UGB261 Report: Analysis of Management Thought and Practice at M&S

This report provides an in-depth analysis of management thought and practice, using Marks & Spencer as a case study. It begins with an introduction outlining the importance of management within organizations, particularly focusing on Marks & Spencer, a leading British retailer. The report then explores how operations management supports business aims and objectives, detailing the roles of finance, operations, strategies, and product design. Various management approaches, including direction, control, and setting expectations, are examined. The report further discusses the importance of motivation in the workplace, highlighting its impact on employee performance and organizational success, including the application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Effective communication and teamwork are also presented as critical components supporting business performance. The report concludes with a summary of the key findings and insights into management practices within the context of the chosen organization.

Management Thought And
Practice

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS AIMS AND OBJECTIVE
OF ORGANISATION.....................................................................................................................3
MANAGEMENT APPROACHES.................................................................................................4
IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION IN THE WORKPLACE BUSINESS...................................6
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND TEAM WORK SUPPORT IN THE BUSINESS
PERFORMANCE............................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Management in every organisation is said to be a set of practices that are to be ensured in the
organisational policies and will have to look after the employment as well as the operational
performance of the organisation. Every organisation is bound to be confined to one or more
policies that will enhance the growth prospects and to the field in which the company is
operating will therefore be a boon to conquer (Choi and et.al, 2018). Management will work
towards inculcating their practices that are necessary for the entire workforce facility practices
that are to be adopted in the organisation to move ahead with the circumstances that a prevailing
in the field that the company is operating. The entire report deals with the management thoughts
and practice that are applicable to every organisation and which are to be enhanced such that the
organisation will work for the better cause. The organisation that is chosen in this regard is
Marks and Spencer. The company Marks and Spencer is known to be one of the best
multinational British retailers which is operating and United Kingdom. It is known for its
products mostly the clothing that is specialised and making the best out of the lot. The company
has been regarded as one of the most authenticated one in terms of Management and practices
that are adopted by it are said to be those that stand unique. The entire report deals with the
management practices of the company Marks and Spencer.
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS AIMS
AND OBJECTIVE OF ORGANISATION
Operations management will be dealing with the administration and policies of the organisation
such that every activity that is being tackled in the business as attaining of greater efficiency for
the company. There is a set of processes and planning that are to be dealt in an organisation and
everything lies in how far the management is being able to supervise the operations of business.
Marks and Spencer follows the same operational management where it ends for productivity and
the stream that it is operating. Through operations management there can be different cost-
effective measures that are adhered by the organisation which will reduce the wastage of
resources. The different functions that are dealt by operations management in any organisation
that will formulate growth prospect of the organisation are as follows:
Finance: finance operations are said to be playing one of the crucial role in the organisation and
the company Marks and Spencer being one of the multinational company is said to be involved

in different financial productivity task. Therefore, it is to be ensured that the organisation will
have to utilise the policies that will contribute for a better cause (Glock and et.al, 2019).
Operations: being one of the greatest retailers and operating in the field where it is being a
challenging as well as a considerable prospect for the organisation Marks and Spencer the
company always formulates is its basic plan as well as the directions that are controlled by the
management such that its efficiency can be effectively approached.
Strategies: the operational management of every organisation focus upon the strategies that are
to be followed in every organisation such that its growth can be mandatory as well as can be
enjoyed at regular intervals of time. Therefore, the company Marks and Spencer also follow the
same prospect where the company focuses upon the other retailers that are prevailing in the
industries and therefore with regards to this comparison the company will also come up with
strategies that are essential for it to develop in all times.
Product design: every organisation’s major consideration is to provide the better products with
good quality such that there will be an increase in the customer base. The operational
management will deal with the product statistics as well as the quality that is being dealt by the
organisation with regards to the product. Marks and Spencer being one of the retailers and is also
known for its better clothing prospects therefore it will focus upon the product value as well as
the different designs that are to be involved in the present scenario such that it can attain a good
reputation through it. The operations management in this regard will only focus on how far the
designs are being implemented as well as being adopted.
MANAGEMENT APPROACHES
Management approaches are said to be those that are followed by the organisation in order to
move ahead with the formulations that are to be inculcated in the organisation. There are a set of
activities that are to be performed by the management as well as the workforce in which the
entire criteria of business operations will lie. The operations management is said to be dealing
with the certainty that are prevailing in the retailing sector. Marks and Spencer being one of the
best retailer and a multinational retailer is set to be dealing with things that are incorporated in
the organisation as well as in the field that in which the company is operating (Mišić and Perakis,
2020). There are different approaches towards management and they can be explained in the
better possible way in order to bring out the essence of retailing. The different management

