Leadership and Management Report: Metcalfe's Food Company Analysis

This report delves into the critical aspects of leadership and management, using Metcalfe's Food Company as a case study. It begins by differentiating between the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their respective focuses and visions within an organization. The report then explores the importance of operational management, its key approaches, and the factors that influence it, including how leaders and managers can improve efficiency. Furthermore, it examines various leadership theories, such as situational and contingency leadership, and analyzes how these theories apply to Metcalfe's, providing insights into management practices and their impact on organizational success. The report also includes an analysis of leadership theories such as scientific, administrative, bureaucratic, and human relations, demonstrating how these theories can be applied to enhance the performance of the company.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Difference between role and characteristic of a leader and manager....................................3
P2. Examine the role of leader and function of managers...........................................................4
P3. Theories and models of leadership approach.........................................................................5
M1. Analyses of role of leader and function of managers by applying theories.........................6
M2. Strength and weakness of different approaches...................................................................7
D1. Evaluation of different theories and approaches...................................................................8
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................9
P4. Key approaches to operation management and role of leaders and managers......................9
P5. Importance and value of operation management.................................................................11
P6. Factors that impact on operation management and decision making..................................11
M3. Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiency of operation management...13
M4. Analyses of different factors which affect business environment......................................13
D2. Evaluation of application of operation management..........................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................16
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INTRODUCTION
Operation management is an essential function of any business unit as it focuses on
converting variety of inputs into the valuable output. Objective of operation management is to
utilize available resources effectively and create products in a manner which can satisfy needs of
the customer (Bolton and Thompson, 2015). Managers are responsible for ensuring the quality of
production and to reduce complexity of the process. Management has to make modifications in
the strategies if any sudden changes related to material, labour take place in the firm. For the
present report Metcalfe's food company Ltd has been taken into account. It is privately owned
food enterprise which has global network. Assignment will discuss the role and characteristic of
a leader and a manager. Importance of operation management will be illustrated in this study.
Furthermore, it will discuss the models and theories of leadership.
TASK 1
P1. Difference between role and characteristic of a leader and manager
Leaders and managers both play an integral role in the organization. Managers are the
persons those who manage people and coordinate things so that the objective of entity can be
accomplished (Blum, 2015). On the other hand, leaders are the persons those who influence
others by encouraging them so that the individual can provide their best efforts. Leaders play a
strategic role in the Metcalfe’s food company whereas managers play tactical role in the
organization.
Manager of the cited firm pay attention on the process and procedures whereas, leaders
focuses on people. Another difference in role of manager and leader is that, leader deals with
probabilities whereas leaders deal with possibilities (Wu and et.al, 2017). Difference between
characteristic of both are as following:
Roles Leaders Managers
Characteristic In Metcalfe, leaders always
use innovative ideas to
perform the tasks.
Managers of the cited firm
need to follow set process and
system.
Focus Leaders pay attention on
leading people well.
As compare to leaders,
managers of Metcalfe focus on
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managing employees.
Vision Leaders have long-term
vision; they always work so
that long term objective can be
achieved.
Managers have short term
vision in the cited firm and
they work according to current
objectives of the firm.
Targets Leaders of Metcalfe set targets
in such manner so that future
objective of the organization
can be accomplished and the
firm can get profit (Dong and
Huang, 2013).
Managers of the firm take it as
a responsibility and they make
coordination between
employees so that culture of
the company can be developed.
Values Leaders give value to
achievement. Individual
inspire people so that they feel
motivated and perform better.
On the other hand, a manager
of the firm gives value to
results. Individual control them
so that people can follow rule
and regulations.
Role Leader of Metcalfe plays a
role of innovator.
Manager of the cited firm plays
a role of administrator.
P2. Examine the role of leader and function of managers
Leadership and management are two elements of the organization. They both work for
enhancing profitability and performance of the entities. Metcalfe is running its business into
food industry so for the firm it is important to ensure the quality of the foods so that guests can
be satisfied. Customers prefer to go in such place where quality of food is good and prices are
affordable. In the critical situation, employees feel discouraged and they think to leave the
organization. In this difficulty, role of leader is to encourage team members and develop positive
environment so that workers feel motivated and feel satisfied in the cited firm (McGivern and
et.al, 2015). In the crucial conditions, functions of mangers are to motivate team members.
