Leadership and Management in Operations: A Sainsbury's Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management principles within the context of Sainsbury's supermarket. It begins by differentiating between the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, supported by relevant theories. The report then explores the application of leadership and management in various situational contexts, including competitive pressures and employee engagement strategies. It delves into different leadership theories, such as contingency and situational leadership, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, the report examines key approaches to operations management, emphasizing the roles of leaders and managers in improving efficiency and meeting business objectives. Finally, it discusses the factors within the business environment that impact operational management, including the impact on decision making. The report utilizes Sainsbury's as a case study to illustrate the practical application of these concepts.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1: Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager..............................................3
M1: Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and manager by the application of
various theories...........................................................................................................................5
D1: Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership...........6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2: Role of a leader and function of manager apply in different situational contexts...............6
P3: Theories and models of approach........................................................................................8
M2: Analyse the strength and weakness of different approaches...............................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P4: Explain key approaches of operation management and role of leader & manager............10
P5: Explain importance and value in operation management...................................................11
M3: Evaluate how leader and manger can improve efficiency of operational management to
meet business objective.............................................................................................................12
D2: Evaluate operations management and factors that impact business environment.............13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P6: Explain the factors within business environment that impact operation management.......13
M4: Analyse different factors that affect the business environmental......................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations include activity such as planning as well as supervising the
manufacturing of goods and services. It basically emphasize on transforming raw material into
finished good for the consumption of people (Ageron, Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). For
the better understanding of report Sainsbury supermarket limited company has been taken which
is one of the largest supermarket outlets situated at United Kingdom. It offer wide range of
products such as grocery items, cloths, daily necessity items and so on from its hypermarket or
supermarket stores. This report cover following topics such as roles and characteristics of leader
and manager as well as application of various role of leader and manager in different
situational context. Moreover, analyse the various theories, approaches as well as model
including different leadership styles to achieve business objective. Furthermore, discussion is
made on several factors that impact operational management and decision making by leader and
managers.
TASK 1
P1: Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Manager: Manager plays a vital role within the organisation due to their expertise
knowledge they are responsible to delegate the authorities to various level of management. Thus,
they not only manages but also control the operations of an organisation to attain the long term
success (Alderton and Saieva, G., 2013).
Role of manager:
 The primary role of manager is to coordinate with other managers and formulate effective
strategy for future to gain the long term profitability. Along with that they help in
creating the liaison between the subordinate and management.

 Moreover, managers monitor the activities of internal staff and make sure they follow the
guideline of company also they supervise operation as well as management function to
attain organisations objective effectively.
Characteristic of manager :
 Managers are proactive due to which they analyse the future market and formulate future
plan, policies as well as effective decision accordingly that benefit the operations of
overall organisation (Bromiley and Rau, 2016).
 Sainsbury company managers direct, lead as well as motivate the employees which help
the internal staff to remain encouraged and put maximum efforts to achieve their targets
within stipulated time period.
Leader: Leader is one who lead, command, monitor ass well as train to the employee .
This helps to create and positive synergy within the organisation due to overall personnel remain
motivated to achieve their standards or benchmark. Moreover, leader also helps to enhance the
existing skill and knowledge of their followers (Brown and et. al., 2013).
Role of leader :
 Leader of Sainsbury company keeps on motivate their workforce, this help them to
perform their task with full efficiency as well as effectiveness.
 Moreover, they help in the conflict resolution which helps the staff not to get diverted
from the actual goal. Along with that it help in the smooth functioning of business.
 Leader encourages their team mate to accept the changes and adopt new as well as easier
ways of doing the work.
Characteristic of leader:
 Leader lead the entire team which helps to strengthen the relationship between employee
and employer (Burns, 2014).
 Moreover, their problem solving ability helps employee to face the complex situation
with ease.
Difference between manager and leader
Basis Manager Leader
Definition Manager are responsible to
manages as well as coordinate
the operations or functions of
Leader influences their team
member to achieve specified
goal by directing them in

