Leadership and Management Report: M&S, Theories and Practices

This report delves into the critical aspects of management and operation within an organization, emphasizing the roles of leaders and managers in achieving organizational objectives. Focusing on Marks and Spencer (M&S), the report provides an in-depth analysis of leadership and management theories, including situational, systems, contingency, and transactional leadership models. It explores the distinct roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders in diverse situations, such as employee turnover. The report evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of various leadership approaches and their practical application within M&S. Furthermore, it examines the impact of external factors on the business environment and provides insights into how effective leadership and management can enhance operational efficiency, employee motivation, and overall organizational performance. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and implications for leadership practices within the retail sector.

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Description of the roles and characteristics of a leaders and manager..............................1
P2 Explanation of the role of a leader and functions of manager in different situational context
................................................................................................................................................2
P3 Theories and models of leadership....................................................................................3
M1 Role of leader and functions of manger by applying a range of theories and concepts. .5
M2 Assessment of the strength and weakness of various approaches and theories in the
company.................................................................................................................................5
D1 ..........................................................................................................................................6
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................7
P4 Key approaches of operation management and role of leaders.........................................7
P5 Significance of operation management.............................................................................9
M3...........................................................................................................................................9
D2 ..........................................................................................................................................9
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................10
P6 and M4 Factors that impact on business environment....................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation is one of the most significant aspect in an organisation which
aid in producing the high quality of operation. In a simple word it can be said that operation
management is the procedure of business practices which create high level of efficiency within
company (Park and el.at., 2014). In this aspect, leader and manager plays a very significant role
in attaining the organisational objective by managing and controlling business activities, function
and performance of workforce. The present report provides the detail knowledge and
understanding of various theories and concept of management and leadership with respect of
Marks and Spencer. It is one of the famous retail outed in the UK which deal with clothing and
home ware products and services. In this report, role of leader and functions of manager has
systematically discussed with cited venture.
TASK 1
P1 Description of the roles and characteristics of a leaders and manager
In an organisation, management and leadership concept is very important which provides
assistance in attaining the business objective in an excellent manner. In order to implement these
concepts within corporation, manager and leader plays a very impressive role. Management
refers to procedure under which manager is supposed to control and direct people and resources
in a group according to principles and value (Iqbal and Sharma, 2012). On the other hand
leadership is the setting a new direction under which leader is supposed to motivate, control, lead
and encourage subordinates so as they can attain the company target within time. In the context
of Marks and Spencer organisation, it is major objective is to produce high quality of customer
product and gain large customer attraction and profitability. In order to attain this objective,
leader and manager is very important person. However, both of them have different roles and
responsibilities toward the organisation. Following are some difference between roles and
characteristics of leader and managers-
Manager Leader
A manager is a person who is responsible to
develop business policies, practices and
strategies for the business so as target can attain
within a time.
Leader is a person who is responsible for
motivating, encouraging, controlling, leading
and directing the people also he/she is
responsible for monitor employees
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performance.
Manager is a person who develop the business
structure, system and procedure according to the
organisation objective (Ghosh, 2015).
Leader is a person who implement the
developed system, structure and practices by
the manager so as every one can accomplish
their target within a time period (Harwiki,
2013).
Manager has a short range view and he/she has
job to planning, organising, conducting,
controlling business activities and functions.
Leader have long ranged perspective and
he/she is responsible to manage the
performance of subordinate so as they can
attain the target within a time period.
P2 Explanation of the role of a leader and functions of manager in different situational context
As per the above discussion it has been analysed that for attain business objective in the
Marks and Spencer organisation, manager and leader have their own roles, responsibility and
characteristics. Both of them is very important for the business enterprise as they are responsible
to manage, control, motivate employees and attain the organisation objective within a time. They
both perform in different manner while any situation occurs within corporation. Marks and
Spencer organisation is recently facing the issue of employees turn over due to poor working
practices, lack of motivation, high level of workload etc. Due to these situations in the cited
venture, many of the employees are demotivating and they leave to the company (Agarwal and
et.al., 2012). In this critical situation in the Marks and Spencer, both manager and leader have
great responsibility to mange this situation and motivate human resource so as they can retain in
the company for long time.
