Leadership and Operations Management Analysis: Aston Martin Case Study

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within Aston Martin, a luxury automobile company. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their distinct responsibilities in vision setting, decision-making, resource allocation, and monitoring. The report then examines how these roles apply in various situations, such as new product launches and crisis management, demonstrating the practical application of leadership and management principles. Furthermore, it explores different leadership theories and models, including autocratic and democratic leadership styles, to provide a theoretical framework for understanding leadership effectiveness. The analysis extends to operations management, explaining key approaches and the importance of this function in achieving business objectives. Finally, the report discusses the impact of the business environment on operational management and decision-making within Aston Martin, providing a holistic view of leadership's influence on the company's success. The report uses Aston Martin as a case study to analyze leadership, management, and operations.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare various roles & characteristics of a leader as well as manager in Aston
Martin company......................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 The examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different
situations.................................................................................................................................6
P3 The different theories and models of leadership theories.................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play.........................................................................................................................9
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives..............................................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6 Business environment impact on operational management and decision making on Aston
Martin...................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is referred as an area that involve controlling, development and
designing of business operations with in the process of production. Along with this, it involve
redesigning of activities which is related to the development of product and services (Choi,
Cheng and Zhao, 2016). For the present study, Aston Martin is chosen as a base company. It is
an automobile company that offers quality and luxury vehicles at marketplace. It was founded in
year 1914 and headquartered in England, UK. The report will cover about the role of leader and
manager in different situations in context to organisation. Along with this, approaches of
operation management and the importance of operation management in enhancing profitability
of company is elaborated. In the last, there is a discussion about the factors influence on
operation management and decision making by leaders in a proper manner.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare various roles & characteristics of a leader as well as manager in Aston
Martin company.
Role of leader:
The various roles of leader are mentioned below:
Vision setting: One of the important role of leader in an organisation is providing clear
set of vision to its employee so that goals and objectives of the organisation can be achieved
effectively and efficiently. Leader provides a clear picture of objectives to be achieved by the
employees.
Decision making: Another role of a leader is decision making, as leadership is all about
taking corrective actions or decisions as per the condition. Leaders should have the ability
understand the situation and should communicate effectively to its employees.
Role of manager:
The various role of manager is highlighted below:
Allocation of resources: the major role of manager is proper allocation of resources as
per the requirement, it is the role of manager is to effectively utilising the resources available in

the company and allocate them in the optimum manner to0 its employee, so that they can work
effectively.
Monitoring: another role of manager is clear fully monitoring the activities of the
employees in an organisation so that their overall performance can be improved, it is role of the
manager to effectively measure the performance of the manger as per the standards set by the
company.
Characteristics of a leader:
Effective Communication: A leader must have an effective communication and
interaction skills so that employees can understand the instructions given by them. Through
effective communication, leader can easily connect with their employees and make them
motivated to work effectively in order to achieve the organizational objectives.
Self-control: Leader should have the ability to determine what is good and what is bad.
Self-control helps the person to be motivated and determined to its visions and goals.
Characteristics of a manager:
Time management: Time management is considered as the main characteristic of a
manager and it refers to the managing of all the activities and operation in a given stipulated
time.
Delegation: Managers appoints the roles and responsibilities to their employees
according to their skills and knowledge. This helps in carrying out all the activities and functions
of an organization in an effective and proper manner.
Background of the organisation- Aston Martin is the one of the largest automobile
organisation in luxury cars which was founded in 1913 in UK. They are having customers in 9
countries and giving them good products and services (Kumar, Mookerjee and Shubham, 2018).
Difference between managers and leaders
Basis Managers Leaders
Focusing on the goals of the
organisation
The organisation is having
managers that will help them
in increasing the performance
according to the work given to
them by the top level
employees. Aston Martin is
The organisation is having the
vision and mission and the
leaders are helping the
employees in increasing the
performance (Qin, Nembhard
and Barnes II, 2015). Aston

having the employees who are
helping the managers in giving
the products.
Martin is the organisation who
is having leaders that help the
employees in different
departments to giving the
products. The leaders are
focusing on the goals and
helping the employees in
giving the work.
Delegation is the organisation The organisation is having
managers who are having the
work which can be delegated
to the employees. They are
helping them in increasing the
performance (Torlak, Demir
and Budur, 2019). Aston
Martin is the organisation
where the managers are giving
the work to the employees
according to the skill. They are
helping the employees in
giving the products.
The leaders are not delegating
the role to the employees.
They have the work which is
helping the employees in
increasing the skills. Aston
Martin is the organisation
which is having employees
that are giving the products to
the customers. The leaders are
helping the in increasing the
skills.
The vision of the organisation The organisation is having the
managers that are helping
them in performing the work
according to the visions and
helps them in giving the
products. Aston Martin is the
organisation which is focusing
on the skills of the managers to
increase the performance.
The leaders are helping the
organisation in setting the
vision and they will help the
employees in increasing the
performance (Briffaut, 2015).
Aston Martin is the
organisation which is focusing
on the skills of the employees
and the leader is helping them

