Roles and Characteristics of Managers and Leaders: A Detailed Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the roles and characteristics of managers and leaders within an organizational context, using Rowlinson Knitwear as a case study. It differentiates between the functions of managers and leaders, exploring various leadership theories such as autocratic, democratic, situational, and system leadership. The report examines the impact of leadership styles on employee turnover and communication gaps. Furthermore, it delves into key approaches to operation management, emphasizing its importance in achieving business objectives. The report also discusses factors within the business environment that influence operational management decision-making and evaluates their impact on the business and wider community. It concludes by highlighting the interplay between leadership, management, and operational efficiency in achieving organizational goals.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Determine and compare roles and characteristics of manager and leader in an
organisation.................................................................................................................................3
M1. Differentiate between role of leader and function of a manger by applying theories.........6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2. Function of manger and role of leader in different situational context.................................6
P3. Apply different theories and models of approach that may include situational, system ad
contingencies leadership theories................................................................................................7
M2 Strengths and weakness of different approaches within the work environment..................8
D1 Analyse and evaluate different theories and approaches in context to leadership................9
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P4. Determine key approaches to operation management and role of mangers and leaders.....9
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives. ........11
M3. How leaders and managers can improve efficiency of operation management to meet
business objective. ....................................................................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P6. Factors within business environment that impacts operational management decision-
making by leaders and managers..............................................................................................13
M4. Analysis how these factors affect business environment and wider community..............15
D2. Evaluation of operation management application and factors which impact on wider
business environment................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Operation Management is very important tool for business organisation. It is basically an
area of business administration which aid to create highest level of efficiency possible within an
organisation. Moreover, operation management is also concerned at converting raw material and
labour into products and services with proper efficiency and maximize profit for the company.
Operation Management process also plays a crucial role in arranging and directing the procedure
to produce products. This report is based on Rowlinson Knitwear which is a leading supplier of
personalised school-wear garments. It is an independent retail store which operates its business
operations in United Kingdom. Furthermore, the prime purpose of this report is to analyse and
identify the role and responsible of managers and leaders in an organisation to achieve the
established goals and objectives with proper efficiency. Thereafter it will also cover the key
approaches of operation management process further highlights the importance of this process.
Apart from this the factors that affect the business environment are also analysed in detail.
TASK 1
P1. Determine and compare roles and characteristics of manager and leader in an organisation.
A manager is the one who is in-charge of a certain group of people in a company.
Moreover, a manager usually have a staff of people that report to him. He is a person who
exercises managerial functions primarily in an organisation. They usually have power to hire,
fire and monitor attendance of the employees connected to company (Adams and et.al., 2017).
Manager of Rowlinson Knitwear is responsible for making all decision regarding the business
operation moreover they have the prime authority to control the business activities.
Responsibilities of Manager:
 Quality role of manager at Rowlinson Knitwear is to make sure that each and every
department is running with smooth flow.
 In some situation managers are also responsible for taking interview of candidate in order
to fulfil the vacant position of an organisation.

 Manager of Rowlinson Knitwear is responsible for making short term and long term
goals of the company.
 If new technologies are introduced into business managers of Rowlinson Knitwear helps
employees and train them to work with efficiency (Addo-Tenkorangand and Helo, 2016).
Characteristics of manager:
 Manager of Rowlinson Knitwear should have strong communication skill. They much
facilitate effective communication between the employees to whom they are accountable.
 Each and every activity performed in business should be effectively planned and directed
by manager of Rowlinson Knitwear to attain organisational efficiency.
 Manager should have problem solving attitude. Moreover, he should be understanding in
nature and effectively take decision for the growth (Anderson and et.al., 2015).
A leader is person who holds a dominant and superior position who exercises a high
degree of control and influences the person working under him. Moreover, a leader must have a
deep-rooted commitment to the goal that he actually wants to achieve. Leadership aims at
providing direction for a company (Antonakis and Day, 2017). It involves how workers should
effectively perform their responsibilities and leaders regularly supervise them so that they
complete their task with proper efficiency.
Responsibilities of leaders:
 Leaders primarily aim at setting a clear vision that essentially helps in influencing
employees and understand future state of Rowlinson Knitwear.
 Motivating the employees so that they perform the assigned task with proper efficiency
and help the organisation in achieving the desired objective.
 Building morale is the most important responsibility of a leader because this helps in
pulling everyone under Rowlinson Knitwear to work towards achieving common goal of
the company (Bromiley and Rau,2016).
Characteristics of leaders:
 Leaders are always situation bound and there is no best style of leadership (Kiron and
et.al., 2015). They usually takes decision according to the situation prevailing in the
organisation.

 Leadership without positive attitude is useless. Moreover, this positive attitude help a
leader in order to attain goals of the organisation with efficiency.
 Moreover leader of Rowlinson Knitwear should adopt focused approach keeping in mind
the needs and requirements of the respective organisation (Carter and Price, 2017).
Difference between roles and characteristics of leader
Manager Leader
Meaning A manger is a person who is
primarily responsible for
coordination, planning,
controlling an organisation
(Chevalier and et.al., 2015).
However, leader is a person
who usually influences his/her
subordinates to work with
skilfulness. (Chiarini and
Vagnoni,2015).
Focus Manager of an organisation
usually aim at focusing people.
(Choi and Li, 2015).
Whereas, leaders intent is at
focusing on process and
procedure which is to be
followed.(Choi, Cheng and
Zhao, 2016).
For an organisation both manager and leader plays crucial role in achieving the desired
standard of firm. Moreover, without these two business cannot survive in today's competitive
world.
Difference between management and leadership
Management Leadership
Focus Management of an
organisation usually focus on
bringing stability to achieve
desired goals (Croson and
et.al., 2013).
Leadership basically focuses
on encouraging change in an
organisation(Davidson and
et.al., 2016).
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Perspective Management normally have
short range of perspective
(Deichmann and Stam, 2015).
Leadership usually requires
good foresightedness (Drake
and Spinler, 2013).
It can be concluded that both leadership and management are inseparable in nature. In
fact, the qualities of managers require leadership skills to inspire his subordinate so that they
work in organisation with proper efficiency.
Therefore, in an organisation both mangers and leaders plays critical role in decision
making that effects the function. They are the reason for success in the organisation, so the top
management of the firm should aim at selecting leaders and managers who have capabilities
(Fischer, 2016).
M1. Differentiate between role of leader and function of a manger by applying theories.
In an organisation leader plays a vital role in making decision in order to effectively run t
business organisation. Two of the most common approaches include autocratic leadership and
demographic leadership style.
 Autocratic Leaderships: This is a leadership under which leaders themself control over
all decision. Moreover, he rarely accepts advice from his followers.
 Democratic Leadership: Under this type of leadership members of the respective
organisation takes part in decision-making (Ford and et.al., 2017). This leadership will
be very helpful for Rowlinson Knitwear.
Furthermore, there are many management theories one of them is mentioned below:
 Behavioural Theories of management: This theory is based on the approach of
behaviour of leaders which does not trust the approach of situational leadership
(Fredendall and Hill, 2016). It can be effectively applied to organisation where there is
less productivity or less capacity to employee retention .
TASK 2
P2. Function of manger and role of leader in different situational context.
For an business organisation both leaders and mangers are inseparable part. Therefore,
both of them work in an organisation according to the situation arising. There is a manager of
every department with number of leaders who work with respective team attaining firms
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accomplished goals. Under many situation manager plays the role of leader too at the demand of
the company (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
Therefore, an organisation needs both for its survival and growth. Some of the situation under
which both leader and manger exercise equally are:
 Employee Turnover: Employee Turnover basically refers to number of workers who
leaves an organisation and are usually replaced by new employees. Measuring this
turnover helps an organisation to examine and estimate the cost that may be required to
hire employees. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear company's managers and leaders are
very much involved in employee turnover. Mangers usually aims at making various
policy that may help employees to feel secure (Gao and You, 2015). Moreover
Rowlinson Knitwear arrange training that maintains and updates employees at work. A
leader is more important than a manager under employee retention. Leader is responsible
to ensure that team members are satisfied with the work they are doing and something
new everyday should be learn by employees so that they stick to organisation for long
time. To over this situation the leaders of Rowlinson Knitwear should adopt situational
leadership style.
 Communication Gap: Communication basically refers to a process under which
information is exchanged between individuals using symbols, behaviour or sign.
Moreover in an organisation maintaining effective communication is of great importance
because this leads to achieve desired action easily with efficiency. So it is very important
to bridge this gap between employees and top management so as to maintain effective
communication within the workplace. Manager of Rowlinson Knitwear takes various
steps that help in bridging this gap he inspires the employees to work with their full
potential. Moreover leaders aims at regularly interacting with employees this usually
motivates them to work with proper efficiency (Ghiani and et.al., 2014). Communication
gap will be overcome if the company's leaders adopt system leadership style.
Furthermore there are more situations under which the managers and leaders are primarily
responsible for making decision regarding business operation. This decision making usually
helps in achieving the overall target of Rowlinson Knitwear.
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P3. Apply different theories and models of approach that may include situational, system ad
contingencies leadership theories.
There are several leadership theories that can be applied in the organisation. These
theories usually helps a leader to take decisions regarding the businesses keeping in mind the
requirements. Leadership theories typically defines leaders based on their characteristics.
Rowlinson Knitwear leaders can adopt any of the following leadership style or theory in order to
achieve the goals and objectives. Following are some of the major leadership style:
 Situational leadership: It is a leadership style under which leader of the organisation has
to adjust his style in accordance to the company. Moreover with this leadership style it is
up to leaders to change their style. It is adopted according to existing work environment
and needs of the firm. Under Rowlinson Knitwear the company's leader should
effectively follow this leadership because it is flexible and delegating in nature. Leader
easily move from one leadership style to another and aim at meeting the changing needs.
Moreover, for Rowlinson Knitwear is a leadership style which will be most effective because
right now the company is facing problem of employees retention (Gunasekaran, Irani and
Papadopoulos, 2014). Therefore, leader should effectively make use and aim at retaining the lost
employees.
 System Leadership: This leadership style usually enable leaders to create situation
where employees at all levels can work productively to their potential. Moreover this
creates sound principles regarding human behaviour to make various models of
organisational strategies, good leadership and many other. Leaders under this theory have
several tools to identify and predict people's behaviour in respective organisation.
Rowlinson knitwear also have issues related to communication (Hajmohammad and
et.al., 2013). Therefore, system leadership enable to enhance productively of employees
by listening their quires and communicating it to top management.
 Contingency Leadership: This theory emphasizes on several variables in specific setting
that basically determine style of leadership the best suit for a particular situation. It is
based on the principles that no one leadership style is applicable under all situations.
(Heaslip, 2013). Leaders of Rowlinson Knitwear can make use of contingency theory
that basically focuses on balancing behaviours and needs of the company.
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However, they are more such theory that helps the leader of an organisation to work with
efficiency in order to achieved expected organisational goals with accurate efficiency.
M2 Strengths and weakness of different approaches within the work environment.
Each and every applied above theory have strengths and weakness in context to an
organisation.
Strengths of Situational Theory:
 Prime strength of this theory is that it helps in creating better team unity within an
Rowlinson Knitwear (HittXu and Carnes, 2016). Moreover employees have friendly
environment at workplace.
 This theory helps in enhancing the awareness of employees so that they can closely
monitor the situations of Rowlinson Knitwear (Howellnd and Wanasika, 2018).
Weakness of Situational Theory:
 There is lack of understanding under the situational leadership approach because of
demographic differences and lack of experience employees under the organisation.
(Hoyos, Morales and Akhavan-Tabatabaei, 2015)
 There is huge possibility of creating confusion within Rowlinson Knitwear
(Katsikopoulos and Gigerenzer, 2013). This confusion is created due to the
interconnectivity of situation. .
D1 Analyse and evaluate different theories and approaches in context to leadership
Different theories and approaches to leadership are mentioned below:
 Trait Theory: This theory is usually based on qualities of leaders. Moreover under this
theory identification is based on demographics, personality, aggressiveness and many
other aspects (Kauppi, 2013). Furthermore in this leadership theory there are certain
qualities which help the person to control and mange the organisation with efficiency.
 Transactional leadership theory: Under this theory rewards and punishment is given to
employees with accordance to the performance (Kerzner, 2017). It applied under those
organisation where the concern is on employees performance.
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TASK 3
P4. Determine key approaches to operation management and role of mangers and leaders.
Managers and leaders of organisation play various roles in organisation which leads to
smooth working of organisation (Lamidi, 2015). There are different approaches in operation
management and these approaches help in effective and efficient working of organisation.
Operation management is a function which is responsible for planning, organisation, and
conduction business operation in effectively and timely manner. Key approaches of operation
management with role of leader and manager is mention below:
Total Quality Management
This is an approach which implies on quality management of products and services
offered by organisation. Total quality management is a continuous process which is a
responsibility of mangers and leaders to provide good quality products and services to customer.
This approach of management will help in ensuring long term loyal of customers as well as
satisfying needs of customers. Total quality management ensures that all employees in
organisation work towards improving quality in process and system so that organisation can
manufacture high quality products and services (Lee, 2016). In Rowlinson Knitwear
organisation, manager's role is to manage activity of each and every employee as well as ensure
that they work will their full skill and ability. It is responsibility of managers to communicate
effective regarding quality of work and product that is required by company. Leader's role in this
is to train employees so that they work effective and efficiently.
Just-in-Time
It refers as a approach which focus on inventory and manufacturing of goods and
products of company. Just in time is refers as timely availability of products in organisation
according to the demand in market. Just-in-Time inventory system is a strategies of management
which leads to sufficient inventory of product to absorb maximum demand of market
(Molchanov, 2016). Just-in-Time manufacturing refers to a techniques which help in eliminating
of waste while manufacturing process. This will help in improving quality of products and
ultimately leads to increase in profitability of business. Role of Rowlinson Knitwear manager is
to develop a proper plan regarding manufacturing and environment of products. Managers are
also responsible for monitoring results and controlling activities whenever required. Role of
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leaders is to provide proper direction to employees and motivating them to achieve objective of
organisation.
Lean Manufacturing
This approach refers to the process of eliminating of waste from manufacturing of
products and without affective productivity of organisation. Lean manufacturing is responsible
for eliminating waste by optimize processes, cutting cost and innovative techniques. This will
help in increasing quality of products manufactured by company by sustainability and it directly
leads to increase in profitability of company (Monczka and et.al., 2015). In Rowlinson Knitwear
company, manager's role is to develop and implement strategies which help in eliminating of
waste and well as improving productive of organisation. Role and responsibility of leader of this
organisation is to act as a coach for employees and motivate them to increase their productivity.
P5. Importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
Operation management play a very significant role in organisation as it help in achieving
objective of organisation. This is one of the major function of organisation and it ensure timely
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Illustration 1: Lean Manufacturing
Source: 6 Key Lean Manufacturing Principles.

delivery of organisation products or services. Importance of operation management for
Rowlinson Knitwear company is mention below: Improve profitably: This department of organisation is responsible for planning,
organizing, managing as well as controlling production and manufacturing process of
organisation (Ozguven and Ozbay, 2015). Operational management is very improvement
department which leads to increase in profitability of organisation. Rowlinson Knitwear
organisation is dealing in manufacturing of office and school wear cloths, so this
department will contribute most in overall profitability of organisation by producing right
quality and quantity of products. Product quality: Operational management is very important in manufacturing and
developing high quality products. Customers will purchase products when it is developed
with good quality and customers feel worth of products (Padalkar and Gopinath, 2016).
Operational management is very important in order to develop high quality of products as
it is ensure quality management and enhancement of products and services of company.
In order to achieve objective of organisation it is very important to effectively and
efficiently management of operational of company. Customer satisfaction: Organisation one of the most major goal and objective is to
satisfy needs and wants of customers. Operation management function play a crucial role
in satisfying customers by offering products which full full their needs and wants.
Customer satisfaction is a key to achieve organisation objective as well as increase sales
of products manufactured by company (Parsanezhad and Dimyadi, 2013). Rowlinson
Knitwear company motive is to develop products which leads to satisfy needs and wants
of customers. Company should identify customers requirement and then manufacture
products which satisfy customer's requirement.
Operation management is valuable to organisation in achieving business objective. Better
quality of goods and services. This function is highly valued by organisation as it help is
increasing productive of organisation, reducing waste and offering better quality products to
customers. Increase productivity: Operation management function leads to increase in productivity
of organisation as well as improve overall performance of organisation (Piercy and Rich,
2015). Rowlinson Knitwear company's motive is to earn high profits by increase sales of
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