Leadership Theories and Management Practices at HP Foods

This report analyzes the leadership and management practices at HP Foods Limited, a company producing HP and Lea & Perrins sauces, and a subsidiary of H.J. Heinz. The report begins by comparing the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers, highlighting their significance in operational activities and goal attainment. It then examines how leadership styles and managerial functions are employed in various conditions, including the application of situational leadership, system leadership, and contingency approaches. Furthermore, the report differentiates between leaders and managers, exploring their respective roles and responsibilities within the organization. It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of different leadership approaches in a working environment. Finally, the report provides a critical analysis and evaluation of different leadership theories, such as task-oriented, relationship-oriented, and system leadership, assessing their effectiveness in the context of HP Foods. The report emphasizes the importance of effective visualization, understanding, and problem-solving in functional administration, contributing to the overall success of the company.

Management and operations
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INTRODUCTION
In the business entity, individual person or expert who provide the advice for the
development and by that they possess the special talent in their employees, potential as well as
capabilities which are required to attain the success in the market. Along with this they are
collectively regarded by the business entity and they are called as leaders who manage the work.
These are related to the operational activities as well as functionalities which are to be performed
by the experts. Further, the leaders having the ability of obtaining the goals which is known as
leadership quality. The mechanism as well as techniques can be used by the business entity for
the smooth and the flawless running of the business activities which can be complicated and
complex (Barratt, Choi and Li, 2011). The leaders of the company having the ability which helps
the employee in attaining the goals by doing the teamwork. The present study is based on HP
foods Limited which is formerly based in Birmingham and the company is the producer of HP,
Lea and Perrins sauce brands. The parent company of HP foods Limited is H.J Heinz company.
It was also having a licensee of Chinese food and condiment brand as well as Amoy food. In the
below mentioned report, discussion based on the different approach as well as theories of
leadership along with the strength and weaknesses of the various approaches for the different
situation which are occurred within the working environment.
TASK 1
a) Comparison of varied roles and responsibilities of leader and manager
Role as well as characteristics of the leader in addition with the manager differs from one
another but the entire operations which are being conducted by them are critical. In comparing
actual roles played by leaders and manager within HP foods, it is being assessed that both plays
crucial role in performing the responsibilities which is assigned to them. Leader's role is
considered most important as person is required to handle team of greater number of people at
place of work. Moreover, in order to solve the issues witnessed in the internal business, measures
have been taken. Further, consideration has been given to several kinds of risks so that internal
operations of the firm can be conducted in an effective manner (Ravi, 2008). In contrast to this,
manager's role is significant in which they are involved into practices which is related with
development that results in welfare of the business. In situation, if the policies are not devised in
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an effective manner then such acts as a hurdle in accomplishment of major goals as well as
objectives of the firm. Absence of recruitment of suitable leader and manager can increase
difficult for HP food to lay emphasis over its desired targets and objectives. Leaders are holding
responsibility towards developing suitable strategies for managing the workforce as well as with
this requirement of the personnel they are delighted to a greater extent. Thus it assists in bringing
favorable outcomes for the organization in the best possible way (Shetach, 2009). This helps in
retention of staff as well. In order to lead individual, certain tool of motivation are being used
like reward system in addition to introducing certain kind of other benefits based on the
performance. Without managing the internal activities of employees, firm cannot be conducted
with effectiveness. Thus with this it can be presented the leader's role is effective in comparison
with manger of HP food.
b) Way through which role of leader and function of manager is employed in varied conditions
Leadership aims at accomplishments of the work through considering aspect that is
related with team. Therefore in accordance with such, it is important for leader to adopt suitable
style which can help in leading the individual so as to make them ready towards performance in
accordance with direction determined. The leadership style has to be proper which implies that in
case of any situation, it can entail motivation in employees and encourage them. Further, it has
been determined that leader has to follow leadership style that is situational so that management
in every condition can be done in an effective manner. Such needs to be managed through the
leader (Söderlund, 2012). Suitable leadership style act as an aid for people in developing
effective bond with the person as well as such act as an aid in enhancing their performance and
productivity to a significant level.
