Analysis of Leadership, Management, and Operation in Food Industry

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within the context of 2 Sisters Food Group, a major UK food retailer. It begins by differentiating between the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their distinct approaches and focuses. The report then delves into various leadership theories and models, including situational, system, contingency, transactional, and transformational leadership, assessing their strengths and weaknesses. The report also examines the importance of operational management in achieving business objectives, identifying key factors that influence decision-making and evaluating strategies to improve operational efficiencies. Through a critical evaluation of these theories and approaches, the report offers valuable insights into effective leadership and management practices in the food industry, making it a useful resource for students seeking to understand these concepts.

Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
TASK 1......................................................................................................................................3
a. Defining roles and characteristics of leader as well as manager........................................3
b and d. Presenting the role of leader and manager in varied situations................................4
c. Assessing the theories and model of leadership.................................................................5
e. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.....................................6
f. Critical evaluation of the theories and approaches of leadership.......................................7
TASK 2......................................................................................................................................9
a. Explaining the key approaches of operation management and role of leader in this
context....................................................................................................................................9
b. Importance of operation management in the achievement of business objectives..........10
c. Stating the factors that have high level of impact on operation management and decision
making..................................................................................................................................11
d. Evaluating the ways through which leader and manager can improve the efficiencies of
operation management.........................................................................................................12
e. Analyzing the extent to which different factors impact business environment...............12
f. Critically evaluating the applications of operation management......................................12
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is highly concerned with making proper administration of
production process which in turn may result into greater efficiency. Hence, planning,
organizing, supervising and controlling are the key components that assist in managing
production as well as other operations more effectually. In the recent times, customers prefer
to purchase food products or services from the retailer who maintains high quality. Hence, in
this regard, aspects of operations management are highly significant that helps company in
meeting the goals and objectives. The present report is based on 2 Sisters Food Group which
is one of the leading food retailers of UK and enjoying high turnover. Such group provided
employment to 23000 people and having annual sales of £3.12 billion. In this, report will
describe the extent to which role of managers and leaders are differing from each other.
Besides this, it will also develop understanding about the theories which support individual in
becoming a good leader. Further, it also depict the approaches of operation management that
aid in the growth and success of an organization.
TASK 1
a. Defining roles and characteristics of leader as well as manager
There is significant differences take place in the attributes of leader and managers of
2 Sisters Group Ltd are enumerated below:
Basis of difference Leader Manager
Meaning Leaders imply for the one
who having ability to
influence the decision
making of others. Hence, by
motivating personnel leaders
can contribute towards the
achievement of goals
(Ferguson and et.al., 2016).
In the business organization,
managers play a vital role in
planning, organizing,
coordinating and controlling
the activities.
Point of reference Leaders are people oriented
and lay emphasis on their
satisfaction as well as
Unlike leaders, managers
make focus only on the
accomplishment of task.

motivational aspect.
Focus They focus on providing
guidance to the personnel
which simplify their work to
a great extent.
Effective management of the
work is prior focus point of
managers.
Results or outcomes Leaders are recognized with
achievements in relation to
high employee satisfaction
and motivation.
In comparison to leaders,
managers only get results
(Radnor and Bateman, 2016).
Approaches to resolve issues Leaders make focus on
assessing highly creative
solution of the problem by
using their charisma and
strong commitment.
In the business organization,
managers frame highly
competent strategies and
policies. Along with this,
manager of the firm creates
team by including people
having varied characteristics.
Risk characteristics Taking risk is the main
characteristics of leaders
which differentiate them
from others. Moreover, in the
strategic business
environment, business
entities can attain success
only when have ability to
take risk (Karlsson, 2016).
Comparatively, managers are
risk averse in nature. They
avoid to take more risk due
to having more concern in
relation to the profitability
aspect.
Styles followed for working In the context of 2 Sisters
Food Group, leaders follow
participative style of
leadership or working to
carry out the task in the best
possible way.
Usually, autocratic style is
followed by the managers.
Hence, they frame strategies
and rules which personnel
have to follow while
performing the business
activities and functions.

