Management and Operations: Leadership and Management Report on Tesco

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within Tesco, a prominent British retail company. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, illustrating these differences with examples from Tesco's operations. The report then explores how leadership and management functions apply in various situational contexts, such as product launches and conflict management. Furthermore, it applies different leadership theories and models, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency leadership, to Tesco's operational strategies. The report also examines key approaches to operations management, the role of leaders and managers in this process, and the importance of operations management in achieving business objectives. Finally, it assesses the factors within the business environment that impact operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers, providing a holistic view of leadership and management within a real-world business context. This report is contributed by a student to Desklib, a platform providing AI-based study tools.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.........3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.......................................................................................................5
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.........................................................................................................6
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...................................................................................................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and managers...................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Management process is a phenomena which is used for regulating and directing the firm
and all the members involved in it. The organisation is a cluster of number of people, operations,
activities and objectives around which it revolves and work for attaining the goals in the best
possible manner (Budd and Ison, 2020). The operations management process is a important and
necessary action which induces the productivity and profitability of the company and change the
functions into more potential one. The report is constructed on Tesco a British superstore which
is dealing in retail sector since 1919. The company was founded by Jack Cohen and
headquartered in England, United Kingdom. The assignment is inclusive of comparison between
the characteristics and roles of leaders and managers along with applying their functions in
separate situations for gaining better insight of the concept. Moreover, number of models and
theories of operations management are applied. At the end, value or importance of operations
management practices are examined. Along with it factors which affects the decision-making of
leaders and managers are evaluated too with reference to operational management and influence.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
Managers are the people responsible for all the administration and control of the whole
organisation and members involved in it. Basically managers are the experts who make plans and
strategies for the organisation and deals with overall performance and management of the
company. Manager perform different role and holds unique set of characteristics, these are
elaborated below in context of Tesco.
Roles of managers:
 Resource allocator- The managers are the part of top and middle layer in the
organisational structure. Their major role is to develop plans and strategies but with
utmost utilisation of resources present for effective performances and attaining goals in
time. The managers once plans are developed then make the present resource available
and fill in the gap for keeping the flow of demand and supply (de Sousa Jabbour and et.
al., 2019).
 Monitoring- The next importance role which a manager plays is of monitoring and
keeping track of activities which are being performed by the employees and other staff

members. This role is specifically performed for higher standards of performances and
placing the right person on the right job on the appropriate time.
Characteristics of manager:
 Time management- Managers time management skills are the part of their expertise or
skill sets. Managers make sure to keep all task on track and active for obtaining goals in
given time frame.
 Risk Avoider- Another characteristic of a manager is of risk avoidance, they do not
induce creativity or innovation. On the other hand adopts those ways of working which
are pre examined and used (Chang and et. al., 2019).
Leaders are the individuals who make the best use of the human resource by directing
them and guiding them in right direction by keeping them motivated and satisfied. The leaders
are the people who are being followed by others for their expertise and best practices.
Roles of leader:
 Decision maker- Leaders plays a role of a decision maker that is they adopt certain
technique and make their decisions on the basis of the situation which is prevailing in the
marketplace and in workplace.
 Setting Vision- Every leader has their teams in which member follow the guidance of
leaders. The leaders has the role of setting the vision for the team in accordance with the
ultimate goal for successfully implementing numerous practices and ideas.
Characteristics of leader:
 Risk seeker- Unlike managers, leaders induces creativity and innovation which
showcases their characteristic of being a risk seeker and using new ways of performing
tasks in more efficient manner (Filimonau and Delysia, 2019).
 Self management- The leaders has the responsibility to lead a whole team in which
number of people work under them. The leaders characteristics highlights their efficiency
of self control and management which them moves to effective management of the entire
team.
Difference between leaders and managers roles and characteristics:
Characteristics and Roles Leaders Managers
Risk Seeker/ Risk Avoider The leaders as shown are the
risk seeker as they work with
On the other hand, manager
are the on who look over old