approaches that are performed in the day-to-day life of the retailing business or an organisation
are as follows:
Direction: one of the most authentic method that is to be followed by every management in
order to move ahead with the circumstances that are prevailing in the organisation is to mend a
proper direction. Without proper direction they will not be a proper work that is being done in
the organisation. There are processes as well as communications that are related with the
development as well as the mission vision and mind set that are to be followed in the
organisation. A proper direction will have to be designed by the Organisational Management in
the company Marks and Spencer in order to make sure the path is clear for the word for to
perform their operations.
Control: one of the best forms of Organisational Management will lie in how far the
organisation is able to control its activities through the implementation of policies that will
reflect in the internal behaviour of the organisation. It is not how far the company Marks and
Spencer is making success in industry it is operating but everything lies in how far the company
is being able to control the systems and procedures along with dealing with the positivity and the
negativity that is prevailing in the industry.
Setting expectations: expectations are necessary in order to drive the fruit of hard work. Every
organisation will have to follow this prospect in order to move ahead in the prospect of growth.
There are certain limitations that will apply in dealing with the certain taste of Expectations. All
the other objectives and targets that are to be met by the management still there are things that
are to be dealt with in dealing with Expectations. The management of the organisation Marks and
Spencer will have to set boundaries as well as limits in order to determine their expectations
(Gölzer and Fritzsche, 2017). The company marks and Spencer follow different management
theories in order to reflect their choices through the managerial actions.
Classical Management Theory: in order to move ahead with the productivity and the
improvement of certainties in the organisation the company Marks and Spencer will follow the
theory of classical management through which it will deal with participated leadership style such
that it can improve the production all policies of the organisation.
Behavioural theory of Management: the behaviour of Management Theory will deal with the
skills and abilities of the employees which is set to be one of the major aspects that are to be
dealt with by the organisation. Therefore, Marks and Spencer employees behavioural

management theory in order to withstand their employees skills and abilities which are a major
part in the contribution for the organisation.
Contingency theory: it is important to withstand the change of the policies that are adhering in
the organisation. Change management is also one of the major and greatest challenges that will
fulfil the need of identifying the choices and conditions of the organisation Marks and Spencer.
Therefore, through contingency theory Marks and Spencer focuses upon the change of the
organisation and also well deal with issues that are prevailing in the retailing industry (Lee and
Tang, 2018).
IMPORTANCE OF MOTIVATION IN THE WORKPLACE BUSINESS
Motivation in the workplace is considered to be a critical aspect which helps in enhancing the
performance of the employees as well as the company. Marks and Spencers consider its
employees as the biggest assets and strive hard to make them motivated at every stage of
development. This helps in achieving the goals of the company and also escapes from being
placed in a very risky position. When the employee is not motivated then they will waste their
time in doing their other chores which is wastage of resources and capital of the company. On
the other hand, when the employees of the company like Marks and Spencer are motivated, they
will have a sense of belongingness towards the company. They will strive hard to do their best in
every task they perform (Rožman, Treven and Čančer, 2017). The employees become more
satisfied which leads to company’s positive growth.
Motivation in the workplace will not only help in achieving the organisational goals but also the
personal goals as after reaching some goals the employees get to know about the clear link
between their efforts and the results. This motivates them more to continue at higher levels. The
skills and abilities of the employee are not enough for the best results but it is must for the
employee to have the willingness to perform the tasks which can be gained only by being
motivated (Vero and Puka, 2017). This is why; the motivation of employees is the success of the
organisation. Employee motivation deals in the energy, innovation and level of commitment
which is hold by the company.
The motivated employees in Marks & Spencer are driven, enthusiastic and show much pride in
their work. They take the actions, accomplish the tasks and have an eagerness to do good jobs
which is beneficial for the company as well as the employees. The company can easily bring
motivation if its employees are motivated. These employees are happier with their working lives