organisation. favourable direction.
Priority Manager give priority by
making appropriate plan,
process as well as procedure
focuses to control the
activities of selected
organisation.
The priority of leader is to
motivate as well as encourage
team members to fulfil
organisational objective.
Role and responsibility The manager of Sainsbury
company are responsible to
manage the internal operations
of selected company.
Leader are responsible to
motivate internal staff so that
they will remain confident and
accomplish their task in favour
of organisation (Chevalier and
et. al., 2015).
M1: Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and manager by the application of
various theories
Though both manager as well as leader works for the betterment of society but their role
to do so is different. As the role of manager is to make proper decision by managing the
operations of business through proper planning, maintaining coordination as well as controlling
the chances of variations or deviation. This help them in maintaining the work culture of
organisation ( David and David, 2013). On contrary, the role of leader is to direct performances
of employees by encouraging them and maintaining the coordination among various member of
organisation for the smooth functioning of overall organisation. Therefore, there are various role
of manager as well as leader within Sainsbury company which are demonstrated below:
 Manager of selected company can follow effective time management theory to manage
all the organisational activity within stipulated time period. This will help all the internal
staff of organisation to prioritise their work and avoid procrastination. Therefore, this
process helps in attaining set objectives.
 Moreover, management should adopt leadership style of problem solving theory. Such
theory effectively work to face any sudden or unexpected situation of company like it

help in resolution of conflict, reduce the wastage of time as well as money etc.
Additionally, it is essential for manager to understand the viewpoint of its employee for
better formulation of strategy. Similarly, the role of leader is to dissolve all the concerns
faced by employees and direct them towards fulfilment of organisational objective.
 Further, motivation theory of leadership can be adopted by the managers of respective
company. This help the company to overcome several situations such as decrease in sales
of company's product, trust issues between employer and employee and so on. Therefore,
to address such situation manager can take the feedback from employees on other side
leader's role is to encourage personnel to attain company's target (Drake and Spinler,
2013).
D1: Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership
Contingency theory of leadership: As per contingency theory one leadership style can't
fit at all situations as there are diverse circumstances that needs to be handled differently. An
effective leader is one that analyse as well as predict external situation appropriately and adopt
best suited leadership style accordingly. Therefore, contingency leadership style is flexible in
nature due to which it helps in facing each situation effectively (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
Relationship theories: Relationship theory emphasize on maintaining a good long term
relationship between follower as well as management. Within, this leader are more concerned
about their followers rather than task due to which it helps in maintaining good bond among
them. Moreover, at this stage employees remain encouraged to fulfil the target of organisation as
their leader look after their needs as well. Therefore, here leader are more relationship oriented
Situational theory: This theory states that manager as well as leader must adopt most
effective leadership style among various alternatives based on the situation. Thus, decision of
choosing best course of action among various alternative must be done appropriately. Moreover,
selection of most appropriate leadership style does not only depend on situation but on members
as well. Like, if the members of organisation need supervision in such case manager can choose
autocratic leadership style. Whereas, if the member of organisation are skilled, knowledgable as
well as they does not need much supervision in such case leader as well as manager can select
democratic leadership style.

TASK 2
P2: Role of a leader and function of manager apply in different situational contexts
Managers as well as leaders are the assets of company as they make significant efforts to
maintain relationship management and employee to attain organisation objective (Griffin, 2013).
In context to Sainsbury company the intervention of manager and leader helps in the formulation
of future plans as well as policies to attain the success. Like, the function of manager is to plan,
coordinate as well as control workforce activities that direct affect the organisational success. On
contrary, leader are responsible to promote the changes by setting the direction and motivating
staff that leaves positive impact on the growth and development of company. Moreover, the role
of leader along with function of manager helps company to achieve long term sustainable
development. Thus, there are several situations on the basis of which both of them perform
various role, these situation are explained below:
 Sainsbury company has to face huge neck to neck competition that may affect its
operations as well as its business in its home market that is UK. Though the company
believes in provide customer centric services but this cannot always guarantee them
success. Thus, because of this the role of manager is to identify the competitors
promotional or pricing strategy on the basis of which they act as a problem solver. This
helps them to solve the issues faced by company. Similarly, role of leader is to encourage
the staff which helps them to remain motivated and achieve shared objective.
 Respective company make essential strategy to attract as well as retain existing staff for
better engagement of employees. This helps the organisation to coordinate all the
organisational activity by lowering down the absenteeism or turnover rate. The managers
of Sainsbury company makes effective plan regarding evaluation process of selection.
Additionally, they make sure company identifies right talent for the appropriate
designation of company. Hence, managers formulate affirmative efforts to engage their
employees by maintaining coordination within the team. On other side, leaders are
responsible to influence internal staff through positive reinforcement like salary hike,
bonus, appreciation, recognition, promotion and so on. This leaves security for the
employees from the side of organisation due to which they remain motivated to achieve
organisational goal.