in working according to the
customers.
Similarities between leaders and managers
The difference between leaders and managers that will help them in increasing the
performance. The organisation is having the similarities in the role of the leaders and managers
and they will help them in increasing the skills of the employees. They are focusing on the
achieving success in the organisation.
Contingency theory- The organisation is having many theories and they are helping
them in increasing the performance. The contingency theory states that there is no theory that can
be used specifically in the organisation but they can be used according to the problems of the
company. The managers in the organisation is analysing the performance of the employees and
the factors that are impacting the business and they will communicate it to the leaders. They will
have the leadership style in the organisation that will help them in solving the issues. The
leadership styles in the organisation helps in increasing the performance (Chang and et.al.,
2019). The organisation is having the leadership styles that are
Transactional leadership- The organisation is having the transactional leadership where
they are focusing on the various factors that will help them in performance. The leader in the
organisation will influence the behaviour of the employees and they will provide benefits to them
in work according to the managers and the transactional leadership is focusing on the
performance of the employees. Aston Martin is the organisation is that focusing on analysing the
performance of the employees.
TASK 2
P2 The examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different
situations
The organisation is having employees that are having different skills that will help the in
increasing performance (Manikas and et.al., 2020). The organisation is having the situation
which are helping in working with the leaders and the managers to give the products.
New product launch- The organisation is focusing on giving the products according to
the customers. They are having the increase in performance of the e vehicles and they are

attracting customers. The organisation is having the increased use of the e vehicles and there are
many factors that are affecting the performance. Company is introducing new luxury sports car
which provides various other facilities to customers who will but them. This new sports car will
enhance rich people and provides benefits to the people. Aston Martin is having the market
research which is aspect on the factor that will help the organisation in their services and the
products.
 Role of a leader- The leader in the organisation is provide benefits to the employees in
giving the products. The role of the leader is to influence the behaviour of the employees
that will help them in increasing the execution. Aston Martin is the organisation that is
helping them in analysing the performance and they are having the worker who are
increasing the skills. At the time of new product launch, leader of a team is to enhance its
employees and team members. In the context of Aston martin is the leader motivated its
employees and team members. This will provides them effective knowledge and skills.
 Function of the Manager- The function of the manager is to make the plan that will help
them in seliing the products. Aston Martin is having the employees who are having the
market research and they will work according to the organisation. The managers will help
the organisation is diving the work according to the skills of the employees. Manager of a
company are responsible for maintaining teams and team members.
Crisis management- The organisation is having the external factors that will impact the
performance (Ferro, Ordóñez and Anholon, 2017). The employees of the organisation should
have the skills that will help them in managing the crisis and giving the solution. The factors that
will impact the performance of the organisation should be analysed that will help them in
delivering the products. Aston Martin is the organisation that is focusing on the skills of the
employees that will help them in formulate more ability in the performance. There is a crisis of
increase in company employee turnover. Role and function of leaders and manger are discussed
below:
 Role of a leader- The organisation is having the leaders that will help them in improving
performance. The role of the leader is to solve the issues of the organisation and they will
help them in delivering of services and products. Aston Martin is the organisation which
is focusing on the role of the leader and they are helping the organisation in solving the

issues. Leaders role is to motivate employees and provides them direction. They should
do performance appraisal programmes so that employees efficiency are find out.
 Function of the manager- The function of the manager in the organisation is analysing the
factors that will help them in increasing the performance. The employees of the
organisation are having different skills that will help them in giving the products. Aston
Martin is the organisation that is focusing on the skills of the managers to increase the
performance. Function of manager of a company is to provides proper training and
development sessions to the employees.
P3 The different theories and models of leadership theories
The organisation is having many employees and the role will be according to the skills.
The employees have the methods that will help them in increasing the performance.
 Autocratic leadership- The organisation is having autocratic leadership that will help
them in giving the products. The leadership of the organisation take as that are important.
The organisation which is having the autocratic leadership do not involve employees in
the decision making and they will have to work according to the company.
 Democratic leadership- The democratic leadership is having the employees who are
helping in decision making. The organisation is focusing on increasing the skills of the
employees. The democratic is the leadership styles that is helping the organisation in
improving performance (Grabner, 2019). Aston Martin is the organisation that is having
customers in different hierarchy and departments which help them in increasing
performance. The most important factor for the success of the organisation is the
employees that are helping in giving the products.
 Situational leadership- The organisation is having the situations that should focus on the
skills of the employees. The employees will have the leaders and managers that will help
them in working according to the customers. Aston Martin is having the external factors
that impact the performance of the organisation should be analysed and help the leaders
in working with the employees.
 System theory: System leadership is the set of skills and capabilities that are used by an
individual and organisation which can use to analyse, enable and support the process of
system- level change. This also consist of collaborative leadership.

