Management Analysis of Debenhams

This report analyzes the management styles, leadership strategies, and organizational structure of Debenhams, focusing on the CEO's approach to enhancing employee motivation and overall organizational performance. It discusses various management principles, the impact of organizati...Read More

Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
TASK A...........................................................................................................................................1
Analyse management style and state the principle and functions of management used by
CEO of Debenhams ..................................................................................................................1
TASK B...........................................................................................................................................3
Evaluate the steps taken in regards to organisational structure and changes in organisational
culture with it impact on employees ..........................................................................................3
TASK C ..........................................................................................................................................4
Describe leadership style of CEO of Debenhams to enhance organisational effectiveness.......4
TASK D...........................................................................................................................................6
Analyse effect of power, influence and conflict at Debenhams..................................................6
TASK E............................................................................................................................................7
Various types of motivation used at Debenhams........................................................................7
TASK F............................................................................................................................................9
Appropriate corporate examples and literature to justify stand..................................................9
TASK G...........................................................................................................................................9
Suggestions/ Recommendations that makes to enhance organisational performance................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management refers to the art of getting things done by others effectively and efficiently
in order to accomplish organisational goals and objectives. This includes activity of setting
strategy of an organisation while coordinating an efforts of its employees to achieve desired
goals through application of available resources such as financial, technological, human
resources etc. (Cooper and et. al., 2019). Effective management help the business in achieving
the group goals along with the optimum utilisation of resources. This report is based on
Debenhams company which is a British based multinational retailer that is operating
departmental stores situated in the United Kingdom and Denmark. It is specialise in selling
fashion clothing, shoes, toys and accessories, cosmetics, electrical, home and furniture .
The CEO of this company is Stefaan vansteenkiste, he has 30 years of experience in
leading companies through transformation and restructuring. Along with this,he has served as
CEO, CFO, COO, CTO to the large and international companies including various industries .
This report will includes management style, principles and functions of management. Analysis
of change in organisational culture in its impact on employees. Moreover it includes leadership
styles used by CEO, analysis of the effect of power, influence and conflict and various types of
motivation.
MAIN BODY
TASK A
Analyse management style and state the principle and functions of management used by CEO
of Debenhams
Management styles
Management style is refers to the principles which underlines methods, abilities and
techniques utilized by manager in order to handle situations and expressing leadership within an
organisation. An effective leader is the one who can adjust their leadership style in response to
culture and factor while keeping focus on effectively achieving goals and objectives (Corboş,
Popescu and Bunea, 2019). There are some management styles in context to the Debenhams
company is discussed below:
Participative management style: This is refers to the style in which all mangers and staff
are active members in decision making process. With this employees of Debehnam company
1

are facilitated with more access to the company information and goals and encouraged for being
innovative. This make employees feel more valued, motivation and productivity has been
increased..
Transformational management style: In this style leaders encourage, inspire and
motivate employees for innovation and creation of changes that will help them to grow
personally and professionally along with shaping the future of the company. Debenhams
company is focusing on pushing their employees out of their comfort zone so that creativity and
performance will be enhanced. (Schermerhorn Jr and Bachrach, 2020).
Debenhams company is using both participative and transformational management style
as this is suitable for the company and contributing in an effective and efficient working of
employees. In addition to this, company can also adopt the visionary management style in which
leaders work through inspiring their teams. Moreover leaders explains their goals along with the
reason behind them. . With the help of this Debenhams company can increase the employee
engagement, workforce is more satisfied and motivated , turnover becomes lower and problem
solving ability get enhanced.
Principle of management
Principle of management is refers to the activities that are used to plan, organize and
controlling operations of basic elements of human resource, materials, machines, money and
market(Hemmert, 2019). While providing direction and coordination as to achieve the desired
goals and objectives. Some of principles are discussed below which are used by CEO of
Debehnams company .
Balancing authority and responsibility: These are two key aspects of the management,
in which authority facilitates the management to work effectively and efficiently(Ghorbani,
2018). Therefore responsibility makes employees responsible for the work done under the
guidance of superiors. Debenhams company always focus on the proper balance between
assigned power and duties so that work can be done effectively and on timely basis.
Unity of direction: There should be an one head and one plan for a group of activities
that are consist of the same objectives In Debenhams company, activities with same objective
are directed by one managers this helps in reducing confusion and increase quality of outcomes
and results
Functions of management
2

Planning: It is described as the process of setting goals and determining the a course of
action which is used to accomplish those objectives. CEO of the Debahnam company has
effectively plan all activities which has helped in enhancing strategies that has been used to
make goals and objectives achievable within specified time period
Organizing: This is refers to identifying and grouping the work that is to be performed.
In this CEO delegates authority and responsibility and establish a relationship among the
selected work.
Directing: This is a continuous managerial process in which CEO of the company used
various techniques for instructing, guiding, inspiring and leading people towards achieving
organisational goals .
Controlling: This function of management help company in to check errors so that
corrective actions can be taken, in order to meet the objectives. In this CEO of the company
compare standard performance with actual performance so that errors can be identified (Novak,
Breznik and Natek, 2020).
TASK B
Evaluate the steps taken in regards to organisational structure and changes in organisational
culture with it impact on employees
Organisational structure refers to the systems that outlines that how activities are to be
directed in order to accomplish the desired goals and objectives. These activities includes rules,
roles and responsibilities along with this, Debenhams company has used hierarchical
organisational structure that is consist of direct chain of command from top to
bottom(Safarpour and et. al., 2019). Horizontal hierarchy help in better understanding about the
delegation of authority and responsibility, clearly defines who report to whom and motivates the
employees with the clear and define paths. . There are various steps taken by the CEO of
Debenham company for change in organisational structure that help in to enhance
organisational performance
Functional organisational structure : This is refers to the structure in which employees
are divided and organised on the basis of their specific skills and their corresponding function in
the firm. Debenham company may use this structure as well, this will help employees to focus
on their roles and encourages specialization.
3

Team based organisational structure: This is a structure in which teams has been made,
structure meant to disrupt traditional hierarchy and focusing more on problem solving,
corporation and provides employees more control (da Costa Nogueira, Sousa and Moreira,
2018). .
Organisational change is described as process of growth, decline and transformations
within organisation so as to accomplish goals and objectives of the company. Moreover change
in the organisational culture reflects changes in the values and behaviour of the employees along
with working environment. CEO of the debenhams company has been executed cultural changes
as to enhance performance and productivity of the overall organisation. Such as personnel
changes that focused on the employee engagement and retention through which motivation has
been increased with support of various techniques. In addition to this remedial changes are also
executed through which deficiencies and poor performance are addressed that are improved by
training and development programmes. . (Parsons and et. al., 2018).
TASK C
Describe leadership style of CEO of Debenhams to enhance organisational effectiveness
Leadership style refers to a leaders style that reflects direction, motivating people,
executing plans for success of the company and individual people. It is a integration of different
traits, features, actions and behaviours that are followed by a leader for interacting with their
subordinates. . (Musso and Weare, 2020). It includes several types of leadership style such as
autocratic, participative, free rein and many more that are presented below in terms of
Debenhams retailing company:
Autocratic leadership style- It refers to that leadership style in which a leader are '' do
as I say'' types. In this one person controls all decisions and working standards and not allow
other team members to show their suggestion . In terms of Debenhams, CEO adopts this
leadership style also when the task are to be attained on deadline. In this leader circulate orders
and guidelines to their subordinates without any participation of them so that task are to be
attained on time.
Democratic leadership style- It refers to that leadership style in which leader allow
other group member right to present their ideas and thoughts for organisational effectiveness. In
terms of Debenhams company, CEO Stefaan Vansteenkiste should follow participative or
4

democratic style of leadership. In this leaders give rights to their team members within decision
making process so that they provide suggestions and ideas for company benefits. (Bloomfield
and Rafferty, 2018).
Transformational leadership style- It refers to that leadership style which focuses on
developing employees and also their considering desire. In terms of CEO of Debenhams they
adopts this leadership style because it helps in broaden and elevate interest of employees. This
also provide effective results for company at a time of accepting change according to business
environment so that organisation will gain competitive advantage in their long term survival (Xie
and et. al., 2018). .
From the above analysis of leadership style, it has been recommanded that for the
Debenhams company, democratic and transformational leadership style will be more suitable. As
in this managers and leaders encourages employees for their input in the decision making
process. This help in increasing team cohesiveness, diverse opinions and innovative ideas.
Moreover in transformational style,leaders work through pushing team members from their
comfort zone in order to enhance ability, skill and knowledge that provides professional as well
as personal growth to each employee.
TASK D
Analyse effect of power, influence and conflict at Debenhams
Power defines as an ability of the company structure to utilise all their resources for
development. In terms of Debenhams, manager adopts various aspects of power that affect
company operations positively for this here French and Raven's forms of power model is used
that describes the five sources of the leadership which is used to influence others that can has the
different impact upon the relationships and outcomes. forms of this model is discussed below:
 Reward power- It refers to that power in which manager of company influence their
team mates by providing them some rewards like promotions and bonuses.. In this
manager of concerned company focus on evaluating performance so that offering
rewards to them is simple and effective. This impact positively on company performance
and productivity.
 Coercive power: This form of power involves forcing an individual to do against their
will. This is implemented when an leaders is punishing someone for non-compliance.
5

This can create the negative working environment in the debenhams. In this motivation
level of the employees is decline and employee turnover can be increased.
 legitimate power: This power is derived from the position acquired by an individual in
organisation or by the set of formal relationships. Leaders in the organisational hierarchy
and elected official has the legitimate power. With this debenhams can have the
disciplined environment in which performance and quality can be enhanced.
 Expert power: This is drives from the individual expertise in which Skill level,
competence and experience helps employees to become the trustworthy and able to
influence others. This help the respected company to get the more skilled employees that
produces quality of output.
 Referent power: It is the power which is based on being liked and respected as an
individual. This is associated with the individuals perceived value, worth and
attractiveness
 Informational power: This power is based on the ability to have control over the flow of
information which is essential to get things done. It is also associated with the individual
access to the confidential information that others don't know.
Within Debenhams, influence aspect effecting productivity in positive and negative
manner. In terms of positive manner if an organisation have a good and passionate working
employees who work effectively to attain targets than it will influence new hiring also so that
they are also working effectively and firm will get profitable results (Maamari and Saheb,
2018). In terms of negative manner, within Debenhams there are some employees who are not
working properly and create misunderstanding among the employees related to company culture
this will influence other employees in negative manner.
Conflicts refers to that state which is caused by perceived and actual opposition of
values, needs and interest between people who are working together. In terms of Debenhams,
conflicts affects negatively on employees overall performance due to this productivity of
company is also reduced. For instance- due to lack of planning and poor communication
conflicts are to be raised within Debenhams due to this employee turnover is increased. To solve
6

conflicts within organisation manager provides counselling to their employees who involves
within conflicts. (González-Cruz, Botella-Carrubi and Martínez-Fuentes, 2019).
TASK E
Various types of motivation used at Debenhams
Motivation refers to the process of initiating, guiding the employees so that they reflects
their goal oriented behaviour. In terms of Debenhams, CEO adopts various types of motivations
so that employees are getting satisfied and work effectively for company overall success. For
presenting motivation, maslow need hierarchy theory are to be adopted that are presented below:
 Psychological needs- This includes basic needs of an individual person such as food,
shelter, basic allowance, clothing etc. It is that type of needs which motivates an
employees to perform their job effectively. In terms of Debenhams, manager focus on
fulfilling their basic needs like providing safe working environment condition, secure
compensation, basic salary so that an individual worker feel safe and secured and indulge
in attaining targets properly. (Setoodegan and Eslami, 2019).
 Safety needs- It includes a sense of security that an individual person want. In terms of
Debenhams, after fulfilling employees basic needs manager focus on offering a sense of
security to their talented employees so that they feel satisfied with working environment
(Abdullahi, Anarfo and Anyigba, 2020). In this concerned company should provide
insurance facilities for securing their health, provide protection from accidents so that
workers are feeling safe and it is highly beneficial for organisation proficiency.
 Social needs- This needs includes feeling of belongingness and acceptance. In this social
needs are very essential within an organisation point of view because without it
employees cannot work effectively. It occur when above two needs are to be satisfied
effectively. In terms of Debenhams, manager implement t friendly working environment
by adopting democratic and transformation leadership style. In this every employees are
interactive in nature that encourage cooperative working. (Razak, Sarpan and Ramlan,
2018).
 Esteem needs- It refers to that in which respect and self esteem is highly importance for
a person. In terms of Debenhams, manager offers praise and recognition to their talent
workforce so that other employees are also getting motivated towards it. This helps in
7

enhancing overall performance of employees so that productive results are also to be
enjoyed in their long term survival.
 Self actualisation needs- It refers to the high level needs which reflects a person needs to
reach their potential targets (Lappalainen, Härkänen and Kvist, 2020).. In terms of
Debenhams, manager focus on evaluating employees performance so that offering
challenging work as per their capability is to be done and because of this workers
achieves their targets with full efficiency. It helps in achieving their future development.
TASK F
Appropriate corporate examples and literature to justify stand(Abdullahi, Anarfo and Anyigba,
2020)
First corporate example is based on Marks and Spencer, in this company adopts
transformational management and leadership style so that targets are to be attained effectively.
company mainly deals in clothing and food sector and within both these sectors coordination
between employees and customers are very essential to examine current needs. Within this
manager of company focus on motivating their employees so that they are satisfied with their
working and effectively connect with customers. company plan to build a sustainable future and
it is possible by adopting reward power and proper motivations so that effectiveness is to be
maintained in their long term survival (McCay, Lyles and Larkey, 2018).
Secondly, corporate example is Next plc in this employees are integral to attain whole
business objectives. In this company believe that more motivates an employees to attain their
goals then more profitable results are to be enjoyed by company. In this manager of company
adopts democratic style so that every employees have right to take decisions due to this
workplace environment is to be reflected in positive nature. In this company treats all their
employees with dignity and respect which motivates them for work more passionately and
effectively (OUR PEOPLE, 2021).
TASK G
Suggestions/ Recommendations that makes to enhance organisational performance
As per the above information, we can observe that Debenhams company can enhance its
performance with utilization of various strategies and techniques. Training and development
8

programme is one of the most used technique that will help company in enhance ability, skills
and knowledge of workforce. Prominent utilization of this technique allow company to
encourage overall performance along with the quality of outputs. Moreover, Debenhams leaders
can also use techniques and methods for maintaining and enhancing motivation within
employees at a workplace. Such as fringe benefits which is a form of financial motivation along
with this, company can use non-financial motivation methods such as offer personal enrichment
programme, celebrate milestones and achievement and development of comfortable and
inspiring workspace. In addition to this, leaders should provide frequent feedbacks rather waiting
for periodic performance reviews. With this open communication is also essentials for
maximizing individual strength and for improving weaknesses. This help in improving
employees performance along with increase in employee engagement and retention .
Suggestion and Recommendation are like:
 Never looses Opportunity: Effective leader are clear what matters and on
communication which matters. Ineffective leaders are not clear what matters.
 Decisions must be clear: Effective leader are focused on clarity which means,
every employee should be satisfied and the business too does not suffers.
Ineffective leaders never keeps clarity in there terms, which creates confusion
CONCLUSION
From above report it is concluded that management style is very prominent term within
an organisation to maintain and manage the working and operations effectively. It also inculcates
the management style, principles and functions that is used by the CEO of Debenhams for
maintaining and managing work effectively at workplace. Further it includes organisation
structure within organisation work so that effective results are to be enjoyed in their long term
survival. It also includes leadership style, power, conflicts and influence which impacts
organisational effectiveness so that long term sustainability are to be enjoyed in retailing market.
At last it involves corporate examples that helps in justify the stand that are to be done earlier.
This acknowledge suggestions and recommendations that a company will take to developed and
increased their overall organisational performance like proper training and development,
rewarding employees etc. all these helps in maximising organisational performance
appropriately so that it will sustain to a longer period of time within retail industry.
9

10

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abdullahi, A.Z., Anarfo, E.B. and Anyigba, H., 2020. The impact of leadership style on
organizational citizenship behavior: does leaders' emotional intelligence play a
moderating role?. Journal of Management Development.
Bloomfield, E.F. and Rafferty, K., 2018. Working Groups as Classroom Management Style.
Cooper, M.L. and et. al., 2019. Conflict management style and exhaustion in public
accounting. Managerial Auditing Journal.
Corboş, R.A., Popescu, R.I. and Bunea, O.I., 2019. The influence of the sales management style
on the company's competitiveness. Calitatea. 20(S2). pp.197-201.
da Costa Nogueira, D.M., Sousa, P.S. and Moreira, M.R., 2018. The relationship between
leadership style and the success of Lean management implementation. Leadership &
Organization Development Journal.
Gao, N. and Schaaper, J., 2018. Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in France: Motivations and
Management Style. Management international/International Management/Gestiòn
Internacional. 22. pp.113-129.
Ghorbani, A., 2018. Introducing an Conceptual Framework to Processing Theory of Showcase
Management Style. Quarterly Journal of Public Organzations Management. 6(4).
pp.151-164.
González-Cruz, T.F., Botella-Carrubi, D. and Martínez-Fuentes, C.M., 2019. Supervisor
leadership style, employee regulatory focus, and leadership performance: A
perspectivism approach. Journal of Business Research. 101. pp.660-667.
Hemmert, M., 2019. Does Korean-style management have a future?. Asian Business &
Management, pp.1-24.
Lappalainen, M., Härkänen, M. and Kvist, T., 2020. The relationship between nurse manager's
transformational leadership style and medication safety. Scandinavian journal of caring
sciences. 34(2). pp.357-369.
Maamari, B.E. and Saheb, A., 2018. How organizational culture and leadership style affect
employees’ performance of genders. International Journal of Organizational Analysis.
McCay, R., Lyles, A.A. and Larkey, L., 2018. Nurse leadership style, nurse satisfaction, and
patient satisfaction: a systematic review. Journal of nursing care quality. 33(4). pp.361-
367.
Musso, J.A. and Weare, C., 2020. Performance management goldilocks style: A transaction cost
analysis of incentive intensity in performance regimes. Public Performance &
Management Review. 43(1). pp.1-27.
Novak, A., Breznik, K. and Natek, S., 2020. How leaders can initiate knowledge management in
organizations: Role of leadership style in building knowledge infrastructure. Human
Systems Management. 39(1). pp.37-50.
Parsons, C. and et. al., 2018. Reversal of coronary atherosclerosis: role of life style and medical
management. Trends in cardiovascular medicine. 28(8). pp.524-531.
Razak, A., Sarpan, S. and Ramlan, R., 2018. Effect of leadership style, motivation and work
discipline on employee performance in PT. ABC Makassar. International Review of
Management and Marketing. 8(6). p.67.
Safarpour, H. and et. al., 2019. Managers preferred management style from the perspective of
nurses. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 11(3). pp.47-51.
11

Schermerhorn Jr, J.R. and Bachrach, D.G., 2020. Exploring management. John Wiley & Sons.
Setoodegan, E. and Eslami, J., 2019. The relationship between leadership style and time
management in senior and middle nursing managers. Revista Latinoamericana de
Hipertensión. 14(1). pp.26-31.
Xie, Y. and et. al., 2018. Leadership style and innovation atmosphere in enterprises: An
empirical study. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 135. pp.257-265.
Online
OUR PEOPLE, 2021 [Online]. Available through: <https://www.nextplc.co.uk/corporate-
responsibility/our-people>
12