An Evaluation of Leadership and Management Practices at M&S Limited

This report delves into the management and operations of M&S Limited, a British multinational company. It explores the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, differentiating between their functions and applying relevant theories. The report examines various leadership theories, including situational, systematic, and contingency approaches, and analyzes their strengths and weaknesses in different situations. It further investigates the role of leaders and managers in operational management, emphasizing its importance and value, and evaluates how leaders and managers can improve operational efficiencies. The report also addresses factors affecting operational management, decision-making, and the business environment, including team building, conflict management, and risk-taking. The analysis includes an introduction to the company, its objectives, and its operational strategies to enhance profits and maintain a competitive edge in the global market.

Management and operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1 Roles and characteristics of leader and manager...................................................................1
M1 Differences between the role of leader and function of a manager by applying theories.. . .2
D1 Different theories and approaches to leadership...................................................................3
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................3
P2 Role of leader and manager in different situations................................................................3
P3 Different theory and model of approaches including different leadership............................4
M2 Strengths
and weaknesses of
different approaches
to situations................................................................................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................5
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager........................5
P5 Importance and value of operations management.................................................................7
M3 Evaluation of leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management.
.....................................................................................................................................................7
D2 Applications of operations management and factors influence the business environment...7
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................7
P6 Factors which can affect operational management and decision-making..............................7
M4 Factors affect the business environment and wider community...........................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations is a region which deals with production procedure and
upgrading their business transactions to improve quality nature of an association. Fundamentally,
it is a term which is used by company so that they can do their work in an effective as well as
efficient manner. M & S limited is a British multinational association worked in delivering
garments, home items and rich sustenance products (Barratt, Choi and Li, 2011). They deliver
their merchandise and administration in all over the world. They want to develop their goods as
per demand of their clients which will aid them to satisfy them as well as enhance their profits.
Along with this, they can compete their competitors in market world. Organisation provides after
sales services, which assists them to develop reputation in market. In other words, management
and operations is very wide term which requires too much attention so that enterprise can attain
their targets and objectives in an effective manner.
LO 1
P1 Roles and characteristics of leader and manager.
Mark and Spencer is a very famous company which is established in UK and providing
their products and services worldwide. There headquarter is situated in Westminster, London.
Main work of cited organisation is produce variety of garments, food items as well as luxurious
products, which aid them to attract more buyers towards them. Along with this, they maintain
quality standards and prices of their merchandise is reasonable. There policies are much effective
and efficient which will assist them to manage activities of association easily (Dumdum, Lowe
and Avolio, 2013). Additionally, their strategies are much flexible, manager of M & S can alter it
according to demand of their customers.
Leaders are an essential persons for any organisation, there main responsibility is to
motivate their employees so that they can perform their task in an appropriate manner. People
who quality to manager group known as team leader. They never hesitate to face any challenge,
in fact they are always ready to face and solve it effectively and efficiently that will aid them to
accomplish their targets and objectives.
Managers are person who have to manager over all firm so that they can attain their
organisational goals effectively. They form policies and procedures for company which every
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employees have to follow. Main duty of them is to take decisions for business activities as well
as can provide training to their staff so that they can aid them to enhance their performance.
There are various roles of manager and leader which are described as below:
Manager Leader
 Main duty of employer is to set goals
for employees which they have to attain
as well as motivate them so that they
can complete their work more
effectively and efficiently manner.
 They can conduct training and
development program for their staff
members, which will assist them to
improve their work performance.
 It is essential for them to manage each
and everything in enterprise and assign
right task to right person according to
their skills and abilities.
 They are necessary for each and every
department on company because they
guide their employees that how they
can do work appropriately (Fairhurst
and Connaughton, 2014).
 Leaders are like a friend to every
member in group.
 Their main duty is to present their
association in front of other firms.
There are various essential characteristics, which present in both manager as well as
leader, are mentioned as below:
 It is necessary for both of them, to do their work in positive manner so that they can
accomplish their goals and objectives effectively and effectively (Galindo and Batta,
2013).
 Both of them have to be honest towards their staff members as well as organisation.
 It is essential for them to complete their task with patience.
 Manager or leader of association need to motivate and encourage their workers which
will aid them to enhance their work performance. As result to, it will assists them to
improve their revenues and goodwill in marketplace.
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M1 Differences between the role of leader and function of a manager by applying theories.
All necessary theory of administration signifies effective role of leader and their
functions so that they can arrange needed things appropriately as well as motivate their
employees towards goals and objectives. Generally, their main duty is to create thoughts among
group members, for this they can get their views also. Whereas, manager has to perform his
functions smoothly so that he can run business appropriately as well as achieve targets and
objectives effectively. Leaders follow theories but employer applied on concern (Goodale and et.
al., 2011).
D1 Different theories and approaches to leadership
Different type of theory is necessary for various situation which will aid leader to do their
work in an effective as well as efficient manner. Main motive to use hypotheses is that, with the
help of them leader can get ideas as well as path so that they can deal with complex situations. If
he or she follows approaches them he can take appropriate decision for his organisation which
will aid them in their growth and success.
