Management Operations: Leadership, Theories & Application at Argo

This report explores the critical roles of managers and leaders in effective operations management, focusing on the case of Argo, a catalogue retailer acquired by Sainsbury's. It defines and compares the characteristics of managers and leaders, applying theories such as contingency and situational leadership to analyze their functions in different situational contexts. The report also discusses various approaches to operations management and evaluates the impact of the business environment on operational decisions. Ultimately, it emphasizes the significance of operations management in achieving business objectives, highlighting how leaders and managers can enhance efficiency and productivity within the organization. The analysis includes examples of how Argo can apply these concepts to improve its performance in a competitive retail market.

Management and
Operations

Executive Summary
Study of operations and management is about developing management thinking
in order to transform raw material into finish goods in an efficient manner. Main aim of
this assignment is to identify role of managers and leaders in success of organization by
applying different theories such as contingency, situational leadership and more.
Further, operational management techniques, their significance, impact over business
environment and decision making of leaders and managers are also included in the
given assignment.

Table of Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................4
PART 1...........................................................................................................................................5
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................5
Define as well as compare characteristics and roles of mangers & leaders...................5
Analyze difference between role of leaders and functions of mangers by application of
appropriate theories and concepts.........................................................................................8
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
Give examples which shows application of function of manager and role of leader in
different situational context......................................................................................................9
Apply different theories such as situational leadership, system leadership and
contingency leadership..........................................................................................................11
Explain strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to situational context
working environment..............................................................................................................13
Part 2.............................................................................................................................................15
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................15
Discuss approaches of operations management and also the role played by mangers
& leaders..................................................................................................................................15
Evaluate role of leaders and mangers in improving efficiency of operational
management for successful attainment of organizational objectives.............................17
Discuss importance of operations management in attainment of business objectives17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
Asses factors of business environment which affect operational management as well
as decision making of leaders and mangers......................................................................19
Discuss impact of factors over wider business environment of organization................21

Evaluate operational management and also discuss the factors which influence
business environment............................................................................................................22
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................24
References...................................................................................................................................25

Introduction
Management is regarded as the administration of tasks in order to attain goals
within pre-define period of time. These administration activities are related with setting
goals, planning, organizing different activities, coordinating with staff to accomplish set
objectives with the optimum use of available resources. Operations management is
about managing daily activities of business entity in best possible way so that
organization will be able to meet with market demand in an efficient manner (Montañés-
Del Río and et. al., 2021). For this purpose, several operation tools & techniques are
used so that operations can be performed with utmost efficiency & productivity.
Management & operations signifies to manage all operation activities with greater
efficiency so that company can meet with demand of buyers in timely manner.
Leadership is an art of guiding, leading as well as directing people in best possible way
so that they can attain set organizational goals. It is the ability to influence & guide
members of organization.
Main aim of present report is to structure suitable strategies in order to manage
operations of business entity effectively. Here, Argo is considered for completion of
current assignment. It is a catalogue retailer based which was acquired by Sainsbury in
2016. Argo is the second largest chain of supermarket within UK which was founded in
the year of 1972. It offers groceries as well as general items for addressing the
requirements of general audience across the globe. In given assignment, roles of
managers as well as leaders is discussed in detailed manner. Further, role of leaders &
mangers in different situations arise within organization have also been discussed in the
following report. There are various theories such as situation, contingency and system
leadership are also covered in the given assignment. It includes different approaches of
operation management along with the role of managers and leaders in those
approaches. Lastly, significance of operation management in achieving business
objectives is also going to discuss in the following report.
Company analysis: Argo is a renowned company of retail segment. Here, the
organization trades in both physical as well as online mode. It was founded in 1972 by