 Contingency theory: Contingency leadership is the theory that is supposed to said that
leader effectiveness is contingent. In this theory, a leaders can be effective leader in one
circumstances ad ineffective leader in other circumstances.
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play
 Inventory management- Aston Martin is helping the employees in giving the products
that are according to the customers. The managers are having the employees who will
work according to the instructions given by them and they will help the selected firm in
enhancing the performance. The leaders are the people who are influencing the behaviour
of others.
 The process management - The organisation is having managers to work according to the
skills of the employees. They will help in evaluating and provide tool to improve the
performance of the employees in the organisation. Aston Martin is the organisation who
is focusing on the skills of the managers to help the employees. The leaders of the
organisation should have the contact with the employees. They will help the organisation
in solving the issues. Aston Martin is the organisation which is having the leaders who
are helping them in contacting with the employees.
 Total quality management- Aston Martin will help the employees in giving the products
according to the quality of the selected enterprise. The employees should have the proper
knowledge and skills that will help them in giving the products.
 Just in time- The organisation is focusing on reducing the costs and they should focus on
the factors that will help them in improving the performance. Aston Martin will help the
organisation in increasing the skills of the employees that will help them in giving the
products according to the customers.
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
The operations management is the process in which the organisation has to focus on the
factors that will help in improving the performance. Aston Martin is the selected firm which is
having the options that will help the employees to enhance their knowledge and skill.

 Maintain quality- The organisation must be deliver the quality to the customers. The
products of Aston Martin are premium and they are focusing on the customers who will
purchase when they are of good quality. The most important factor for the organisation is
that they should have the employees who are having proper knowledge and skills that
will help them in enhance performance. The employees of the organisation should give
the products that will help the organisation to give the products.
 Reducing the costs of the organisation- The selected firm must focus on various factor
which help them to minimise the overhead and extra cost. The organisation is having the
employees that are having skills and they will work according to the customers. Aston
Martin is the organisation that is focusing on analysing the performance of the
employees. They will have the factors that will help them in reducing the costs.
 Improving the performance- The most important factor for the organisation is that they
are helping the employees in improving the performance (Fleury and et.al., 2015). Aston
Martin is having the employees in increasing the skills that will help the in giving the
products. The employees should focus on the factors that will help them in increasing
performance. The organisation should help the employees in giving the products.
Leaders and managers are the one who are there able to improve their efficiencies by
using their role and power in such a manner that they can motivate their employee in that can
lead to high performance and leads to high productivity. Through this, they can improve the
efficiencies of operation management effective way in order to meet business objectives.
TASK 4
P6 Business environment impact on operational management and decision making on Aston
Martin
Operational management examine different types of variable in the organisation. Aston
Martin is a public limited company which manufacture luxury cars and automotive goods.
Corporate social responsibility, business ethics, stakeholders and other factors affect this
organisation on large base, so the purpose of this they analysis internal as well as external
business environment factors.
Corporate social responsibility

Through CSR activity company boost their sale and enhance operational management.
The focus is majorly on providing sustainable luxury business. This organisation follows social
ethical and environment principle in their supply chain. As entity is leading in auto-mobile
industry on large scale, they generating employment opportunities to the societies. For
maintaining sustainable development company uses environment -friendly resources. Industry
committed to corporate social responsibility considering environment, end of life cycle and
policy of recycling. Environment sustainable is major element of this company and they take
environment obligation very strictly. They enhance environment policy for committing
responsible business and operations. It promotes sustainable design of the product considering
life cycle. They practice effective waste management policy to improve operational
management,
Business ethics
Organisation is responsible for doing business in transparent, ethical manner. Their
business ethics are committed towards good corporate governance. They transform their program
in three parts- business stabilization, core strengthening and product portfolio expansion. They
intent to provide successful and sustainable luxury product. It brings together ethical and
responsible supply chain with comply of law. It also practice responsible business practice
operation with the application of the principle. They obligate their employee to observe principle
structure with relevant all the laws in each segments. These ethics policy covers each concepts of
organisation's operation where they directly or indirectly involve production and operations of
the business (Qi and et.al., 2017). It communicates internally and externally with their employee
costumer and suppliers to increase efficiency in productivity. They monitor and set objectives to
maintain control over environmental aspect related to product, process and services.
From above there are some of the factors which are there able to get the better business in
the market and able to impact the business environment when these of the factors are managed in
the better and effective way then this can help them to get better and improved business in the
market with wider community.
Conclusion
From the above statement it is concluded that Aston Martin is luxury car manufacture
company. Its operational management team analysis various factors for the continuous growth of
the company. Through CSR activity they boost their sale and mainly focus on sustainable luxury

business provider. They are strictly practice corporate social responsibility with sustainable
environment. Implementation of these activities are helping them to maintain their brand name in
the market. It also practices business ethics in very transparent and ethical manner. It established
long term strategy for product development that increase efficiency in operation management.
The communication system is very well organised which integrate flow of information at various
department. They create long term value and assure that their business function in transparent
and accountable way. Industry practice battery recycling practice that is again an environment
friendly practice. This company Successfully maintain their sustainable economic growth. They
focus on encouraging their employee to develop quality of products. Key component of this
company is environment sustainability. The suppliers communicate effectively to improve their
chain of supply.