Leadership, Management, and Operational Strategies at Amazon

This report analyzes leadership and management practices within Amazon, covering the distinct roles of leaders and managers. It explores various leadership styles, including situational, systems, and contingency approaches, and their application in different operational contexts. The report examines how leaders and managers navigate the business environment, including internal factors like employee satisfaction and external influences. It further discusses key approaches to operations management and the importance of operational strategies in achieving business objectives, with a focus on how these factors influence decision-making within the company. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the operational and leadership dynamics within a large e-commerce and cloud computing platform like Amazon.

MANAGEMENT
AND
OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION
Management & Operations is very important parts of an organization which is helping to
increase efficiency of a business. These are helping to collect resources from different places to
fulfil requirement of the company. In the presented report selected company Amazon, which is
the largest e – commerce market place and cloud computing platform in the world. The company
was established on 5 July 1994 by Jeff Bezos. In the presented report how manger and leader are
two separate entities is discussed in detail. Apart from there is applying role and function of a
leader and a manager according to different situation which is happening in company. In
addition, in contemporary business environment a leader and a manager maintain relationship to
handle internal and external factors.
TASK 1
P1 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leader – Leader is an individual who develops an inspiring vision for a company. They
motivate and guide subordinates to increase their productivity. In a company a leader with their
great leadership skills help people to reach their goals in remarkable way. A leader possesses
effective qualities with them which includes, honesty and integrity, good communicator,
creativity and innovation, accountability and decision-making capabilities. With help of these
leader guides their subordinates into an transformational direction in Amazon.
Manager – In an organisation manager is the most important personnel as he/she is
responsible for managing the day to operations of the enterprise. it ensures that the continuity in
the working environment is maintained by making all the required resources available on time.
Apart from this manager also ensures that required training is provided to those employees who
are new at work place and develop a long term asset for the company (Barratt, Choi and Li,
2011) .
Difference between Leader and manager
Basis Leader Manager
Nature A leader is innovative originated
and original in nature.
A manager of amazon is
administrative, imitative and copy by
nature.
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Focus on Focus on the group of the business. Focus on process and procedures of
the organisation.
Feature Related to long term perspective Related to short term perspectives
Image A leader of amazon is unique in
nature and always present their
actual image in front of
organisation.
A manager is command oriented in
nature and always present the
organization's image as their own
image.
Direction A leader direct to people regarding
to task.
A manager follow the leader
regarding the task.
Status quo Challenge the status quo of amazon Accept the status quo of amazon
Formulation A leader is formulating principles
and guidelines.
A manager is formulating policies
and procedures.
Power A leader have power to influence
the peoples.
A manager have power to prepare
rules for the employees.
Role of leader
 Help to manage time in business process
 To listen problems of every employee and encourage them for accomplish particular
goals and objectives of a company.
 The leader of Amazon provide support and guide to every group person as a outcome
they can perform very well.
Role of manager
 The manager of Amazon follow all management process like planning, organising and
controlling the roles for fulfil requirement of the company.
 The manager play important role in recruitment and selection process.
 Prepare effective strategies and policies for business process
From the above discussion it is identified that both manager and leader has their own
significance in Amazon. Though their roles in the firm are distinct but they cannot be
separated from one another. Together they ensure that the goals and objectives of the firm are
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achieved. leader by making the goals provide vision to the manager that in which direction
the employees need to work in. Also manager provide assistance to leader by providing the
daily feedbacks which further help leader to plan the future activities.
TASK 2
P2 The role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts
There are many examples relating to role of a leader and the function of a manager apply
in different situational contexts (Peng and Lai, 2012) . A leader and a manager perform their
roles and duties to provide benefits to Amazon and accomplish goals and objectives in desired
manner. Distinct style of leader together helps in achieving the desired objectives of Amazon.
As the business surroundings are dynamic in nature it is crucial for leaders to choose the best
appropriate leadership style so that the work force is managed in the most effective manner and
full capacity utilisation of resources is made. Employees resist to change and therefore it is
needed that the leader as per the situation opt for the strategy through which employs find it
beneficial for themselves too as this way it becomes easy to get work done through them. given
beneath are the various situations that take place in Amazon and accordingly the leadership style
is adopted.
Situation 1 – A manager in amazon appoint for the new task by top management and the
manager get the task which is done by the team member in particular time period.
Classical theory of management – This theory related to employee productivity as a
result to achieve organisational objectives. With the help of this theory increasing the efficient
and their outputs. Manager can apply this theory for intensify the job and skill for improvement
of skill and abilities regarding an organization. The manager can planning every activity for the
operation and provide incentives for motivate to employees for the improvement and increase
result of satisfaction.
Behavioural theory of leadership – In this theory leader involves the potential of the
market behaviour for the response of the organization perspectives. With the help of this theory a
leader can emphasis of employee behaviour as a core of effectiveness and enhances the
efficiency of the business.
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Situation 2 – The management can increase sales of an organisation and implement new
technology so how to handle all workers and provide training regarding to new technology.
Contingency theory of management – It is based on effectiveness of the contingent
operations that will be driving by management behaviours. The approach of the management can
show effectiveness of the leadership and it is connected to group effectiveness. There is mainly
consider two factors which is described of contingency theory – (a) Task motivation (b) Relation
motivation. According to this situation it is task for manager to implement new technology and
prepare to employees regarding to this. In task motivation a leader can motivate to all employee
for new technology and provide training on time to time after then through relation motivation
discuss with subordinates about it and solve their problems to achieve Amazon's goals and
objectives (Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012).
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency
Situational Leadership -
In this type of leadership theory, work on the assumption basis because effective style of
leadership changes from situation to situation. The theory mainly related to Paul Hersey and Ken
Blanchard's situational leadership theory. It is an adaptive leadership style which can encourages
to leaders regarding to different variables and fits according to their goals and objectives. In the
context of Amazon, leaders can implement this theory according to situation where it is suitable.