LO 2
P2 Role of leader and manager in different situations.
Mark and Spencer is one of famous organisation in UK. When they produce products and
services for their customers then they can face various situations, which can affect their business
either directly or indirectly. As competition increases, complexity increase. Thus, it is essential
for manager to deal with every issue positively, which will aid them to achieve their goals and
objectives in an appropriate manner (Gunasekaran and Ngai, 2012).
There are various situations which can be face by employer of Mark and Spencer, which
are discussed as below:
Decision making: It is essential for leader and manager to take judgement appropriately which
will help them to increase their revenues. When leader resolve problem, then it is necessary for
him to take employee under consideration. It is necessary for him to maintain open
communication within his team so that their members can easily share their suggestions with
them. Whereas, manager of cited organisation has to take judgement for whole company. It is
needed for him to take care of interest of his employees while taking decision. An effective
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conclusion will aid them to achieve their targets as well as compete their competitors in
marketplace.
Risk taking: When manager of enterprise introduce any new project into their organisation then
he takes hazard. Along with this, it is necessary to implement new process and procedures in
business which will aid them to improve the effectiveness of existing products and services.
They need to do their work more innovatively that will assist them to attract new clients towards
them. Mark and Spencer also launch new merchandise for their customers according to their
needs and wants (Gutiérrez, Hilborn and Defeo, 2011). Thus, if manager wants success and
development of his enterprise then it is necessary for him to take risk which will aid them to
increase their profits.
Team building: Main role of manager as well as leader is that, they have an ability to manager
groups effectively. It is necessary for him to build trust among them so that they can share
essential information with each other and provide needed suggestions. Teams are formed by
manager of company and he has to develop it according to capabilities of them. Employer can
encourage his employees, which will assist to improve their performance.
Conflict management: If people do their task in teams, then it may arise issues among them.
Thus, it is main responsibility of manager and leader to manage it effectively so that they can do
their work easily. If battle arise between employees then it is needed to resolve it, which will aid
employer to attain desired goals and objectives within time. Leader manages conflict among
groups only while manager has to manage issues of overall company (Hallinger and Heck,
2011).
P3 Different theory and model of approaches including different leadership.
Hypotheses of management is basically based upon productivity of cited company. If
appropriate theory or model is implemented into business then it aid them to attain their desired
goals and objectives effectively as well as assists them to satisfy needs and wants of their buyers.
When company make strategies for their concern then they use combination of them, that will
help them in their growth and development. There are various theories which are discussed as
below:
Situational leadership: This theory is developed by Kenneth Blanchard and Paul Hersey. It is
adopted by company when they realised importance of leadership in various situations. Same
leadership style never fit on all circumstances. Every condition has to handle carefully by
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manager. An individual has their own choice and motivation to do their work. It is observed that
no person can be motivated from same type of techniques every time, thus, it is essential for
employer to inspire them as per the want of situation. Leader has to be flexible which will aid
him to adopt changes quickly and easily (Heizer, 2016).
Systematic leadership: According to this theory, it assists in general improvement of employees
as well as organisation. Mark and Spencer has to be clear with itself that what form of
management they need to be acquire for their business. It represents all rules and regulations
which is used by firm to accomplish their desired goals. It must be follow by each and every
member of organisation strictly. It is related with overall development of company. This
approach is generally focus on some teams who are associated with administration, then firm and
at last an individual manager. It can easily influence perception of manager by providing them
advantage of system. It is necessary to complete work in systematic way rather than randomly.
Thus, employer can easily compare work and if there is any mistake then it can be eliminated.
Contingency: This approach is related with situational theory. As per this hypotheses, guidance
style and circumstances and influence the working of any leader. It is essential for them to react
according to business situation. Workers of Mark and Spencer use this theory so that they can
face environment easily as well as take appropriate decision, which will be beneficial for
company (Northouse, 2015). It helps to explain relationship between both management and
workers. If staff members are satisfied with the judgement of their leader then they can feel
comfortable while they are doing their work.
M2 Strengths
and weaknesses of
different approaches
to situations.
Leadership theory can affect environment in both manner, positively as well as
negatively. This, it is necessary for employer of Mark and Spencer to manager it properly. Top
most responsibility of manager is to assign right job to right candidate so that he or she can
complete their task in an appropriate manner. They can motivate their staff members by using
various approaches, as result to, it will aid them to improve their work performance. It is needed
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to face challenges and solve it effectively. But if structure of company is complex then it is
difficult to manage things appropriately (Raelin, 2011).
LO 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager.
There are some key factors which is related with transactional administration, are
mentioned as below:
Total quality management: It is necessary for employer of Tesco, to maintain overall quality of
their merchandise and services so that they can easily accomplish demands of their buyers in an
appropriate manner. It is essential for every staff member that, they have to complete their task
effectively as well as efficiently, which will aid to improve profits of company. To manage each
and every thing in organisation, management team can develop some strategies, which will help
them to attain desired goals and objectives. They can also improve quality of their existing
products to satisfy demands of their buyers.
