Management and Operation: Roles of Leaders & Managers at M&S

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of management and operational roles within Mark & Spencer (M&S). It begins by defining the roles and characteristics of managers and leaders, highlighting their responsibilities in creating objectives, assigning work, providing direction, and motivating employees. The report then differentiates between the functions of managers and leaders, emphasizing their application in various situations such as delegation of authority, decision-making, employee engagement, and training. Furthermore, the report explores different leadership theories and models, including situational, contingency, and system leadership, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. The study also delves into key approaches to operations management, emphasizing its importance and value, and examines factors within the business environment that impact operational management. The report offers a critical evaluation of these theories and approaches, providing insights into how M&S can optimize its management and operational strategies. Finally, the report draws conclusions based on the findings and provides references to support its analysis.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Role and characteristics of manager and leader.....................................................................1
M1 Difference in between the role and function of manager and leader....................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2. Application of roles of leader and functions of manager in different situations..................3
P3 Application of different theories and models of leadership approach...................................4
M2 Strengths and Weaknesses of different approaches..............................................................5
D1 Critical evaluation of different theories and approaches to leadership.................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager........................6
P5 Importance and the value of operation management.............................................................7
M3 Improvement in efficiencies of operational management ...................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Factors within business environmental that impact upon operational management..............8
M4 How different factors affect business environment and wider community..........................9
D2 Critically evaluate the application of operation management...............................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management and operation for a business organisation are needs to get higher benefits
and profit by their activities. This process is related to design, create, execute and control
business activities effectively. Through it company can easily implement their strategy and
planning in appropriate manner to get higher productivity and portability as well. Management
and operation activities are used to provide appropriate products and services to customers
according to their demand and market need (Bazargan, 2016). This project report is based on
Mark and Spencer which is British multinational retailer and established in the year of 1884 by
Sir Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. This project report represents role and characteristic of
manager and leader and its affect in different situational. It includes leadership theories, different
key approaches and impact of business environment upon management activities.
P1 Role and characteristics of manager and leader.
Manager and leader are the main pillars of every organisation and they are responsible for
organising the smooth functioning of their working so that M&S can attain their goal and
objective in better manner. The various role and features of leader and manager:
MANAGER
Manager are those who play a significant role in organisation and they are responsible for
smooth conduct of different working in company and they are also having a authority to produce
a better strategy and decision for the employees so that they can work in effective and efficient
manner.
Roles
Create objective: Managers are responsible for making a objective for the company and
such thing has to be followed by the staff and employees of company and such thing help them
to have an effective working in organisation although this somewhere help them to attain their
goal and objective in better way (Blome and Schoenherr, 2011) .
Assign work: The managers are such who are responsible for assigning work to different
department in M&S and having a responsibility to assign the work in better manner so that each
division can bring a perfect working so that profits can be achieved.
Features
1

Commitment: Managers are committed towards their working as they try to complete
their working on time and this help them to attain their goal and objective. Commitment is there
of managers towards their working and somewhere this thing also inspire the staff members of
M&S.
Versatility: Managers are those who plays an effective role and they are having a
personality of versatility and they have a capability to perform such task at a time or managers
are also known as multitasker.
LEADERS
Leaders are those person in company who provides direction to their employees so that
they can perform in right prospect and with such they are able to increase their performance as
well. Leaders are also being considered as the important factor for M&S so that they can work in
efficient manner.
Role
Direction: Leaders are having a responsibility of providing effective direction to their
employees so that they can work in better manner. Direction to employees does also help the
M&S to produce the quality product and service in right contrast as well so that firm can achieve
their goal and objective in perfect way as well (Closs, Speier and Meacham, 2011) .
Motivate: Leaders do responsible for bringing out a effective working from employees
and for such they have to motivate their workers in right mannerism so that they can complete
their work on time as well and having motivation with employees moreover with they can earn
higher profit and various techniques are there for motivating people.
Features
Confidence: Leaders are having a great confidence for performing various tasks in proper
way although with such thing they inspire many other employees to work in effective manner
and thus confidence is such which help them to overcome any challenge and risk and make their
working in efficient way.
Positive attitude: In M&S the leaders are such who has a positive attitude in their
personality with such thing they are liable for inspiring and making employees to learn a positive
attitude that they can complete their working in right prospect and this may help employees to
2

