Analysis of Leadership, Management, and Operations at General Motors

This report provides an in-depth analysis of management and operations at General Motors, a multinational corporation in the automotive industry. It begins with an introduction to management and operations, emphasizing their role in increasing efficiency and profitability. The report then explores the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, differentiating between their responsibilities and approaches within the organization. It examines how leaders and managers handle various situations, such as employee engagement and conflict resolution, and discusses the application of the 14 principles of management and Henry Fayol's managerial functions within the context of General Motors. The report concludes with a summary of key approaches to operational management and their impact on business operations, offering insights into how General Motors strives to achieve its goals and objectives.

Management
and operations

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
Roles and Characteristic of leaders and managers ...............................................................3
Roles and Functions of leaders and manager in different situations.....................................5
Different approaches used in operational management .........................................................8
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
Role of operations manager in regard to improve efficiency and decision..........................10
Key approaches to operations management and role played by managers and leaders.......11
Factors within the business environment that impact on business operations....................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations is a formative procedure which is mainly related to design
and control of an organisation manufacturing and production process it is done as to increase
further efficiency of company (Boyd and Dougherty, 2016). In simple terms it transforms raw
materials into well defined finished products and services. It help organisation to effectively
increase their overall production and profitability level on simultaneous way. Present report, is
conducted on General Motors which is a multinational corporation engage in the service related
to manufacturing, designing, marketing and distributing of vehicles and its parts. Company was
founded in the year 1908 and was founded by William C. Durant, Frederic L. Smith and Charles
Stewart Mott. In this report, formative discussions has been made on, different types of leaders
and managers roles along with their responsibilities. Furthermore, project includes wide range of
leadership theories which will aid organisation to simultaneously increase its performance.
Lastly, operational management importance is covered which helps an organisation to fulfil their
goals and objectives within perfect time frame.
TASK 1
Roles and Characteristic of leaders and managers
Operation management is mainly related with formative planning, managing, supervising
and manufacturing procedure which is done in an effective way as to increase efficiencies and
profitability of an organisation. Present report is conducted on General Motors which is one of
the largest multinational organisations dealing in various processes. Company engage in the
service of designing, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of vehicles and its parts.
Organisation also engages in the function of selling financial services. Flat organisation structure
is utilized by General Motors in order to perform their organisational functions in best effective
way in order to satisfy consumers with best (Nayaks, 2015). With the help of this process
company easily motivates their employees as to make their contribution in decision-making
process:
Leaders: They are those individuals who effectively engage in the process of leading and
guiding employees towards high growth performance. A leader within organisation holds the
responsibility to influence and encourage workers as to increase their level of performance as to
increase overall organisation productivity.
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According to the thoughts of given by Graybill, it has been analysed that a good leader is
the person who can communicate effectively with other and motivate them to do work properly
in the company. Along with this, it is also essential for these leaders to influence followers to
listen them properly in order to attain organisational objectives effectively.
Managers: As per views given by Williams, (2015), Managers is an individual who are
authorized and responsible for a department or certain group. Managers effectively evaluate
required resources requirement within organisation in order to provide support to each and every
individual. They have some subordinates who have responsibility to provide accurate report to
them. Managers hold responsibilities towards planning, controlling, organizing and co-ordinating
organisational activities. They hold formative experience along with great competence to
effectively perform their roles and responsibilities related to training, development and
recruitment of employees in best effective manner.
By evaluating definitions of both leader and manager from authors perspective, it can be
said that both of them are working for the welfare of organisation. Their common motive is to
grow business effectively with the support of employee's.
General Motors leaders and managers possess wide range of roles and responsibilities
along with characteristics. As they have different set of roles but they perform their functions in
a manner to accomplish organisational objectives and targets in a stipulated period of time along
with high proficiency:
Leaders Managers
 Leaders are a person who holds
responsibility to influence and
encourage subordinates towards high
end performance. Along with this they
engage in the process of guiding and
leading company employees in order to
increase organisational performance.