b and d. Presenting the role of leader and manager in varied situations
Leader plays a vital role in managing the business situations and activities more
effectively and efficiently. Along with this, functions or activities which are performed by
managers are highly significant. In the food sector, quality of the products is the main aspects
that closely influence the customer satisfaction and loyalty to the significant level (Bateman
and Radnor, 2017). In this regard, to meet the objective managers develop standard and
strategies which in turn helps in maintaining the level of quality to a great extent.
In this way, managers provide personnel with specific guidelines which they need to
follow while performing the activities. On the other side, leaders provide direction to the
team in which they can co-ordinate their activities and thereby raise efficiency level
(Aquilani and et.al., 2017). Along with this, leaders also provide direction to the personnel
through which they can entice the decision making of customers. For instance: Now
customers are highly conscious in nature regarding the price level.
c. Assessing the theories and model of leadership
Leadership theories and models which are undertaken by the leaders of 2 Sisters Group Ltd
is as follows:
 Situational leadership: It implies for the one when leaders adjust their leadership
style according to the specific situation. In accordance with such theory and model,
not individual style of leadership suits in every situation. Hence, theory of situational
leadership places emphasis on four competency level which is required to become
successful. According to diagnosing aspect leaders primarily make focus on
understanding the situation. Thereafter, leaders adjust their behavior and response by
keeping in mind the situation. Leaders also make interaction with others and
communicate the benefit of change (O’Neill, Sohal and Teng, 2016). In this way, such
theory helps leader in managing the movement or change in the best possible way.
For instance: Leader of 2 Sister Group Ltd follows situational leadership who believe
that to win varied conditions authority requires to employ different styles. Leaders of
food organization undertake participative style when planning to introduce new
technology. On the other side, leaders of the firm employ autocratic leadership when
take decision in relation to expansion. Moreover, team of higher management has
better idea about the extent to which specific market will prove to be profitable.

 System leadership: According to such leadership style leaders follow specific system
while performing the activities and functions. On the basis of this aspect, leader
guides personnel by considering the structure and culture of firm. Such style of
leadership is not highly effectual as compared to other models. Moreover, it is not
flexible which can easily be modified according to the situations.
 Contingency leadership: This theory of leadership assumes that behavior and
responses cannot be modified according to the situation. Contingency theory is
opposite to the situational model which clearly entails that leaders must have ability to
adapt the situation. Hence, by creating trust and high faith 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd
can fulfill it aims and objectives (Bolatan and et.al., 2016). In accordance with such
model by making proper allocation of tasks to the personnel of each department and
providing suitable guidance business unit can attain objectives.
 Transactional and transformational leadership style: Transactional leaders are the
one who promote compliance by making continuous monitoring of the followers
performance. Individuals who practice such style of leadership pay close attention to
the work performed by followers. To motivate personnel leaders give reward to the
employee who performs according to the set standards. On the other side, leader also
provides personnel with the punishment whose performance is not up to mark. Unlike
transactional leadership, transformational leaders work with the followers to assess
the areas in which they are facing difficulty. Hence, by assessing such aspect
managers crates a vision for change through the means of inspiration. Thus, it can be
stated that transformational leaders make their best efforts in relation to enhancing the
motivation, morale and job performance of employees. For this purpose, leaders
identify and employ innovative ways to perform activities more effectually.
e. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
Contingency leadership
Strengths Weaknesses
 Scope of contingency leadership is
highly wide which lay major focus on
undertaking best style of leadership
and trait approach.
 In this, leaders modify the team
according to the type of skilled
Contingent leaders can achieve success only
when they have effectual control on the
behavior of employees. Absence of such
control do not help leaders in achieving the
goals.

personnel which are required to
perform the job.
Situational leadership
Strengths Weaknesses
In accordance with such leadership style by
employing the suitable style according to
situation leader can contribute in the
achievement of organizational goals
(Advantages of Situational Leadership, 2017).
For taking suitable decisions, employees
must have ability to analyze the complexity
of situation and its impact. Hence, by
considering this, it can be stated that if leader
fails to analyze situation in an appropriate
manner then it highly impacts the growth of
firm.
Transactional leadership
Strengths Weaknesses
 In this, personnel have clear idea
about the expectation level of leader
and task which they need to perform.
 Further, reward system that is
followed by leaders help in enhancing
the performance of employees
significantly.
Transactional leaders do not place more
focus on uniqueness or creativity to raise the
potential of personnel. Moreover, reward and
punishment system is very common which is
undertaken by leaders for motivating the
personnel (Transactional Leadership
Advantages and Disadvantages, 2017).
Transformational leadership
Strengths Weaknesses
 Such theory or model of leadership
leads high level of employee
productivity and profitability.
 Further, leaders who fall under such
category have ability to perform
In this, motivational aspect of personnel is
highly influenced from the leader’s ability.
Moreover, if leader do have ability to
imprinting other then it may result into lack
of employee motivation and morale.

