in achieving organisational goal:
It helps in achieving goals of the company by doing all activities like planning, organising,
directing and controlling in effective manner. M&S Ltd is able to achieve its organisational goal
by followings these activities. Organisational goal of M&S Ltd is to maximise its profits by
customer satisfaction. So operation management is very important and valuable for the
sustainable growth of the company.
Managers and leaders can help in improving operational efficiencies by doing their roles
and duties in effective manner. Roles and duties can be like- planning, directing and controlling.
If they perform their roles and responsibilities effectively then business will able to achieve its
objectives.
P6: Impact of business environment factors on leaders and managers:
It is combination of internal and external factors which impact the operations of a
company. Internal factors included – business policies and objectives, organisational structure
etc. where as external factors included – political, economical,social,technological,environmental
and legal factors. These factors can hamper the performance of the business.
Internal factors are such as follows- business policies, objectives and structure company.
These are important factor to decide the operational performance of company. Internal factors of
M&S Ltd does not give much adverse impact to the company. Business policies of M&S Ltd are
matching with the objectives of the company. Company has objective to earn more profits with
customer retention and customer satisfaction and company makes policies which are related to
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the customer satisfaction and retention by providing quality products. Leaders and manager of
M&S Ltd helps the company to meet its objectives and policies because they perform their duties
very well (Internal Environment of a Business, 2018). External factors also impact on the
operations of the company and external factors are such as follows:-
Political factors:
M&S Ltd has operating in UK and UK has political stability. It shows that changes in
political parties does not give much impact on business policies of the company. If political party
will change then what will the impact on the company and how they will meet that situation.
Economic factor:
M&S Ltd has doing its business in UK and it a developed country and Nominal GDP is
good in UK. In 2017, prices has increased but M&S Ltd was prepare so it does not give much
impact and managers aware about that already. They also know what changes are need to done if
prices goes high.
Social Factor:
It is also important factor. M&S Ltd is providing quality goods and services to its
customers and it following all social norms which are needed to be followed by a company.
Managers and leaders are giving its focus to society means they want to deliver best good and
services to the society.
Technological factor:
Everyone needs advanced technology because advance technology helps in increasing
production and minimise the cost. M&S Ltd is using advance and new technology for increase its
productivity and cost reduction and quality improvement. Managers and leaders of M&S Ltd
also try that how they can bring new technology for the better quality and cost reduction.
Environmental factor:
Environmental factors like: culture,demographic and regulatory factors. This factors can
impact on operations of business. M&S Ltd analyse all factors which are related to the
environment. Factors included income, taste and population of persons of a particular area.
Managers and leaders of M&S Ltd make plans on the basis of these factors so in future company
does not face any issue related to it (Higgins and et. al., 2015).
Legal factor:
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Legal factor does not impact on the business of M&S Ltd because it is doing all legal
business like- clothes,food and home products. Managers and leaders does not want to do any
illegal act which can hamper the performance the company.
M&S Ltd is considering the environmental factors which is good but in future it should
be more careful because future is unpredictable and no one knows what will happen in the future.
Company should pre planned that if any environmental factor will change then what will they do
in that situation and how they will do. All strategies should be pre planned.
CONCLUSION
From the above project report, it has been concluded that marks and Spencer is a large
organisation who deals in retailing sector in Unites Kingdom. It has a business of clothes, food
and home products. Managers and leader of M&S Ltd has followed efficiently its roles and
duties for the organisation growth. Management of M&S Ltd has followed certain theories which
are needed for the sustainability of the company. Managers and leaders are able to take better
decisions for the achievement of organisational goal.
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