MOTHERCARE Report: Management Styles, Leadership, and Motivation

This report provides a detailed analysis of MOTHERCARE's management practices, focusing on the application of various management theories and their impact on the organization. The report begins with an introduction to management and its key functions, followed by an examination of the administrative theory of Henri Fayol as applied by the CEO, including principles of authority, division of work, discipline, and remuneration. It then explores MOTHERCARE's organizational culture, specifically the hierarchy structure, its effects on employee behavior, and its implications for employee retention and productivity. The report further investigates the democratic leadership style employed by MOTHERCARE's leaders, highlighting its benefits in terms of employee satisfaction and creativity while also acknowledging its potential drawbacks. Additionally, the report discusses the effects of power and influence within the organization, drawing on the French and Raven's power sources. Finally, the report examines the role of motivation in the workplace, using Maslow's hierarchy of needs to understand how MOTHERCARE addresses employee needs to enhance their performance and achieve organizational goals.

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.............................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management refers to planning, organizing, controlling and monitoring the overall
activities undertaking in business. In respect of understanding the management style, it is
mainly adapted by the managers in respect of accomplishing the business objectives which
they set to attained within the particular time period (Abdulai, Murphy and Thomas, 2020). A
good manager is indicated who carry the capability to manage the business by taking care of
the employee’s interest or also managing the culture of the organization in better way.
Present report is based upon the company MOTHERCARE which is managed by the CEO
Mr. Glyn Hughes and also choosing the main reason topic of managing the business in right
manner. In this report, the discussion will mainly covers the matters relating to studying
about the management style, organizational culture, leadership theory and also motivation
theory. By applying this theory, it results in managing the internal and external working of
the business in more authentic way.
MAIN BODY
A)
In context of managing the business in better way, the style which is used by the
managers is relating to the Administrative theory by Henri Fayol. In this theory, the
management of the organization are to be kept at the supreme authority. It mainly focus on
carrying the various aspects which the managers had to maintain at the work place
(Administrative Theory (14 Principles) of Henri Fayol, 2020). By applying this theory by
CEO, the principles and function of management are applied in following manner such as:
Authority: In this aspect, mangers carry the authority or power to give order to the
subordinates and also obliged to monitor and control the work by imposing certain restriction
at work place (Bason, 2017). CEO carry the right to order to the different team members to
work as per the set guidance.
Division of work: In respect of managing the working of the employees, it is
necessary to divide the work as per their capability and knowledge to attain the task in better
way.
Discipline: It varies due to changes in time, as if no unethical behavior is found, the
flexibility is given to employees to work freely. Similarly, in case of unethical behavior, strict
condition are imposed regarding putting control on their day to day activities (Benaim, 2018).
Remuneration: In respect of work committed, it is the duty of the CEO to provide
accurate remuneration in exchange of the work accomplished.

Equity: It is the duty of the manager to treat every person in equal manner so that they
can provide the equal opportunity to every employee to share their views and ideas equally.
Initiative: It stated that employees are given freedom regarding taking their own
decision. This is helpful for the company in respect of absence of superior or when no
appropriate person is there to guide them in better manner (Gao and Schaaper, 2018).
It is necessary to manage the interest of employees at work place so that they provide
the productive results and also increases the reputation of the business. As MOTHERCARE
is engaged with large number of employees and thus it is necessary to maintain the discipline
and ethical behavior at work place. Thus, the principles and functions which is discussed
above indicates that it is used by the CEO regarding managing the employee’s interest at
work place.
B)
Organizational culture mainly refers to maintaining values, belief, and assumption
regarding managing the behavior of the employees in the organization. In this study,
MOTHERCARE adapts the hierarchy organizational structure in which the particular person
is appointed to manage the team and individual to accomplish day to day activity in better
aspects. The impact which is raised upon the MOTHERCARE business employees is related
to that they provided security regarding sharing their thoughts with the superiors and also
resolve the issues which they faced during attaining the task (Hierarchy culture: pros and cons,
2020). The chances of risk is reduced as employees get accurate guidance regarding attaining
the work in which directions.
The impact which is raised about the employee’s is relating in positive in respect of
giving freedom to accomplish the task by their own. As through this manner, they learn new
things and also the criteria of attaining the work in case of absence of superiors. It also
indicated that the business gets more loyal employees regarding providing more dedicated
and motivated working environment (Gwizdak and Kartalligil, 2019). As employees are
recruited and selected which belong to different culture, thus by applying their theory at work
place resulting in getting more interacting between the team members in respect of attaining
the task in group.
The negative impact which is raised upon the employees at work premises is relating
to the facing less communication with the superiors. As the team leader is liable to manage
all the team and thus it is difficult to hear the queries of every persona n resolve it in right
manner. It refers to the costly procedure if the CEO choose the hierarchy structure in respect
of managing the team in better manner (Schoenberg, 2016). As lot of activity are to be