and are less likely for missing the work without good reason. Motivation also helps in lowering
the staff turnover as the employees are more likely to stay in their duties because they think that
they contribute greatly towards the organisation. This leads to fewer costs of training and
recruitment.
There are various theories which are used in Marks and Spencer among which the Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs is the most prominent. This model ensures that the needs of all the employees
are fulfilled because this is the main reason for the person to be motivated. The model highlights
various needs of the person which needs to be fulfilled which are as follows:
Physiological: These refer to the basic necessities to live life such as water, food and shelter.
M&S considers these needs as the most important one and ensures that these needs of all the
employees are fulfilled (Cui and et.al., 2021).
Safety: This protects the employees from various threats, dangers and deprivation leading to
their safety and security. M&S provides securities such as financial, emotional, social stability,
safety against accidents etc.
Love and belongingness: These needs refer to the interpersonal relationships such as trust,
intimacy, friendship affection and love. The company believes that fulfilling these needs make
the employees motivated.
Esteem: This deals with the esteem for oneself, respect and reputation. The company tries to
maintain the status and prestige of all its employees.
Self-actualisation: Fulfilling of these needs make the person able to realise the own potential,
seek personal growth and peak experiences and self-fulfilment. M&S ensures that employees
grow personally and professionally as well.
Marks and Spencer considers its motivated employees as the major reason of the company’s
success because the employees mostly talk about the things they enjoy. So, the satisfied
employees spread the word which gives good reputation to the firm. This helps in recruiting the
leading talent. Furthermore, the motivated employees work faster and more efficiently which
leads to more and better outputs. This also gives motivation to the company to challenge for
more works and also sells the products and services more (Lorincová and et.al., 2019). The job
satisfaction of the employees also increases which also helps in retaining and attracting the
skilled and qualified employees. Therefore, motivation at workplace not only benefits the

employees but also the company as a whole. The turnover rates become low which improves the
overall performance of the company.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND TEAM WORK SUPPORT IN THE
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Communication is it to be one of the fundamental prospect that is required in every organisations
to deal with the address it is as well as the implementation that are to be performed in the
organisation. There are certain issues and mysteries that are to be sold at regular interval by the
management and that can only be fulfilled by proper communication that is maintain within the
management full stop people are to be given a scope of dealing with the atrocities that are
prevailing in the organisations and that will reply to be one of the most effective communication
that is followed by the organisations. In order to determine the growth of the company it is better
to identify the policies that revolve around the communicational attributes towards bringing
growth to the company. A good communication between the management as well as is employee
is well reflect in the harmonious atmosphere in the organisation Marks and Spencer. This can
also result in increasing employee engagement which can also contribute for overall
effectiveness of the team. There are different ways and departmental results that are associated
with the communication all policies that offered by the organisation. Due to poor
communications there at certain drawbacks as well as the statistics also prove that for
communications well result in the negligence of the organisation towards the growth prospect.
70% of the organisational policies will be a successful one due to proper communication.
Communication will also result in proper training that is to be offered to the Employees such that
they will get to know the aspects of the organisation and can contribute towards betterment of the
company. This is being followed by the company Marks and Spencer and the different factors
that the company follows are:
Improve team building: effective communication is followed in Marks and Spencer and
therefore in the organisation the teams as well as a management will get to know the aspects that
are prevailing in the retailing sector. With this prospect they focus on building an effective team
which will result in bringing success to the company. Opinions and discussions for mandatory in
order to move ahead with any idea of implementation. This will also develop a kind of
enthusiasm in the employees so that they can be able to take part in the discussion started
prevailing in the workplace.

