Report on Management and Operations: A Case Study of Waitrose Limited

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of management and operations, using Waitrose Limited as a case study. It begins by defining and differentiating the roles of leaders and managers, exploring their characteristics and responsibilities. The report then examines how these roles are applied in various situations, referencing Henry Fayol's managerial functions and providing examples such as conflict resolution and timely service delivery. Furthermore, the report delves into the application of leadership theories like situational, system, and contingency theories, assessing their strengths and weaknesses within the context of Waitrose Limited. Finally, the report investigates operations management approaches, the importance of operations in achieving business objectives, and the impact of the business environment on operational decision-making by leaders and managers. The report offers valuable insights into the practical application of management and leadership principles within a real-world business setting.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Distinct roles as well as characteristics of leader along with manager............................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Examination of examples of the ways role of leader and manager functions are applied in
distinct situational contexts....................................................................................................3
P3. Application of theories along with approach models.......................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P4. Operations management approaches along with role that managers and leaders play.. . .8
P5. Importance and values that operations management have in achieving business objectives.
................................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6. Factors within environment of business which impact operational management as well as
decision making by leaders and managers...........................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Management is said to multipurpose organ which gets work accomplished by others in smart
manner (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). It comprises of activities related to setting organisational
strategies and coordinating efforts of key resources to accomplish goals in organised aspects.
Similarly, operation is characterised to precise term about the ways conceptual variable are
converted into measurable variables and selling it within market for earning revenues.
Management and operation are obligatory for business concern for executing daily activities
seamlessly and making best utilisation of resources that results in overall productivity
improvement of entity. To gain knowledge about management and operations, Waitrose Limited
is chosen that is retail sector based entity dealing in supermarkets. The report covers differences
among leaders and managers in consideration to roles with responsibilities, ways role of leader
addition to manager functions are applied in certain situations and application of approach
models. Further, it involves approaches to operations management, role of managers and leaders,
values and importance of operations management to achieve objectives and business
environment factors impacting operational management with leaders and managers’ decision
making.
TASK 1
P1. Distinct roles as well as characteristics of leader along with manager.
Definition of manager addition to leader
Leader: According to Drucker, 2019, Leaders are defined as human who have followers
in bulk numbers. Leader possesses uncountable tactics that inspires other to complete tasks or
operations for achieving objectives (Drucker, 2019). These people understand strengths of others
and bring out best abilities of the team members so to keep team on track so to avoid delays.
They assist in creating frameworks for motivating individual to utilise their key skills, efficiency
and capabilities to contribute in completion of project work. In context to Waitrose Limited,
leaders execute activities in sequential manner in order to guide and direct staff members for
accomplishing desired outcomes.
Manager: According to Market Business news. 2019, Managers are those individuals
who exercises activities to manage company (Market Business News. 2019). Managers are
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expert in their own field and are support system for other manpower. They have powers for
sourcing, hiring, performance appraisals, training and monitoring attendances. In addition,
managers are liable for controlling together with administering individuals as well as other staff
members. Managers working within Waitrose Limited properly represent group’s interest
addition to efforts for self as well as institutional success. At workplace, managers also have
power to authorise employees vacations along with approving overtime.
From the above definitions, it can be said that manager and leader have various commons
among them such as both have abilities to execute strategic vision, directing day to day efforts,
establishing work rules and operating procedures and most important focus on people.
Comparison between manager and leader on the basis of traits, authority & power as well
as roles & responsibilities.
Comparison basis Manager Leader
Traits Managers of Waitrose
limited possess traits of self
motivation, passion for
success, persuasive,
adaptive, innovative,
understandable, visionary,
calm, loyal, receptive and
humble (Managers traits.
2019).
Within Waitrose limited,
leaders have key traits of
communicator, decision
maker, accountable,
optimism, emotional stable,
self confident, acting
strategically, managing
complexities, fostering
creativity, team builder and
building lasting
relationships.
Roles & Responsibilities Organisational managers
have roles and
responsibilities to envision
goals, managing growth,
fostering innovation,
improving efficiency,
Leaders have roles and
responsibilities for resolving
team conflicts, motivating
manpower, assisting vision
to top authorities,
communicating clear
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looking out for competition,
managing change, opting
accurate information
technology, formulating
strategies, making effective
decisions, ensuring
compliances, promoting
business operations globally.
instructions, providing
training programmes,
monitoring employee
participation, managing
operation flow, producing
and distributing reports
about appropriate human
capital and executing
strategies (DRURY, 2013).