innovative ideas and fresh
approaches for productivity.
method of working rather than
adopting new approaches.
Decision Maker/ Resource
Allocator
The decisions in the team are
made by the leader.
While manager have the
responsibility to manage the
resources and allocating them
on right time and in right
place.
TASK 2
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.
The leaders and managers of Tesco plays various roles in the company according to the
varied situations taking place and with their expertise and knowledge. The performances and
guidance of leaders and managers impacts the performances of staff and it influences the overall
outcomes of Tesco. Some of the examples are mentioned below in context of Tesco highlighting
the roles leaders will play and the functions of managers (Argoubi, Ammari and Masri, 2020).
SITUATION 1: PRODUCT LAUNCH
Tesco is planning to innovate and bring their own organic food grocery items for their
stores. This decision is made by the top level management by analysing and evaluating the
market and their increasing competition.
Role of leaders:
Here, the leaders of Tesco has the role to play and set the vision for the team members for
the team and make them enthusiastic for the change that is going to be implemented in the
organisation. On the same side the leaders will also works as informant and keep staff informed
about the ultimate goal and vision of company (Dai and Tayur, 2019).
Functions of managers:
The role managers will play is of developing strategies and allocating resources as well as
duties to all the respective team and experts according to their expertise and skill sets. The
managers will assign jobs related to the new product launch and make sure to place the right
person on the jobs for efficient results.
SITUATION 2: CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

This is a situation where people internally in the company do not agree with one another
and their view points. As well as conflicts can arise through external environment as well. Tesco
is dealing in a aggressive market and which makes the possibilities of conflicts high.
Role of leaders:
The role which leaders play in such conflicting situations is of negotiator, that is the
leader will make a balanced communication with the parties in conflict. As negotiators leaders
will understand the view points of all the parties and makes decisions to resolve the issues. Also,
employees are encouraged to make more healthy and motivating environment in the workplace
for better performances and productivity (Blossey, Eisenhardt and Hahn, 2019).
Functions of managers:
The function of manager in the situation to manage the conflicts is of monitoring and
controlling. The managers will collect the required and relevant data and monitor it properly for
identifying the base of the issue. Once the situation is properly studied and information is
gathered then the manager will take controlling measure and inform leaders to successfully
implement the controlling plans.
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.
Operations management is a wide scoped aspect of business involving the task related to
increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation and inducing the productivity as
well. Leadership play a vital role in effective implementation of different operational
management techniques and theories. There are number of theories which related with leadership
and effective operational management practices. These theories and models are applied on Tesco
in the section underneath.
SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORY
The situational leadership theory is a way of leading staff which is based on situations
and surrounded number of factors. The leadership style was established by Paul Heresy and
Kenneth Blanchard and known as Heresy-Blanchard leadership. According to situational
leadership it is stated that leaders adopt their leadership styles according to the competencies and
confidence level of employees. It is a flexible style of leadership designed for maximising the
potentials of workforce and inducing the power of the firm to attain the end objectives.

According to the model there are four styles of leadership which can be adopted by the leaders of
Tesco according to the situation and by flexible means. These styles are:
Illustration 1: Situational Leadership, 2019
(Source: Situational Leadership, 2019)
 Telling and Directing- The style refers to supporting and guiding employees while
performing tasks and closely supervising the teams. The leaders in Tesco can adopt this
style for new comers who have recently joined the firm and needs to have clear
understanding about their tasks and of what is expected out of them (Holmqvist Larsson
and Tapper, 2020).
 Selling and Coaching- The next style is of selling and coaching, where leader try to
develop a innovative pathway for people to work. The leaders who are wishing to induce
employee engagement in operations of Tesoc will adopt such style of leadership.
 Participating and Supportive- This style refers to less direction and higher decision
making power being allocated to employees as they are competent. The leaders of Tesco

can adopt this style of leadership when they are well aware about the competencies of
staff members.
 Delegating- Last but not the least is delegating where leaders allows members to work
according to themselves and leave all the authorities in their hands. Such leadership style
is rarely adopted by the leaders in Tesco as managerial hierarchy do not allow them to do
so.
SYSTEM LEADERSHIP THEORY
The system leadership theory refers to the action taken for managing the projects in a
systematic and organised manner that will influence the power and performance of the teams and
the company. In relation with Tesco, leaders adopting system leadership style in workplace
where they first analyse the external environment that is the market condition and guide the staff
accordingly (Alkhatib and Migdadi, 2019). The implementation of system leadership theory
enables the staff of Tesco to engage in their duties in the most effective manner and balance the
work which makes the flwo of demand and supply smooth and efficient. Moreover, with system
leadership the firm and team are easily adjusting to change as the system is automatically
updated which improves revenues and profitability rendering better market share to Tesco.
CONTINGENCY LEADERSHIP THEORY
The contingency leadership theory states and defines that the organisations approaches to
separate situations which are arising in the company are different and works in unique manner.
In simple words, contingency theory states that every situation is unique and leaders should
adopt their leadership styles accordingly in creative manner rather than adopting one or two
particular styles.

Illustration 2: Contingency Theory of Leadership by Fiedler, 2017
(Source: Contingency Theory of Leadership by Fiedler, 2017)
Fiedler's Contingency Model states that the leaders becomes efficient who make use of
skill sets of their employees and their characteristics and integrate them with the situation for
better outcomes. The leadership theory has three elements suggesting that the leaders of Tesco
should first analyse the situation or the task on which they need to work upon. Once the
situation is analysed then they should identify a particular leadership style that is suitable for the
present scenario and then integrate both with one another for gaining higher results and
completing all tasks in respective time period (Queiroz and et. al., 2020).
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play.
Companies growth and development depends upon number of factors and most
specifically the methods chosen by the management and leaders for running the operations
smoothly and efficiently. These operational management tools and methods effects the
development and growth of organisation which further results on productivity and efficiency as
well. Tesco is a huge brand and a worldwide operative firm, the senior management and leaders

board adopts number of practices for managing the operations such as Total Quality
Management (TQM), Just-In-Time and Kaizen. In implementation of these approaches is
under control of managers and leaders who play their specific roles. The approaches are as
follows:
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT
The Total Quality Management approach which is commonly known as TQM is focuses
over higher quality of goods being manufactured and offered to consumers. Total quality
management approach is adopted by Tesco for rendering best quality commodities to consumers
as well as services (Fumagalli and et. al., 2019). In context to Tesco the TQM approach is
implemented in which the managers plays the role at designing and development stage.
Managers indulges in activities like planning the processes of manufacturing and assign task to
leaders and their teams. Once leaders gets clarity then they inform their subordinates and develop
a vision for the team to follow and work accordingly. The TQM approach of management
enables Tesco to reduce wastage and make arrangements for higher productivity and profitability
for the firm.
JUST-IN-TIME
Just-In-Time approach of working is very commonly used and works as a new business
trend. According to Just-In-Time (JIT) phenomena companies are suggested to create balance
between their in-bounds and out-bounds. That is entity should only order raw materials when
they require them for fulfilling the order. The tool is used of raising efficiency, reducing waste
and costs as well as dead stocks numbers are reduced too. The managers in Tesco guides all the
staff about the efficiency of the tool and how activities should be carried out through this. On the
other hand leaders make use of their skills and innovative ideas for keeping staff motivated and
encourage them to work with JIT for effective use of resources and productive performances.
KAIZEN
Kaizen approach has the idea of regular improvement and change, therefore the method is
known to be change oriented. This tool is used for lowering down the production of defected
goods and waste by continuously changing the functions according to the environment.
Managers and leaders of Tesco plays a common role here of inducing use of Kaizen approach
and keeping staff motivated for adopting and changing according to change and development.
This approach raise productivity and promote innovation.

P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
Operations management is important and necessary for Tesco, like others it also has
number of functions and operations engaged in the firm. For growth of company some
operations management techniques are essential to be implemented. Key operations of Tesco are
as follows:
 Production- Tesco is a self dependent company offering its own food products in super
market with other companies goods. The production units of Tesco needs to be managed
properly for higher level of efficiency and reduced waste (Oloruntoba, Hossain and
Wagner, 2019).
 Marketing- The company needs to spread word amongst the people and in the society of
their respective offerings and services. The marketing function works for the same that is
to make promotional plans on behalf of company and market the goods.
 Sales- The sales function is performed for earning profits by higher revenues engaging in
selling activities and making sale of goods in supermarkets and in stores.
Importance of operations management for Tesco:
 Cost Reduction- The foremost benefit which will be enjoyed by Tesco of the operational
management techniques and methods such as JIT and TQM is of cost reduction. Tesco is
a cost leader offering goods in the lowest price for maintaining its competitive edge
company the operational management techniques are essential for development.
 Improved Product quality and Higher Productivity- Another benefit of the
operational management tool for Tesco is higher level of quality of products
manufactured and better productivity which is gained due to less cost and efficient
functioning.
TASK 4
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers.
Business environment is a combination of external and internal surroundings of company
in both form of factors are involved and affects the operations and decisions of organisation. The
leaders and manager of Tesco needs to align their decisions with the business surrounding for
successful implementation of plans and growth of company. Few internal and external factor

which impacts upon operations management of Tesco and over decision-making of leaders and
managers are as follows:
 Stakeholders- The stakeholders are those who have power and influence over the
functions and operations of Tesco (Reid and Sanders, 2019). Company's major
stakeholders are its customers for satisfying them manager and leaders adopt practices
like JIT and TQM along with making its operations cost effective for offering goods in
the least price possible and flourishing in the market.
 Culture and Values- The organisational culture refers to the values, behaviours, ethics,
regulations etc. according to which a company works. Leaders and managers of Tesco
also have to work and make decisions according to and in support of the culture of
company. This will enable them to develop synergy in the firm and develop healthy
environment in the organisation for people to work.
 Sustainability- Another factor which will affect Tesco and decisions of management and
leaders is sustainability. In market its is a new trend, people are attracted to sustainable
goods and those products which are developed with sustainable means and approaches.
Therefore, Tesco have to undertake the phenomena and which is fulfilled by manager and
leaders by adopting cost saving and waste reducing techniques such as JIT, Kaizen and
TQM. The managers and leaders will be approaching towards sustainable ways of
working while making use of TQM and other techniques (Meredith and Shafer, 2019).
CONCLUSION
The above report concludes or summarises the need for the employers and team leaders
to make their operations efficient for making people work with their full potentials and in higher
productive manner. Form the analysis and in depth understanding gained from the report it is
clear that operations of an organisation have to efficient enough to bring in the best outcomes
and attain all the prescribed objectives and goal. At the end, goal accomplishment and productive
performances signifies the success and growth of the organisation in the aggressively increasing
competitive market.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L. and et. al., 2019. Circular economy business models and operations
management. Journal of cleaner production. 235. pp.1525-1539.
Filimonau, V. and Delysia, A., 2019. Food waste management in hospitality operations: A
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Fumagalli, M. and et. al., 2019. Population ecology and the management of whale watching
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John Wiley & Sons.
Oloruntoba, R., Hossain, G. F. and Wagner, B., 2019. Theory in humanitarian operations
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Queiroz, M. M. and et. al., 2020. Blockchain adoption in operations and supply chain
management: empirical evidence from an emerging economy. International Journal of
Production Research, pp.1-17.
Reid, R. D. and Sanders, N. R., 2019. Operations management: an integrated approach. John
Wiley & Sons.