Moreover, manager's function is in relation with laying emphasis on organizational
targets. Therefore HR food manager possess accountability towards creation of healthy work
environment in the premises so that the set aim and objectives can be attained in an effective
manner. At the same point of time, manager needs to focus on appropriate assignment of the
duties and authorities. This is done in order to deliver quality services to the customers in
accordance with their requirement. This is another perspective through which the business
operations can be managed in an effective manner. Thus as per the discussion, it has been clear
that both leader and manager have the accountability towards adopting several management style
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as per the situation (Olsen and Sætre, 2007). For instance, for the sake of managing the dispute
among the leader and subordinates, manager needs to make sure that attention is paid towards
issues of both parties. Further, with mutual consent solution can be determined. This is crucial
for safeguarding the business from varied problems that are associated with work.
c) Applying of leadership model and theories
One of the leadership model is Situational leadership that focuses over flexibility and
simplicity. In accordance with such leadership style, adjustments can be made as per the
condition. Employment of situational leadership can be done in HP foods by analyzing the
development level of employees. Following this, the leader and manager of HP foods need to
adjust with the behavior. For example, in situation the employees to a significant level possess
greater competency and commitment then leader needs to adopt delegating behavior (Pansiri and
Temtime, 2008). This is because of the reason that personnel who possess competency and are
committed have willingness towards working on the project in situation when less assistance as
well as monitoring is done.
System leadership assist in examining interaction as well as association among the varied
system elements. There are greater number of functional system within HP foods at different
levels that includes lower, senior as well as middle. Implementation of system leadership can be
made sure through collaborating with the executives around the several system related with
function. Moreover through enabling presence of intelligence in collective manner in the
business such approach can be implemented within HP foods. This would require execution of
appropriate procedure in relation with communication in the business so that there is unbroken
flow at different levels.
The approach of contingency demonstrates that there is lack of appropriate way with
which management of business can be done. Rather than this, assumption are made by the
approach that suitability depends on the interaction between specific condition and behavior of
management (Foropon and McLachlin, 2013). Such can be applied with respect to HP food by
means of measuring Least Preferred Co-worker (LPC) score given by manager, leader and
situational variables. The LPC scale can be used in determining the person with whom one can
enjoy at minimum. The situational variable includes task structure, position power and leader-
member relationship.
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D) Analyzing as well as differentiating between leader and function of manager
Leader is considered as an individual who affects group of individual in relation to
attainment of target. Moreover manager is one who have been assigned with the responsibility
towards controlling department in the organization (Heizer and et.al., 2009). The firm such as HP
foods has to carry out operations on wide basis because of which it needs to appoint both leader
and manager. The major difference among the leader and manager's role has been enumerated as
under:
Leader Manager
The play role of managing people in HP foods.
Leader takes the risk and make efforts in
meeting the expectations of the people
attached with the firm.
Managers have the responsibility towards
directing and controlling the group of
individual with the aim to establish
coordination and harmonization of the group
in order to attain main aim.
Risk taker Averse risk
They adopt style such as consultative,
participative and transformational.
They make adoption of style that includes,
dictatorial, authoritative, autocratic etc
Thus table stated above presents, both manager and leader are significant for the firm in
carrying out the operations and management of the people in an effective manner.
E) Strength and weaknesses of varied approaches to situations within working environment
Situational leadership is considered renowned and mostly used style of leadership that
assist in leaders training of HP foods. This is regarded as approach that is practical,
comprehensive as well as can be employed in several conditions that exists within HP foods.
Through assistance of such style, leader can gain data in relation to various ways that can be
adopted in order ensure effectiveness in their roles.
In contrary to such situational leadership can lead to alterations within the behavior in the
employees. This can act as an aid in developing range of problems between the leader and
follower (Johnston, 2005). Modifications on frequent basis can lead to creation of confusion in
the individual and such can resist them in discussing the issue with leader. Thus it affects the
entire productivity and performance of personnel.
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F) Critical analysis and evaluation of different theories.
At HP foods the approach which is used includes task oriented that assist in attainment of
all task on time. For instance, this act as an aid in managing the services as per needs. The
emphasis of task oriented leader is in relation with attainment of task. However in certain case
for attainment of task leader takes hasty decision. Moreover it makes development of the
potential in the employees with respect to managing diverse services with effectiveness (Ravi,
2008). Leader of HP food is concerned about the relationship approach in which greater efforts
are made by leader in order build long term and appropriate relationship with employees. The
approach possess greater effectiveness in relation with retention and satisfaction of employees in
firm.
Situational leadership assist leader of HP food in using different style and such results in
enhancing the leader's skill. System leadership is beneficial for HP foods as it assist in focusing
on the various components of organizational system. However this style is bringing appropriate
collaboration among the individual of HP foods that assist them towards sharing of roles and
responsibilities with effectiveness (Söderlund, 2012). Thus it is clear that leadership system is
essential for increasing communication within HP foods.
TASK 2
A .The fundamental visualization to functioning management and powers or responsibility that
leaders and managers simulate
Various proceedings to operation administration are :-
effective visualization or approach: effectual visualization assists in analyzing and evaluating
the functional administration in HP Foods Limited. It concerns or allocate with clear and
straightforward elements which are apprehension, understanding, problem solving, training as
well as the contingencies (Brandon and Mullen, 2013). It helps in upgrading or ameliorate the
knowledge and productivity or effectiveness by applying the latest or modern inventions or
methods that assists increasing the rates or qualities of the refinement and modification of fresh
and new condition or situation
process or structural visualization: helpful in doing the compilation of the correlated
fragments which reacts simultaneously so that following company members can successfully
bring out their aims and expectations that are determined by upper organization related with HP
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Foods Limited that stable in the surroundings. System can be defined as a combination of
interaction or interdependent component or fragment of the entity and their assignments which is
interlinked to each other and to the surroundings.
Tasks and responsibility of leaders in structural administration- The leaders in HP Foods
Limited helps in integrating and reuniting the self goals by the organizational aims and
objectives. The originator or path finder assists in co-coordinating the job by enduring more
attempts for accomplishment the purpose so that they can achieve their findings or outcomes and
ambitions and or goals.
Role of managers in operation management- By operating the suitable apprehension and
ability or expertise , owner of HP Foods Limited manage all the business activities (Chin, 2010).
all the resources of the company are managed by the manager with the proper and suitable
financial management. They have been doing the Proper analysis of maintaining cost and
efficiency improvement.
B significance and utility of structural administration in bringing out trade goals
Process administration is intricate in transforming the unprocessed materials to
consummate units of outcomes. Department of operation management is important department
which is compared with the other functional divisions with the business entity (Schyns and
Schilling, 2011).
Importance of operation management – Operation management helps in obtaining the required
raw materials for carrying out the production procedure. Along with this they have to provide the
necessary details or the information on required raw material and units for the production which
are provided to the employees of HP Foods Limited after doing the analysis which is carried out
by the production department. The company members have to do the appropriate research and on
the basis of that they have to use the proper resources and by that they can done the
modifications in the production process (Cho and Dansereau, 2010). Department of the process
administration which provides the entire incisive on the units of output that will be produced.
Without the actual facts and statistics on the components of out put to be created and the
organization can not carry out the further activities.
usefulness of process administration – structural or process task is the huge or enormous value
of HP Foods Limited. The assignment of procuring the necessary input to the viable minimum
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cost which was experienced by the division. Minimum price of the enterprise which is merely
crucial for the business entity by adding up the value of cost leadership to the trade (Dekker,
Bloemhof and Mallidis, 2012). Operational functions has enables HP Foods Limited to attain the
differentiation as against the other rivals in the industry. Along with this they have maintained
positive brand image throughout the whole world which belongs to the cultural background on
the account of the cost efficient product provided at number of outlets in the whole world.
C Aspects of business surroundings which envisaged structural administration and decision-
formation by originators(leaders) and owners( managers)
There are two aspects which impact the trade environment and those decisions which are
astound by originator as well as managers of the company. Two factors are internal and
external. Internal factors are those factors which having the impact on the success of HP Foods
Limited and the approaches of the operations. It includes the different factors which are financial
variable and internal relations. Financial variables includes the financial resources which are
funding, opportunities for the investment and source of income. It is dependent on the
transactions which is done in the business and the financial system (Haider and Riaz, 2010). For
an instance, transfigure the interest rate of one consumers which affects the trade. Inside or
internal bonding's or relations is that which helps in maintaining the relations with the members
of the organizations like workers and team members so that they can not come up by any
difficulties.
External factors having an impact on each on business which is helpful in increasing of
handling different activities in business . Suppliers are included in these factors and they are the
person who provides the proper material to business and carried away the proper business
activities. They are providing the best and better quality of products that helps in increasing
sales in business.(Krajewski, Ritzman and Malhotra,2013). Competitors are the part of external
factor which helps in providing the qualitative product at the reasonable price which helps in
attaining ambition and goals so by this, they helps in expanding growth of the the contentious
market.
D How leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management
Management of operation is the field which is related to the multi-disciplinary and they
have to focus on the different aspects of HP Foods Limited. The employees as well as senior
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level managers have to focus on the different functions which helps the employees ion doing the
best and qualitative work. Leader and manager of the company have to do the more
improvements along with the developments which assist in reaping the goals and objectives
(Kuruppuarachchi and Perera, 2010). They have to do proper supply of merchandise and these
products are produced according to the needs and wants of the consumer. The staff members of
HP Foods Limited have to put more efforts so that they can make the co-ordination while doing
work which assist in improving the efficiency. Along with this the workers have to do work
effectively so that the manager and leader can not face any problem. Manager of HP Foods
Limited have to make the appropriate decisions for the betterment of the company along with the
proper strategy which helps in making the best products and on the basis of that they can reap the
success and leading position in the market. Manager of company helps in maintaining the quality
of the product and the manager play a essential and necessary role so that they can manage the
quality of the product and for that employees have to do proper planning and research (Lin and
McDonough III, 2011). It acts as a facilitator at the workplace as well as senior level managers
of HP Foods Limited having a duty so that they can help employees in implementing as well as
managing the total quality of product.
E Factors affecting business environment
Different key elements which having a impact on the business environment which creates
the problem in attaining the success as well as expanding the growth in the market. Political
factors is the main factor which affect the business entity and in this the government having the
full support at the time of globalization. It helps in maintaining the political stability in the
marketplace. Along with this regulatory bodies have to support HP Foods Limited for e-
commerce (Mayer, Kuenzi and Greenbaum, 2010). Economic factor constitute the economic
condition, policies as well as the system. This factor directly affects the economic condition.
Social factors affect the business entity and it helps in improving the diversity for service users.
Further, the employees of business entity are having consciousness of their health. Along with
this it provides the support and also increases the rights so that they can fulfill the demand of the
end users. Technological factor is the factor which affect the business environment. HP Foods
Limited have to use the new and innovative as well as advance technology which assist in
providing the quality products to their consumers which aid in generating maximum profit. Legal
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factors is that factor in which HP Foods Limited should be used appropriate and relevant policies
and laws so that the staff members can not face any problem and attain targets. The employees as
well as managers have to grasp opportunities which are generated in the market place and on the
basis of that they can attain the goals and objectives. Environmental factors is the factor which
affect the environment of HP Foods Limited as it helps in maintaining the sustainability of the
business (Morgeson, DeRue and Karam, 2010).
F Critical evaluation of operational management and factors impacting wider business
environment
Operation management is a area of the administrative bodies in which staff members of
the business entity should do appropriate designing as well as controlling in doing the proper
production. Along with this they have to redesigning the operations of the business which helps
in doing manufacturing of the merchandise (Müller and Turner, 2010). The staff members of HP
Foods Limited having a duty as well as responsibility that they have to do appropriate business
operations in the effective manner so that they can attain the goals and objectives. Company
members have to use the appropriate resources so that they can attain the maximum sales and
helps in attaining maximum profit. The manager of HP Foods Limited have to manage the
quality and where the improvements is necessary which will help in attaining the quality.
Company members have to manage all the work at the time high competition in domestic
market. The staff members have to choose appropriate location to do business activities so that
company members can do the lot of things and this will having so much impact on the political
risk, currency risk, brand fit. Political risk assist in maintaining as well as managing the stability
in the marketplace when the managers are facing high competition. The leader as well as
managers of HP Foods Limited have to do proper work with proper quality so that they can
reduce the cost which helps in attaining the success along with targets and goals those are
decided by the higher authorities of HP Foods Limited (Salahuddin, 2010). The leader along with
the manager of the business entity should use correct and relevant models as well as approaches
so that they can maintain the quality of products which improve the productivity and proficiency.
CONCLUSION
Operation management is important for the business entity which helps in running the
business smoothly and make the more productivity in the corporation. Managers and leaders play
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a important and essential role in the market and they affect the business. Operation management
is the important aspect of the successful business which helps in continuing the business in
future. Leaders of HP Foods Limited should use appropriate and relevant models of leadership
and on the basis of that they can attain success. Moreover, the staff members of HP Foods
Limited have to perform their business activities in a effective way so that they can make
effective decisions within the specified time frame.
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