Morrisons Case Study: Leadership and Crisis Management Strategies

This case study report delves into the contemporary management crisis, focusing on the leadership challenges faced by Morrisons, a major UK supermarket chain. The report begins with an introduction to the current business environment and the importance of robust management strategies, especially in times of crisis. It then explores the Shackleton leadership style, highlighting its principles of commitment, vision, and team motivation. The main body of the report applies these leadership concepts to the Morrisons case, analyzing internal management issues such as poor coordination, lack of leadership, and communication gaps. The report emphasizes the need for a strong team leader who can foster employee engagement and address conflicts. Recommendations include adopting the Shackleton leadership style to improve employee productivity and create a more positive work environment. The report concludes by underscoring the pivotal role of leadership in business management and its impact on organizational success. References to books and journals are included to support the analysis.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
The world has set its foot in the 21st era, the business world and the entire civilization has
been affected with the changes so far made in the order of the world in the name of
technology(Amberg,2018). The management crisis was never an exception and was never given
importance in business world. Present business environment demands a robust and sustainable
business plane and strategies to handle the prevailing crisis in business management including
economy and community at local and global level and the country as well(Allisonand
Goethals2020). This strategies and planning provides company options to survive any uncertain
crisis.
This study will cover the relevant extract and information which will suggest and help for the
contemporary business crisis in business environment. The report will also cast the light on the
analysis made on various organisation related to business management, leadership in a crisis
situation and the suggestions for better planning and strategise with the view to improve
business performance.
MAIN BODY
The objectives of this study is to provide solutions to the prevailing contemporary
businesses management crisis by providing leadership style with the view to deal with the
management issues in an effective way which will help managers to lead their teams and
establish healthy coordination to execute business operations. For this study, Shackleton's
leadership style which was derived by the Shackleton who was a researcher and
explorer(Berraies and Bchini 2019. ). Shackleton was a man of commitment. He during his
exploration in Antarctica along with his crew member has set a an example of leadership which
is still famously recognised and followed by the people. He was a dynamic leader and he
practically showed the leadership qualities during his mission in Antarctica(Carvalho Leitão and
Alves 2022). He was leading with team a team on a mission and he courageously walked the
Antarctica continent to complete the mission. He strongly led his team during the mission and
kept motivated his crew by taking all the responsibility while dealing with the grave situation

during mission(Cherniss, and Roche2020). He maintained his scientific temperament and set the
vision to complete the mission without fear. It was indeed tough to face the extreme cool
temperature in remote place like Antarctica which is dangerous place on earth. He was
determined and dedicated towards his targets. The crew member relied on him with a belief that
they had a strong leader and and they strived with his intelligence and dynamic personality
which made them motivated during the entire journey. The sense of commitment and example of
leadership made by the Shackleton is appreciable and respectable. People get motivated when
learned about his leadership and his successful mission. Shackleton theory on leadership style is
worldwide famous, it teaches how things can be set right in unprecedented situations or crisis. To
face any such crisis what requires is a scientific temperament and positive approach to bring the
solutions(Figueiredo Sousa, and Tomé 2022 ). A prudent person always remain confident and
reasonable and such person does not get affected or get confused when in application of mind
during unfavourable situations. A pure leader is one who maintains interaction with his/her team
mates, acknowledges the strength and weakness of each member of team and always ready to
assist his team(Hall2019). Shackleton too has all the qualities of a true leader which helped him
finishing the mission because he maintained the harmony and coordination with his crew and his
crew also showed confidence in their leader and a collective efforts made the mission
successful(Hoqueand et.al 2018). A lesson of, healthy communication, vision and commitment
to achieve the mission can be learned from the leadership style of Shackleton. In the same way
the, the business of 21st century including different communities at large needs to adopt a quality
of responsibility and leadership to make better business environment and infuse by infusing the
quality of leadership in candidates who seeks to contribute in the corporate business world.
Considering the current contemporary management crisis in the business world,
especially, the crisis which results into loss of lives, families displacement, businesses are
shutting down, natural disaster and terrorism such as London Bombings. Other events which
affects the business world is the financial breakout of the businesses due to poor management,
internal politics, strikes, product failure etc. leads to serious damage and injury which depreciates
the business reputation. For instance, a UK based supermarket company Morrisons is taken to
support this study. Morrisons is the 4th largest supermarket firm founded in 1899. Morrisons is a
food retailer company which provides services throughout UK and its provides online services
for customer convenience and home delivery mechanism. They source fresh food and process in