increase their productivity in performance and that directly make firm to attain their goal and
objective in ease way.
M1 Difference in between the role and function of manager and leader.
There is a lot difference in between the manager and leader in organisation as they
perform their task in proper manner and somewhere they are also responsible to bring a effective
working form employees so that company can attain their goal and objective. Managers do have
various function to perform and the leaders is such which help company to bring effectiveness in
their function and make managers to have their working in better manner (De Vries and
Huijsman, 2011).
TASK 2
P2. Application of roles of leader and functions of manager in different situations
In a firm, leader and manager are required to direct employees by providing them
adequate information and instructions about their duties so that they perform their tasks
effectively. Superiors should motivate and encourage their subordinates to make them connected
by business.
In M&S manager gives responsibilities to workers in respect to their skills and
knowledge so that they are able to carry out activities easily, whereas leader increase their
morale to make them accomplish their targets within specified time limit. Both are required to
build system through which they are able to operate in respect to these market situations:
Delegation of authority: manager is required to frame strategies and policies through
which they are able to make their workers perform in better way. They should coordinate efforts
of all their members through which they are able to accomplish organisation objectives. If
executives distribute their power with superiors, they they are able to utilise their time in making
appropriate changes in system. They should provide duties to employees in respect to their skills
and knowledge and so that they perform tasks effectively. Leader keep them connected by firm
by giving importance to their opinions. As a result this enhance their productivity as this makes
them learn new things (Dey, LaGuardia and Srinivasan, 2011).
Decision making process:it is crucial for executives to select options which are best for
their business and result in achievement of goals. Both leader and manager should participate in
judgement making process and assist them in taking correct decisions through which M&S is
3

able to fulfil their customers requirement. They are required to set activities through which firm
is able to enhance their profitability and market position. Superiors should evaluate their
employees performance to determine whether they are attaining their target within deadlines.
Employee engagement: leader is required to motivate their workers and keep them
dedicated towards their job so that they carry out activities through which they are able to
achieve their goals. Superiors should take feedback from their employees and making them feel
connected with business. If they have healthy relationship with their staff members, then they
will easily discuss their problems which are influencing their performance. Henceforth, manager
of M&S sort their grievances and inspire them towards their duties (Diabat and Govindan,
2011) .
Training and development: manager is required to position their employees according to
their capabilities. They should organise various sessions and seminars to provide appropriate
skills and knowledge to workers so that they perform their tasks effectively. As a result they
learn new concepts which influence their performance and they will complete their activities in
better manner. This also increase opportunity for employees to get promotion to higher post and
increment in their salary which they desire.
Therefore, it can be comprehended that leader and manager play important part in
organisation as they direct employees to carry out activities properly. This help in
accomplishment of end result which lead in achievement of organisation goals and objectives
(Green Jr, and et. al., 2012).
P3 Application of different theories and models of leadership approach
Company is able to attain their targets only if their employees carry out activities
effectively. Superiors should provide adequate instructions so that they function properly and
making them aware about end result they are required to accomplish. In M&S, leader is
responsible to encourage and motivate subordinates to keep them determined towards their
duties. This result in achievement of goals with improvement of workers performance by
adopting these theories:
Situational leadership theory: it is relevant device which superiors adopt this concept so
that they keep improving their system by modifying tools and techniques. This benefit company
in manufacturing products and services according to customers requirements. In M&S, manager
conducts market survey to analyse their market position and making changes according to
4

