Leadership and Management in Business: A Unit 4 Report Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within the business context, utilizing Walmart as a practical case study. It begins by comparing the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, emphasizing their responsibilities in achieving organizational goals. The report then differentiates between the roles of leaders and the functions of managers, illustrating their application in various situations, such as conflict management and product launches. Furthermore, it delves into different leadership theories and models, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency leadership, assessing their practical implications. The report also explores key approaches to operations management, detailing the roles of leaders and managers in optimizing operational efficiency, and evaluates the impact of business environment factors on decision-making processes. Finally, the report concludes by synthesizing the key findings and emphasizing the significance of effective leadership and management in achieving business objectives.

Unit 4

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Provide comparison between different roles/ characteristics of leader's & manager ...............3
M1 Discuss & differentiate between role of leader & function of manager by applying range of
concepts...........................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2 ................................................................................................................................................4
P2 Critically discuss how role of leader & functions of manager are applied in different
situations. ........................................................................................................................................4
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency..............................................................................................................6
TASK 3.................................................................................................................................................7
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play...................................................................................................................................................7
M2 Assess & evaluate strength & weakness of different methods to situation...............................9
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to
successfully meet business objectives...........................................................................................10
P6 Factors of business environment which have impact on decision making of leaders and
manager:- .....................................................................................................................................12
M4 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community
.......................................................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................15
Books & Journal:...........................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
The business sector is wider and broader which is rising at rapid scale. It is important for
enterprise to have skilled staff which has ability to produce higher productivity (Amtu, 2019).
Walmart, a retail firm headquartered U.S. This enterprise deals in hypermarkets, grocery stores,
discount department stores in which they distribute daily consumable products as well as services
etc. It has many competitors such as The Kroger Company, Costco, Home Depot etc. Main aim of
this report is to understand the importance of leaders & managers in business. This report comprises
of difference between roles, characteristics of leader and manager, functions of manager & leader,
theories and approaches of leadership, approaches to operation management, importance of
operation management and factors impacting upon business environment.
TASK 1
P1 Provide comparison between different roles/ characteristics of leader's & manager
To achieve vision as well as mission, it is essential for organisation to make assure that
leaders & manager fulfil their roles and responsibilities in proper manner. In relevance of Walmart,
it is diversified firm who has aim of being global retailer. Leader is to be defined as individual who
has ability to change decisions of others. Moreover, it is too analysed that they are responsible for
managing all employees & their decisions in effective manner.
Manager is to defined as individual who has capability to meet the organisation long term
and short term objectives within a time period. Main task of a manager is to implement effective
strategies to increase productivity of firm (Baltaci, 2017).
In context of Walmart, HR of company make assure that appropriate roles & responsibilities
are clearly well defined so that decisions are being taken in appropriate manner.
Leaders Managers
 Leaders are to be defined as person who
has ability to change decisions of others
to get work done.
 Manager refers to person who are
responsible for managing & making
decisions effectively & implement
strategies to achieve objectives.
 Main aim of leader is to motivate
employee & develop positive
relationships with each other (Cameron,
2017).
 Main purpose of manager is to achieve
common desired goals within time period
through implementing of tactics.
 Their focus is on development of
positive relationship within workplace.
 Managers focus is on achieving of
management objectives.

Roles of leaders-
 Act as Motivator or mentor- It is important role of leader in which they act as a d
motivator within firm & provide appropriate guidance to team members. Also, they act as a
mentor and solve problems of every individual.
 Visionary- This is also crucial role of leader in which leader act as a visionary and develop
new ideas. They act as a visionary who has focus on producing something new. In relevance
of Walmart, they have innovative thinking leaders (Chatterjee, 2017).
Characteristics of managers-
 Effective communicator- A manager have a effective communication skills on basis of
which they are able to transfer information in appropriate manner. In relation of chosen firm,
manager of firm uses tools such as e-mails, text messages, social media platforms for
communication.
 Decision maker- It is another trait in which manager is liable for taking effective decisions
within firm. It is crucial to make decisions effectively so that goals are accomplished.
M1 Discuss & differentiate between role of leader & function of manager by applying range of
concepts
Role of leader and function of manager is important to be known so that it is easy to carry
out business activities. Walmart's leaders & managers are well aware about there roles & function.
For example- Leader role is to be visionary so that innovating services or products are delivered.
Whereas function of manager is to control all activity of leader to make ensure that positive results
are achieved (Ford, 2017).
TASK 2
P2 Critically discuss how role of leader & functions of manager are applied in different situations.
Functions of managers as well as leaders role are important to be known because they help
in accessing to new opportunities in effective way. In relation of selected entity, HR of company has
eye on every person and clearly well defines their roles & responsibilities. There are different type
of situations in which both these are being applied with proper considerations. So, Walmart faces
various situations & accordingly roles & functions are carried out which is further discussed below-
Situation 1- Conflict Management
It is type of a situation which occur when there are differences in opinion of others & it

leads to conflicts at workplace. Conflicts could be arise due to many reasons such as external or
internal factors, management. It is important to focus on this d conflict management so that
effective results is being achieved.
Role of leader-
Negotiator/ problem solver- In this situation, leader act as problem solver with aim of
solving differences between individual due to any cause. Leader's of Walmart make assure that they
solve problems in such a way that it does not arise in near future (Furtner, 2017).
Motivator- It is another role which is played leader in conflict management situation. This
is because they motivates individual to work with mutual cooperation & engage with each other.
Function of manager
 Monitoring & controlling- It is important function in which manager main work is to
monitor and control the things in proper manner on basis of which it is easy to resolve
differences between ideas (Koleoso, 2017). So, manager of chosen firm monitor & control
every activity appropriately.
Situation 2- Product/ service launch
This is too crucial situation which occur when firm is introducing new product or service in
market. In viewpoint of selected organisation, they due to this ongoing pandemic situation &
increase of competition the are planning to change their outlets & stores layouts. This decisions is
being undertaken by top level of management.
Role of leaders-
Visionary- In this second situation, role of leader is to produce new vision and encourage
employee to adapt changes in efficient manner. Through this, leaders of chosen corporation are able
to generate new strategies for new products/ services easily.
Functions of managers-
Implementation of effective strategies- It is also important function of manager in which
manager develop strategies & tactics on basis of which they carry out marketing activities properly.
By focusing on this function, it is easy to develop new products & services in market (Martins,
2018).
Therefore, from above discussed matter it is examined that it is essential to be well aware of
these functions and roles so that it is easy to achieve objectives in most effective manner. In
reference of selected organisation, managers/ leaders are active regarding their responsibilities.

P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency
In business, flexible situations arises and it is crucial for leaders to make decisions
effectively. Walmart's leaders main aim is to achieve competitive advantage & manage relationship
between people & management. There are several types of leadership theories & approaches which
are being focused by leaders & are mentioned as follows-
Situational leadership theory-
According to this theory, it states that choosing of right decisions at right place and at right
time (Park, 2020). With help of this theory, it is easy for leaders to understand the situations so that
appropriate leadership style is being used. In relevance of Walmart, leaders of company they uses
Hersey- Blanchard leadership. It stated that leaders can use style relying on their capabilities or
knowledge.
Situational leadership style
 Telling & directing- It is a stage in which leaders main aim is to provide effective guidance
and directions to employee's. In context of Walmart's leaders, they can use this style & apply
to those people who are in new in management (Sonpar, 2018).
 Selling & coaching- Further, in this it depicts about introducing of new things & ideas
within management. So, chosen firm leader's motivates employees to adapt changes which
is done by using effective style .
 Participative & supportive- In this style, it reflects supporting of employee or team
members and participating in decision making effectively. The selected firm uses this style

when there is need for enhancing competency level.
 Delegating- It is another style in which it shows about delegating of tasks by leaders or by
superiors. It is less adopted by Walmart's leader because it impact upon their relationship
between team members and leaders.
System leadership theory:
In this leadership theory, it states that situation in which reflects about conditions in which
people work with collaboration as a system rather than single person & results in higher
productivity (Stošić-Mihajlović, 2020). In relevance of selected company, using this style helps in
achieving of goals within period of time. They uses this leadership style in situation when there is
need of scanning business environment in appropriate way. Main benefit of using this style that
unity is established between all departments.
Contingency leadership theory:
This is a leadership theory in which it depicts that style of leadership rely on situation. It is
necessary to focus on situation so that decisions making process is carried out. Also, effectiveness
of leader is contingent which means the capabilities of leader or manager remain same but
situations are flexible in nature. In relation of chosen entity, they can opt this style when they need
to make new changes within enterprise (Sulistyowatia, 2020).
From above stated matter, it is analysed that it is crucial to be aware about effectiveness of
leaders so that it is easy to make decisions according to changing situations in business.
Furthermore, focusing on these leadership theories results in achieving of competitive advantage
within work environment. It is examined that appropriate type of approaches & theories are to be
used on basis of which objectives are obtained.
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play
Operation management is to be defined as process which comprises of planning, organising
& supervising with contexts of manufacturing, production and services. Main aim of operation
management is that conversion input to output is being done in efficient way. Walmart's operation
management is well organised which assist them in carrying out conversion process effectively.
There are various approaches to operation management which are gives as follows-
Approaches Discussion

Just in Time
It is kind of approach in which main focus is on
completion of manufacturing process within
time period by reducing wastage (Wright, 2017).
In relation of chosen entity, they can use this
concept which assist them in accessing of
completing of work effectively. Further, through
this approach entity is able to achieve their
objectives. JIT assists in carrying out of every
activity of operation management by
consideration of time interval.
Role of Managers
 In this main role of managers is to
manage and maintain manufacturing
process.
Role of leaders
 Main role of leader is to make effective
communication between manufacturing
department.
Advantages
 Main benefit of this approach is that it
help in completion of work rapidly.
Disadvantages-
 Quality might get compromised up to
some level when reducing wastage.
TQM
It is another method in which it is also known as
total quality management. It refers to method in
which main aim is on providing of customer
satisfaction to customers delivering of high
quality of products & services. In context of
chosen company, they ensures that quality of
their products and uses resources at optimum
level (Amtu, 2019). It is an effective approach
which can be used properly.
Role of leaders

 The leaders make assure that employees
works in ethical manner.
Role of managers
 Role of managers is to get the work
done in within time period.
Advantages-
 Benefit of using this method is that it
help in increasing good relations
amongst people by providing them high
quality of products.
Disadvantages-
 Limitation of TQM is that high skilled
employee's & expertise people are
needed.
Lean production In this method, it depicts about achieving of
output by using of resources efficiently and in
best way. In chosen firm, managers & leaders,
make individual aware about what resources are
to be used what to be avoided (Baltaci, 2017).
Lean production method is useful as it helps in
enhancing the level of productivity & employee
motivation to achieve more effective results.
Advantages
 Advantage of approach is that it help in
reducing of waste within business which
is helpful for growth & development.
Disadvantages-
 Drawback of approach is that it requires
change within employee's with purpose
of achieving of efficient production
processes with higher quality.
Role of leader
 Role of leader is to make responsible
decisions within processes.

Role of managers
 Managers uses resources at optimum
level.
It has been examined that it is crucial to use these methods so that proper output is being
achieved. Moreover, it is examined that relevant knowledge is needed to use these methods of
operation management. In retailing sector, it is crucial to be aware about concept of operation
management so that effective output is achieved.
M2 Assess & evaluate strength & weakness of different methods to situation
There are different types of methods to situation which are explained below-
TQM-
It is a method which focuses on quality of products & services and delivering it to customers
(Cameron, 2017).
Strength
Main strength of this method is that it help in improving of quality of products.
Weakness
There is requirement of high skilled staff to increase quality in manufacturing process
which also increases cost of production.
Lean production
It is another method in which it ensures the quality by reducing waste.
Strength-
Advantage of this method is that it is useful for managing brand goodwill & carrying out
corporate social responsibility.
Weakness-
To ensure quality, rare resources are needed which is a cost expensive process.
Just in Time
It focuses on completion of work within time interval in effective manner (Chatterjee,
2017).
Strength

In this, its strength is that it help in completing of work within proper time period.
Weakness
To adopt it in proper manner, tools & techniques are needed by employees & change is to
adopted rapidly which can affect the work.
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to
successfully meet business objectives.
Leaders as well as managers can improve operation management by adopting of modern
management technique & through various ways such as gathering of detailed information regarding
operations, employees, etc. In relevance of chosen corporation, they both leaders/ managers
improve operational deficiency by improving customer experience, reviewing of process/
procedures etc. (Ford, 2017).
P5 Discuss importance and valuation of operation management
Operation management is considered as a process of planning, controlling and managing all
processes which are related to manufacturing and production. It is very essential process for an
organisation to control and manage goods, service and people in effective manner. Importance are
being discussed as follows-
Product quality:-
This is very important for an organisation to work in effective manner. This is first step to
check durability and dependability of a product. This is responsibility of chosen entity to maintain
quality of goods which is quite suitable for the customers on spot and after delivery also. Quality of
product is very important foe customer as well as organisation also because if customers are not
satisfied with quality of product they will switch product from another company. Walmart priorities
on the product quality management so it will be able to fulfil all needs of the customers because it is
important for the sustainability and profitability of organisation.
Productivity:-
Productivity is defined as the proportion of the manufacturing goods by the particular
organisation of market. It is basically a ratio of input and output. Operation management have
responsibilities to appoint suitable staff having key skills to perform task to maximise result of
production. This would be ensure by applying operation management in the all level of activities of
organisation. Firm adopts latest technology to innovate in product ans increase productivity of
organisation (Furtner, 2017). As the company deals in retails and providing goods and services to
the greater mass of people. There are various dealers of firm who are providing raw material to it
plays very vital role in enhancing its productivity because when material available on time then the

company can produce finished goods to serve customers.
Customer satisfaction:-
customer satisfaction is for the customers when they are extremely satisfied with the goods
and service they get. This is beneficial for the respective organisation because when customers are
satisfied they will show loyalty towards company and this will increase profitability of company.
Customer's satisfaction depends upon quality of goods and services. Company maintain quality
standards of goods (Koleoso, 2017).
Reduction of operating cost:-
By customer satisfaction, product quality and productivity operating cost can be reduced and
reduction in cost is the reason of increase in revenues of the organisation. Operation management
make it possible to reduce cost effectively. Firm has wide range of products so it can use cost
effective process to produce products. The company is using the best channel of distribution so
there are not so much distributes; it provides products directly to its retailers which saves cost. It
also creating its own distribution network and ensures that this network would work with out having
any problem. Walmart has a fabulous supply chain management which is helpful in distribution. It
uses better transportation medium to transport goods which saves cost of distribution. The higher
management team of company make all policies according to operation management. Various
changes in technology helps the organisation to reduce its cost in quite effective manner. Most of
researches are happened in the field of production which provides various alternative to produce
goods . Management can adopt the one which saves its cast and produce goods on time with having
pre determined quality.
P6 Factors of business environment which have impact on decision making of leaders and
manager:-
There are various factors which have impact on decision making process of leaders and
managers in an organisation. These factors influence activities and process of organisation very
closely they should be evaluate. These are following:
 Corporate social responsibilities:- Corporate social responsibility is a business modal
which id regulated by the company own and that helps company to understand
accountability towards itself, people and the public also. It is very broad concept that can be
in various types according to company and industry. Corporate social responsibility is
valuable for company as well as community also. It makes strong bond between the
organisation and employees and improve moral which is helpful to connect employees with
the world which is around them (Martins, 2018). Firm focus on supply chain to improve its
impact on economy and environment. The company tries to meet customers expectations
and reducing obstacles in supply chain. It also provides training to their workers to make