their manufacturing facilities. They have a active network of 497 supermarket located across the
UK. Morrisons is a giant food retailer company which has a internal management issues relating
coordination, poor management, lack of leadership, internal conflicts , poor supply , poor quality
of products, communication gap etc. which reduced the performance of company. The major
factor which affecting the performance of Morrison is poor management. The employees of
Morrisons do perform their duties effectively and productively due to poor team management.
To enhance team management, a good team leader is required who can strongly lead the team
and boost motivation in workers to inspire them to work efficiently(Vignoli, and et.al 2018). A
leader is needed who can make continuous engagement with the workers and listens to them and
make attempts to resolve their conflicts and disputes. Top level management of Morrisons needs
to adopt friendly and collective work culture and dis-follow the autocratic business culture.
Equal participation of workers and employees should be allowed. Employees should be allowed
to give their feedbacks and opinion in policy making(Hjelseth 2020). Leaders of Morrisons
should be well trained and dedicated so that they can deal with complex situations and handle the
management issues. These issues needs to be addressed nicely and with care because the
business environment depends on its vital faculties which are employees and workers. They need
to be treated well and with respect and cultivate the sense of loyalty towards each other to built
strong healthy business environment(Kelly and MacDonald2019). Therefore top level
management needs to emphasize on improving internal business environment by making
necessary alteration which are best in the interest of business(Sucamele2021).
Recommendations
In order to improve the business environment of Morrisons they need to bring essentials
changes and modifications in their workforce and work culture especially the leadership which
the is the most essential for the effective running of management(Wiltshire, Malhotra, and
Axelsen 2018). Morrisons should adopt the leadership style developed by Shackleton to obtain
the desired target. Shackleton leadership Will help in leading the employees and enhance their
productivity(yang and et.al., 2022). The employees needs to give liberty to come forward and put
their suggestions, opinions and ideas which are beneficial or the management and the company.
A leader should convey their grievances and complaints to the top level management and
attempts needs to be made to solve their issues in a positive way which brings satisfaction to the
employees. The impact of true leadership on the business environment will reduce the internal

disputes and the workers will not go for strike. Workers should be trained nicely which will
enhance their skills and creativity. Communication gap should be removed, a healthy
communication line should be vitally maintained between leader and team by organising events
and programmes with the organisation and provide a platform for workers to put forward their
preferences and demands. This techniques will motivate the employees to work freely and
without pressure. Providing technical assistance and training may also increase efficiency and
skills in employees. Technical skills enables workers to learn new method of working which
opens different opportunities which helps in their development. Therefore, to fight with internal
or outer businesses conflicts the base of workforce must be strong and reliable which supports
the business during crisis.
CONCLUSION
From the above extract, it can be concluded that leadership plays a pivotal role in
business management. Leadership is a combination of different qualities which helps in dealing
dynamic situations which are challenging. In context of business environment, leadership has a
vital role to play. Leadership regulates the internal business environment and necessary functions
which are essential for business growth. This report has covered the role and importance of
leadership and its impact on business organisation. The report has explained the Shackleton
leadership style which is suggested to the Morrisons company to adopt in its business
management which will help in tackling the business crisis(Zhongminget.al., 2019). By using
this leadership style, company can boost the motivation in employees and infuse confidence
which enables them to work with diligently. At last, by using affirmative leadership traits and
necessary modification in the business environment can improve business functionality and
reputation.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Allison, S.T. and Goethals, G.R., 2020. The heroic leadership imperative: How leaders inspire
and mobilize change. Emerald Group Publishing.
Amberg, J., 2018. The Relationship between Daily Stressors, Manifestations of Stress, and the
Role of Resilience (Doctoral dissertation, College of Saint Elizabeth).
Berraies, S. and Bchini, B., 2019. Effect of leadership styles on financial performance: mediating
roles of exploitative and exploratory innovations case of knowledge-intensive
firms. International Journal of Innovation Management, 23(03), p.1950020.
Carvalho, A., Leitão, J. and Alves, H., 2022. Leadership styles and HEI performance:
relationship and moderating factors. International Journal of Leadership in Education,
pp.1-37.
Cherniss, C. and Roche, C., 2020. Leading with feeling: Nine strategies of emotionally
intelligent leadership. Oxford University Press.
Figueiredo, P.C.N., Sousa, M.J. and Tomé, E., 2022. Integrative model of the leader
competences. European Journal of Training and Development.
Hall, L.D., 2019. The Convergent Roles of Marketing and Leadership Strategy in Relationship
Management (Doctoral dissertation, Northcentral University).
Hjelseth, R., 2020. Winning words: speaking life to influence others. WestBow Press.
Hoque, N., and et.al 2018. Is corporate social responsibility pursuing pristine business goals for
sustainable development?. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental
Management, 25(6), pp.1130-1142.
Kelly, S. and MacDonald, P., 2019. A look at leadership styles and workplace solidarity
communication. International Journal of Business Communication, 56(3), pp.432-448.
Sucamele, A., 2021. The Effects of Isolated, Confined, and Extreme Environments on Team
Cohesion and Humor as a Coping Mechanism (Doctoral dissertation, Touro University
International).
Vignoli, M., and et.al 2018. Leadership styles and self-efficacy in determining transfer intentions
of safety training. Journal of Workplace Learning.
Wiltshire, K.W., Malhotra, A. and Axelsen, M. eds., 2018. Transformational leadership and not
for profits and social enterprises (pp. 1-332). New York: Routledge.
Yang, Z.,and et.al., 2022. When do product crises hurt business? A meta-analytic investigation
of negative publicity on consumer responses. Journal of Business Research, 150,
pp.102-120.
Zhongming, Z.,et.al., 2019. UK supermarkets sign government pledge to help halve food waste.