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Managers of Metcalfe need to give rewards and recognition so that people feel happy and they
perform better in the organization. By this way, job turnover rate of the company will get down.
In the difficulty situation such as technological changes, leader of Metcalfe need to
involve all employees in the decision making process so that they can share their views to
resolve problems of the organization whereas in critical circumstance manager of the cited firm
will not involve all workers in the decision making process and individual will discuss the
problem with higher authorities and take the suitable decision (Hoffman and et.al, 2013).
Risk is another situation, as Metcalfe wants to expand its operation across the world thus;
it is planning to merge with big food organizations. In this situation, leader will take risk and
individual will take this as a challenge. On the other hand, in this condition, manager will firstly
resist this merger because it is highly risky and can spoil the brand name of the firm.
Planning, organizing, staffing, directing, controlling are the main functions of managers.
For instance, when employees perform their tasks then manager has to direct them and have to
set schedule so that activities can be completed within the stipulated time duration. Leaders play
a role of motivator and encourage its employees so that they feel energetic (Goodall and
Pogrebna, 2015). Individual gives innovative ideas which can help to complete the task with
perfection within the stipulated time period.
P3. Theories and models of leadership approach
Different organizations follow different leadership theories, it is completely depends
upon objective and aim of the company.
Situational leadership theory:
This style of leadership states that modern era is too competitive and challenging as to
survive in such complex environment, it is important to be flexible. According to this theory,
leader is required to be mature and emphasize on task and relationship behavior. For example,
when any new technology comes in the market then it helps to improve efficiency and quality of
the products. Further, it becomes necessary for the organization to adopt this technique in the
workplace to sustain in the market. In such condition, leader of Metcalfe has to behave maturely
and need to guide its workers well. Correct direction and effective communication can help to
make them understand the benefits of this technology (Brimhall, Lizano and Barak, 2014). By
this way, employees of cited firm will be able to accept the changes easily. Leader has to involve
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them into decision making process and by this way they will feel confident and will feel satisfied
with the organization. By adopting situational leadership style, Metcalfe will be able to enhance
its revenues and will be able to earn good profit.
As per the above diagram, it is essential for the organization to make sure that there is
proper support, delegation, direction and coaching so that performance of workers can be made
effectively and efficiently.
Contingency leadership theory:
This concept state that behavior of a leader completely depends upon the situation. It
defines that in several condition leader have to behave different. There are three main
contingency theories; Fiedler, the path- goal and situational leadership etc. According to the
Fiedler theory, effectiveness of leadership is completely dependent upon the motivation level of
leader and favorable situations (Newman and et.al, 2014). The Path-goal theory defines that it is
the responsibility of leader to structure of the company well and to create positive work
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Illustration 1: Situational leadership theory
Source: (Situational Leadership Model, 2017)

environment so that goal of the organization can be accomplished. For instance, whenever a new
candidate enters into the
Metcalfe then leader has to adopt Fiedler theory and by motivating the person individual will be
able to make the person comfortable thus, new applicant will be able to utilize skills well and
will perform better in the organization.
Systematic leadership model:
It is the model which is generally used by the organization when firms plan to modify its
products or plans to expand its business operations. As Metcalfe is operating its business in the
entire world so it is important for the cited firm to improve its food items time to time so that
people can feel refresh. By this way, Metcalfe will be able to enhance quality of its food products
which will help in increasing revenues of the company (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014).
M1. Analyses of role of leader and function of managers by applying theories
Managers and leaders both play important role in the organization and there is huge
difference between roles, responsibilities and characteristic of both persons. Situational
leadership theory is the great concept that supports the company to adopt changes and modify its
operations according to the requirement of external environment (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015).
Difference between leaders and managers.
