Leadership and Management: Applying Theories in Business Operations

This report delves into the realms of management and operations, focusing on the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within the context of a mobile unit production company, Soft Company. It explores the distinctions between leadership and management, illustrating how these roles are applied in diverse situations through the application of various theories and models, such as the transformational theory of leadership and the classical theory of management. The report further examines key approaches associated with operation management, including situational, contingency, and system leadership, while also analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches within the work environment. Moreover, it highlights the significance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives, along with how leaders and managers can improve operational efficiencies. Finally, it considers how factors of the business environment influence operational management and decision-making, analyzing their impact on the business environment and the community.

Management
And
Operations

Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
P1. Roles along with characteristics of leaders and managers.................................................................3
M1. Differentiate between role of leader as well as function of manager by applying theory.................6
P2. How role of leader and manager can be applied in distinct situations...............................................6
P3. Apply different models as well as theories of approach....................................................................7
M2. Strengths along with weaknesses of approaches in work environment............................................8
P4. Key approaches associated with operation management as well as role played by leaders and
managers..................................................................................................................................................9
P5. Significance and value of operations management in attainment of business objectives.................11
M3. How leaders and managers improvise efficiencies of operational management for attainment of
business objectives................................................................................................................................12
P6. Factors of business environment create impact on operational management as well as decision
making of managers and leaders............................................................................................................12
M4. Analyse how these factors affect business environment and community.......................................14
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................16

Introduction
Management is defined as administration of firm which illustrates the art of
acknowledging what is being required, when this is desired and ensure that it is being carried out
in best possible way. An operation denotes activities that are conducted by firm for conversion of
raw materials within final products by which profit can be achieved (Boyd and Dougherty,
2016). It is associated with managing products quality as well as creation of systemic balance
among revenues as well as costs of entity. To acknowledge the concept of management and
operations Soft Company is taken into consideration which deals with mobile units and their
production. This report comprises of formative discussion on leaders and manager with respect
to their role along with characteristics. Moreover, roles carried out by them are applied in
different context through usage of theories and models. Key approaches related with same will
also be discussed along with their impact on ways in decisions are being formulated within
organization.
P1. Roles along with characteristics of leaders and managers
A leader as well as managers acts as inseparable components within an organization. By
carrying out their roles and responsibilities in an affirmative way, they make sure that high
profitability as well as growth can be attained by business.
Leader: An individual who is liable for inspiring and aligning behavior of employees
towards attainment of goals as well as objective of organization is referred to as a leader (Ellitan,
2017). Within Soft Company, Joan Pearson make use of her army experience which brings in
confidence as well as affirmative attitude for encouraging individuals to give their best while
working on any project. This leads completion of tasks on time as well as accomplishment of
goals.
Role of Leaders in Soft Company
 Leader is accountable for alignment of behavior of people toward vision of firm thereby
ensures that activities are carried out in accordance to those (Eraki, 2015).

 Within Soft Company, leader makes sure that appropriate standards associated with
particular tasks are maintained by which efficiency and effectiveness can be attained.
Characteristics of leaders in Soft Company
 Leaders of firm are committed as well as honest towards their responsibilities through
which they create an impact on individuals for undertaking similar approach (Fan, Liu
and Zhang, 2015).
 In Soft Company, leaders have charismatic personality which makes them idol for their
followers and intensify their capabilities.
Managers: An individual who have authority for management according to whom
activities are being assigned as well as conducted in a firm is referred to as manager. In Soft
Company, managers are liable for furnishing instructions of top executive to other employees so
that operations can be carried in accordance to them.
Role of Managers in Soft Company
 The primary role of managers within firm is management along with controlling activities
which are being carried out by individuals so that overall performance can be maintained
(Han and et. al., 2017).
 Managers of Soft Company are liable for interacting relevant as well as significant
information to employees through which organizational objectives and goals can be
attained.
Characteristics of Managers in Soft Company
 In Soft Company, manager possesses creativity and have emotional stability by which
anger as well as frustration does not override their authority on subordinates.
 They can prioritize activities as per their significance and assign responsibilities to
employees on the basis of their knowledge and experience to ensure that within stipulated
time tasks are accomplished (Idris, 2016).
Similarities between Managers and Leaders of Soft Company