 Leaders of General Motors
continuously keep on implementing
different types of innovating techniques
and policies in their organisation. This
 Managers are those individuals who
hold the responsibility for managing
business unit in best effective manner.
 Managers of General Motors follow
effective techniques and strategies in
order to conduct their roles and
responsibilities in best possible manner.
 Mangers are required to focus on
company vision thus they force vision
on company employees rather focusing
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helps in setting clear objectives and
targets with accurate vision.
 Leaders of company posses charismatic
personality in addition with his they
effectively make sure that organisation
vision and mission is accurately
understood by each and every
employee.
to convince them.
Thus, leaders and Managers of General Motors have different set of roles and
responsibilities but they perform their work in order to effectively satisfy organisational
objectives in best effective manner. Along with these leaders continuously keeps on adopting
different types of innovations techniques in order to increase company efficiency. On the other
hand, manager focuses on implementing existing path in order to accomplish their task and
duties in best effective manner. This simply states that leaders mainly emphasises on growth
prospects along with development while managers usually focuses on accurate achievement of
necessary required objectives.
Roles and Functions of leaders and manager in different situations
Managers and leaders within large organisation have responsibility to deal with wide
range of different situation in order to effectively achieve goals and objectives of company in
best effective manner. As General Motor is one of the largest organisation dealing in different
types of functions as to satisfy both market and consumer needs. For this, they face different
types of situations that impact on their organisational activities. There are variety of situations
within an organisation such as, conflict resolution, employee engagement and decision-making.
For this they are required to perform different set of roles so to handle those situations in best
effective manner. Furthermore, this will also aid managers to increase their workforce
performance which will automatically helps in increasing organisational productivity. Mentioned
below there are some certain situation which is described in brief manner:
Employee Engagement:
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It is a formative process that effectively describes relationship nature in between
employee and organisation. It further helps subordinates to perform their roles and
responsibilities within a healthy and positive environment. This will help them to increase their
job performance in best effective manner which helps in increasing organisation productivity.
Positive relationship also showcases commitment of workers towards company. In relation with
General Motors employee engagement acts as a one of the most efficient element. As company
consider their employees most essential part of their structure, thus leaders effectively encourage
and influence their employees in order to put extra efforts. This will helps them to company
objectives in best effective manner. Furthermore, managers of company make sure that provide
all the necessary information and data to their employees along with considering their security
factor. In addition with these managers also ensure that formative and effective communication
strategies and policies are adopted within organisation structure with the help of which task can
be accomplished in best effective manner. Co-ordination is also one of the important element
that exists in the working condition of General Motors. As there are different set and background
of employees working in organisation thus for this in order to make them work in an
collaborative manner manager effectively provide formative training and development
programmes to their workers as to increase their overall working capacity.
Conflict resolution:
Conflict mainly define as a disagreement that arise in between a group or and individuals.
The main reason of conflict within members is non agreement relating to any fact or action. As
been a big organisation General Motors repeatedly faces conflict situation in between their
employees. Thus leaders of General Motors are required to responsibility act so to resolve
conflict in between their subordinates in an effective way. It helps organisation to increase their
productivity along with employee’s performance. Furthermore, by resolving conflicts in well
effective manner leaders can effectively implement the rules and regulations within their work
structure. Conflicts hamper employee’s performance and lead towards decreasing their job
performance level (Plesser, 2014). Thus, for this it is essential for company to take advantages of
different type of conflict resolution strategies with the help of which they can determine the
actual cause of contract that rose within a workplace. Managers of General Motors implement
different type of conflict resolution Strategies and policies with the help of which they can find
actual causes of conflict in try to resolve them in an effective manner. This wills not only aid
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organisation to increase their productivity but also helps employees to work in a healthy and
positive working environment which lead to words their higher performance level.
14 principal of management.