beyond the interest level.
f. Critical evaluation of the theories and approaches of leadership
Situational leadership is highly effectual which implies that managers have ability to
adapt suitable style in accordance with the need and expectation of followers. Hence, by
undertaking such leadership style 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd can build prominent relationship
with the followers. Along with this, it also enables leader to build high level of competence
and commitment among the personnel. This mode or theory of leadership is criticized on the
basis of the aspects of limited flexibility. Moreover, sometimes leader faces difficulty in
managing the balance between the task, culture and own style. Further, contingency style of
leadership is highly effective which enables leaders to make proper and competent planning
in relation to the human resources. Besides this, it emphasizes that company needs to provide
leader highly optimal situation which suits to their leadership style. However, on the critical
side it can be said that it is highly difficult for the personnel to analyze the situation where
managerial actions need to be taken. It is reactive in nature rather than proactive which also
limits the significance of such model.
Creation of suitable, long term and shared vision is the main traits or characteristics of
leadership. Hence, transformational leaders have ability to develop and communicate the
vision by assessing the current position or aspects. Hence, growth or improvement is one of
the main objectives of transformational leaders. Along with this, such leaders also have
ability to enhance passion and enthusiasm of personnel to a great extent. However, it is to be
critically evaluated that transformational leaders act as a role model (Disadvantages of
Transformational Leadership, 2017). Along with this, they are always ready to take risk with
the motive to come up with the unique ideas and products. Hence, such risk taking behavior
is not good for 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd at all time because it leads immoral and unethical
behavior.
Transactional leadership theory or model helps in attaining success in the short term.
Moreover, personnel usually feel that short term goals can easily be attained by them easily
as compared to long span. In this, employees know about what company expects from them.
Further, workforce is free to perform task independently without the supervision of higher
authority. In this way, it offers opportunity to the leaders to devote their valuable time in
developing highly competent framework. However, on the critical note, it can be said that

transactional leadership style is highly rigid. Moreover, in this, personnel are obliged to
perform in accordance with the guidance or instructions provided by the leaders or managers.
This in turn restricts their creativity or uniqueness to the significant level. Further,
transactional leaders undertake highly simplistic way to motivate the personnel.
TASK 2
a. Explaining the key approaches of operation management and role of leader in this context
Approaches of operation management include following which enables 2 Sisters Food Group
in meeting the objectives is:
 Total quality management: According to such tool personnel of the organization
makes effort in relation to improving the production, process, culture as well as
products and services (Pereira-Moliner and et.al., 2016). Hence, this tool of operation
management lays emphasis on long term success by evolving high level of
satisfaction among the customers. In this, leader of 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd involve
or encourage its personnel to take part in the continuous improvement process.
Moreover, leaders believe that high commitment level of personnel can be obtained
when they are empowered. Further, proper working environment is also the prior
aspect which is requiring to facilitate the aspects of continuous improvements.
Besides this, TQM technique helps in making fact based decisions. Hence, by
considering the results of past processes manager of 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd would
become able to make significant improvement in the operational aspects.
 Just in time: This technique of operation management assists company in reducing
the level of holding costing to a great extent. In accordance with such technique, food
manufacturing company places order for raw material only when it is needed
(Furterer, 2016). In this, manager plays a vital role in assessing the need of inventory
and place order for the same. Moreover, if manager fails to perform such
responsibility in an appropriate manner then it may result into delay in the business
operations and functions. Hence, 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd employ JIT strategy to
increase efficiency and decrease the waste level. Hence, for getting benefit from such
method managers must have ability in relation to making proper forecast the accurate
demand level.

 Six-sigma: By using six sigma techniques 2 Sisters Food Group can enhance the
quality of output significantly. On the basis of such system manufacturing company
continuously makes effort in relation to assessing and removing the defects according
to the causes identified. Hence, firm can attain success by manufacturing and offering
products to the customers according to their requirements. Thus, by measuring and
evaluating the current process with set standards deviations can be assessed (Kalra
and Kopargaonkar, 2016). Thereafter, manager makes in-depth investigation to assess
the reasons due to which deviations are occurred. Further, to make control on quality
aspect manager regularly conducts evaluation of current performance of with
standards.
 Kaizen technology: This technology is highly effectual which eliminates the need for
inspection to a great extent. Kaizen technology helps business organization in
reducing the cost level (Zhang and et.al., 2016). It enables firm to create high value of
money for the client and leads process improvement or excellence.
Hence, by taking into consideration all the above mentioned aspects it can be stated that
such technologies assist in improving the efficiency, quality and responsiveness. Further,
leaders and managers play a significant role in employing and executing the approaches of
operation management in the right direction.
b. Importance of operation management in the achievement of business objectives
Operation management is highly significant for the growth and success of business
unit. Moreover, it is highly concerned with designing, controlling and redesigning the
production process. Functions of operation management are highly in line with the aims and
objectives of business unit (Arumugam, Antony and Linderman, 2016). 2 Sisters Food Group
Ltd is the leading food manufacturing company of UK. Hence, for building and maintaining
competitive position business unit is required to ensure effectual management of operations
by designing efficient process. On the basis of this aspect it is the accountability of manager
to timely acquire the raw material. Moreover, smooth functioning of the operations is highly
influenced from the availability of raw material.
Further, for performing manufacturing activities manager also needs to assure that
workforce is highly skilled and trained. Along with this, proper maintenance of equipments
and machineries are also highly required to perform activities in a prominent way. Hence, by

