Management and Operations Report: Aston Martin Case Study Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Aston Martin's management and operations, covering both leadership and operational aspects. The first part explores the organizational structure, roles of managers and leaders, and the differences between management and leadership. It delves into leadership theories, including situational, contingency, and system leadership, and analyzes their application within the company. The second part focuses on key operational functions, operational management approaches, and the impact of the external business environment on decision-making. The report examines how Aston Martin improves operational efficiencies to meet its business objectives. The report concludes with recommendations for future developments in both management and operational strategies. It examines the company's structure, leadership styles, employee engagement, decision-making processes, technology updates and the impact of various external factors. The report provides valuable insights into Aston Martin's approach to leadership and management in a dynamic business environment.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
PART 1............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction to organisation and management structure.............................................................2
Roles of managers and leaders along with differences between management and leadership...3
Roles of management and leadership in various corporate instances.........................................4
Critically analyse the different theories and approaches to leadership.......................................5
Conclusions and recommendations for future developments.....................................................6
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
Introduction to key operations of corporation.............................................................................7
Details of key operational functions with roles and responsibilities of manager.......................7
Key operational approaches to operations management and their value....................................8
Impact of external business environment factors on decision making.......................................8
Improvement of operational efficiencies to meet business objectives........................................9
Conclusions and recommendations for future improvements.....................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is defined as the effective governance of organisational practices
that supports in creating higher level of efficiency within the company. The overall process is
basically helpful in transforming manpower and raw materials into supportive goods and services
that influences profitability of business enterprise in faster manner (Caniani and. et. al., 2015).
The current report conducts analysis on operational management of Aston Martin. The company
belongs to automotive sector which mainly manufactures grand tourers and luxury sports car.
This business enterprise was incorporated in the year 1913 and is headquartered in Gaydon,
Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom. The current project is divided into two parts. The first
section will explore description about roles of managers and leaders along with the role of
leadership and management within different corporate situations. It will also provide explanation
on different approaches to leadership. The second part of this project will cover information
associated to key operations of corporation, various approaches to operational management. At
last, this section will explore impact of business environmental factors over decision making
process of managers and leaders.
PART 1
Introduction to organisation and management structure
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings plc is one among the luxurious car manufacturer
of United Kingdom. The products of this company are delivered to customers across the world.
For satisfying requirements of each and every customer, the managerial level of this company
executes its all of the operational activities in meaningful manner. Effective execution of
operational activities helped this company in obtaining leading position in automotive industry
worldwide. For enhancing customers base, the company is also introducing few more products in
different segments such as clothing, speed boats, real estate developments, bicycles, aircraft and
many others. Maximum among them were introduced on licensing basis (Jabbari-Sabet and. et.
al., 2016). This have contributed in developing effective customers base at all locations that will
sustain customers loyal with them for longer period of time. For executing all operational
activities of this company its managerial staff basically follows hierarchical management
structure. This structure is helpful in implementing all organisational work in effective manner at

workplace. All major decision of this company are taken into its corporate house only that are
required to adhered by all.
Roles of managers and leaders along with differences between management and leadership
Leaders are the person who have capability of influencing others behaviour towards their
own interest of work. This helps them out in attaining their organisational goals and objectives in
appropriate manner. Major role of every leader to motivate employees in such a manner that
directly increases their productivity in quicker manner (Johnstone, 2016). With reference to
leaders of Aston Martin, it can be said that its leaders analysis performance of employees at
regular basis and then motivates them at regular manner so that they can be retained longer in
the same company. This is also helpful in accomplishment of organisational activities as
employees are familiar with the workplace and also understands its working pattern. This helps
them in executing all of the assigned work in quicker manner.
On the other hand, manager are considered as individual who is involved in various
activities of development that are supportive in the growth of company. Main role of manager in
every organisation is to allot work to employees on the basis of their skills and capabilities. With
reference to manager of Aston Martin, its manager mainly evaluates performance of employees
on weekly basis that makes them aware about their productivity. This activity is supportive in
identification of all most hard working employee who is further awarded or rewarded for their
performance.
Differences between Leadership and Management
Leadership and management both are considered as the important element of the
company. It is the essential for businesses to have effective collaboration of management and
leadership that is supportive in attainment of predetermined objectives of company within the
provided time frame (Lindström and. et. al., 2015). Even though, both the concepts looks almost
similar but still they have huge difference. Differentiation among leadership and management are
described as below in appropriate manner.
Basis of
Differentiati
ons
Leadership Management
Meaning Leadership refers to the approach Management is seen as efforts of