14 principal of management helps as a guidelines for management actions and decision
making and these principal are based on fundamental truth. Division of work, says that every
employee have different sets of skills. According to Henry fayol, specialization helps in
increasing efficiency, productivity and speed. Authority and responsibility, in order to get the
task done in the organization, management have full authority to give orders to there
subordinates. If there is authority and responsibility in organization work can be done in given
period of time. Discipline, its all about obedience, in any organization respectful interaction
creates healthy environment. This principal of management helps in smooth functioning of work
in organization. Unity of command, it means that employee can receive orders for there superiors
and they can answerable to there mangers. Unity of direction, all the activities performed by the
employee are linked with one objective and all the activity must be carried as a team.
Subordinates of individual interest, main objective is to focus on organizational interest not
individual. Remuneration, there are two type of remuneration monetary which include
compensation, bonus and non- monetary which include credits, compliments. The degree of
centralization, according to the volumes organization should maintain its hierarchy it also help in
smooth flow of information. Scalar chain, there is hierarchy in any organization it is also known
as management structure. Employee can also communicate with there superiors in emergency
situation. Order, employee in a organization must have proper resources so they can work
properly. Equity, employee must be treated kindly and equally without any bias. Stability of
tenure of personnel, it is important that staff should be at right place and frequent change in
position must be managed properly. Initiative, organization should encourage there employees to
express there ideas. Esprit de corps, it creates the atmosphere of mutual consent and
understanding.
Apart from this, there are certain common functions of manager which are given by
Henry Fayol. With reference to General motors Fayol's all five managerial functions are stated as
below:
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Planning: The first function of manager says that effective manager is required to plan
properly. This planning should include involvement of employees for improving its
effectiveness. Manager of general motors is including maximum number of employees in
planning process in order to take better decisions at workplace.
Organising: After effective planning, the next function of manager to organise all of the
available resources in order to utilise them effectively. In context of General Motors, manager of
the company focuses on using available funds, employees, raw material and other resources in
positive manner.
Commanding: It is essential for manager to command or instruct employees about their
work as well as expectation of the company from them. It can be said that if employees are
instructed properly about their work then it would reflect in their performance as well. This is
because employees are clear about their work. The manager of General Motors communicate all
job related work to staff for avoiding chances of miscommunication in the work.
Coordinating: According to this function of Fayol, manager of General motors
coordinate with the staff at regular basis. Effective coordination will be helpful in motivating
employees and maintaining discipline at workplace.
Controlling: It is the last principle of Fayol's managerial function. In this, it is essential for
managers to evaluate performance of employees, measure and then control all of the non
required activities at workplace. Here, manager of General Motors analyse performance of every
employee so that unnecessary activities can be controlled at regular basis.
All these functions effectively helps manager to perform their functions in well effective
way within stipulated period to time. This will help towards completion of goals and objectives
in best effective manner.
Different approaches used in operational management
Situational leadership: This leadership style was proposed by Kenneth Blanchard and
Paul Hershey. In this style, manager and leader manage their present working style with respect
to prevailing situation within organisation (Situational Leadership. 2019). The environment is
formulated in such a way that employees as well as co-workers can carry out their operations in
appropriate manner. In this style the leader or manager is the decider whether they have to
execute this style within organisation or not. In this the style of leadership will alter continuously
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as per the situation which prevails within General Motors, therefore this style of leadership is
considered as one of the most flexible style of leadership which can be implemented whenever
there is need. This style is mostly used in those organisations where continuous alterations occur
within the short interval of time frame. The strength of this leadership style can be applied within
General Motors as per situation at specific moment of time.
Systems leadership: This style of leadership was proposed by Dr Ian MacDonald who is
expertise of management as well as organisational behaviour. In this type of leadership style, the
leader within organisation makes usage of peculiar system at organisational level, in this various
workers present within General Motors can work at every level at productive as well as effectual
manner. It renders various tools such as communication, feedback to analyse the behaviour of
individual within General Motors which assist the leader to make effectual system which
enhances the process of productivity and can make the organisation to grow within shorter period
of time. The level complexity in this type of leadership is greater or intensified as compared to
situational leadership as in this various types of information can be incorporated within the
system and is effectively managed which makes it difficult to maintain and update information
which will make it efficient and it is it's core strength. This style of leadership is not flexible.