Authority & Power Managers of the institution
have authority with power to
delegate workings to others
and implement changes as
and when required within
entity.
Organisational leaders are
provided with authority and
power to execute work
provided by managerial
positions as well as assigning
tasks to manpower.
TASK 2
P2. Examination of examples of the ways role of leader and manager functions are applied in
distinct situational contexts.
Within Waitrose Limited when business activities are executed by manpower, leaders and
managers plays crucial role in completion of each task in most productive ways. Leaders as well
as managers have various roles in distinct situations which arise at different duration. Some of
the situations along with roles that leader and manager plays are as follows:
Fayol’s Description of Managers role:
Fayol has introduced five managerial functions so that work is executed in sequential
manner to attain goals. The five functions emphasis on relationship among management and their
manpower which provides reference points to solve problems in creative manner (Henry Fayol's
management Function. 2019). Five functions are as described:
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Figure 1: Henry Fayol's management Function. 2019
(Source: Henry Fayol's management Function. 2019)
Planning: The foundation of other managerial functions is planning. It is organised
foresight, process of thinking, based on facts along with experiences which are mandatory for
intelligent action. It provides road map to look forward to achieve objectives in better manner.
Managers of Waitrose Limited plays effective role of building plans to forecast future within
existing duration. They motivate people to take active participation within entire business. At
selected entity, managers plan activities and link them with distinct management levels.
Organising: It is considered as important managerial functions (Grote, 2012). When
organisational functions are well organised then only they can function well. All entities have
sufficient capital, manpower addition to raw materials which further helps in smoothly
conducting practices and building best working structure. In relevance with Waitrose limited,
managers plays role of building organisational structure with effective functional divisions
together with tasks to run the entity smoothly. With increase in n umber of functions, selected
institution expands in vertical along with horizontal manner.
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Commanding: It is said to giving orders or instructing team to complete their tasks. When
employees are given orders along with clear working instructions they become familiar with
what exactly is required by them to work. Managers within respective company has role to give
concrete instructions in concerned with activities that are to be carry out by subordinates.
Successful manager possess integrity, clearly fosters communication and make decision on basis
of regular audits. Managers are capable to encourage a team along with workforce to take
innovative initiations.
Coordinating: It is related to galvanisation of motivation as well as discipline within
group dynamics that necessitates clear communication and effective management (Heizer and
Render, 2018). Waitrose Limited functions better as all its actions are properly harmonised with
each other. The positive influence of manpower attitude and behaviour is key in coordination.
Managers role is to coordinate team actions as well as procedures to effectively achieve
objectives and ensures that all the practices works well when coordinated together.
Controlling: It is connected with controlling resources as well as teams for implementing
plans as well as makes alignment with organisational rules and procedures. Herein, selected
organisational managers have role to examine progress against plans, ensuring adequate progress
together with satisfactory performances, documenting experiences that are obtained from
workings of plans that directs towards possible future experiences addition to taking corrective
actions in order to deal with under performances.
Application of functions through using examples of managers in distinct situations:
Solving conflicts: Conflicts among staff members arise any time within Waitrose
Limited. Conflicts arise because of cultural differences, inadequate training, poor work
environment, miscommunication and many more. Conflicts can be resolved through delegating
roles with authorities to each as well as every manpower performing work in company.
Managers by applying the functions such as proper planning can forecast working environment,
organises resources to utilise maximum of their capabilities, commanding or instructing team
members to complete task, coordinate activities and control variances that can effectively resolve
conflicts among staff members
Time delivering services: To remain in competing scenario or in eyes of customers, it is
essential to make delivery of goods on time but in case with Waitrose Limited various
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commodities are not delivered to customers on time. In order to make delivery on prescribed
time, managers can apply their managerial role in various manners. For example, managers can
apply planning function to forecast situations and accordingly make schedules, organising
function for gathering all resources and group activities into departments for delegating
responsibilities to make timely delivery, making coordination with superiors, vendors and
distributors for providing products on exact time that is prescribed by entity to customers. They
also establish performance standards and compare actual outcomes with set performance
standards so that if any deviation is felt remedial actions are taken to control practices and
making on time delivery.