Just in time: This strategy is develop by Mark and Spencer, so that they can reduce waste as
well as improve their work effectiveness. This approach will aid them to reduce unwanted cost.
If needs and wants of their customers increase then it is essential for manager of cited firm to
enhance their productivity (Slack, 2015). It will also work as a motivation for labours or staff
members.
Supply chain management: It is necessary for every enterprise to manage their raw materials,
work in progress as well as finished goods. If company manage it properly then they can
accomplish demands of their purchasers timely. As result to, it will aid them to improve their
profits as well as goodwill in market.
Six sigma: It is an effective technique which can be used by any organisation and with aid of
this, they can improve their activities. It is necessary for manager to determine defects from their
procedures and eliminate it appropriately. As result to, it will help workers to improve their
performance.
There are various roles of leader in transactional administration which are mentioned as
below:
 He is essential for every stage of company.
 It is necessary for him to compile his personal goals with organisational targets.
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 A good leader always take suggestions of their workers in decision making process.
There are some essential roles of manager which are discussed as below:
 Main responsibility of employer is that, he has to set target for their employees so that
they can attain it appropriately (Smith, Maull and CL Ng, 2014).
 It is necessary for manager to decide duties of each and every member of company and
communicate them so that they can accomplish it.
 If there is any need to provide training to their labours then he has to do it, it will aid
them to enhance their performance.
P5 Importance and value of operations management.
It is an important part of every company because if it is done in an appropriate manner
then, it will aid them to enhance their profits. Thus, if manager of Mark and Spencer done it in an
effective way then, it will assist them to improve performance of their workers.
It is essential for firm to improve their quality of working so that they can achieve their
targets and objectives in an effective way. They can conduct research which will help them to
gathered necessary data, as result to, they can fulfil demands of their customers easily. Manager
of Mark and Spencer can make some policies for their business so that they can do their work
more appropriately (Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012). Main objective of any enterprise is
that, they want to improve their profits by reducing unwanted expenses.
Leader can also apply various applications into their business to improve the efficiency of
operational management. Employer of Mark and Spencer think that if they adopt strategies then
they can do their work more appropriately.
M3 Evaluation of leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management.
If they want to improve efficiency of transactional management, then they can make plan
for this which will aid them to attain their desired goals as soon as possible. It will assist them to
complete their task within time. Generally, leaders and managers are responsible for every issues
which are arise in firm, thus, it is essential for them to resolve it immediately. It will also help
them to take advantages from their competitors.
D2 Applications of operations management and factors influence the business environment.
It includes all necessary materials as well as things which is essential to accomplish
targets and objectives (Dumdum, Lowe and Avolio, 2013). Main motto to design product is that,
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it helps company to differentiate their products from others. For this, they need to make proper
planning and organise each and every thing appropriately. Factors of environment can also
influence business of Mark and Spencer either directly or indirectly. It may consists
technological changes, competitors, political and so on.
LO 4
P6 Factors which can affect operational management and decision-making.
There are some factors which can affect operational management and their decision
making process, are discussed as follow:
 Technological factors
 Educational factors
 Socio – cultural factors
 Political factors
 Demographic factors
All these elements can influence judgement of employer in their transaction
administration. So, it is necessary to take them under consideration while taking decision.
There are some other factors which is also considered by employer or leader while they
take decision, are mentioned as below:
Corporate social responsibility: It is an important responsibility of Mark and Spencer, to
accomplish CSR activities which will aid them to enhance their goodwill in market (Fairhurst
and Connaughton, 2014). It will assists them to compete their competitors in marketplace. Along
with this, it helps them to build their image as well as increase customer loyalty.
Business ethics: It is essential for every company to do their work ethically. It includes beliefs
as well as norms, which are essential for every organisation while they are doing their activities.
It demonstrates that, manager has to take right way to attain goals and objectives of cited firm in
an effective manner.
Stakeholders: It is vital part of any organisation because they are like a investor for company
which assist them to expand their business. Along with this, they lend finance to enterprise so
that they can develop new products for their buyers. It may consists suppliers, banks, creditors
and so on (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
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M4 Factors affect the business environment and wider community.
Elements can affect business environment either directly or indirectly. Thus, it is essential
to determine them in an effective way. Some factors support organisation to accomplish their
task effectively as well as efficiently. But, many can influence decision of manager such as
stakeholders, business ethics, corporate social responsibility etc.
CONCLUSION
As per above mentioned report it has been concluded that it is essential for every
company to manage their operational activities which will help them to attain their desired goals
and objectives effectively as well as efficiently. Along with this, it aids them to increase their
profits and reputation in market. Main responsibility of manager and leader is to motivate their
employees so that they can do their work more effectively. Employer can provide training to
their employees, that will assist them to improve their performance. There are various factors
which can influence decision of manager either directly or indirectly. Employer can use various
theories in their business which will aid them to attain their targets more effectively and
efficiently.
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