Contingency leadership: This is also referred to as Fielder's contingency theory and it
was given by Fielder after analysis of various types of leader within the same context. This
concept of leadership style is not exactly similar to situational leadership but somewhere it is
identical (Idris, 2016). In this type of leadership is dependent on coordinated individual style of
a leader to right or appropriate situation and there are different factors on which role of leader
depends and style adopted by the same. Like overall personality of leader, tasks, etc. are
considered in this scenario. This style gives the leader information related with leadership style
which is used for development of plans related with human resource management which acts as
their strengths. But it becomes complex for organisation to test the methods which have designed
by them.
In this, management of General Motors have opted to make use of situational leadership
style as per demands of products. The reason behind this is that needs and preferences of people
changes with time. Therefore it becomes essential for an organisation to make changes in their
leadership style from time to time.
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TASK 2
Role of operations manager in regard to improve efficiency and decision
According to the thoughts of Anastasia, (2016), operations management is the sum up of
various activities such as planning, supervising process, organising and executing necessary
changes in organisation for improving profitability of organisation.
Operation management refers to management of practices of business for creation of high
efficiency within firm. It involves conversion of raw material, labour into final services and
goods. There is certain significance as well as values of operations management with respect to
General Motors. They are specified below:
Optimum utilization of resources: Operations management plays crucial role within
allocation of resources in effective manner so that they can be utilized in appropriate manner by
ejecting or creating less wastage. Resources comprises of time, cost, raw materials, man power
or any other physical evidence. There are different ways for managing resources within General
Motors like systematic approach, plan to plan, making use of latest technology as well as
different software’s for resource management. By making use of these tools or techniques
General Motors can intensify or heighten the profitability by making impelling use of all the
resources which are used in formulation of final product or services.
Maximisation of profit: Effectual operation activities render maximum profits. Within
General Motors, management has opted to make use of six sigma approach by which high
quality of services as well as products can be offered to their customers (Ellitan, 2017). They
aims at eliminating over use of cost, price regulations, maintain efficiency of time that means
timely delivery of services and maintain their customers. By this they are able to generate high
revenue as well as minimise the cost of earnings as well as profits.
Enhance productivity: Profit maximisation can be attained by effectual production
capacity. It is essential for General Motors to have optimum usage of resources; budget
management and manpower are essential features for attaining this. Productivity is dependent on
everyday business activities and the results can be obtained by making right use of resources
from its beginning as well as completion of product.
The above mentioned point signifies importance of operations management which leads
to enhancement in effectiveness as well as efficiency of an organisation which has opted for the
same (Williams, 2015). By making use of this General Motors can maintain their resources and
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generate high revenue. Operation management is crucial as well as important aspect within each
organisation for managing and operating their functionalities. Therefore, management of General
Motors need to have strong structure which comprises of policies, regulations and rules for
managing their operational activities to maximise their productivity as well as profitability.
Key approaches to operations management and role played by managers and leaders
Operational management is the process of managing the appropriate balance between the
revenue gained and the cost of the production of the firm. In General Motors there are two
operational functions which are named as transportation and production. These function are
mentioned as below -
1. Production – This is the most primary and crucial function of the organisation. This is the
process which starts mainly with the production of the raw materials and ends with the
transformation of raw materials into finished goods. In General Motors, the staff
members and the top managers ensures that the quality of the products must be
maintained by the organisation.
2. Transportation - This is the process of delivering or transferring the goods from one
place to another. General Motors ensures that the goods which are manufactured are
reached to the customers within the effective time so that the branmd image of the
company along with its goodwill remain effective. There are various approaches which
are to be used by the General Motors in operation management.