P3. Application of theories along with approach models.
The leadership theories that leaders of Waitrose Limited may apply in distinct scenarios are
as explained:
Situational leadership theory: It was defined by Kenneth Blanchard with Paul Hersey
(Johnstone, 2016). According to the theory, there are sound principles that create leadership
models to motivate manpower at different organisational levels to attain productivity. It helps in
building and understanding relationships together with enhancing interactions with distinct units
of system. The leaders adopt suitable styles according to arisen situation. Within Waitrose
Limited, staff members fails to deliver products on time and to resolve it, situational theory is
applied in which leaders carefully diagnose the situations that are reasons for late delivery,
accordingly adapt behaviour for responding situational contingencies, communicate with others
and manage movements that results in solutions.
Strengths: Situational leaders can improve efficiency of business through managing
conflicts and forming productive groups that works to execute innovations in unique manner.
They also formulate and implement strategies to respond challenging environment.
Weaknesses: Various times. Thoughts or views provided by such leaders at Waitrose
Limited so to respond complex situations are confusing and hard to implement which create
difficulties for staff members to work.
System leadership theory: In the year 1879, the theory was enacted by Ian Donald. As per
the view points of such personality, organisational leaders creates situations within the system in
which all members performs effective workings for reaching predetermined state in systematic
manner. At selected firm, the theory is applied to solve staff member’s conflicts effectively by
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carefully diagnose the situations that are reasons for conflicts, accordingly adapt behaviour for
responding situational contingencies, communicate with others and manage movements that
results in solutions.
Strength: With system leadership theory, external changes are effectively adopted through
proper emphasis on multiple dimensions that can help in dealing with tough factors and
achieving goals (Jones and Robinson, 2012). For resolving arisen situations, leaders of respective
firm create strategies and provide clarity to deal with circumstances in systematic manner.
Weakness: There are various dimensions that may not be dependent on specific problem
that can results in slow performance of operations that leads in delays to make proper decision.
In addition, application of the theory requires proper direction of activities as well as takes more
time in execution which creates more hurdles within the business.
Contingency Theory: As per the theory leaders identify various aspects that are situated
internal or externally so to apply their leaderships. At Waitrose Limited, by applying the theory
leaders diagnose internal and external situations, make adjust in current behaviour according to
contingency of situations, make interactions with others to understand and accept circumstances
as well as make advance moves.
Strength: With the approach, more emphasis can be made on dynamic circumstances as
well as keeping environment favourable through understanding relevance of diverse aspects in
context to situations.
Weaknesses: Each and every situation that arise is different from others so it very
difficult to apply such approach for getting appropriate solutions. In addition, it is also
uneconomical in nature.
Hard as well as soft skills
Skills are the capabilities that one individual have to complete work. Following are some
skills that Waitrose Limited leaders have:
Hard skills: These are measurable abilities that leaders leader develop with passage of
time. Skills like using computer programs, writing plans and communication information are part
of hard skills.
Soft skills: Abilities that are within the individual by birth are soft wkills. They assist
leaders to become best in their workings. Soft skills of leaders includes interpersonal,
communication as well as leadership skills.
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Thus, chosen entity requires leaders with both skills to perform work in order to
accomplish organisational goals in proficient manner. As some work needs hard skills while
other are completed through soft skills in goal achievement in appropriate manner.
TASK 3
P4. Operations management approaches along with role that managers and leaders play.
Operation management: Operations management is defined to procedure in which
resources are used in best manner. The procedure translate raw materials to distinct stages in
which a finished product is produced which helps in maximising business profits. For an entity,
it is essential to carry out all stages with activities in proper manner for getting final commodity.
Similarly, for Waitrose Limited leaders, it is essential for them to properly manage all their
activities concerned with operations so that all the workings are executed properly and goals are
accomplished effectively. Models concerned with managing operations are the followings:
Just In Time: Another name for it is manufacturing management procedure established to
meet customer requirements with limited delays (WHAT IS JUST-IN-TIME MANUFACTURING
(JIT). 2019). It mainly emphasis on project plants, systems together with individuals. It has more
capability to enhance business competitiveness for minimising wastages addition to maintain
product quality and production efficiency. Waitrose limited is large retail firm that adopts the
approach for improving their production levels addition to revenue maximisation. Leaders with
the approach identify and make corrections with production procedures where obstacles occur. It
also reflects hidden complexities related to inventory as well as make solutions for issues within
production procedures. Managers plays role to emphase on implementations and leaders plays
role to guide others for performing with fuller determination. Hence, such approach leads
manufacturing of commodities without any delays as well as make on time delivery when ever
required. It also eliminates time wastage, situations of overproduction and loss of inventory.