prevailing conditions. This help enterprise in offering items through which they are able to
attract customers and remain competitive.
Contingency leadership theory: according to this concept, manager distribute work
among their employees in accordance to its surrounding. They are required to select choices
which are best for their system so that they are able to accomplish organisation objectives. If
they timely anticipate problems which are affecting business activities. Superiors should be able
to deal with complexities and finding appropriate solutions so that employees keep functioning
their tasks effectively (Kerzner, 2013).
System leadership theory: this tactic is used by superiors when they required to have
complete information about their business so that they are able to direct their workers. They
should provide them information about organisation objectives which employees are required to
accomplish. In M&S, manger enhance their employees performance to make them perform tasks
through which they are able to utilise market opportunities. They examine internal and external
factors which influence their business operations. They are required to implement methods to
sort out problems and make their firm function properly (LaGanga, 2011) .
In M&S, leader applies Democratic style in their system as support so that they are able
to enhance their employees performance by making them dedicated towards their duties. This
help in increasing subordinates morale and make them carry out activities to accomplish their
target within specified time limit.
M2 Strengths and Weaknesses of different approaches
It can be stated as follows: Situational leadership:
Strengths Weaknesses
Leader is construct friendly relationship with
subordinates to make them function in respect
to market conditions.
Superior can't use this concept in each and
every circumstances.
System approach:
Strengths Weaknesses
This practise consists of huge laws which Superiors do not use this concept as it is harsh
5

manger had to take care while dealing with
situations.
tactic and opposed by employees.
Contingency approach:
Strengths Weaknesses
Superiors are required to position people in
respect to their capabilities so that they
accomplish target within deadlines.
This concept is not possible to be implemented
in complicated conditions as through this they
will not be handle these circumstances.
D1 Critical evaluation of different theories and approaches to leadership
According to (Large and Thomsen, 2011) manager is able to direct their employees and
make them carry out activities through which desired outcomes can be achieved. Superiors are
required to adopt leadership theories and approaches through which they are able to handle
difficult situations. Superior know that system methodology is hard tactic as it contains many
rules and regulations which make it rigid to be implemented in system. This help in safeguarding
company from making their system function appropriately. Leader should utilise situational and
contingency approaches so that they are able to solve complexities and find significant solutions
through which they are able to make their system function properly.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager
Superior conduct sessions and seminars through which they are able to enhance
employees skills and knowledge according to their duties. They are required to keep improving
their tools and techniques so that they are able to manufacture products and services in better
way by utilising resources efficiently. A skilled workforce will perform their tasks effectively
and this help in providing items which satisfy customers requirement. In M&S, leader and
manager uses these methods to carry activities properly:
Six Sigma: superiors encourage their employees to manufacture goods appropriately so
that they provide quality offering to customers. They are able to establish trust and making
6

people loyal towards their products and services if they deliver it timely. This help company in
enhancing their profitability.
Total quality management: manager should take care that workers are producing goods
as per standards which is determined by executives. M&S uses quality raw material so that they
are able attract users and compete with their rival firms.
Lean production: superiors have relationship with their suppliers so that they order
material according to customers requirement. This help in utilising resources efficiently by
making their staff function properly (Laudon and Laudon, 2016).
Continuous improvement: manager should keep making changes in their system by
adopting modern tools and techniques so that employees manufacture goods and services in
better way. M&S take opinion from their clients so that they are able to eliminate defects by
framing appropriate policies and making their system advanced.
Just in time: superiors take care that they are having products and services through which
they are able to fulfil customers demand whenever required. This help firm in enhancing their
reputation in marketplace.
Role of leaders and managers in operation management:
Superior is required to manage business activities so that they provide quality products
and services to customers. They should take care that resources are utilised properly so that they
are able to improve their market position by fulfilling people requirements. Manger should frame
strategies and polices through which they are able to direct their workers and make them perform
activities through which they accomplish their targets within specified time limit. Leader uses
incentive tool to encourage and motivate subordinates towards their duties.
P5 Importance and the value of operation management.
Operation management is the important thing in company as they help to use available
resources in better manner although this department does help M&S to attain their goal and
objective in effective manner. The importance of OM in achieving profit are as follows:
Cost reduction: Operation management is such which help company to reduce the cost
of production although they are such which allow the workforce to use the resources in better
way so that they can manufacture quality product and service for their customers. Cost reduction
help M&S to set the prices at reasonable so that consumer can easily buy firms goods and
7