Just-in-time approach - This is the most helpful approach for negociate
operations in a expeditious way. This approach is also illustrious as production system which
intent at reducing time within the manufacturing system and gives proper response time to their
customer. Manager of General Motors follows just in time, which is very effective approach
because supplier provide raw material in given period of time to the company and increases their
efficiency. Therefore, it also helps to minimize their stock price. In the context of General
Motors, just in time is very essential part of the company because it is a more cost efficient
method of holding stocks. It aimed is to decrease the amount of goods which company hold at
one time. It also saves money by preventing investment in redundant stock (Han, 2017).
Therefore, it is very crucial approach for managers as well as the organization.
Six sigma – This is the driven approach which is to be used by the firm in order to
remove the unwanted waste of the products. This approach will help the General Motors to work
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faster with few mistakes. In addition with this, it helps them in enhancing the satisfaction of the
customers and gain more profit margin by improving the quality of the products and eliminating
the wastage.
Total Quality management – This is the customer oriented approach which is used to
manage the quality of the products and services offered by the firm. This approach is to be used
by the firm in order to gain the attention of their customers and make them their daily and loyal
customers for long period of time.
Role played by the leaders.
The leaders motivate and encourage their team members to perform their task effectively
and eliminate the defects and reduce the amount of waste.
Role of managers.
Managers of General Motors help to control and manage the employees of the
organisation. The managers assign duties to their subordinates. The also evaluate their working
activities of employees on the basis of the actual; work done and the expected work.
Factors within the business environment that impact on business operations
Operational management is mainly refereed as a process which is related to converting
raw materials into finished products and services (Fan and Zhang, 2015). Along with this, it also
include designing and redesigning of production process. In relation with, General Motors there
are different types of elements that are included in the environmental factors that influence and
impact upon organisational decision-making process. Mentioned below there are some external
factors that affect General Motors process of decision-making process:
Political Factors:
This factor assists General Motors to build enhanced relationship among inter-
governmental agencies by which they access resources easily. This will help them to carry out
their operations in appropriate manner. Decision making is impacted by policies created by
General Motors so they need make modifications in their working style according to that.
Economic Factors:
This factor assists General Motors to determine their pricing strategies for products which
are produced by them. Interest rates as well as growth rates of organisation are based on this
factor. High inflation rates lead to enhanced impact on working process and management of
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organisation (Eraki, 2015). This creates high chance for losing job of employees who are
employed within General Motors if inflation rates go high.
Social Factors:
Factors associated with preference, taste and influence of customers creates impact on
decision making process of General Motors. Top management team of General Motors are
required to indulge into more and more Corporate Social Responsibility activities for improving
brand image of company and also influence interest of customers as well as employees in terms
social duties. This assists them to contribute to welfare of the society and country. This will lead
to enhancement of profitability as well as productivity of organisation. In context of General
Motors, these factors lead to decline in morale of employees. Production process is also
hampered by choices and preferences of customers.
Technological Factors:
In context of General Motors by making use of technology they can create a influence on
behaviour of buyers and customers buying behaviour towards services and products offered to
them. By updating technology customer's interest, thoughts and decision making can be strongly
influenced. By updating technology, it will lead to increment in the prices of products. This will
lead to decrease in sales of General Motors which will directly impact their profitability.
CONCLUSION
As per the above mentioned report, it has been concluded both leaders and manager hold
separate set of roles and responsibilities but perform their role with a common objectives which
is to satisfy organisational needs in best effective manner. Present report also explained wide
range of responsibilities and roles possessed by leaders and managers that will help them to fulfil
each and every requirement company in best effective way. Report also includes, importance of
leaders within an organisation as they hold responsibility to effectively guide, motivate and co-
ordinate their employees. Along with this report depicts that, productivity and profit
maximisation acts as a one of the most effective element within organisation. Some of the major
factors include, strong competitor, technological concept, legal and economical. This is required
to be effectively considered by company in order to stimulate their organisational growth in best
possible manner.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Online
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