Management theories: This is type of theory that addresses that way through which supervisors
and managers relate to their firm in terms of developing knowledge so as to achieve goals and
objectives (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014). Scientific theory: It is the management theory that focuses of workflow. Role of
managers is to identify the working process and prepare such environment which can
help in improving economic efficiency of the Metcalfe's food company. Manager has to
monitor performance of the company and have to give proper instructions so that
working efficiency can get improved (Antony and et.al, 2016). Administrative theory: It is the concept that focuses on finding rational way to design the
overall structure of the company. This theory of management concentrates on developing
hierarchical structure so that people follow the rules and regulation and behave formal in
the workplace (Henkin, 2016). Role of manager in Metcalfe's food company is to divide
work impressively, division of labour must be clear so that no confusions take place.
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 Bureaucratic theory- It is another management policy which has two main elements;
hierarchical structure and decision making. In this, managers have to communicate with
lower level employees and strategic level workers have to answer the top management
persons. Manager of Metcalfe's food company have of focus on objective and policies
and accordingly they have to make their decisions (Griep and et.al, 2016). Human relation- It is the concept which focuses on the desires of employees, managers
provide them facilities so that they can get developed. Managers play the role of
motivator, they encourage them and build relationship with them so that productivity of
Metcalfe's food company's employees can get increased (Different Theories On
Behaviour And Strategies Linking Them, 2017). This is the great concept which emphasis
on building relationship between employees of the organization. This hypothesis assist in
knowing needs of workers, so managers can work for fulfilling those wants. By this way,
strong bonding will be developed. Human relationship theory can be applied in the
workplace of Metcalfe (Henkin, 2016). X and Y theory- It is management theory which is generally used by managers for
motivating their workers (Griep and et.al, 2016). Theory x explains that employees of
Metcalfe's food company are not liking the workplace and they avoid their
responsibilities. In such situation managers have to play a role of motivator, individual
will have to find out rationale behind their dissatisfaction and accordingly they have to
motivate them. Theory Y explains that now workers are satisfied and they perform their
duties without any much guidance.
 Chaos theory: This concept states that changes can take place any time and these are
unpredictable attributes. To make modification in technologies is important for Metcalfe
as by using this theory manager of the cited firm will be able to enhance energy of its
workers so that they can accept changes and work in modified environment (Griep and
et.al, 2016).
Leadership theories: It is type of process that is helpful to influence individuals towards the
attainment of organizational goals and objectives (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014). Trait leadership model: This concept concentrates on the different personalities and
characteristic of individual. Leader has to behave different in different situations. Leader
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of Metcalfe's food company needs to have capabilities to lead a team well. Leader of
cited firm has to behave confident so that their workers can feel comfortable and keep
faith on their leader (Antony and et.al, 2016). It is the concept which focuses on habitual
behavior and emotions aspects. This concept cannot be applied in the place where
problems are needed to be solved by common traits.
 Behavior theory: Leaders have to behave different in different circumstances. So this
theory can be applied in the Metcalfe and, by this way leaders will be able to resolve
problems effectively (Situational Leadership Model, 2017).
 Contingency theory: It emphases on the personality and situation occur in the
organization. This leadership theory focuses on two aspects; task- motivated and
relationship- motivated. Both concepts support leader of Metcalfe in achieving the
common goal of the entity (9 Differences Between Managers and Leaders, 2017).
TASK M2. Strength and weakness of different approaches
-Autocratic:
Strength:
 It saves time of higher authorities, as top management can take their decision speedy. It focuses on rules and regulations thus, there is less chance of happening mistakes.
Weaknesses:
 This is a type of approach in which all the decisions are made by top management and
employees are not involved in decision making. This demotivates workers as they
develop a feeling of negligence (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014).
 Less focus on innovation.
-Burocratic:
Strength:
 It is a type of style in which, leaders follows all the rules and regulations that are
followed by the organization (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014).
 It is difficult for some employees to follow the changes but management give effective
guidance to workers so that they can perform their duties well.
 Metcalfe will get benefited as they will be able to make employees perform with their full
efficiency.
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Weaknesses
 Due to less flexibility, people feel demotivated thus, job turn over get increased in the
organization.
 Employees work in the rigid controlled workplace.
-Democratic:
Strength
 As per this leadership, all the decisions are made by workers and top managers.
 Cited firm will get benefited as they will be able to motivate and boost up their moral.
Weakness:
 However, it takes time for decision making (Hatch and Cunliffe, 2013).
 It is not easy to give priorities to all worker's point of view, thus some time confusion
and conflicts take place.
-Laissez-Faire:
Strength:
 In accordance with this style, all the members in the group are allowed to make decision.
This is a positive approach that make the worker to develop a feeling of importance. It provides flexibility to all workers of Metcalfe
Weaknesses
 Some time due to inappropriate environment, people do not get opportunities to grow.
D1. Evaluation of different theories and approaches
Situational leadership theory
Strength:
 Situational leadership theory is the great concept which focuses on tasks and human
behavior. It is the main strength of this theory. It helps in building relationship between employees and employer thus, confusions and
conflict may get reduced (Situational Leadership Model, 2017).
Weakness
 But this theory does not emphasize on demographic factors, as behavior of the individual
completely depends upon the person’s life, age etc. (Roueche and et.al, 2014).
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 This concept is unable to define that how people can implement this theory in practical
life.
 In addition to this, it focuses on human behavior for decision making process so in that
case it is difficult to analyze the situations regularly.
System leadership theory
 It is applied in the workplace when organization plans to make modification in its
products.
 It helps in increasing efficiency of the company.
Weaknesses:
 But, there is high probability of increasing conflicts in the workplace if cited firm applies
this leadership style in the workplace (Kalra and Kopargaonkar, 2016).
 In the systematic leadership style, leaders have to follow tall structure but because of that,
the communication and coordination become so weak that it creates misunderstanding in
the entity. It emphasizes on the particular thinking of leaders but in the changing
environment, leaders have to behave different as per the requirement of the external
environment (Antony and et.al, 2016).
Contingency theory Strength: It is another approach which gives optimistic results in some pre defined
situations
 Weakness: but in others it does not work properly. So it creates difficulty for the leader to
understand the particular circumstance. In the modern changing environment, it is
important to be flexible so that necessary modifications can be implemented in the
workplace. But this concept is completely inflexible so in the changing workplace it can
be applied (Antony, 2014).
Transactional Style: It is a type of leadership that focuses on organization, performance and
supervision. Further it promotes compliance and this is done by providing rewards and also
punishments (Cherrafi and et.al, 2016).
Advantages:
 Boost up the moral of workers Guide them to achieve their goals (What Is Transactional Leadership?, 2017).
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Disadvantages:
 Leaders blame their workers when they do not achieve the targets that are given to them.
Transformational Style: In this type of leadership, leaders will work with their subordinates in
order to identify needs and to inspire workers.
Advantages:
 Employees know the vision that has to be achieved by them Workers identify the challenges that are faced by them (Antony and et.al, 2016).
Disadvantages:
 Faces serious detailed challenges.
 It has the potential to abuse
TASK 2
P4.Key approaches to operation management and role of leaders and managers
Management Operations can be determined as an area of management that make sure that
there is proper control and design of process related to redesigning and production of business
operations for the production of services or goods.
Metcalfe needs to review the operations so that it can identify its lacking points and can
improve it soon. To increase quality of food and services as well as efficiency it is essential to
review the process. By this way, cited firm will be able to gain competitive advantage and will
be able to reduce its operational cost and thus the revenues of the organization will get enhanced.
For reviewing the process, key approaches of operation management are as follows:
Dynamic approach: To sustain in the global competitive world, it is important to
improve operations of the organization. But, currently Metcalfe is using traditional approach;
dynamic approach will be suitable for the cited firm (Antony and et.al, 2016). It focuses on the
four major elements; knowledge, contingencies, learning and resolution of problems. By looking
upon all these elements, Metcalfe will be able to improve its operations to a great extent.
Six sigma approach: It is the statistical approach which helps to identify the drawbacks
and aids to improve lacking points. Quality management approach is one of the main approaches
through which the firm can measure its quality and improve it time to time. It helps to reduce
wastage, increase customers satisfaction and profitability of the company. DMAIV and DMADV
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