 Both the entities work simultaneously for achieving identical goal that is business growth
along with impelling profitability of Soft Company. Leaders and managers in firm strive hard to enhance confidence as well as morale of
employees for ensuring that required standards of work are being attained.
Differences between Management and Leadership of Soft Company
Basis of Comparison Managers Leaders
Behavioural
characteristics
Management in Soft Company is
embodiment of creativity, facilitators
and trenchant decision making (Ma
and Sun, 2012).
.
Leadership within Soft Company
emphasise on creation of
influence, inspire as well as
confidence for leading a team.
Power and authority They possess authority for allotting
as well as managing tasks,
formulating decisions and
controlling activities that are being
conducted.
Leadership comes with power for
ensuring amplified productivity of
individuals and accomplishment
of tasks on stipulated time frame. .
Subordinates Management have their employees
like subordinates who adhere to
instructions given by them
(managers).
They have their subordinates as
followers (Nayak, 2015).
With respect to Soft Company, managers and leaders make use of different theories of
management as well as leadership which enable them to align with operations they have to
conduct.
Transformational theory of leadership: This theory aids leaders to adapt to current as
well as outer business environment situations. It will enable Joan Pearson to work with their
followers for identification of alterations which is required, formulate a vision for guiding them

with a change by making use inspiration (Plesser and et. al., 2014). The changes are required to
ensure that on time projects can be accomplished thereby leads to attainment of goals.
Classical theory of Management: As per this ideology, managers emphasize on
enhancement of profitability of firm. For this, Joan Pearson has to stress on addressing the
organizational along with personal needs. It will lead to encourage employees by boosting up
their morale in an efficacious manner and this can be attained by optimal decision making
policies (Tristancho and Gutiérrez, 2012).
M1. Differentiate between role of leader as well as function of manager by applying theory
Within evolving and competitive world, conflicts may take place in organization at regular
intervals. In such kind of situations, role of manager as well as leader within Soft Company
becomes relevant. Conflict resolution is crucial for entities to make sure that they are sustainable
within market for longer duration of time by attaining their objectives and goals. In case if
conflict occurs then managers have to supervise and monitor entire situation and accordingly
take decision so that it can be handled in required way (Wang, Jie and Abareshi, 2015). Leaders
within firm tend to encourage employees by which they can resolve such situations in a
coordinated and formal way. For this conflict management theory can be applied. It is a
collaborative action which has to be taken up by manager and leader to ensure that affirmative
environment prevails within working premises.
P2. How role of leader and manager can be applied in distinct situations.
Soft Company renders their services in global market; this makes it crucial for them to
formulate effectual business strategies by which they can remain competitive within market.
With respect to this, leaders and managers have relevant role. Manager of Soft Company
undertakes different activities like planning of projects, its allotment to subordinates and many
others. Leaders train their employees as per evolving technologies to ensure that goals are being
attained in an appropriate manner. Manager and leaders within Soft Company works in
collaboration with each other so that if any critical situation occurs then it can be handled in an
effective way (Wen-chao, Fan and Wen-wen, 2012). In this context, two situations have been
provided below with reference to Soft Company:

Team-building: It is one of the most critical activities as there are employees from
different cultural backgrounds and expertise. Within Soft Company, manager needs to adhere to
autocratic leadership style by which they can make their team to work as single unit rather than
independently. This will lead to enhance their performance within competitive environment.
Leaders of Soft Company try to build in trust among their subordinates, through which
affirmative as well as healthy working environment can be developed. These practices carried
out by leaders as well as managers of Soft Company will aid them to attain identical goal. Team
building practice will lead Joan Pearson to encourage creativity in tasks carried out.
Project management: The effectiveness of business firm completely depends on ways of
implementation of their projects. It is also considered as critical as here, firm needs to identify
best possible strategies (Williams, 2015). With respect to Soft Company, it is essential to
effectual use of all the available resources and carries out their business operations with an aim
to attain their goals on appropriate time frame. It is important for manager of Soft Company that
responsibilities are assigned to employees with respect to capabilities possessed by them. With
reference to this, leaders of firm must monitor performance of their team member as well as
furnish appropriate guidelines to them so that they are not struck in the middle of the project.
Furthermore, they will also provide appropriate training to employees through which their
knowledge and skills can be enhanced. Manager will ensure that relevant guidance is provided
to subordinates as it will lead them to render their services appropriately within competitive
business environment.
P3. Apply different models as well as theories of approach.
Leadership implies activity associated with leading an organization or a peculiar group of
people. It comprises of formulation of clear vision, furnish information, methods as well as
knowledge to realize their vision with others so that same is being followed (XIANG, Chen and
Zhang, 2013). This process is being taken up by leaders of Soft Company so that team spirit of
employees can be amplified. This will boost up their motivation level. Some key approaches of
leadership are illustrated beneath:
Situational leadership: This approach is being followed by managers or leaders of Soft
Company to develop their style to fit within the developmental levels of followers they are about
to convince as per requirements of market (Situational Leadership, 2019). This is basic as well as