Richard Tompkins. It is operating business in different overcease countries such as
China. It offers variety of products such as clothes, home wares, electronics, groceries
and more (Wang and et. al., 2019). Major competitors of company are TESCO, ASDA,
Morrisons and more. It has to face extensive competition due to presence of strong
competitors in market.
Mission: “To be the first choice of customers in terms of food, delivering
products of excellent quality along with great service at competitive price”.
Vision: “To become the most trusted retailer so that people love to work as well
as shop with company.”
Purpose: “To offer quality food at reasonable price by being fair with different
stakeholders such as suppliers, general public and government”
PART 1
TASK 1
Define as well as compare characteristics and roles of mangers & leaders
Manager is the person who has the duty to administer different functions of
organization in a systematic manner for attainment of set goals within pre-define period
of time. Mangers r is the key-person of organization who perform a lot of roles &
responsibilities for betterment of company.
Leaders are the person who set vision and provide complete guidance as well as
support to team members for realizing those goals successfully.
Comparison between role of leaders and managers
Managers Leaders
 Mangers of Argo are responsible to
make plans so that business entity
can face future uncertainties in an
 Role of leaders of Argo is to take
appropriate decisions for betterment
of company in future period of time.

effective manner.
 Organization is also a crucial role of
mangers where they need to
arrange different organizational
functions in best possible way for
attainment of pre-define goals (Helo
and Hao, 2019).
 Leaders are also responsible to set
vision for followers in order to alien
their efforts in appropriate direction.
Mangers are a crucial part of business entity. There are ample of duties, roles
played by mangers for successful operation of company. In this regard role of mangers
of Argo can be understood with application of Henry Mintzberg’s model which is
applied below:
Interpersonal role: This role is related with authority & position of mangers within
organization. Certain interpersonal roles of managers are mentioned below:
 Figurehead: As per this role, managers of Argo have responsibility to perform
social as well as official duties within organization which arise due to their status
and position in organization.
 Leader: This role highly affects actions of mangers of respective entity wherein
they are responsible for hiring, motivating as well as leading employees because
of their position at work place (Petrillo and et. al., 2021).
 Laision: In this role, mangers of Argo act as a communication medium between
internal management and external stakeholders. Here, they exchange
information with different departments and teams as well.
Informational role: This is about maintaining communication with important data and
information
 Monitor: Monitor is responsible for gathering information. Under this role,
mangers of respective company collect relevant data from external sources and
disseminate it for facilitating effective decision making (Rumble, 2019).

 Disseminator: Here, disseminator provides necessary information to team
members and other relevant parties. It is also the duty of manager of Argoto
invite feedback, suggestions through open communication.
Spokesperson: Managers of respective company also acts as representative of
organization in front of external stakeholders. For this purpose, they are required to
convey necessary information to stakeholders for maintaining positive image of brand in
market (Flinchbaugh, Valenzuela and Li, 2018).
Decisional role: It is concern with negotiation, decision making and appropriate
implementation of decisions.
 Entrepreneur: Here, one needs to ready to undertake initiatives, creativity to
embark innovation in market place. In context of mangers of Argo, they are
required to act as an entrepreneur for success of entity.
 Disturbance handler: In this role, mangers of Argo are required to ensure that
everything goes flawlessly within organization. Disturbance handler ensures
smooth functioning of business entity (Trzcianowska, Beaudoin and LeBel,
2019).
 Resource allocator: Here, resource allocator play duty related to fund
allocation, distributing resources, cutting cost within organization.
 Negotiator: Manger of respective company is required to take part in negotiation
with stakeholders & other team members with an aim to reach at appropriate
decision which is favorable for both parties (Latham, 2020).
Application to company Characteristics of
mangers
Characteristics of leaders
Company: Argo  Mangers are
responsible to direct
high performing
team with an aim to
maintain a suitable
customer centric
 Leader motivate,
guide as well as
assist employees in
development. They
provide complete
guidance to work