In these employees turn over situation in the Marks and Spencer company, leader have
responsibility to understand the actual issue in the workforce and make efforts to overcome this
issue. In this situation, cited venture leader can conduct the team meeting or he/she can conduct
personal interaction with each employees so as leader can easily identify the issue of individual
in an effective manner. Leader is that person who is close to each subordinates so it is very easy
for leader to diagnosed the major issue among the employees through which they are influence to
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leave the company. By acknowledged the actual issue, leader can communicate with top
management and help to the company in declining the employees turn over situation. In addition
to this, leader have another responsibility to organise term activities and develop such healthy
working environment where each one can collectively accomplish the task. Leader can motivate
and encourage employees for effective performance.
On the other hand in the Marks and Spencer company, manager have also great
responsibility to manage these employees turn over situation. In this aspect manager have role to
develop such impressive strategies and working practices by which employees can motivate and
retain in the company for long time (Arnulf and et.al., 2014). In this manager should analyse the
actual situation of the business unit and find out actual reason behind that employees turn over
situation. By analysing this situation, manger should adopt such motivational techniques and
policies which help in motivating and encouraging workforce so as they can retain in the
corporation for long time.
P3 Theories and models of leadership
Marks and Spencer is operating its business well, it treats its employees effectively which
helps the managers in retaining the skilled workers in the workplace for longer duration. There
are various theories and models of leadership which supports the manager in meeting with
organizational goal (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015). These are as following:
Situational leadership theory
In the recent time retail industry is facing huge competition, in such condition it has
become very difficult for the M&S to sustain in the market for longer duration. Situational
leadership pays more attention on adopting flexible approach. This models states that leaders are
the important part of business unit, if they behave mature and develop strong relationship with
their executives then it may give positive results to the entity (Roueche and et.al, 2014). By
adopting this approach leaders can make their employees positive and can turn their mind as
well. By this way staff members will contribute well in the success of entity. For example if
government makes changes in working hours then people may get negative towards the brand
and they may resist changes (Scaria, 2016). But if leaders adopts situational leadership them
people will understand the necessity of changes and they will corporate with the firm. That can
improve efficiency level of their performance and can raise productivity of the organization to
great extent. On other hand if there technological changes then leaders of M&S are required to
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handle situation well and individual has to make other understand with maturity. This can
develop communication and with the guidance of leader employees will support the entity and
they will accept this challenge (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014).
Illustration 1: Situational leadership
Source: (Situational leadership, 2016 )
Leaders need to direct their employees properly and they have to give them support this
can assist in accomplishing goal of Marks and Spencer.
Systems leadership theory
It is another model of leadership which can support the firm in examining its business
across the world. M&S is providing quality retail products and services to its customers. But now
needs of consumers have got changed and cited firm is planning to expand its business in other
nation as well. For that company needs to make changes in its operations which is quit difficult
for the employees to adopt the new system (Dong and Huang, 2013). In such condition leaders
need to adopt systematic leadership style. This can assist in encouraging staff members and
making them positive towards the brand. By this way will put their hard efforts and will
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contribute well in the success of business unit. That will definitely raise interest of clients and
M&S will be able to enhance its revenues to great extent (Goodall and Pogrebna, 2015).
Contingency model
It is the model which states that leaders have to behave as per the situation of the
company. Leader of M&S has to motivate its workers and should encourage them so that people
utilize their skills well and perform their duties well. By this way entity can be able to enhance
their performance and will be able to gain competitive advantage (Griep and et.al, 2016).
Transactional leadership model
It is another type of theory of leadership which states that leaders need to understand
personalities of employees and accordingly they have to behave with them and should lead them.
Leaders need to motivate staff by giving them rewards and recognition. For that it is essential
that leader of M&S have necessary capabilities so that individual can make its staff members
comfortable and can gain their loyalty (Antony, 2014).
M1 Role of leader and functions of manger by applying a range of theories and concepts
In the Marks and Spencer organisation, leader and manager gives their best affords to
attain its determined target. In the absence of them, company can not attain its objective. There
are several theories of leadership which help to leader in understanding the concept of leadership
and management. There are different role and function of manager in different theories which are
as follows-
 In the behavioural theory of leadership, leader have role to understand the behaviours of
subordinates. By understanding their behaviours, their needs and requirement related to
working can diagnose (aur and Haase, 2015). On the other hand manager have role in this
theory that he/she develops such practices and policies by which employees needs and
requirement can easily fulfil.
 In the contingency theory of leadership, manager have role to develop such policies and
practices under which employees are allowed to freely communicate. On the other hand
in this leadership leader have role to invite them in the management so as they can share
their view, opinion and conflicts related to working.
M2 Assessment of the strength and weakness of various approaches and theories in the company
As per the discussion it has been analysed that there are various theories and concept of
leadership. Following are some strength and weakness of these leadership theories-
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Leadership Theories Strength Weakness
Situational
leadership
It provides flexibility to
manager and leader
It is difficult to implement
within the company
Contingency
leadership
It is useful theoretical
framework
It has ineffective literature
System leadership Provide complete solution to
the company by motivating
employees
It have fear to breaking rule
among the employees
D1
Situation leadership theory
It is the great approach which concentrate on providing necessary support and delegation to
employees. This helps in making people positive towards the firm and raising their performance
as well. Apart from this relationship between employee and employer can be developed by
adopting this leadership approach (Situational Leadership, 2016). On other hand it is not
possible to react always according to situation some times following of rules become more
necessary for the leader. In such condition people may get negative as well. But this model pay
more attention on demographic conditions rather than skills of individual.
System leadership theory
It is considered as effective approach at the time of expansion of firm and it can also raise
efficiency level to great extent. On other hand if leaders adopt systematic leadership approach
then conflicts may get arise in the workplace and it may also create misunderstanding in the
corporation (Griep and et.al, 2016).
Contingency theory
It is another leadership approach which pays more attention on motivation and
relationship. Both aspects can help in encouraging people and enhance their interest towards
their work. It can support the cited firm in getting optimistic results. Whereas trait leadership
theory pays attention on personality of individual. But it is not always possible to concentrates on
each personality and behave accordingly (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014). Leaders have to work
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in a team so they have to behave equally with all employees. Inflexible approach is the weakness
of contingency theory.
Transactional leadership
It can motivate the staff members but leaders some time blame to employees for their
poor results which may decrease confidence of workers.
LO 3
P4 Key approaches of operation management and role of leaders
Operation management is the tool that helps the managers in making effective control
over its operations and designing the process in effective manner so that overall goal of the firm
can be achieved. There are various approaches of operation management that can be adopted by
M&S to improve its working performance: Dynamic approach: It is the kind of approach which pay more attention on contingencies,
improving knowledge and resolving work based problems (Scaria, 2016). Currently
Marks and Spencer is working on traditional approach due to which it is unable to gain
competitive advantage. This approach can support the cited firm in enhancing efficiency
level of operations and sustaining in the market for longer duration.
 Six sigma approach: It is another type of approach of operation management in which
manager identify the loop fall in the system and make changes accordingly. By this way
wastage can be minimized and profit of the firm can be increased (What is lean six
sigma , 2017). DMAIV and DMADV are two main approaches of six sigma which can
support M&S in meeting with its organizational goal. Managers can make check list and
can make strategy to minimize lacking points.
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Illustration 2: Six sigma
Source: (What is lean Sigma, 2017)
Role of leaders and managers in management of operations
Leaders play significant role in the Marks and Spencer, individuals plays a role of
motivator. Leader of cited firm motivate the employees so that they feel encouraged and perform
their duties well. Leader supervises the team members and identify their loop-falls. By this way
their strength and weakness is being identified that helps in giving them training accordingly so
that they improve their performance (Goodall and Pogrebna, 2015). Leaders of M&S share
vision of the company with employees so that they support the firm in its strategic planning
process.
Managers plays role of instructor, they guide the team members and make them aware
with their roles and responsibilities. It supports in minimizing errors and improving work based
performance of staff members (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014). Managers of cited firm also act
as motivator and provide reward and recognition to team members. That encourages the people
and they feel comfortable. By this way skilled employees retain in the organization for longer
duration.
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P5 Significance of operation management
Operation management is the essential part of business unit. Main agenda of Marks and
Spencer is to enhance its profitability. For that it is essential for the entity to make control over
its cost and reduce wastage. This can be achieved through managing operations well. With the
help of this tool management can design the process effectively and can utilise resources well.
That may helps in minimizing unnecessary expenditures (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015).
Total quality management is the great approach which ensure that quality of products get
maintained. Marks and Spencer always want to provide quality products to its consumers so that
they feel satisfied. This can be obtained through TQM process because by this way cited firm
will be able to enhance efficiency of operations and can be able to element wastage from the
system (Dong and Huang, 2013).
M3
Leaders and managers can improve efficiency level of operations of M&S. Managers and
leaders can supervise the activities of employees well and can guide them well. This can support
in raising their performance and retaining them in the organization for longer duration. Apart
from this, if manages and leaders motivate staff and implement the latest technologies then
overall operation efficiency of the company can be improved (Scaria, 2016).
D2
Six sigma is the great application that can support in identifying loop fall in the system
and improving these issues. On other hand changes in laws always create issue for the
organization to make changes in its operations. By this way six sigma can not work properly. If
company make changes them it may increase burden of Marks and Spencer which may reduce its
profit.
Economic factor is the major external element which may influence working of marks
and Spencer. If there is inflation or deflation then in such condition it becomes difficult for cited
firm to conduct operation well. By this way sales volume for the firm get affected and company
may get failed to accomplish its goal (What is lean six sigma , 2017). On other hand if
competitors change their strategy then it becomes essential for Marks and Spencer as well to
make changes then it may increase its cost which may affect its business environment to great
extent.
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LO 4
P6 and M4 Factors that impact on business environment
There are various factors that impact on the working of Marks and Spencer to great
extent. These are as following:
Financial strength of company
It is major element that can influence the working of the organization to great extent. If
M&S has poor monitory resources then it would be difficult for cited firm to modify its
operations and adopt new technologies (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015).
Relationship between employees and employers
It is another factor that may affect business environment. If people have strong bonding
then it may reduce communication gap and conflicts. By this way employees will put their hard
efforts and will contribute well to the success of cited firm (Scaria, 2016).
Competition
In the modern era competition is too high and in such situation it has become difficult for
entity to sustain in the make for longer duration. M&S needs to make effective strategies so that
it can produce products as per the needs of customers. This can attract more people towards the
brand and can help in gaining competitive advantage.
Leaders and managers both play significant role in the operation management of Marks
and Spencer. They need to make changes in technologies and have to adopt the latest
machineries. This can support in improving quality of products and reducing time of production,
That will assist in gaining high revenues and reducing cost of the company (Roueche and et.al,
2014). Managers and leaders are required to adopt lean production techniques to main quality of
production. By this way entity will be able to reduce wastage and errors and will be able to earn
more profit.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that operation management is the great
approach that can support in improving efficiency level of operations. Six sigma is the great tool
t that supports in identifying loop fall in the system so that company can make changes in its
system to improve its efficiency level. Furthermore, study has discussed about role of leaders and
manager in Marks and Spencer. Leaders and manages can plays role of motivators and can
encourage employee to perform well. By this way entity can be able to meet with its goal.
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