Management and Operations: Roles of Leaders and Managers in M&S

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within an organizational context, specifically referencing the company M&S. It defines and compares the distinct responsibilities of leaders and managers, highlighting their differences in terms of delegation, motivation, and risk-taking. The report examines how these roles apply in various situational contexts, emphasizing the importance of leaders in resolving conflicts and motivating employees, while managers focus on process control and achieving objectives. It applies different leadership theories and models, such as situational leadership, system leadership, and contingency theory, to illustrate the impact of leadership styles. The report further explores key approaches to operation management, including Six Sigma methodology, lean management, and Total Quality Management, and their roles in enhancing product quality, reducing waste, and meeting customer demands. It concludes by discussing the factors within the business environment that influence operational management and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement for sustainable business performance.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P 1- Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager......1
P 2- Examining roles of leader and functions of manager apply in different situational context.
.....................................................................................................................................................3
P 3- Applying different theories and models of approach. ........................................................4
P,4 Key approaches to operation management and roles played by manager and leader...........6
P.5 Explain the importance and value of operation management in achieving business
objectives in M& S: ...................................................................................................................7
P.6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers..................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management structure of an organisation is system which shows hierarchy followed in
the organisation. It is the life blood for the company to perform better in the market. Leaders and
managers of the company helps to achieve all set and targeted objectives and goals. M&S have
very efficient leaders and managers who manages and leads the firm towards success. This report
includes about the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager. These both are
different from each other according to their concept (Heizer, 2016). It is examined that how the
role of both apply in different situations. Different theories and models are applied. Key
approaches are examined. Business operations are very important to achieve objectives of
company. Environmental factors which affect operational management and decision making
process.
P 1- Defining and comparing different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
Management structure is based on hierarchy system. Each structure in the business need
manager and leader for its proper functioning. There are many roles and characteristics for them
and this makes them different from each other. M&S is the wide organisation with very efficient
management structure. Managers and leaders of cited company also has many roles and
characteristics which they have to follow to achieve the different set and desired objectives and
goals.
Managers in the organisation are person who manages the whole workings. They are one
who delegate the responsibilities to the workers that's why they are needed at every department
in the management structure. There are many roles which are performed by the managers of cited
business. They represent their firm in various seminars and in front of the customers. Working of
all the employees and workers are controlled by the managers. They contain many characteristics
in them which makes their working efficient and effective (Williams, 2013). Characteristics of
manager are responsible behaviour, interaction skills, proper delegation, power of controlling
and management skills which are the lifeblood for them. These qualities of the managers in M&S
makes them achieve all the objectives and goals in efficient manner.
Leaders are the person who leads their team members towards success and achievement
of all the desired goals. Their main aim is to motivate their workers to work hard and give better
performance. Personality of leader and their leadership skills makes the every member listen to
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them carefully and follow every order of them. Roles of leader in the cited organisation are to
motivate and work with co-ordination of all the employees. Just like the managers leaders also
have many characteristic which makes them different from others in the company. They
encourage workers, they are the inspiration for others, great motivators, they have no fear to take
the responsibility of failure and they very politely makes their employees understand everything.
These qualities or characteristics of leaders enhances their leadership skills and makes every
work done from the workers.
Comparison of manager's and leader's roles and characteristics.
Basis Leader Manager
Definition They are the person who
leads all the members of
team and motivates them to
work hard and give better
performance (Butera and
Cruz, 2017). Leaders of
M&S leads many team
which are given to be
handled by them.
They are the person who manages
all the working within the
organisation. They delegate
responsibilities to all the employees
or workers. Every department of the
company needs different manages
who can manage them efficiently
and effectively.
Nature Leaders are very polite and
humble in nature. They
work hand in hand with
their employees and listen to
their every suggestion. They
implement that advice in
their working style which is
suitable for them.
Managers are the person who very
controlling and dominating in
nature. Sometimes they force their
decision on their employees.
Dominance Leaders may have
dominance level or
authority in the organisation
but it is not necessary.
Managers have very high
dominance level because of their
high authority in the company.
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Workings They work in the direction
of leading the whole team.
Their main aim is to have
efficient performance.
Managers of cited business works
at very high level. They represent
their company at various functions.
Skills and abilities Leaders have leadership
skills which makes them
different from others.
It is not necessary that managers
will have leadership skills. But they
will surely have management skills.
Duties They take risks and whose
whole responsibility is taken
by them. They do not get
afraid from any failure
which makes them to take
risks in efficient manner.
Managers do not take risks at the
high level (Sinek, 2014). They get
afraid and do not take any
responsibility. Their main aim is to
delegate duties between workers.
Range They have very high range
to grow in this filed by
bringing innovation in their
skills. They also have very
high range to grow in the
company by effectively
using their leadership skills.
They have very high range to grow
in this filed by bringing innovation
in their skills.
Motivators Leaders are the greatest
motivators for their
members.
Managers generally do not motivate
their workers. They only give them
work which is to be performed.
P 2- Examining roles of leader and functions of manager apply in different situational context.
Managers and leaders are different from others and their roles and function applied in the
different situations also differs from each other. There are many situations which arises in the
workings of M&S. These situations should be handled by the managers and leaders while using
their different skills and knowledge to have better performance and sustainable business
performance.
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Leaders are the person who are directly related with the employees. They very well
understand all the needs of their employees (Bens, 2017). Any situation which brings issues and
conflicts between the workers can be efficiently solved by the leaders. The situations which
brings demotivation is to be solved by them only. Main aim of leaders is to motivate their
members who got depressed when the demotivating situation arises. They motivate their
employees to work hard and give efficient and effective performance at this type of situation.
There are many cases in the cited organisation in which the employees were not happy with
taken decision. It is role of leader to make them understand the cause of taking that decision. All
the disputes and problem creating issues are handled by the leaders for creating safe and secure
environment for the employees.
There are many functions for managers of M&S which they apply in different situations
which arises in the firm. They make rules which are to followed by every person in the company.
Any issue or problem related to the clients of organisation are handled by the managers. They are
one who represents business in front of the client (Easterby-Smith, Thorpe and Jackson, 2015).
They check that proper process of work is being followed by every employee or not. Mangers of
the cited firm ensures that targeted and desired objectives and goals should be achieved in any
type of situation. They make changes in the plan if it is needed or required by the changing
situation.
This states that leaders and managers have different role and functions in context with the
different situations. Their efficient and effective working style makes the company to increase
their productivity and increase their market share.
P 3- Applying different theories and models of approach.
There are many theories and models of approach which describes the impact of managers
and leaders. Those theories are as follows: Situational leadership- Taking necessary action in accordance with the situation comes
in the situational leadership. In this leadership the leaders set their style of working
according to the situation (Ellis and Abbott, 2015). This makes the leader understand
which action is to be taken and when. Situational leadership is followed in M&S. System leadership- This leadership styles works with proper and systematic manner. This
ensures that working is done according to the plan. All factors are analysed before taking
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any decision by the leaders of cited company. This is very bad for employee relation
because every decision is taken by leaders without any involvement of workers.
 Contingency theory- In this theory it states that leader take proper action only when the
situation arises (Sadgrove, 2016). It helps them to resolve the situation in the best way. In
the cited organisation disputes are handled by the leaders when they arise.
Other than this there are contemporary theories which states that every decision should be
taken by leaders and managers in accordance with situation. This is to be done by analysing all
the factors of macro business environment. This is very beneficial for M&S to have sustainable
business performance.
Managers and leaders in the company have many impacts. They ensure that every
objective and goal is achieved effectively. They handle all the situations which arises in the
working style of firm.
Managers and leaders can improve in the future by enhancing their all management and
leadership skills (Răducan, 2016). They can bring innovation in their working style which will
ensure further improvement.
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P,4 Key approaches to operation management and roles played by manager and leader.
In operation management, the manger and leader plays an important role to utilize the
resources and increase the productivity of an organisation through different methods. The key
approaches which make impact on the quality and the performance of the company.
The approaches affecting operation management are as follows:
 Six Sigma methodology: In this method of approach the company mainly focuses on the
quality of the product(Hallinger and Heck, 2010). In the operation management, the
method analyses the customer demand of the product which helps in increasing the
performance of the company also to increase the customer demand of the product in the
market. The methodology, analyses with tools as such the charts, graphs, calculating tools
and ratios to determine the demand of the product in the market. The main advantage for
this method is to achieve their main objective of an organisation. Lean management: This method of technique is used to analyses and reduce the wastage
of the material in the production. In the lean manufacturing process, the cost of the
product is reduces with this method to increase in its productivity. In this process the
leader or a manager manages to produce the product as per the customer needs and
demand hence, this would lead to the reduction in the wastage of the material and it is
also an effective method to increase the performance of the company. Total Quality Management: In this technique of operation, the leader of the company
mainly focus on the quality through the analysis and testing of the product. The method is
implemented to check the quality before it is supplied to the market. The manager or the
leader of the company would analyse the quality check of the other companies
manufacturing the same type of product and by comparing the quality according to which
the manager would instruct the production employees to make the product which has the
higher quality then the other product in the competitive market. Thus, this quality check
management would lead the company and make the better performance of the company.
 Inventory Management: In the phenomenon of the competitive market, there are several
measures the production company have to take in the operation management (Jing and
Avery, 2011). The method of inventory management is used to store the quantity of
product at the production plant. From this method the manager could store the product as
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per the customer demand, if there is sudden or high demand of the product in the market
then the through inventory management the manager could supply the product as per the
customer demand. These methods of management are used in the major plants for
manufacturing the product.
P.5 Explain the importance and value of operation management in achieving business objectives
in M& S:
It is the common mental object among the people is that the operation management was
important only for the manufacturing industries. The belief was supported with the fact that there
are many process in the manufacturing industry to done their work. Their are more number of
process and operation system staring from obtaining the row materials till the good are sold and
many cases there are sales assistant was also considering the belief that this is importance in
manufacturing industry (DeAnna, 2010). Achieving organization effectiveness depends upon the
ability of your engage managers in understanding the strategies of your company. Continuously
benchmarking and monitoring your operation eliminates the overwhelming of the business
activities like over-staffing, shortage of row materials, lack of employees, proficiency in the
business, excess the inventory etc. operation management provides the responsibility of
monitoring the operation process that raw material to the finished goods. Monitoring the quality
and efficiency of operations to internal auditors and quality controllers make the operational
necessity. operation of your business day to day of your organizational activity that create the
unique value and achieve the core objectives of your company. Operation play classifiable role
in the organization that contribute the overall success of your organization. Resources are
essentially the labour, financial, equipment and material components you need to perform your
production activities.
The operational roles enable you to let know the daily process of your organization and
that is determined and scheduled resources you need to meet your business target. Matching your
resource input and production target help you to achieve organizational effectiveness. This is
because you are seeing the daily basis of the quality, speed, dependability, flexibility of your
organization. Capacity is the task in which you are able to maintain your quality and quantity
standard (Casolino, 2012). Operation allows you to gauge the technical and operational capacity
of your resources. If you are having sufficient number of good employee in standard you can not
drop to spot the task you have assigned to them. Element like academic qualification, skill, work
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experience and talent of the employees equally important to the organization. The effectiveness
of the operation improve production output and employee performance both. If your operational
method is optimised then you can raise a high production output. The belief of the people of that
only the strategic idea can improve the overall performance of the organization but nowadays the
companies has started the importance of the operation management that guide your organization
to achieve their goal in very efficiently. A operation manager have to take decision faster and
diverse strategy that how that decision taken helps to performance help to the managers it helps
to be the process faster rate and that would be lead of the efficiency in the lead of the
management resources. The value of the core business objective can achieve with the help of the
operational management process. And effective and active operation of the organization make
the productivity of your organization. This all would help you to achieving your business
objectives of M&S.
P.6 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers.
In the every organisation the most important aspect that impact on the business
environment which can affect to the key decision of leader and manage in terms of effective
operation and management. The various factor that can be included such as:
Political factors: Intervention of the government on the M&S can be impacts on the
organisation operation and management in terms of changes in the various policy will impact the
business environment (Ba and Nault, 2016). These can be affect to decision of leader and manger
in the organisation which can be considered for taking any key step in firm.
Economic factors: it is the major factor that will influence to the business environment of the
M&S. Due to the slow economic growth can be problems for the organisation. The economic
factors in which the inflation of unite kingdom can be the most important aspect and currency
depletion are the some factor of economic are affected to the decision of manager and leader
with operation and management.
Social factors: The changes in taste and preference of the customer are included in the social
factors in which new trend and fashioned can be easily replace by the society. So all the decision
of leader and manager will be affect due to the social factor and it can be impact on the business
environment affect on operation and management of M&S.
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Technological factors: These can be the major factor that will confluence on the business
environment of M&S. The changes in the technologies and research and development will work
towards the products development. The new technologies haver been adopted by the M&S for
the effective and rapid process in operation. These all will be affected to the decision of leader
and manager and operation management of firm.
Legal Factors: All the rules and regulation with legislation are also affected to the business
environment of M&S. Due to the labour laws and wages act can be affect on the revue of
organisations (Antonakis and House, 2013.). These can be easily affected the decision of leader
and manager if employee n will demand high wages according to their operations due to wagers
law will impact on the operation and management.
Environment factors: These can be the major factor that will be impact the business
environment of M&S. Due to the natural calamites arise in the nation will be affect on the
operation and management of organisations. With this decision of leader and manager will be
affected.
CONCLUSION
From the report management and operation it can be concluded that M&S have better
resource which can be utilities in a appropriate manner. Leaders and manager have the important
role in the organisation but due to the various factor that can be affected their decision with
business environment of organisations. It can be easily find out from the important of operation
and management which can be achieve organisation objectives.
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