services. Cost reduction is such which help M&S to earn higher profit and attain their goal and
objective in right contrast as well.
Reduce wastage: Operation management is that department which notice that production
department is reducing the wastage in proper manner as well and thus operation manager try to
reduce the wastage of resources and utilise them in effective way and thus it can help company
to use limited resources for production of product and service. This can happen through
minimising defect and errors which allow to use in right prospect.
Coordination: Operation management also help company to bring coordination among
various employees and department so that effective working can be seen and this help firm to
have a smooth functioning of their work. Coordination also help somewhere to reduce the
chances of conflict and such thing make them perform in better way (Oliva and Watson, 2011) .
M3 Improvement in efficiencies of operational management
To improvise virtue of workers to enhance their production skills there are some
techniques that a manager can use. These tools utilized by supervisors are having a main aim that
is to inspire workers so that they could work in efficient pattern and would be able in getting
more benefits and profits. With assist of all steps in an adequate way employer can serve their
clients extraordinary services and products. Instead of this by taking help of these stages a
management personnel can reduce risk factor for his corporation.
TASK 4
P6 Factors within business environmental that impact upon operational management
A business organisation implement their activities in effective and appropriate manner. In
this kind of terms business environment affect their overall business process. All these factor are
divided into two different parts that can affect affects negatively and positively on business
approaches. These factors are -
Internal Factor – These factor are already situated in business organisation and the are under
control of business operational activities. Internal factor are directly impact on success and
decision making approach of organisation. For them manager of M&S need to make effective
plan and strategy for them such as-
Employees – They are key element of a firm who provide their services and contribution
to achieve organisational future goals and objectives easily. In this process they improve their
8

skills to understand client's need and want from organisation and products. So for organisation it
is very important to provide them appropriate training to get effective and proper services for
different task.
Customers – They are last buyer of product and ultimate client's of organisation who
provide long terms benefits to them. M&S is retailer organisation of UK so for them it is very
important to build appropriate relation with customers to get higher benefits an profit easily. \for
them employees of firm create appropriate strategy to provide them higher satisfaction.
Management – In a business organisation management play a most important role to
arrange all business activities effectively. In M&S management implement their business
activities properly to get desired outcomes.
External Factors – These factors are related to external activities of a organisation that can
directly affect on internal business approach. These factors are not in control of firm so for them
company can only build a strategy to reduce its affect on business structure. There are various
external factor are given below -
Political and Legal factors – These factors are implemented by government of a country
to manage all business organisation's and their activities properly. These factor are related to
Legal terms, Economy growth, inflation and monetary policy that can affected by organisation
and their procedures as well. All these factors needs to be fulfilled by firm to get legal benefits
easily (Voß and et. al., 2012).
Economical and social factors – These factor are related to economy growth and its
impact on population. For this organisation need to provide effective products and services that
help to provide higher benefit in economy. In this process M&S need to manufacture their
products according to customer's demand, fashion and new trends as well.
M4 How different factors affect business environment and wider community
All environment factors have major impact on business organisations and community.
For them manger of M&S need to build a appropriate plan and strategy to reduce its negative
impact ion creation and services. For it they can analyse customer's demand and market need for
particular product manufacture quality and appropriate goods. These kind of strategy help them
to build a befitting image in market for their brand and products.
9

D2 Critically evaluate the application of operation management.
According to (Scullion and Collings, 2011) says that, various factor are there which is
being responsible for creating hurdle for the organisation, although various key approaches of
management operation help company to have an effective working and such thing somewhere
help M&S to attain their goal and objective in better manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been summarised that operational and management is
essential requirement for organisation. It include various activity such as creation, planning,
monitoring, controlling, implementation, training and employees development to get higher
benefit easily. This project report is base on M&S which is a British retailer organisation,so for
them it is very important to mange their business activities effectively.
10