most significant theory of management in which importance is being given to all styles of
leadership along with approaches and it is not dependent on single leadership approach.
Contingency leadership theory: Here, emphasis is not only laid on leader but also on the
environment in which they interact. Contingency leadership approach is being utilized when
skills of leaders needs to be assessed that aids within motivating as well as inspire employees of
Soft Company. This theory takes into consideration two aspects, skills of leaders along with
situation which prevails within firm (Yun and et. al., 2018).
System leadership theory: This approach aids leaders of Soft Company within
establishment of healthy working environment. It is taken into consideration when leaders have
to develop strategies that will aid within maintenance of effectiveness. This approach of
leadership is being utilized for enhancement of production processes in Soft Company through
which existent goals can be attained.
Thus, management and leadership possess their own specified roles as well as
responsibilities that have to be accomplished so that business activities can be conducted in an
ordered way (Boyd and Dougherty, 2016). This will lead to attain organizational objectives and
goals desired time frame.
M2. Strengths along with weaknesses of approaches in work environment
There are different kinds of leadership approaches which can be utilized by Joan Pearson
within Soft Company. Each has their own affirmatives and pessimistic, they are illustrated
beneath:
Situational leadership
 Strength: It is a spontaneous approach where a manager instinctively knows which style
can be applied for handling peculiar situation. Through this, relationship among
employees and manager is kept at centre which makes later (employees) feel valued. This
leads to enhanced working experience for both of them. Weakness: Managers can opt for any of style which can lead to creation of chaos in mind
of employees as well as leaders as some situations might seems identical but can be
completely different (Ellitan, 2017).

Contingency leadership theory
 Strength: It furnish information associated with leadership styles which can be useful for
Soft Company within development of leadership chart in reference to human resource
planning. Weakness: The major drawback is that in case if leader is inefficient then it is very
difficult to deal with critical conditions (Eraki, 2015).
System leadership theory
 Strength: Within this theory, emphasis is laid on attainment of goals of individuals as
well as organization on the whole.
 Weakness: Sometimes, situations may not seem practical which might lead to delay
within the decisions.
P4. Key approaches associated with operation management as well as role played by leaders and
managers.
The process which initializes from raw materials and continues till final products are
attained is referred to as operation management. This management practices emphasize on
maximum eradication of waste by ensuring optimum usage of resources. The major aim behind
this process is enhancement of efficiency as well as effectiveness of operations that are being
carried out by Soft Company. Operation management aids within keeping appropriate balance
among revenue which is being earned along with cost which has been incurred by firm (Fan, Liu
and Zhang, 2015). Within Soft Company there two major operational functions which are
ascertained, they are production and transportation as follows beneath:
Production: It is an organizational function that is associated with acquirement of raw
materials as well as their transformation within finished products. It is considered as major
activity within manufacturing firm.
Transportation: When mobile phones are being produced, then they are being
transmitted from one location to other. This is denoted by transportation (Han and et. al., 2017).
This is other function in Soft Company that makes sure that manufactured products reach end
consumers on time.