through which individual can easily
persuade interest of others to perform
same work with their self willing
(López and. et. al., 2015).
person towards managing
organisational activities in rightful
manner by facilitating coordination
among overall workforce of the
company.
Focus The main emphasise of leadership is to
ensure that all employees at workplace
works on the right track so that
business objective can be attained with
workforce support.
The main focus of management is on
effective execution of operational
activities of the company in such a
manner which ensures that targets are
attained within the time frame.
Roles of management and leadership in various corporate instances
Business environment is highly dynamic in nature. It also gives rise to various corporate
situations and also influences organisational performance. It can be said that, it is essential for
business managers as well ask leaders to understand dynamic business environment and then
take effective decision accordingly (Morschett and. et. al., 2015). This helps them in managing
uncertain organisational situations. With reference to Aston Martin, the main role of
management and leadership within this company in separate organisational situations are
expressed below:
Decision making: Aston Martin is mainly indulged into various business activities such
as designing, manufacturing, promoting, and cracking sales deals of this company at different
locations across the world. Here, both the managers as well as leaders are required to take several
business decision according to the situation that is helpful in fulfilling organisational
requirement. With reference to Aston Martin, the main role of manager of this company is to
evaluate wants and needs of staff by effectively using decision theory approach. Whereas,
leaders of Aston Martin acquires authoritative leadership as it is supportive in meeting
individuals needs and wants. It can also be said that if needs and requirements of employees are
fulfilled in rightful manner then it will definitely enhance their productivity (Nunna and. et. al.,
2016). This will also lead to attainment of organisational goals in quicker manner.

Employee engagement: Employee engagement refers to the effective activity in which
employees are influenced to participate in different organisational activities which directly
develops their interest towards the company. With reference to Aston Martin, its managers
conducts regular based meetings at workplace in which employees are allowed to express their
views and opinions in front of all. In this meeting sessions, employees are allowed to find out
solutions of for their problems in effective manner (Parisio, Rikos and Glielmo, 2016). This is
effectively done by with the usage of Group Behaviour approach which is helpful in managing
human resource of company. Whereas, leaders of the Aston Martin make use of charismatic
leadership that emphasises on identifying and exploring star performers of the company. In this
rewards are provided to employees. This is supportive in enhancing productivity of employees
which results in quick attainment of organisational goals and objectives.
Technology Update: Business enterprises are required to upgrade their existing
technology at regular basis so that they can easily execute their organisational activities in
effective manner. With reference to Aston Martin, the company believes in introducing new
designs in sports for the purpose of attracting customers towards them in appropriate manner. In
this, main role of manager of this company is to find out actual technology that is needed by
employees so that they can easily better innovative products for customers. In this regard,
manager often uses interpersonal behaviour approach, for developing healthy relationship with
employees that motivates to them to work with the same company for longer period of time
(Peng and et. al., 2015). On the other hand, these leaders also uses transformational leadership
approach at work place in order to inform employees about desired changes that are required to
made at workplace according to the requirement of time.
Critically analyse the different theories and approaches to leadership
Leaders of business enterprises uses different approaches as well as theories for executing
organisational work in appropriate manner. In context of Aston Martin, some of the approaches
that could be considered by leader of this company are explained below:
Situational leadership: This leadership approach was developed by Sir Dr. Paul Hersey.
This leadership style simply states that none of the leadership is best suitable for every situation.
In context of Aston Martin, its leaders can effectively use this leadership approach by selecting
their leadership approach according to different organisational situation. The main benefit of this
leadership approach is that it allow companies to choose best suitable leadership style as per

different situation. The main drawback of this approach is that it might misses out long term goal
of company as leaders only gives priority to present situations.
Contingency leadership: This leadership approach emphasises on evaluating the case for
identifying its pros and cons so that they can easily understand that which leadership approach is
required to adopted by them. With reference to Aston Martin, it can said that its leaders could
use this by analysing all organisational situation and then take effective decision towards them in
rightful manner. The main benefit of this approach is that it facilitates leaders in executing all
organisational work within the provided time frame. It also contains flexibility that allows
business to become successful in appropriate manner (Reim and et. al., 2016). The major issue
with this style is that it might create complexity within the company as there are numerous of
decisions taken by business leaders at workplace.
System leadership: Systematic leadership approach states that every activity of company
is required to be executed in systematic manner so that main objective of the company can be
obtained in rightful manner. In context of Aston Martin, it has been analysed that if the leader
wishes to use this approach then they are required to conduct market research and further
communicate gathered information to production department that allows them to produced
desired number of units. The core benefit of this leadership style is that it allows employees as
well as leaders to acquire changes that took place in business environment. The main demerit of
this leadership approach is that if any sort of changes occurs at marketplace then it might affect
already produced products as they are of no use.
Conclusions and recommendations for future developments
From the overall information that is developed in the upper section, it has been analysed
that both the leaders as well as manager are considered as the core part of company that also
supports them in executing their business activities in appropriate manner. From the explanation,
it has been identified that main role of leaders is to influence interest of employees towards
organisational work (Shabanpour-Haghighi and Seifi, 2015). Whereas, manager of the company
focuses assigning work to employees according to their skills and knowledge so that every
employee can provide effective output to company. As per overall analysis, it is suggested
manager and leader of Aston Martin to analyse overall market situation at regular basis. After
this analysis they can easily choose right approach that will also contribute in attaining
organisational objective in timely manner.

