Analysis of Leadership and Operations at Walmart: Unit 4 Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and operations management within Walmart. It begins with an introduction to the company and its background, followed by a differentiation between the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers. The report explores the application of managerial functions in various situations, such as conflict resolution and change management. It delves into different leadership theories and models, including situational, system, and contingency leadership, and their application within Walmart. Furthermore, the report examines key approaches to operations management, such as just-in-time inventory and the use of technology. The analysis highlights the importance and value of operations management, key factors influencing the business, and concludes with a synthesis of the findings, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership and management practices for Walmart's success and market stability. The report is a student-contributed assignment, published on Desklib, a platform for AI-based study tools.

UNIT 4 - MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Background of Walmart...............................................................................................................3
Differentiation between roles and characteristics of leaders and managers................................3
Application of roles and functions of manager in different situations.........................................5
Theories and models of leadership..............................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................8
Key approaches to operations management.................................................................................8
Importance and value of operations management.......................................................................9
Key factors influencing the business.........................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operation management includes planning, organizing and supervising the productivity,
manufacturing and services of the organization so that there would be higher stability of the
economic factor which would be present. Management and leaders of the company make sure
that these factors are being implemented and used effectively so that the organization will be
able to operate effectively. Walmart is a public organization which was founded in 1962 by Sam
Walton and is having its headquarters Bentonville, United States. The company has its location
around the world about 11,443 and net income of the company is $14.88 billion. The report
would be discussing the roles and responsibilities of leaders and manager which is going to make
the performance be increased. Operation management is also an important aspect for the
company to have which is going to make the standards of the company be increased.
Background of Walmart
Walmart is an American multinational company that operates a chain of hypermarkets,
grocery stores and discount department stores. It operates in around 26 countries. It is found that
now it is engaging in sustainability and developing strategies that can reduce carbon footprints. It
knows the importance of satisfying customers and employees so, as per them it makes its
products innovative. It also provides it's some products at affordable prices in order to make
customers feel valued.
Differentiation between roles and characteristics of leaders and managers
Leadership: Leadership is all about a way or art of motivating or leading a group of people by
which they can accomplish their goals with effectiveness. Strategies or ability to direct workers
is known is leadership in business setting (Barnes, 2018).
Management: Management is an administration of all resources of company. In business setting
it can be said that it refers a strategy or ways of coordinating employees' efforts for meeting
goals.
Roles of leaders and managers
Basis of roles Leaders Managers

Focus Focus of leaders within business is on
accomplishing objectives that are developed by
managers. They mainly focus on employees.
Managers on the other hand
just develop goals for
company. Managers mainly
focus on resources.
Interaction Leaders communicate with all of its employees. Managers interact with leaders
for knowing current details.
Responsibilit
y
Main responsibility of leaders is to encourage or
inspire employees.
Responsibility of managers is
to develop plans.
Performance For improving performance of employees,
leaders motivate them.
Managers on the other hand
instruct employees for getting
work done.
Team-
working
Team-working Leaders work with teams
Characteristics of leaders and managers
Leaders Managers
The main characteristics of leaders is they take
risks and encourage employees.
Managers mitigate or avoid risks rather than
taking.
Leaders give credit for better performance to
employees.
Managers take credit for better performance.
Leaders develop employees by leading or
encouraging (Wamba and Queiroz, 2020).
Managers use people rather developing them.
Leaders ask for working and help if employees
require.
Managers command and seek for getting work
done.
Leaders is expert in casting vision for their
team.
Manager is considered as an expert at
executing tasks.

In regard to Walmart, it can be said that leaders play a vital role and it is stated by
director of Walmart that leadership and management are main 2 pillars or key of its success.
Leaders of this well-known retailer, focuses on building strong relations with employees. It is
believed that employees are the one who are responsible for success and failure of company
because they perform several functions (Edwards, Maitland and Connor, 2017). So, it becomes
important to satisfy their needs. Manager also ask for needs of employees from leaders and as
per their needs, they develop policies related to rewards, motivation and others. Leaders
implement all these policies in an effective manner.
Application of roles and functions of manager in different situations
Business environment is made up of some factors such as political, strengths of company,
weaknesses, economic and others. There are some factors that may change and people cannot
control but can mitigate them. Due to changes happen in business environmental factors,
employees have to change their ways. Some common situations that may occur in Walmart are:
Conflicts: In this context it can be said that due to miscommunication or lack of
communication, conflicts occur among employees. Different perspectives also become reason of
conflicts. In this situation, leaders play a vital role. By making an effective use of situational
style, they understand their needs and by increasing mutual understanding. They also make
appropriate use of communication. Whereas, manager organize all works in a manner that can
help out in satisfying needs of employees. Manager also develop open door policy in which,
employees are allowed to meet with managers directly and get appropriate solutions.
Change management: Due to changes in some external factors, employees require
changing their styles of performing. Employees resist changes. In this situation, leaders guide
and makes use of system theory. As per this, they allow employees at all levels to come at
common system and collaborate (Chary, 2017). They encourage team working and it helps
employees in increasing skills and adapting changes. Whereas, managers plan accordingly and
by developing effective strategies they motivate them. Managers also implement appropriate
models like Lewin's change management model and perform functions accordingly.
Some common functions of management play by Walmart's manager:

Planning: It is the first and important function in which manager creates a plan for meeting
objectives. In planning, it identifies requirement of resources, skills of employees by which it can
allocate work or resources to them.
Organizing: After making plan, managers organize all resources and makes sure that all
functions and operations are working smoothly. They allocate tasks to employees as per their
needs and experience.
Leading: Manager require having skills of leading or commanding employees during significant
challenge or situation.
Controlling: In this function, manager makes sure that employees are working as per the
planning and organizing functions. As per the gap, they take appropriate actions and improve
performance.
Adair's model where there are 8 roles of a leader
 Defining the task: the main role is definig task to employees as what they have to do.
 Planning: In this, leaders make plan that who will perform specific task and others.
 Breifing: In this, leaders explain their employees as what they have to do with proper
guidance
 Controlling: In this, leaders control and overseas as employees are going on teh right
track or not.
 Evaluating: Leader evaluate performance of their employees.
 Motivationing: It is one of the main role in which leaders motivate employees and
encourage them for completing work and meeting goals.
 Organizing: Leaders organize all functions and resources of company.
Theories and models of leadership
Multiple theories are present which a leader can use in order to be able to run and
function effectively in market. Theories and implementation of this factor would make the
operations be smoother and also help in achieving the goals and objectives be higher.
Competitive advantage is going to increase and make the company have a better stability in the
market.
 Situational Leadership

It is according to the situation that the decisions of the leaders also change which time
which would make the operations and functioning of company be impressed. Little issues can
become large when they are not focused on which has to be analysed and improved upon so that
there would be higher consequences. Workforce of the company can get affected and
demotivated when the internal environment of the company are not well maintained. Leaders
have to motivate the workforce and also make sure that there is good involvement of all the
employees (Belvedere and Grando, 2017). Experienced and skilled leaders will be able to guide
and have higher strategic experience which can be implemented in different situations.
Strengths
Situations will be dealt with well so that the company can remain working efficiently and
effectively.
Weaknesses
Situations can be different and the style used by the leader might be confusing as well.
 System Leadership
A systematic approach in all context is very essential to be able to match the standards
and reputation of the company. Systematic style of leadership is going to get in an improved
sense of direction which would make company achieve their targets and goals on time (Utne,
Sørensen and Schjølberg, 2017). The competition in the market is huge which is why this factor
is essential. This is a practice which must be present in Walmart's leaders so that they match the
missions and visions of the company. There is a lot of responsibility as well which is present
therefore the responsibilities have to be analysed.
Strengths
There is going to be clarity in achieving the missions and visions of the organization.
Weaknesses
This is a time-consuming theory which can be implemented by the leaders and a lot of
planning is required.
 Contingency Leadership

For the business to be able to match the standards and competition in the market and also
get in a higher productivity, this style is mostly opted by the managers of Walmart. The turnover
and retention level of the workforce is present in the company because of this factor and make
the profit margins of the organization be present (de Jesus Pacheco and et.al., 2019). There is a
lot of investment as well which the company is doing in technological aspect which is
information technology which is making the brand value increase and the errors are going to be
minimized.
Strengths
This theory is going to be getting in exchange for good information and higher
productivity in the organization which is present.
Weaknesses
Proper management and time-consuming are two drawbacks of this theory.
The company is going to use the mixture of all styles because there is no particular style
which can be used effectively in different situations which needs to be addressed. All strengths
and weaknesses can be worked upon by Walmart because the organization is having higher
operations, experience and working in the market.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarized from the above study that managers and leaders must use
effective theories and methods in order to be able to gain a higher competitive advantage and
also make sure that there is smooth working. Leaders and managers must work on the internal
environment of company as well so that there would be higher operations and working that is
present, making the organization be able to gain stability in economic factor and market base.
INTRODUCTION
Operation management is a process which includes planning, supervising ad organizing
in context to manufacturing, production and services which are being provided. These practices
are going to make the efficiency and productivity of the workforce be higher making the
company be able to have higher stability which can be present. Walmart is belonging from retail

industry which is in this market from 58 years. The further report is going to consist of different
operation's management techniques which can be considered by business in order to be able to
gain a competitive advantage in the market.
Key approaches to operations management
Different approaches are being used by leaders and managers of Walmart so that business
can have higher results which are beneficial. There are major three approaches which Walmart is
using which are as follows.
 Just in time
Leaders check the inventory and make the requirement list according to it and the
managers must recheck and make sure that the inventory which is required is the right factor for
the company. It is because of the brand value and image in the market that the suppliers are
having a trust in the organization. Managers have to make sure that there are cost friendly actions
which are being implemented and there is no extra raw material which is coming in the company
so that there is going to be higher economic factor that is present (Wamba and et.al., 2018).
 Six sigma
Disposal of the waste also is going to make the company have a higher standard for
themselves in the market which is why this factor also has to be focused upon. The portfolio and
reputation of the company in involved in this factor (Ganesh and et.al., 2020). There are zero
carbon footprints measures which are being taken by the company so that they can make the
environment healthier and make sure that there is good working. Leaders and managers make
sure that these factors are being followed in the company so that there is going to be easier
working.
 Total quality management
Satisfaction of the customers can not be compromised upon which is through this factor.
The quality of the products has to be balanced and sales are going to be well maintained as well.
Profit margins of the company are also present and loyalty and trust of the customers is gained as
well (Dogru and Keskin, 2020). Leaders and managers will have to make sure that they are
having a good control and monitoring on the products and services so that there are higher

outcomes. The company has to maintain their reputation and standards in order to be able to
function effectively and efficiently. Walmart is having a high experience therefore this factor is
being analysed and worked upon well.
Importance and value of operations management
Demands and expectations of clients have to be matched and effectual operations
management must be present making portfolio of the organization be higher. Market base and
customer base of an organization must be stable so that there is going to be higher competitive
advantage which is present.
 Reduce Wastage
Waste outlet of the company has to be minimized so that there would be higher cost
friendly factor and competitive advantage is present. Leaders make sure that clients are using this
theory in order to be able to achieve the targets and goals (Graves, 2021). Decisions are made
according to this which is helping in making sure that there are higher operations and working.
 Raising Employee Motivation
Decisions must be made according to the employees working in the company so that
there would be better working environment that is provided to them, making the stability of the
organization be higher. Guiding and training the employees in order to be able to achieve the
goals is essential (Jabbour, Song and Godinho Filho, 2020). Motivating the workforce in some
form or another is essential as well which is going to make the productivity be higher and stable
as well. Backbone of the organization are the employees who help Walmart to be able to match
the standards and demands of the customers.
 Raise Sales
Quality of the products and services of Walmart is high which is making Walmart have
loyalty and trust of the customers present in the organization. End products are matching the
current lifestyles of the customers as well. Company has to make sure that they are matching the
demands and needs of the customers with their products which is going to make focus of
company be higher and make company be able to have a higher portfolio as well.
 Logistics and inventory management

The managers have to make sure that there is right inventory which is present in the
organization so that the company would be able to have higher economic factor. The lifestyle of
the customers and more inventions which can take place effectively in Walmart that is present
for a long run.
 Scheduling
There must be good scheduling of working which has to be present so that the company
would be able to maintain their operations and productivity in the market for a higher operations.
Finished goods and services have to be achieved on time so that there is going to be higher
standard of working which is present in the company.
 Control and distribution systems
There is good computerised system which is present in Walmart for controlling and
processing which is going to make the distribution of the end products and services of company
be higher (Wilson, 2018). This factor has added value to the company and is helping with higher
performance and preferences that are present as well making the organization be able to compete
effectively.
Businesses in the market have to make sure that there are right actions and measures
which are taking place. Objectives have to be matched by the organization by the leaders and
managers from time to time so that the company would be able to gain higher operations and
working in the market.
Key factors influencing the business
Internal and external factors are impacting the performance of the company which needs
to be well maintained. Internal stakeholders like CEO, president, shareholders, executive board,
etc. These internal factors have to be considered in the decision-making so that company would
be able to operate effectively. Sales and profit margins of the company have to be stable so that
there is going to be higher working which is existing. Walmart is maintaining their working in
market so that objectives and aims of the organization are achieved. Strong internal environment
is going to make sure that there is right impact on the external factors as well so that there is
going to be higher value of the firm.

 Corporate Social Responsibilities
Lifestyle and expectations of the customers is changing therefore the company needs to
have a higher brand value and reputation in the market so that they can attract more customers.
Improvement must be done in the company which is going to be helpful in matching the class of
the clients. Leaders and managers make sure that the CSR in which the company in involved are
being followed so that there is going to be higher operations and reputation which the company
is going to have. Customer needs and demands have to be matched so that there is going to be
higher achievement and understanding which is going to be present (Babich and Kouvelis,
2018). The company has to make sure that they have a strong brand value and image in market in
order to be able to function effectual.
 Culture
Years of experience is very essential in market so that there would be higher operations
making the products and services be higher. The internal factors are going to be stronger which
is going to make the competition of the company be higher. Objectives of the organization are
many which have to be achieved and leaders and managers have a huge role in doing so. Strong
working would make sure that there are right operations and productivity which would be
present making the efficiency and effectiveness of the company be higher. The profitability and
sales would increase as well.
 Ethics
Leaders and managers of the organization have to make sure that there is effective
discipline and value of ethics that is present so that there is good working and improvement can
take place. Right decisions and planning which is being done by the managers so that the
expectations and demands of the employees and customers is being matched. Competitive
advantage has to be gained by the organization on time so that there is going to be effective
working which is present (Demeter, 2017). The internal factors have a huge impact on the
external factors therefore the demands of the internal has to be present by the leaders and
managers matching the standards of the company. Market is also increasing for each company
therefore the sales has to be maintained making sure that there are right working.

There are all the ethical practices which are present in the company which is going to be
a great factor for the overall development. External working of the company has to be
understood well and make sure that there are right influence which is taking place and make the
company gain higher operations and brand value in the market.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be analysed that there must be effective operational strategy
which a business must have in order to be able to operate efficaciously and expeditiously.
Competition in market is increasing rapidly which has to be analysed and evaluated effectively
and changes must be got in with time so that there is good cost saving and investment for future
can be decided accordingly. Further decisions are going to help organization be able to gain a
higher market base and customer satisfaction in the company. TQM and just in time are very
effective operation management techniques which can be considered by the organization in order
to be able to have higher cost saving factors.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Babich, V. and Kouvelis, P., 2018. Introduction to the special issue on research at the interface of
finance, operations, and risk management (iFORM): Recent contributions and future
directions.
Barnes, D., 2018. Operations Management. Macmillan International Higher Education.
Belvedere, V. and Grando, A., 2017. Sustainable operations and supply chain management. John
Wiley & Sons.
Chary, S.N., 2017. Production and operations management. McGraw Hill Education.
de Jesus Pacheco, D.A and et.al., 2019. Exploring the integration between Lean and the Theory
of Constraints in Operations Management. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma.
Demeter, K., 2017. Research in global operations management: some highlights and potential
future trends. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.
Dogru, A.K. and Keskin, B.B., 2020. AI in operations management: Applications, challenges
and opportunities. Journal of Data, Information and Management. pp.1-8.
Edwards, B., Maitland, A. and Connor, S., 2017. Measurement error in survey operations
management. Total survey error in practice.
Ganesh, S and et.al., 2020. Design of condition-based maintenance framework for process
operations management in pharmaceutical continuous manufacturing. International
Journal of Pharmaceutics. 587. p.119621.
Graves, S.C., 2021. Reflections on the Evolution of Operations Management. Management
Science.
Jabbour, A.B.L.D.S., Song, M. and Godinho Filho, M., 2020. Sustainability implications for
operations management: building the bridge through exemplar case studies.
Utne, I.B., Sørensen, A.J. and Schjølberg, I., 2017, June. Risk management of autonomous
marine systems and operations. In International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and
Arctic Engineering (Vol. 57663, p. V03BT02A020). American Society of Mechanical
Engineers.
Wamba, S.F and et.al., 2018. Big data analytics in operations and supply chain
management. Annals of Operations Research. 270(1). pp.1-4.
Wamba, S.F. and Queiroz, M.M., 2020. Blockchain in the operations and supply chain
management: Benefits, challenges and future research opportunities.
Wilson, J.M., 2018. Deconstructing the reinvention of operations management. Journal of
Management History.
Online
Ansoff Matrix to Identify Business Growth Opportunities. 2020. Online Available thorough.
<https://medicalrepublic.com.au/havent-eliminated-tb-already/9903>.