Approaches to operations management: The controlling or guiding tools as well
techniques that make sure effectual planning associated with storage, manufacturing and selling
of products to their customers. Different approaches which are being utilized in operation
management are mentioned beneath:
Six Sigma: It is a statistical approach that is being used widely in firm for reduction or
elimination of any kind of errors or defects which exist in services and products which are being
delivered by firm. Six sigma largely aids managers as well as leaders of Soft Company within
enhancement of productivity level of their employees by which objectives and goals can be
attained in course of stipulated time (Idris, 2016). This approach utilizes various statistical
methods as well as tools which substantially minimizes variance among desired along with exact
consequences of production outcomes. This operation management approach is being utilized by
Soft Company for carrying out analysis as well as evaluation of performance of employees in
firm. Apart from this, if any kind of defects exists then they can be identified. Moreover, this
approach is being further divided into DMADV and DMAIC. This is a sub division of six sigma
is data driven and enhance business processes and stands for define, measure, analyze, improve
and control (DMAIC). On the DMADV examines different aspect of customers towards
business. This stands for define, measure, analyze, design and verify. This approach aids
management of Soft Company within evaluation of current performance of employees through
which standards of quality of products which are being delivered can be enhanced.
Total Quality Management (TQM): It is an approach that is being utilized by firms
whose objective is maintaining quality of services and products. In Soft Company, it aids to
make sure that their customers are loyal towards products which are being delivered to them for
a longer duration of time. This approach needs efforts from employees in a collective manner
through which wastage can be eradicated as well as customers can have access to higher quality
goods (Ma and Sun, 2012). Apart from this, total quality management aids within enhancement
of organizational culture of Soft Company by promotion of operational excellence around the
firm.
Just-in-time approach (JIT): It is useful approach that is being utilized for management
of operations in an efficacious manner. This approach is also referred ot production system
which aims at minimization of time associated with manufacturing of mobile units and furnish

customers with appropriate response. It must be followed by Soft Company as it is an effectual
approach as through this suppliers will furnish raw material in given time duration which will
lead to enhancement within overall efficiency of firm. Thus it also aids within minimization of
stock prices. It also minimize amount of products which are being held by firm at one time and
also prevents Soft Company to make unnecessary investments in stock. Thus, this is crucial
approach for organization.
Role played by leaders: They have pervasive role within Soft Company which leads to
inspire employees that are being positioned at different functions, departments and levels for
making use of productive techniques (Nayak, 2015).
Role played by Managers: Within Soft Company, managers are liable for tracking
performance of employees through which variance among actual as well as desirable outcome
can be evaluated. For this, managers formulate rigid procedures and policies for carrying out
there operations.
P5. Significance and value of operations management in attainment of business objectives.
The process which is associated with production in firms is referred to as operation
management and involves different management activities such as planning, controlling,
monitoring, etc. In context of Soft Company, major objective of operation manager is to ensure
that higher quality of services and goods are being manufactured as well as can be accessed by
their customers (Plesser and et. al., 2014). By opting for approaches like total quality
management, six sigma and just in time, managers as well as leaders make sure that operation
management is being conducted in a desired way. Through this overall cost associated with
operations can be reduced as well as productivity of employees and organization can be
enhanced. When Soft Company will opt for effectual production approaches of operation
management then employees can attain satisfaction levels through which success of Soft
Company can be ensured. Importance & value of operations management operation management
is illustrated beneath with respect to Soft Company:
Decline of cost: It is an effectual tool that aids within identification as well as elimination
of cost associated with was wastage in Soft Company. Here, Soft Company needs to identify
unique and creative ways through which cost associated with operations can be reduced and

quality quotient of services & goods can be enhanced. Leaders within firm also inspire
employees on time by furnishing training to them at regular instances (Tristancho and Gutiérrez,
2012).
Improving overall productivity: It is taken as important aspect for every business
organization. Leaders as well as managers of Soft Company utilize this to make sure that
personal accomplish their activities on time as per desired standards. Primary objective of
operation manager is to undertake activities through which overall productivity of employees can
be enhanced. Leaders tend to create affirmative as well as healthy environment through which
employees can be encouraged to render their services in an impelling manner.
Maximization of profit: Within Soft Company, have opted for making use of six sigma
approach through which higher quality of products and services can be provided to their
customers. It aims at elimination of overuse of cost maintain efficiency, price regulation,
eradicate over use of cost along with this emphasis is laid on maintaining their customers in an
impelling manner (Wang, Jie and Abareshi, 2015). Through this, they can generate higher
revenues.
M3. How leaders and managers improvise efficiencies of operational management for attainment
of business objectives
Leaders of Soft Company utilize their belief and self confidence which aids them to act
like idols for their followers as well as encourage culture in which operational excellence is
considered as supreme. Managers in firm are liable for allotment of projects to employees as well
as formulate goals. For this managers and leaders opt for Just in Time, Total Quality
Management and Six Sigma for making sure that set of objectives are attained (Wen-chao, Fan
and Wen-wen, 2012). Apart from this, managers opt for classical theory of management and
leader uses transformational style of leadership within Soft Company so that operational
management is being carried out with respect to desired targets.
P6. Factors of business environment create impact on operational management as well as
decision making of managers and leaders.
There exist various factors which influence the ways in which decisions are formulated by
leader. These elements are illustrated below: