Analysis of Leadership and Management in Marks & Spencer Operations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management within the context of Marks & Spencer (M&S). It begins by comparing the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting differences in vision creation, innovation, risk-taking, and long-term versus short-term goals. The report then examines how leaders and managers function in various challenging situations, such as technological advancements, staff turnover, and economic changes, emphasizing their roles in motivation, performance measurement, risk management, and policy adjustments. Furthermore, it explores different leadership theories and models, including situational, contingency, and systematic leadership, explaining their relevance to M&S's operations. The report concludes by discussing key approaches to operation management, such as the dynamic approach and Six Sigma, and their importance in maintaining quality, adapting to market changes, and enhancing operational efficiency within the fashion industry.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Compare role and characteristics of leader and managers.....................................................1
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in different situations..............................................2
P3 Different theories and models of leadership...........................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P4 key approaches to operation management..............................................................................4
P5 Importance and value of operation management....................................................................6
P6 Factors that impact to business environment..........................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Operation management can be considered as complex set of management activities that
support entity in planning, controlling business operations. It is effective process that helps in
improving productivity of the firm and enhancing efficiency level of operations. For the present
report Marks and Spencer is being selected (Stadtler, 2015). It is the leading multinational
fashion brand that offers quality and fashionable products to consumers across the world. Current
assignment will compare role and characteristics of leader and manager. Furthermore, it will
explain functions of manager in the different situations. Key approaches of operation
management will be discussed in this study. In addition, report will explain significance of
operation management in reference to Marks and Spencer (M&S).
TASK 1
P1 Compare role and characteristics of leader and managers
Leaders and managers are the key players of any organization, they put their hard efforts
so that common goal of company can be obtained. Leaders praise success and drive people so
that they can perform their work effectively. On other hand managers understand employees and
manage them in such manner so that they can achieve excellence (Stewart and Shamdasani,
2014). Difference between role of leaders and characteristic of managers in Marks & Spencer is
as following:
Leaders creates vision, managers develop goal
Leaders are the people those who lead workers in M&S, they create vision and make the
people understand with the picture. They inspire employees and engage them in order to turn
vision into reality (Wu and et.al, 2017). They think creative and look at the future goals of the
firm. They encourage staff members to do something bigger and innovative. On other hand
managers measures operations so that goal can be achieved. They have controlling characteristic,
they control over business activities so hat things can be run in smooth manner.
Leaders are innovator, manager maintain status
Leaders of Marks & Spencer plays role of innovator, they bring innovative ideas in the
workplace to change the employees. So that they can perform their work effectively (Dong and
Huang, 2013). They provide ideas to do better. Managers stick to the works and maintain status
so that no complications arise in the company. They ensure that things go in smooth manner and
better results can be generated.
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Leaders have unique characteristic, managers follow pre-determined rules
Leader of M&S always concentrates on unique ideas and changing the situations.
Whereas managers have characteristic to follow pre-determined rules and regulations. They
follow instruction of higher authorities, they cannot change the process (Erraasti, 2013).
Leaders are risk taker and managers are controller
Leaders and managers both have unique characteristic and role in the workplace. Leaders
are risk takes, they take risk as challenge and face it. They believe that taking risk is the path of
success. On other hand managers work for minimizing risk, they control over operations so that
problems can be minimized. They control over situation and process (Fender and et. al, 2008).
Leaders work for longer term goal, managers think for short term goal
Leaders of Marks and Spencer always look at the future situations, they make plan in
such manner so that long term goal of organization can be achieved. On other hand mangers
always work to achieve current objective or short term goal of the firm. Leaders remain
motivated whether they get any reward or not. Whereas managers seek to get more
acknowledgement from higher authorities (Newman and et.al, 2014).
Leaders believer in personal growth, managers believe in proving skills
Leaders and managers have unique characteristic, leaders of M&S believe that individual
who is working in the organization needs to be growth. Individual must work in such manner so
that overall skills and knowledge of the person can be increased. On other hand Managers
believe that individual has to prove their skills in order to get promotional opportunities in the
Marks and Spencer. They have to develop their existing skills and have to change their behaviour
so that individual can perform well in the corporation (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014).
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in different situations
There are various situations that can create complications for the business unit. In such
condition leaders and manager have to play different role in the organization in order to deal with
such complication situations effectively. They are key players and work to raise profitability and
efficiency level of the company. Marks and Spencer is the leading fashion firm that ensure to
provide quality products to consumers so that they feel satisfied and buy products from the
company always (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015). If technology up gradation held in the industry
then it becomes essential for the entity that to implement these up gradated technologies in the
workplace. In such condition people may deny accepting these changes. This may create conflict
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situation in the M&S. Leaders plays role of motivator. They encourage the people so that they do
not feel dishearten and accept changes. This can help the cited firm in retaining skilled
employees in the workplace for longer duration (Kalra and Kopargaonkar, 2016).
Increasing staff turnover is the main critical situation because skilled people leave job
that impact on efficiency level of the operations. In such condition entity may lose confidence of
its consumers. This impact on profitability of business unit to great extent. In such condition
managers have function to measure performance of employees and on the bases of their
performance level they have to provide rewards and recognition to workers. It supports M&S in
increasing confidence of staff members and retaining them in the workplace for longer duration.
Economy changes are considered as one of the critical situation that may impact on business
environment to great extent (Wu and et.al, 2017). Inflation, deflation affect operational process
of company to great extent. In such condition company faces difficulty to run its operations
because inflation impact on demand and purchasing power of consumers. In such complicated
situation leaders of cited firm play role of risk taker. They take challenges and adopt innovative
ideas to deal with risk effectively. Mangers have function to analyses market condition and make
changes in policies so that company can run its operations smoothly. They utilize resources well
and try to reduce price of the products so that consumers take interest and purchase products of
the M&S frequently (Dhoul, 2014).
If staff are unable to perform their work effectively, then leaders of the company plays
role of director. They give necessary direction to employees so that they understand their work
and can perform it without any issue. On other hand managers have function to train the workers
so that people get to know about their work profile and they can perform it without any
confusion. This helps in raising performance level of employee to great extent.
P3 Different theories and models of leadership
Leadership is the ability of person to lead people and mange company’s operations. There
are various models and approaches of leadership. These are explained as below:
Situational leadership theory
Companies have to face challenges they want to sustain in the market for longer duration
then leaders have to understand different situations and have to deal with them effectively. This
theory states that leaders are responsible person thus, they have to behave mature in each critical
situation in the organization (six sigma, 2017). For example, if Marks and Spencer have to
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modify its operations by using advance technologies then leaders have to first conduct meeting
with employees and have to make them understand. Leaders have to make them aware with the
benefits of implementing new technologies. It can support in avoiding issues and people will
accept these modifications easily. In addition, situational leadership explains that it is
responsibility of leaders that to coordinate with staff members well and give them accurate
directions so that confusion of employees of M&S can be minimized and people can perform
their work effectively (Wu and et.al, 2017). Situational leadership pays attention on four main
elements: support to workers, direction, coaching and delegation. That means leader of company
is required to support the workers, give them accurate direction, coach them and delegate them
so that people feel satisfied and perform their work effectively.
Contingency leadership approach
It is another type of leadership that explains that leaders are the person those who work
for smooth running of operations. Leaders of company have to understand situations and
accordingly give reaction. There are many contingency theories such as Fiedler, path goal
situation etc. Fiedler theory states that motivation is the only tool that can encourage people in
the workplace (Newman and et.al, 2014). Thus, leaders of M&S have to motivate team members
so that they feel happy and perform their duties well. The Path goal theory explains that leaders
are the only people those who lead team and provide them path. Their instruction supports the
cited firm in raising performance level of employees and minimizing errors of them.
Systematic leadership theory
It is another leadership style which explains that leaders have to concentrates on market
situations and accordingly they have to modify operations. Their modifying strategies help the
firm in raising performance level and accomplishing its goal significantly (Kalra and
Kopargaonkar, 2016). By modifying current operational process leader of M&S would be able to
meet with the demand and would be able to fulfil needs of consumers and employees.
TASK 2
P4 key approaches to operation management
Management of operations is considered as one of the important function of the
organization, effective management helps the firm in identifying loop fall in the system and
minimizing these lacking points by making necessary changes in operations. Operation
management assist in redesigning of operations and increasing production capabilities of
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business to great extent (Newman and et.al, 2014). M&S is operating in fashion industry. It is
the sector in which needs and tests of consumers get changed frequently. In such condition it
becomes essential for leaders of the cited firm that to have eye on market condition and
accordingly make changes in its operational process. This can help the company in increasing its
revenues and sustaining in the market for longer duration. Approaches of operation management
are described as below:
Dynamic approach
It is the essential methodology of operation management. Changes and modification are
part of business, if entity makes necessary changes in its operations time to time then it can help
the firm in sustaining in the market for longer duration (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014). Marks
and Spencer is the leading brand, it has to pay attention on four major elements: increasing
knowledge of people make contingency plan, learning and resolution of issues. By paying
attention on these several aspects cited firm can enhance efficiency level of its operational
performance.
Six Sigma
It is considered as one of the most important approach, it helps the organization in
improving operational process and accomplishing its goal soon. It is considered as quality
management tool, that ensure that operational process of company can give quality output.
Marks and Spencer are famous for its quality products (six sigma, 2017). If it fails to offer high
quality products to its consumers then it may affect its profitability and brand image as well. For
that it is essential for the company that to ensure that it provides quality cloths asper the
requirement of consumers. Six sigma is the helpful tool that aids in identifying lacking points
and making changes in such manner so that these loop falls can be minimized. It tries to measure
quality of process and products and modify operations so that company can provide satisfactory
products to its valuable consumers. DMAIV and DMADV are two main operation management
tools that are used in six sigma processes. By using these methods M&S can identify the loop
falls and can collect relevant data to ensure the quality (Stadtler, 2015). That helps in identifying
improvement are. By this way production capacity of company can be increased and it can
become able to satisfy consumers by offering high quality products with minimum errors.
Lean production graphics
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It is another approach to operation management, it is the method which only pays
attention on wastage. It ensures that in minimum input company can generate quality output (Wu
and et.al, 2017). For that leaders of M&S needs to ensure that they utilize resources of company
effectively and tries to minimize wastage. This can help the company in increasing its profit and
minimizing cost as well.
Leader’s role
Leaders are the key player of the company. Individual plays role of innovator,
motivator, risk taker in Marks and Spencer. Leader of the company encourage people so that
they do not feel dishearten and perform in challenging environment effectively. Leaders ensure
that people accept critical situation and they get correct guidance so that they do not feel trouble
in performing their work effectively. Leader of M&S implements innovative ideas to improve
performance level of employees. Individual ensure to deliver best output at minimum input (Qu,
Janssen and Shi, 2015). Thus, creativity and innovation helps in achieving this goal of company.
Leader of cited firm take challenges and convert it into positive results.
Manager’s role
Managers are the person those who manage employees so that overall goal of the
company can be accomplished. Managers plays role of administrator, instructor. Individual give
direction to the people and train them so that they understand their responsibilities and perform
their work effectively (Wu and et.al, 2017). Manager of M&S keep records of input and output
so that it can generate profit and overall goal of company can be achieved.
P5 Importance and value of operation management
Operation management is beneficial tool for companies and support in their expansion and
growth. Operation management is valuable tool that helps in identifying loop fall in the system
and rectifying these lacking points soon (Dhoul, 2014). The main goal of M&S is to expand its
business across the world and enhance satisfaction level of consumers. For achieving this goal
cited firm is required to provide satisfactory products to its consumers, it is only possible through
operation management in the organization. By managing operations well managers of Marks and
Spencer can enhance production capabilities of the business and can enhance revenues of
company (Wu and et.al, 2017). If company is unable to manage its operations then it may get
failed to achieve its targets.
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Operation management is important in understanding skills of employees and giving
them responsibility as per their skills and talent. Managers if Marks and Spencer manage
operations well, they ensure that each person who is working in the organization get
responsibility as per their qualification ad skill. This encourage people and they put their best
efforts to meet with the objective. That supports in improving quality of work and minimizing
errors to great extent (Newman and et.al, 2014). Operation management ensure that company
meets with the needs of consumers and generate quality output in minimum input. It supports in
reducing operational cost of the firm.
Six Sigma, TQM are very important tool of managing operations well. By using these
methods Marks and Spencer can enhance quality of its products. Market needs are getting
changed frequently, in such condition it is essential for the firm that to modify its operations time
to time. For that company redesign its process in order enhance quality of output. By this way it
can meet with the changing needs of consumers. This can help the organization in sustaining in
the market for longer duration and gaining competitive advantage (Erraasti, 2013).
P6 Factors that impact to business environment
Business environment is depended upon many factors, there are many internal and external
element that affect overall working of company to great extent. It is required that management
pays attention on these elements and deal with these aspects effectively.
Internal factors
These are such components that are present internally and affect overall working
environment of Marks and Spencer (Stewart and Shamdasani, 2014).
 Relationship between employees and employer: It is most important factor, if there is
poor relationship between both then it may increase conflict situation in the workplace.
By this way entity will not be able to achieve its goal. This will impact on performance
level of employees and they will think to leave their job soon (Newman and et.al, 2014).
 Financial resources: It is another main facto which impact on bsu9ness environment to
great extent. M&S has adequate funds, so if new technologies are required to be
implement then entity can implement it easily. But if entity does not have adequate funds
then it may crate trouble situation for organization because it would not be able to face
critical complex situation. By this way it will fail to run its business smoothly (Nowicka
and Vertovec, 2014).
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 Suppliers relationship: It is another internal factor which impact on business environment
of M&S. If entity does not have strong relationship with suppliers then it would not get
quality material at affordable rates. In such condition it may get failed to produce quality
products and will get failed to meet with the needs of customers (Dong and Huang,
2013). In such condition operation cost of company can get increased and entity will fail
to achieve its objective soon (Erraasti, 2013).
External factors
There are many external factors that may impact on overall business activities of M&S.
 Corporate social responsibility: If entity is unable to fulfil its CSR responsibilities then it
may increase negative perception in the mind of consumers and they may turn their mind.
This may give final loss to business unit (Wu and et.al, 2017).
 Political, economic changes: It is another factor which affect on business environment, it
is uncontrollable factors but effective management can help in dealing with this factor
effectively.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that operation management can assist the
organization in minimizing their loop fall and raising business performance to great extent. Six
sigma is the great method through which entity can identify its loop fall an can make necessary
changes in its process for raising performance of company. Leaders have to motivate people so
that they feel happy and retain inorganization for longer duration.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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multi-agent systems. Automatica. 49(5). pp.1386-1391.
Erraasti, A., 2013. Global Production Networks: Operations Design and Management. 2nd ed.
CRC Press.
Fender, M., and et. al., 2008. Global Operations And Logistics: Text And Cases. John Wiley &
Sons.
Kalra, J. and Kopargaonkar, A., 2016. Quality improvement in clinical laboratories: a six sigma
concept. Pathol Lab Med Open J. 1(1). pp.11-20.
Newman, A. and et.al., 2014. Examining the cognitive and affective trust-based mechanisms
underlying the relationship between ethical leadership and organisational citizenship: a case of
the head leading the heart?. Journal of Business Ethics. 123(1). pp.113-123.
Nowicka, M. and Vertovec, S., 2014. Comparing convivialities: Dreams and realities of living-
with-difference.
Qu, R., Janssen, O. and Shi, K., 2015. Transformational leadership and follower creativity: The
mediating role of follower relational identification and the moderating role of leader creativity
expectations. The Leadership Quarterly. 26(2). pp.286-299.
Stadtler, H., 2015. Supply chain management: An overview. In Supply chain management and
advanced planning (pp. 3-28). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
Stewart, D. W. and Shamdasani, P. N., 2014. Focus groups: Theory and practice (Vol. 20). Sage
publications.
Wu, Y. and et.al., 2017. An input-based triggering approach to leader-following
problems. Automatica. 75. pp.221-228.
Wu, Y. and et.al., 2017. An input-based triggering approach to leader-following
problems. Automatica. 75. pp.221-228.
Online
Dhoul, T., 2014. What is Operations Management? [online]. Available
through:<http://www.topmba.com/mba-programs/what-operations-management>
six sigma, 2017. [Online]. Available through: <http://www.businessballs.com/sixsigma.htm>.
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