Boosting growth: the different growth factors in the organisation and data to be dealt with the
certainty of solving. This can only be done upon eliminating the uncertainties and maintaining a
proper functionality within the organisation such that the policies can ensure your growth. The
company Marks and Spencer always focuses upon the factors that are reliable and will boost
growth and productivity of the company. This is one of the stepping stone for the company in the
retailing sector and is also one of the considerable factors for it to gain reputation in the field that
it is operating. The company never focuses upon the dark side but will always move ahead with
ideas that are beneficial for the workforce as well as for the organisation (Babich and Hilary,
2020).
Adopting innovations: innovations are important in order to determine how far the company is
able to approach the standards of the present scenario that is prevailing in the entire world. In
case of retailing industry there are certain circumstances that are to be met with proper
innovation ideas and that can only be fulfilled with prior intimation to everybody in the
organisation and therefore this communication will result in brainstorming ideas that will
contribute for innovation in the organisation. The company Marks and Spencer mainly focuses
upon the products as well as the clothing industry and there in innovation is in terms of
technological implementations that will focus on the individuals as well as the delivery prospect.
When it is ahead of the technological implementations that are in the industry of retailing then
the company can easily affect the policies that are adhering for its growth.
Following loyalty: the company Marks and Spencer as a part of communication and policy will
follow kind of loyalty which is persons of good line for the organisation in meeting the demands
it has set for its growth. The professional career of the company is entirely dependent upon the
committed employees and therefore the loyalty that is offered by the management to the
employees as well as the management to customers will reflect in a good relationship and this
communication will also develop our trust that is required for the company as well as the
customers (Qi and Shen, 2019).
CONCLUSION
The entire report concludes upon explaining the aspects of management thoughts and practice is
that are followed in every organisation. This report can easily make readers to understand the

managerial actions that are put forth during circumstances that seems to be challenging.
Operations management is adopted for supporting the business and objectives of organisation are
put forth in the report through which one can easily understand the formation of objectives.
Effective communication is needed and the report also explains the performance graph that is
followed by the company Marks and Spencer at every instance. Through this report one can
easily understand the different communication and prospects that are important in the
organisation. Some of which that are included in the report are improving team building boosting
growth adopting innovations following loyalty some of these are said to be one of the stimulator
for company marks and Spencer. Through the motivational policies one can easily understand
the aspects of motivation that are to be incorporated in the organisation to contribute for better
performance of the organisation.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Babich and Hilary, 2020. OM Forum—Distributed ledgers and operations: What operations
management researchers should know about blockchain technology. Manufacturing &
Service Operations Management. 22(2). pp.223-240.
Choi and et.al, 2018. Big data analytics in operations management. Production and Operations
Management. 27(10). pp.1868-1883.
Cui, L. and et.al., 2021. Predicting determinants of consumers' purchase motivation for electric
vehicles: An application of Maslow's hierarchy of needs model. Energy Policy. 151.
p.112167.
Glock and et.al, 2019. Applications of learning curves in production and operations
management: A systematic literature review. Computers & Industrial Engineering. 131.
pp.422-441.
Gölzer and Fritzsche, 2017. Data-driven operations management: organisational implications of
the digital transformation in industrial practice. Production Planning & Control. 28(16).
pp.1332-1343.
Lee and Tang, 2018. Socially and environmentally responsible value chain innovations: New
operations management research opportunities. Management Science. 64(3). pp.983-996.
Lorincová, S. and et.al., 2019. Employee motivation as a tool to achieve sustainability of
business processes. Sustainability. 11(13). p.3509.
Mišić and Perakis, 2020. Data analytics in operations management: A review. Manufacturing &
Service Operations Management. 22(1). pp.158-169.
Qi and Shen, 2019. A smart‐city scope of operations management. Production and Operations
Management. 28(2). pp.393-406.
Rožman, M., Treven, S. and Čančer, V., 2017. Motivation and Satisfaction of Employees in the
Workplace. Business Systems Research: International journal of the Society for Advancing
Innovation and Research in Economy. 8(2). pp.14-25.
Vero, E. and Puka, E., 2017. The Importance of Motivation in an Educational Environment
L’importanza della motivazione in un ambiente educativo. Formazione & insegnamento
XV, pp.57-66.
Online
1

Operations management: [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/o/operations-management.asp>
2