PART 2
Introduction to key operations of corporation
Every business enterprise has numerous of key operational activities that is supportive for
them in grabbing organisational activities. In context of Aston Martin, operational activity of this
company includes production, transportation, promotion etc. These activities are explained
below:
Transportation: In context of Aston Martin, transportation is identified as main business
activity which as they have to transport all manufactured vehicles to respective outlets and
customers (Thomas and et. al., 2018).
Production- Manufacturing team of Aston Martin conducts market research and then
manufacture and design luxury sports vehicles as per the requirement of customers in appropriate
manner. This also enhances satisfaction level of customers in effective manner.
Promotion: In order to develop positive brand name of Aston Martin its manager uses
social media marketing tool for promoting their latest launch among customers in appropriate
manner.
Details of key operational functions with roles and responsibilities of manager
Manager of Aston Martin is required to perform all of his business activities in rightful
manner. Manager have to perform different roles in different operational activities. Here,
business manager of this company performs various roles and responsibilities while executing
operational activities of this company. These roles and responsibilities of manager for respective
operational activities are described as below:
Transportation: The main role of manager of Aston Martin is to make sure that every
vehicle is transported to customers in safely manner within the provided delivery time. This is
helpful in enhancing sustainability of company in rightful manner.
Production: In respective department, preliminary role of manager is to use available
raw material in effective manner without wasting much things among them. Along with this, all
products are required to be created in high quality manner (Tian and. et. al., 2015).
Promotion: Here, main role of manager of Aston Martin is to adopt right promotional
tool for this company which maximises their sales performance.

Key operational approaches to operations management and their value
There are various number of approaches that are opted by business manager of Aston
Martin in order to execute operational activities in rightful manner. This is helpful in improving
organisational performance in effective manner (Caniani and. et. al., 2015). It also contributes in
the improvement in profitability of the company. The main key approaches which could be used
by company are described as below in effective manner:
Total Quality Management (TQM): As per this operational approach main focus of the
manger of Aston Martin is provide effective quality to customers in rightful manner. It is the
customer centric approach in which main motive of manager and leader of Aston Martin is to
ensure continual betterment for entailment of full satisfaction from customer (López and. et. al.,
2015). Here, it is essential for leaders and managers to develop quality product to customers
which will upgrade their satisfaction level,
Six-Sigma: In this, main focus of business managers is to improve their operational
activities by eliminating existing defects at workplace. Here, main motive of the company is to
minimise defects so that higher quality products can be delivered to customers in rightful
manner. This directly results in attaining organisational goals and objectives which supports in
enhancing their profitability in effective manner (Jabbari-Sabet and. et. al., 2016).
Just in time: This approach states that production department company will work
according to the requirement or demand of customers only. This approach is helpful in reducing
storage cost of company as they are not storing products in store.
Impact of external business environment factors on decision making
There are numerous of external factors that influences strategies of managers and leaders.
The major influence is seen on decision making of company. All of these factors are described as
below in appropriate manner:
Political factors: This factor mainly includes government legislation that affect the
organization operating its business activities within a country. With reference to manager of
Aston Martin, it can be said that manager of this company accounts all laws and regulations of
the operating country. Whereas, leaders of the respective company strictly follows policies
associated with employees such as The sex discrimination Act, 1975.
Economic factors: This factor covers economical factors of the company such as
foreign exchange rate, inflation rate, interest rate etc. In context of manager of Aston Martin,

they considers this factor while fixing price of vehicles. On the other hand, leaders guarantees
that efficiency of workforce will be managed according to the cost of production and budget.
Social factors: social factor of nation includes culture, taste and preferences of people,
demography, lifestyle etc. Here, manager of this Aston Martin, emphasises on bringing
innovation within product by providing adequate amount of funds to R&D team. On the other
hand, leaders checks that the finances are used in an suitable manner (Johnstone, 2016).
Technological factors: These are the technological advancements that rapidly take place
in a country. Managers of Aston Martin come up with unique and innovative designs and
features in vehicles while leaders help in training the employees so that they become capable of
using the new technologies.
Improvement of operational efficiencies to meet business objectives
With reference to manager of Aston Martin, it can be said that they prefers to use Just in
time approach in order to use available resources in effective manner without having much
defects. Here, company focuses on manufacturing vehicles according to market demand. In order
to execute in effective manner, its manager provides regular based training to employees that
results in the improvement of their organisational performance (Lindström and. et. al., 2015).
This also improves quality work of employees that allows company to gain competitive edge.
Here, manager of this company also develops various strategies that supports them in tackling
different situations occurs at workplace.
Conclusions and recommendations for future improvements
From the overall knowledge developed from this project, it is concluded that Just in time
and Six Sigma are two of the main approaches that supports company in utilising their resources
in appropriate manner. Use of TQM approach is helpful for company in delivering high quality
products to customers. This also supports in enhancing their brand image at marketplace. Here, it
is manager as well as leaders in executing their roles and responsibilities for attaining
competitive edge.

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