 One of the common situation faced by various organisation is conflict that may arise
between people of different department or same department. Herein, Sainsbury faces
conflicting situation so in order to minimise it the role of manager is to assign task to
various personnel effectively which helps in maintaining effective employee relation.
Also they find out the reason of conflict and try to reduce the interdependency of various
department on common resources. Whereas, leader are influences the behaviour of
follower by maintaining the coordination among them.
P3: Theories and models of approach
The function of leadership as well as management helps the organization to attain its
objective. These are set to formulate effective strategy for the organization. Therefore, there are
several theories which can be implemented by Sainsbury company to achieve its target which are
stated below:
Contingency theory: Organization conduct various day to day activities that affect the
operations as well as its performance. Due to which leader adopt that strategy which perfectly
matches with the situation. Herein, Sainsbury company adopt contingency theory to handle the
particular situation defectively. For instance, if existing customer are not satisfied with the
company's services due to fall in short of inventory. In such case it is the responsibility of the
management of company to make good supplier relation and rebuild their goodwill or trust for its
existing customers. Similarly, here the role of leader will be to motivate the staff of supermarket
or hypermarket to enhance the footfall of retail outlets. In order to do so leader assist each and
every staff to overcome the problem faced by customers that helps in maintaining long term
relationship with customers.
Limitation of contingency approach: As this approach is flexible due to which it may
create confusion among member regarding adoption of different policies based on different
situation. On contrary, organization policies have rigid nature due to which it become difficult
for management as well as leader to make alterations accordingly.
System theory: System theory depict that organization's system should be effective
which helps the member to achieve efficiency. This theory helps in maximizing the chances of
productivity for respective company (Lewis and Brown, 2012). For instance, the leader of
Sainsbury associated monetary or non monetary benefit with an individual or group's target. This
help the staff to maximize their potential for the accomplishment of goal. On contrary, the role

of manager is to make check the efforts of internal personnel, by giving them instruction and
recording their effort. Therefore, the role of manger as well as leader strengthen the relationship
as well as increased the chances of organization to enhance their productivity.
Limitation of systemic approach: There can be enormous reasons due to which the
employee of organization cannot attain its targets such as external factors, or employees do not
find their targets were attainable. Therefore, such reasons can hamper the growth of organization.
Situational theory: Within situation theory organization chooses most effective
leadership style that differ from one situation to other. Thus, successful leader is one that adapt
their style based on diverse circumstances. Herein, respective company if faces the issue
regarding handling of customers then it is the responsibility of management to make decision
regarding whether selection of more staff to provide better services to the customer. Similarly,
the role of leader will be to motivate its staff to handle the grievances of customer to achieve
better productivity as well as profitability (Parsanezhad and Dimyadi, 2013).
Limitation of situational approach: Problem arises while adopting situational approach
is that as the business operate in dynamic environment due to which it becomes difficult for
management to make the predictions. Hence, due to which it may be difficult for organization to
adapt effective style accordingly (Peng and Lai, 2012).
Therefore, as each theory has its merit and demerit but among all Sainsbury company can
adopt system theory. Reason being adoption of such theory is that within this theory benchmark
is set for employees and they try to achieve it which brings transparency in the efforts put by
each individual within organization.
M2: Analyse the strength and weakness of different approaches
Scientific management theory: Scientific theory of management state that mangers and
employee must coordinate with each other that helps in enhancing the productivity of
organisation by making the use of latest technology as well as innovation. Moreover, it suggest
that repeatation of task that improves the performance of worker. Thus, manager of the
organisation must motivate their staff by giving them monetary incentive or non monetary
benefit.
Strengths: Primary strength of application of such method is that in helps in the
allocation or division of work based on the skill or interest of an employee (Reid and Sanders,

2015). This further helps in minimising the chances of wastage or delay in work for the better
performance as well as productivity of an organisation.
Weaknesses: It is costly method as it involve expenses in replacing the old method as
well as procedure of doing task.
Contingency theory: Contingency theory state that according to the diverse situation
leader must adopt the most suitable leadership style. Sainsbury company uses this approach to
deal with the specific situation effectively that pertains in an organisation and can affect its
performances.
Strengths: Adoption of such approach helps an organisation to face unexpected situation
(Rowbotham, Azhashemi and Galloway, 2012).
Weaknesses: In comparison to other approaches this approach is costly as well as time
taking. Along with that it does not guarantee that the solution will work to face such situations.
TASK 3
P4: Explain key approaches of operation management and role of leader & manager
Operation management involve various activities such as planning, organising,
supervision and various improvement in the organisation which provide high productivity as well
as profitability (Saucedo-Martínez and et. al., 2018). It include day to day adjustment which
support the operations and strategic goals. Further it will proceed through deep analysis and
measure the performance by current process they follow. In order to increase efficiency or
productive of employees or organisation, manager of Sainsbury's adopt various key approaches
and those are discussed below:
Total quality management (TQM): TQM is the management process which focuses on
customer which involve workers continuous improvement in the organisation. It is used different
strategies, effective communication and data to linked quality with culture and functions of the
organisation. In this system, manager of the Sainsbury's focus on customer and try to maximise
the quality of product which satisfy the consumer. Business get the positive feedback from
customer which motivate the employees to perform well in their task to achieve success.
Manager take fact based decision and develop further strategies according to it. So basically in
this system manager try to maximise the quality of product or performance of employees and it
will increase the productivity and profitability. Manager or leader plays very important role in

the organisation because they provide various techniques to improve quality (Schniederjans,
Cao and Triche, 2013).
Lean manufacturing: It is the method or approach which focuses on wastage in the
production and this system based on specific principles or standard. It will increase the efficiency
and effectiveness of employees which help them to reduce the waste through eliminating
wastage which reduce the cost. Manager of Sainsbury's reduce the extra expenses which occur at
the time of manufacturing. For the application of this approach, manager set the training
programs and it will be conducted by the professional for the worker. So they can enhance their
knowledge and skills. This method help the organisation to reduce their unwanted expensed that
improve quality, reduce cost through minimising wastage of business. It will increase
productivity and profitability. Manager plays important role to identify the error and try to
reduce it and it will reduce the wastage in the manufacturing process that automatically decrease
the sot or increase the productivity & profitability.
Six sigma: It is statistical, data-driven based approach which help the organisation to
identify defaults in the product or manufacturing process (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018) . It
is based on quality management fundamentals and it enhance the value of operation management
through eliminating defaults and errors. Sainsbury's company use this approach to reduce cost,
save time and eliminate wastage. This approach is comparatively expenses but, if manager use
this in appropriate way then they will reduce the operational expenses. Through increasing
sustainable efforts manager can achieve high quality product. It is the responsibility of manager
to provide proper training to execute this approach.
P5: Explain importance and value in operation management
Operation management is important for the organisation because manger of the company
use this process to manage their operations (Swarbrooke and Page, 2012). It provide value to the
management to improve the performance of workers in the business. Along with this, it increase
the productivity or profitability and help the business to achieve their organisational goals &
objectives. Sainsbury's company use the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach which
focuses of customer as well as on product quality. Business need to improve their product quality
on regular basis which satisfy customer and make them loyal for the longer period. Importance &
value of operational management help the business on the following ways that is discussed
below:

Enhance the level of productivity: Operation management help the organisation to
increase their productivity by use of various approach (Tayur, Ganeshan and Magazine, 2012).
It will help the Sainsbury's manager to fully utilize the resources that further help the
organisation to achieve their business goals & objectives. For example use of TQM approach,
Sainsbury's company improve their product quality which is required by the consumers. Use of
effective operation management focus on customer and provide quality product which maximise
the production or profitability and help the business to achieve their targets and goals.
Provides customized service: Operation management provide better customer service by
use of above discussed approaches. In the Sainsbury's organisation, manager follow different
approaches that provide quality product or reduce the wastage which minimise the cost of
product and increase the productivity that automatically increase the profit margin. Company
improve their product quality through customer feedback which is very important for every
organisation. It will provide idea to the manager identify the need of consumer and then build
strategies according to it. On the basis on this, manager provide customer service to satisfy them
and make them loyal for the longer period.
Improve coordination within management: Operation management is the process
where raw material converted into finish goods and this whole process required effective
management through better coordination. Manager of the Sainsbury's adopt various management
proactive which provide better coordination & communication that will provide smooth
functioning in the business environment. Manager encourage their each employee to achieve
their targets with full of efficiency & effectiveness. Regular meeting in the organisation or
communication will enhance the coordination among the team members. So they can achieve
business goals & targets effectively and able to increase productivity that automatically increase
profitability of the company.
Operation management is the obligation for the organisation where they have to perform
their regular activities and use of resources in effective way that provide more benefits.
Sainsbury's follow the total quality of management approach to make their operation
management more effective. Which improve the quality and satisfy the customer that increase
productivity or profitability and further it helps in organisation to achieve their business goals &
objectives.