undertaken such as assigning day to day meeting, interacting with the individual and team
leaders differently and also upgrading the software to track the records and working of the
employees.
Thus, it indicates that by adapting the hierarchy structure, it results in gaining benefits
through enhancing the retention of employees which results in increasing the productivity in
the business. As the sustainability of the business is determined through managing the sales
and demands of the customer and thus, it can be achieved by providing motivation to the
employees and also they are trained and guided to achieve better understanding about the
working.
C)
Leaders are those person who carry the right and power to manage the individual
interest at work place. The role of leaders are important in the organization as through their
guidance and training, the retention of employees increased in the business. In respect of
MOTHERCARE business, leaders apply the democratic leadership theory, which is also
known as participative leadership style. This theory is useful in case of managing different
culture employees at work place (Democratic Leadership, 2020). As the issues raised in
respect of not accepting the different background people or also not following their order and
decision to accomplishing the task. Thus, by applying the participative leadership style, helps
the leaders of MOTHERCARE regarding managing the every individual in single platform.
The positive aspects of applying this theory is resulting in increasing employee job
satisfaction regarding providing the effective working environment. As employees are ready
to work at such places where they get the flexible working environment and also no work
pressure to accomplish any task. Employees takes the decision of continuing the job when
they see the importance which they given in the work places and also their decision are
respected or not (Spark, 2017). Thus, in such aspects leaders mainly applied the participative
theory in which they take the decision by examining the reviews of all the members and then
imposing the actual decision. The benefits which the MOTHERCARE business gained
through this perspective is relating to getting more creative and innovative ideas in the
business.
As in respect of understanding the positive impact, it also comes up with the negative
effects such as it considered to be the time consuming concepts. In respect of interacting with
the employees and then finalizing the decision, it results in requiring lot of time to take the
right decision. This is not useful in case of undertaking the project for short run business. As
in short projects, instant decision is to be made and also work is to be accomplished in better

way (Gao and Schaaper, 2018). Thus, this leadership theory is not useful in such
circumstances. It is also examined that different views are carried by the employees and thus,
the decision taken by leaders are not often guaranteed to get accurate judgment. In many
cases, it results in affecting the right of employees regarding facing losses in respect of not
providing right decision.
Thus, in respective of CEO, by applying the participative leadership theory results in
increasing employee’s retention through encouraging them to participate in the decision
making process of the company.
D)
Effect of power
Power can be termed as the influence over the belief and behaviour. Without power,
people would have no cooperation and things will go all wrong (Kovach, 2016). The French
and Raven has conducted analysis on power and has come up with 5 principle of sources of
power which are stated below.
Coercive power: This form of power uses threats and punishments to achieve the
goals. It can also be used as motivation.
Reward power: Under this, rewards is used to influence the compliance of the people.
These are set as per the desire of the target group.
Legitimate power: It drives from the position of the person which affects the power to
act and power over the resources.
Expert power: It comes from the knowledge and skills where the expert can influence
over the others. It attracts respect for the expert.
Referent power: It refers to leading by an example. It is ability of the leader to gain
respect from his followers in such a way that they wish to be like the leader.
The Mothercare organization uses reward power to influence the behaviour of its
employees. This has helped the organization in motivating the its employees by offering
attractive incentive and rewards for achieving the target.
Effect of influence
The influence can be in respect to the leadership style followed by the company and
also the flow of power in the organization. Basically, power is the influencing factor in the
organization. The influence can be positive or negative but the only common thing is to
achieve the desired goals. Mothercare uses the combination of power and influence in such a
way that helps in motivating, managing its employees effectively which results into better
organizational environment.

Effect of conflict
Conflict is a natural phenomenon and unavoidable in an organization. It has two
aspects, which are, positive and negative. On the positive side, conflict can be a factor for
forcing change in the organization with respect to goals (Ullah and et.al, 2019). In contrast to
it, the negative side reflects that the company may face loss in productivity because workers
in the group are not cooperating. In Mothercare, the managers are forced to face issues which
were ignored and to make decisions on it. Also, to come up with the strategies to overcome
the challenges. Thus, Mothercare must recognize the value of conflict and should relate it to
its performance.
E)
Motivation in the workplace refers to the willingness of the employees to exert high
level of efforts with the objective to achieve organizational goals. The type of motivation
differs from person to person. But there are certain common things which can be used as a
motivation (Fallatah and Syed, 2018). The type of motivation used in Mothercare is stated
below with the help of Maslow’s theory of motivation.
The Abraham Maslow has proposed that the humans can be motivated by five
essential needs. These needs are in the form of a pyramid which is why it is known as
hierarchy of needs.
Physiological Needs
This is at the bottom of the pyramid which motivates the people to work with the aim
of fulfilling the basic needs of the human such as food, shelter, water, clothing, things which
are required to survive. Mothercare takes care of its employees by providing them
comfortable working environment, reasonable working hours along with necessary breaks to
make them feel relax. The company provides timely salary to its employees along with
essential facilities such as lockers for personal belongings.
Safety Needs
This level of needs includes physical and psychological safety and security of the
employees (Guy and Pentz, 2017). The Mothercare ensures that the organizational
environment has no safety hazards. It also provides security in respect to employment and
offers various schemes such as sickness schemes and also provides the option to join any cell
or group which creates a sense of belongingness.
Social Needs
The social needs deals with the acceptance, friendship and love. An organization is
always require to make sure that the employees feel related to the company. It has to make

sure that the employees socialize with each other. Mothercare has taken up initiatives so that
employees get an opportunity to communicate and interact with one another. It conducts
employee orientation programs and also happy hours are conducted which helps in further
networking.
Esteem Needs
The employees needs shifts to the self-respect, achievement and gaining recognition
from the others. Mothercare always emphasis on self-respect and respect for others. It has
always praised its employees for hard work. The company has implemented 360-degree
feedback system to recognise employees and celebrate their achievements.
Self-Actualization
Under this, employee wants to achieve its maximum potential. It provides
opportunities for professional and personal growth of its employees along with the benefit of
working in a dynamic workplace. It provides a platform to capable staff to reach higher
levels.
Application of corporate example
One of the competitors of Mothercare is the Mamas & Papas, it is a UK based
Nursery brand providing all sorts of baby related products. The company was a huge hit till
1969 and then it broke up. But it has been rebuilt and is currently following the strategy of
directive management style which is completely based on it need to retain the acquire the
market as it is on its rebuild process. In this management style, top-down decision-making
process is carried out and does not give any opportunity to its employees to say something.
This style is currently suitable for it because it has come out of the crisis and need to work on
it and manage the business effectively and take control over it (HOUNSLEA, 2016). The
organizational structure the company is currently following is the functional structure. In this,
each functional unit is group as per the purpose. For example, marketing department,
production department etc. This might change after sometime but for now this is it. But the
major problem that the company might face because of this structure is the poor coordination
and communication among the departments as each department is working separately. Along
with this, the company is using transformational leadership style, which is continuously
working on in improving the employee’s skill sets. In this, the leader pushes employees to
work outside their comfort zone in order to achieve something big. This helps in motivating
employees to achieve big.
Thus, by comparing the organizational culture, structure, leadership and management
style, it can be said that the Mothercare is has selected the right set of management style and

structure which is working in favor of it. Both the companies have seen down fall but the way
of handling it is different and Mothercare is managing it effectively and efficiently, giving it
the competitive advantage.
Recommendations
In order to revive and regain the market, following are strategies which can be used
by the Mothercare.
 The company should come up with a new marketing strategy so as to revive its
business and get back on track.
 Mothercare can look for various creative agencies to do a pitch for its UK advertising.
 The company needs to come up with some new range of products which can be easily
differentiated from its competitors and seems to be very attractive for kids as well as
their parents.
 Along with this, the company needs to invest in its infrastructure and the head office
system to become profitable.
 In hierarchical organizational structure, there is lack of communication with superiors,
also, it becomes difficult to hear the queries of each and every team member (5 Ways
to Revive a Dying Business. 2016). Thus, company requires to come up with some
sort of activities which will help in increasing the networking and interaction among
the employees of all levels which will result into highly motivated employees along
with the feeling of belongingness.
 Mothercare should look for the reason for its downfall and take steps to mitigate it, as
it will help in better dealing with the situation.
 The company should redefine its strategy as per its mission and vision which will
assist it in managing and tracking the business. Along with it, it should re-engage
people as they are the one’s who can make or break the business. The effective and
right people ae required on the board which involves tough decision making.
 Sometimes, company ignores the power of innovation. Thus, Mothercare should look
for an innovative approach which will helps in introducing products in the target
market.
 Also, different branding and marketing activities is should be carried out for
promoting the business and increasing brand recognition. This will help in removing
any sort of negative marketing that would have spread against the company and will
help in retaining trust among the customers.

 The company needs to timely review its business performance so that timely actions
can be taken in order to achieve success as per the plan.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, the report concludes the matters relating to understanding the
importance of management style in the organization. As in respect of sustaining growth in the
business, it is necessary to manage the overall activity in the business such as planning,
controlling and monitoring the procedure once it is assigned to the employee’s. In context of
increasing the productivity in the business, it is necessary to manage the employee’s interest
through maintaining innovative organizational culture, structure and also leadership theory to
retain employee’s interest for longer way. In this, the hierarchy structure theory is followed
which helps in appointing the expertise person to manage the whole team. In respect of
leadership style, democratic leadership theory is applied which promote the employees to
participate in decision making process of the company. Motivation is the major criteria in the
business and thus Maslow theory is applied regarding managing the employee basic interest
in better manner.

REFERENCES
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