Total Quality management: The another approach that results in long term success by
achieving customer satisfaction (WHAT IS TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM). 2019).
Within the approach, each employee contributes equally for improving commodities, procedures
as well as culture within which tasks are performed to gain desired targets. It makes involvement
of all manpower in ongoing improvements by managing product quality in effective manner. By
using statistical data, communication aspects, coordination is made with quality disciplines and
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organisational culture. Waitrose Limited implements the approach for quality improvements so
to achieve higher satisfactions from customers for products. For managers, they plays role to use
all the quality management principles and integrate systems to focus on consumer perceptions in
order to get favourable outcomes.
Lean production: The approach is utilised to reduce wastage and assure quality through
considering product designs throughout the stages of production till distribution. With this
approach, managers of Waitrose Limited minimise as well as eliminate the tasks that are less
productive or have fewer priorities. Within the approach, operation department repair faulty
products, eliminates unnecessary workforce movement and reduce stock holdings. Leaders plays
significant role in motivating entire manpower for ongoing improvements within their
efficiencies. On workforce practices, managers focuses that no unnecessary moves are made and
costs are reduced through making further improvements in subordinates productivity and
performances.
P5. Importance and values that operations management have in achieving business objectives.
All firms whether small or large applies operations management concept for attaining set
goals in officious manner (Lee and Ritzman, 2015). Operations management posses their own
importance along with values to attain the targets of business. Some are as elaborated:
Importance of operations Management:
Operations management importance within Waitrose Limited is under beneath:
Increase revenue: The implementations of various approaches concerned with
operations management are important for enhancing sales volume so that revenues are also
increased. Operation management produces quality products that attracts huge customer base
towards entity which provide benefits in various manners. Hence, such management is important
for increasing profits and helps in expansion of activities along with various operations at distinct
locations with the purpose to enhance sales that can lead in increasing revenues within
competitive market.
Reduce wastage: Operations management conduct all activities and make utilisation of
available resources by setting plans so that they can make reductions of wastage at huge level. In
context to Waitrose limited, it is important as with effective plans all the paths are clearly
managed that reduces wastages at all level of transmission of materials into valuable products so
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that additional costs are reduced and profits are enhanced. Thus, adoption of the concept is very
important to gain effective outcomes.
Values of Operation management:
Few values are as discussed:
Potentiality for enhancing production: Operations management is valued more at
Waitrose Limited as it posses potentiality for increasing production levels of various
commodities in systematic manner. Hence, application of such management enhances profits by
conducting all operations in systematic ways so to get desired production level.
Better product quality: Operations management is also valued as it leads in
improvements of existing product quality in better manner (Molina-Azorín and et.al., 2015). The
concept is utilised by managers of respected firm basically for their potential customer base so to
enhance product quality as per their considerations. If it is not valued properly then results are
seen in failure terms. Thus, organisations values operation management as it delivers better
product quality so that sales volumes are improved with profit maximisation.
TASK 4
P6. Factors within environment of business which impact operational management as well as
decision making by leaders and managers.
In present scenario, there are numerous factors exists that impacts operations management
together with decision making by administrators. For running business concerns within
competitive market, analyses of all the factors are key to gain predetermined results. The
presence of these factors may be internally or externally that can also lead business to make
adoption of such factors effectively. Various factors that exist in dynamic business environment
as well as impacts huge on operations management addition to decision making by various
leaders and managers includes followings:
Supplying raw material: The factor has huge potentiality to impact activities as well as
operations of Waitrose Limited because of frequent changes within climatic conditions that
results in non delivery of raw materials by suppliers at time more required. For example, the
factor impacts operations management by not delivering required raw materials to units due to
which further production gets hampered and production level decreases. In addition, the factor
also hampers decision making at workplace as when materials are not supplied whenever
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