focusing on all such key aspects of operations 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd can get success.
Moreover, highly trained staff has ability to perform activities more effectively. This in turn
helps in reducing the level of wastage and thereby assists in maintaining the cost level.
Moreover, now customers take purchasing decision after making comparison of each and
every aspect such as ingredients, price and quality. Hence, by offering high quality food at
suitable or affordable prices business unit can enhance customer base and thereby
profitability aspect. Further, any breakdown in the equipments may result into delay in
manufacturing activities. This in turn directly influences the satisfaction and thereby loyalty
of customers (Bertsimas, Kallus and Hussain, 2016). Moreover, customers switch to other
retailer if product is not available at the time of demand. Thus, by considering such aspects it
can be stated that by managing the operations 2 Sisters Food group can achieve its
predetermined goals and objectives.
c. Stating the factors that have high level of impact on operation management and decision
making
From investigation, it has been assessed that there are several factors that have high
level of influence on effective operation management. It includes both micro and macro
factors which are highly associated with the growth and success of firm. Micro elements
include labor efficiency, organizational structure and culture. Moreover, quick decisions and
operations are highly influenced from the kind of structure exists within the firm. For
instance: In the hierarchical structure operational personnel have to work according to the
direction provided by senior managers (Morrice and et.al., 2016). They do have freedom to
take decision without the permission of higher authority. Along with this, culture is another
major element that closely impacts the performance at operational level. Moreover, when
there is a culture to involve personnel in the decision making aspect then it may result into
high level of motivation among the personnel. Moreover, personnel perform at operational
level have better idea about the improvements which are required in the specific area.
Further, efficiency and skills of personnel also have great impact on operational
performance and aspects. In the context of 2 Sisters Food Group Ltd, labors are the one who
plays a vital role in manufacturing food items or products. Hence, if personnel are not in
position to perform activities in an effectual way then it may result into high wastage and cost
(O’Neill, Sohal and Teng, 2016). Thus, skilled workforce is the prior requirement to attain
success in the competitive business environment. Along with the micro factors, macro
elements also closely influence the operational level performance. Technology, innovation,

customers, economic conditions as well as government rules and regulations are the main
macro factor that has impact on the performance of firm. Moreover, now companies which
are operated in UK are obliged to follow specific food standards and rules. Hence, failure in
relation to compliance with such aspect may result into loss of brand image and loyalty
(Bolatan and et.al., 2016).
Along with this, now customers prefer to purchase product from the retailer who
perform its activities in a eco friendly manner. Moreover, high environmental pollution
ultimately places bad impact on the health aspect of individual. Thus, operational level
personnel are obliged to follow such standards and rules (Pereira-Moliner and et.al., 2016).
Further, economic conditions such as inflation and deflation also have major impact on the
performance at operational level. During inflation, 2 Sisters Food group Ltd will find
difficulty in getting raw material at low cost. This in turn places direct impact on the cost
level of firm.
In addition to this, high labor cost also may result into lower profit margin. In this
way, economic conditions have high level of impact on the operational management and
performance. Further, now high level of technological advancement takes place which in turn
closely influence the operations of firm. Several technologies are available that enables
manufacturer to manufacture food at low cost by avoiding wastage. Hence, 2 Sister Food
Group Ltd needs to make focus on employing high tech equipments and machinery (Furterer,
2016). By raising the efficiency level firm can manufacture product in the best possible way.
Further, business unit also need to place emphasis on innovative aspect.
d. Evaluating the ways through which leader and manager can improve the efficiencies of
operation management
In the business organization, leaders and managers have responsibility to take
strategic action which aid in the success of firm. Hence, at operational level, leaders provide
guidance to personnel about the manner in which they need to manufacture food (Kalra and
Kopargaonkar, 2016). On the other side, manager plays a crucial role in framing policies
which in turn reduces the cost level and lead high quality. This aspect shows that both leaders
and managers make their vital contribution in relation to achieving the business goals.
e. Analyzing the extent to which different factors impact business environment
Both micro and macro factors which are analyzed above has great impact on business
environment and its profitability aspect. Now, customers need, wants and expectation are