There is discussed about advantages and disadvantage of a theory -
Advantages
 This approach can create comfortable environment for their colleagues (Chevalier, and
et. Al, 2015) .
 With the help of this approach increase awareness between all leaders.
Disadvantages
 Not every situation can be resolved using this theory as sometimes management
does not have the required time to respond to the situation and has to bear the
loss.
 It can be short term solution to a problem as in the long run again the full task of
planning has to be repeated so that the particular issue can be solved forever.
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For example – This theory apply on different situation which are origin in the company
and it will help to take appropriate decision relating to different situations.
System leadership style:-
This is another leadership style in which the leaders have to go through a set system
which is set by the management to respond to a particular situation. Through this the overall
productivity of the commercial unit is raised as every employee give their full dedication to the
work and does maximum contribution to the profit of the firm. A condition is also created that
brings the work force to a higher level where to be productive becomes the behavior of work
force. This will help a business organisation in sustaining its productivity for a longer duration.
This style will help a business entity in bringing effective organisational change, which leads in
improving their overall growth. The advantages and disadvantages of this leadership style
described below as:
Advantages
 It is useful in case where there are alterations in the working keep on taking place.
 If this leadership style is adopted in an appropriate manner than the success of the
company is ensured to a great extent as through same both individual and group
expectations are met which further encourages the productivity.
 Disadvantages
 It can only be adopted by the enterprise which are operating at a huge scale.
 It involves complex process therefore require much time to reach at the
conclusions.
So, this leadership style will help the chosen organisation in resolving business related
issues and also in bringing effective change on organisational strategies and policies.
For example – It is will apply for highly productivity in the company and utilisation of
resources in effective way.
Contingency approach of leadership -
It is an entirely different leadership style which give emphasis on the concept that there
can never be a universal way of managing and running a business. This study says that only after
evaluating the internal and external working atmosphere of the business leader can opt for the
best way to lead the work force and can respond to the dynamic business situations.
The advantages and disadvantages of contingency leadership style discussed below as:
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Advantages
 It is best suitable for Amazon as it deals in the digital business where changes are not
certain and can take place at any point of time
 It is effective theory which can selecting by any organisation and it is not related a
particular situation.
Disadvantages:
 It is complex from practical point of view but easy as theoretical way (Slack and
Brandon-Jones, 2018).
 It is reactive does not proactive
For example – It will apply to create combination between leader of amazon and
activities of business to face critical situation in company.
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play (COVERED IN PPT )
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
(COVERED IN PPT)
TASK 6
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision making by leaders and managers
There are number of environmental factors that have impact on the business operation and could
also impact the decision making process of manager and leader. Some of the internal factors that
could impact the working of Amazon are listed below:
Employees: They are consider to be the most important part of company as it help in
proper managing and functioning of operation and activities. In case if worker are not satisfied
with the rules and polices of company they do not work with full potential that could be reason
for the reduction of Amazon Growth. Sometime employee are not happy with the functioning
and decision making process of leader that effect the overall performance of company.
Allocation of funds: Without having proper allocation of funds it not easy for a company
to survive for long in competitive world. There is a necessities that manager are able to take
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proper decision while distribution funds in Amazon so that entire process can be managed and
run in significant manner. Funds with proper use result better for company has it happen to
generate effective result from different activities operating within Amazon.
Some of the external factors that have impact on the business performance of Amazon are
discussed below:
Customer: In present business world almost every company works with the same motive
to satisfy customer. Therefore they use to implement different tactics to makes their customer
base strong and attract them to makes their wishes fulfil. Such as Amazon use to provide
different discount coupons, sales offer voucher etc. that is helping them to acquire large market
share and increasing customer base.
Competitors: In online industry there is huge competition that is needed to be consider
by the manager of Amazon as it can be main reason for the reduction of their global image. They
use to applies different concept of selling good via online that could benefit them in reaching
larger number of customer and gaining competitive advantage.
Economical - The economic factors are mainly influence of market and market
condition (Zeng and et. Al, 2013). When market condition can effect by this factor so results of
sales and profit also effected. The factor shows their impact on economic growth, interest rate
and inflation etc. In the scenario of Amazon, A manager and a leader can monitor all market
activities relating to market funds and prepare strategy and policies according to business for
long time growth.
Technological – Amazon is a technological company so these factors mainly influence to
their revenues. In present time technology very dynamic and randomly change so it will show
impact on company's strategy. Amazon can apply all types technology to fulfil requirement of
their customer. So they are implementing every new technology which will increase their profits
and sales. By analysing technological factors company can produce innovative features for
competitive advantages. It is external factor which shows direct impact on business activities.
Legal- The employment law is one of the key elements which is taken in consideration
under this factor. As Amazon operates its functions across the globe, the employees of different
countries in respective company has to follow different employment laws in order to assure the
benefit of employees and the company. Addition to this, there are certain health and safety
policies which are crucial to follow in order to avoid any further complicity. Thus, the managers
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of Amazon should follow these employment laws to assure that the employees get standard pay
rolls and other benefits. Similarly, it is the duty of leader to assure that safe and secure work
environment is provided to the employees which will help in managing these rules and
regulations more easily (Turner 2014).
It is concluded that these factors are affect to operation management to decision making by
leaders and a managers.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it has been concluded that a leader and a manager both are
important for company because they are playing role and responsibilities to accomplish
organisational goals and objectives. In different situation they are taking effective decision and
apply various theories to solving situation. Environment of the business affected by different
factors such as technological, Economical and legal. These factors can face by manager and
leader and set situation according to business objective.
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REFERENCES
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