culture within
company.
 Managers inspire as
well as empower
work force so that
they can attain
maximum level of
success in ever-
changing
environment.
 Mangers structure
policies, strategies in
order to facilitate
systematic
functioning of
business entity
(Mishra and
Prabhakar, 2019).
force in order to
facilitate excellent
performance at work
place (Tsui, 2018).
 Maintain proper
communication with
employees in order
to get their support
for success of
business entity.
 Leaders make sure
to implement those
policies in best
possible way by
maintaining proper
communication at
work place.
Analyze difference between role of leaders and functions of mangers by application of
appropriate theories and concepts
Managers and leader both are the key-person of organization. However, there is
difference between role and responsibilities. Henry Feyol has been defined five crucial
functions of managers which are mentioned as under:
Planning: It is related with preparing plans, strategies in order to deal with un-
foreseen situation. Managers are required to anticipate the future and prepare suitable
plans accordingly.

Organizing: Under this, all the organizational activities are structured in a proper
way in order to get maximum benefit in future period of time (Cousins and et. al., 2019).
Commanding: Here, managers give command to work force so that they get a
proper direction to work. Employees cannot perform tasks without getting suitable
commands.
Co-ordinating: Activities of all the departments need to alien with each-other.
For successful attainment of organizational goals, it is required to maintain proper
corrdination among different departments of organization (Parker, Stoborod and Swann,
2020)
.
Controlling: It is the duty of manger to analyze the final output by setting
appropriate standards. Here, they are required to compare actual performance with pre-
define standards in order to take necessary corrective actions.
TASK 2
Give examples which shows application of function of manager and role of leader in
different situational context
In organization, there is different situations arise which influence each and every
individual working in company. Here, these situations need to analyze in significant
manner in order to prepare suitable strategies for betterment of entity. Manager and
leaders play a crucial role in handing such situations in an effective manner. In
reference of Argo different situations and role of mangers and leaders in those
situations are mentioned as under:
Situation with example Role of leader Function of manager
.
Situation 1: Change
management
Here, role of leaders is to
explain the situation to
subordinates, connect with
Managers need to plan the
change and organize
activities in such a manner

them, support to team
members and helping them
iv order to carry out the
whole process in smooth
manner (Lauth, Mundt and
Gohlich, 2019).
that employees can cope
up with change practices.
Example Employees of Argo resist
changes hence this
situation can handled by
leaders by proper
communication, motivation
and guidance.
Managers of respective
company prepare plans and
provide proper commands
to work force and also keep
control over their activities.
Situation 2-Decision
making
In this, role of leader is to
identify the whole scenario
and then take prompt
decision which best suit as
per the current situation.
Here, functions of
managers is to prepare
plans, coordinating with
different departments,
commanding to employees
in order to implement
decisions within
organization in best
possible way (De Regge,
Gemmel and Meijboom,
2019).
Example Leaders of Argo sought
advice, suggestions, and
views of employees so that
appropriate decisions can
be taken.
Here, managers facilitates
prompt as well as effective
decisions with proper
planning, commanding and
controlling.
Situation 3:
Communication
Leaders need to able to
connect with team
members in best possible
Managers need to
implement the function of
commanding and

way. It is the duty of leaders
to facilitate proper
communication without any
mis-undersatnding and
confusion. Effective
communication is helpful in
taking effective business
decisions in an efficient
manner.
controlling so that team
members are able to
communicate with
effectively with each other.
Example In Argo, leaders ensure to
maintain proper
communication between
superiors & subordinates
with an aim to minimize
ambiguity at work place.
Here, managers give
command to employees
and also keep control over
their performance in order
to maintain proper
communication at work
place.
Situation 4: Conflict
Management
Role of leaders is to
manage as well as resolve
conflicts in order to
maintain positive
environment within
organization (Zhao and et.
al., 2020).
It is the duty of manger to
organize activities in a
systematic way. It provides
clarity to work force which
further help in minimizing
conflicts.
Example Each & every individual
works in Argo has different
opinions, views which
sometimes become a
reason of conflict at work
place. In this situation,
leaders maintain a proper
communication so that
Managers organize
business functions in an
efficient manner. They also
need to keep control over
activities of employees in
order to maintain peaceful
environment at work place.