Leadership and Operation Management Report: Marks and Spencer Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and operation management within Marks and Spencer (M&S). It begins by comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, highlighting their distinct contributions to organizational goals. The report then explores leadership theories and models, including situational, contingency, and systematic leadership, providing insights into their applications. Furthermore, it examines the key approaches of operation management, such as dynamic and Six Sigma approaches, and their significance in improving product quality and efficiency. The report also discusses factors affecting the business environment and their impact on the firm's operations. Through this analysis, the report aims to provide a deeper understanding of how effective leadership and operation management contribute to the success of a leading fashion brand like M&S.

Management and Operation

Contents
Management and Operation.............................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Compare role and characteristic of leaders and manager..................................................3
P2 Role of leader and function of manager............................................................................4
P3Theories and models of leadership.....................................................................................1
M1 Analyzes role of leader and function of manager............................................................2
M2 strength and weakness of different approaches...............................................................3
D1 Evaluation of theories.......................................................................................................3
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................4
P2 Key approaches of operation management.......................................................................4
P5 importance of operation management...............................................................................6
P6 Factors affecting business environment............................................................................6
M4 Different affects affecting business environment............................................................7
D2 Evaluation of operation management...............................................................................8
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

Introduction
Management of operation is considered as essential part of business unit that concentrates
on producing quality output. The main objective of applying operation management in
workplace is to utilize resources well and develop such products that can meet with consumer’s
needs (Blum, 2015). Current report is based on Marks and Spencer which is the leading fashion
brand, operates its business across the world. Company aims to offer quality products to
consumers so that they feel satisfied and retain in the organization for longer duration. Present
study will discuss role of leader and function of managers in the workplace. It will explain
different theories and models of leadership such as situational, system leadership. Furthermore,
assignment will explain factors that affect business environment and impact on working of firm.
Task 1
P1 Compare role and characteristic of leaders and manager
Leaders and managers contribute well in achieving organizational goal. Managers are
responsible persons those coordinate with employees and manage them. On other hand leaders
are the leading people those who lead workers so that they can perform their duties well. Both
play different role in Marks and Spencer (Bolton and Thompson, 2015). Leaders concentrates on
innovation whereas managers pays attention on pre-determined rules and regulation. Difference
between both are explained as below:
Role Leaders Managers
Characteristic Leaders of M&S have character
of innovator, individual brings
innovative ideas to perform
work effectively.
Managers have character of
administrator, individual has to
follow pre-determined rules of
higher authorities. SO manager
believes in completing work by
following set process.
Focus Attention of leaders are on
leading people.
Attention of managers of cited
firm is on management of
employees.
Vision Leaders have long term vision,
they bring ideas that can fulfill
long term goal of company
Managers think for short term
vision.

(Brimhall Lizano and
Barak,2014).
Targets Leaders give target to
employees by considering
future goal. They work in such
manner so that overall long-
term goal of company can be
achieved.
Managers targets on current
responsibilities and fulfilling of
current allotted work.
Values Leaders treat employees as
assets and motivate them so
that they can work with
enthusiasm.
Managers just manages people,
they control on them so that
their mistakes can be minimized
(Cherrafi and et.al., 2016).
Role Leaders plays role of motivator,
innovator in the organization.
Managers paly role of
administrator and planner in
the M&S.
P2 Role of leader and function of manager
Leaders and managers are important part of business unit, they work well then company
can achieve their goal easily. They both contribute well in increasing profitability of business
unit i

s working in fashion industry. Customer tests get changed any time for the fashionable cloths. In
such condition it is essential for the firm that to look at the needs of consumers and provide them
products as per their requirements. Critical situation may take place in the business unit any time,
in such condition workers many times feel demotivated. In such critical situation leaders plays
role of motivator. They encourage people by apprising their work and by directing well. This
enhance capabilities of workers and they become able to perform their duties well (Dong and
Huang, 2013).
In such situation function of managers is to motivate team members by giving them
rewards and recognition. Managers of M&S has function to give rewards to workers on the bases
of their performance level. This can encourage them and can help in improving their working
performance (Kalra and Kopargaonkar, 2016).
If new technology come in the market then it becomes essential for the firm to implement
it. This can increase conflict situation in the business unit because people resist changes. But
leaders play role of innovator. Individual guide people well so that they can work with new
technologies effectively. In such condition managers has function to involve all employees and
make them understand with the necessity of changes. This can help higher authorities in
developing healthy workplace environment and improving performance of the organization
(McGivern. and et.al, 2015).
Aim of Marks and Spencer is to expand business and earn more profit. Leaders in such
situation play the role of risk taker. They accept challenges and brings innovative ideas that can
support in improving profitability of the company. Managers’ function is to make effective
planning and conduct market research so that better decision can be made in respect to expansion
and development of the organization (Newman and et.al, 2014). Manager has responsibility to
recruit people, analyses their skills, train them so that they can perform their work effectively.
This helps the firm in accomplishing goal of the company significantly.
P3Theories and models of leadership
Leadership is the skill of leaders that support them in leading team well and raising
performance of entity. Different theories and approaches of leadership are as following:
Situational leadership theory
Modern era is highly competitive, in such environment companies have to use innovative
ideas so that they can sustain in the market for longer duration. Situational leadership explains
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that leaders are the most important part of firm they have to emphasized on situation and
accordingly they have behaved mature (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014). If leaders have to make
changes in operations of M&S then they have make people understand importance of changes
that can help them in minimizing issues from employees. Situational leadership believes that
appropriate direction and effective communication are two main tools through which entity can
enhance efficiency level of operations and can enhance performance of company.
Situation leadership has four main aspects: delegating, support, direction and coaching.
Leaders have to concentrate on these elements, this can help in meeting with goal of the
company and handling different situations well.
Contingency leadership theory
Contingency is another theory of leadership, it explains that leader have to be ready and
have to prepare contingency plan in different situation’s Path goal, Fiedler etc. are various
contingency leadership approaches (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015). The path goal theory is the
model that explains that leaders have responsibility to create heathy and structural organizational
environment in the firm. They have to enhance positivity in the entity so that people feel satisfied
and they perform their work effectively. Leader of M&S has to adopt Fiedler leadership
approach, this helps in making the person confirmable in the entity and utilizing skill of
individual effectively.
Systematic leadership model
It is another type of leadership which is applied by M&S at the time of expansion.
Leaders of cited firm have to modify operations so that people feel fresh and they get
encouraged. This change supports in raising quality of products and increasing revenues of
business unit to great extent (9 Differences Between Managers and Leaders, 2017).
M1 Analyzes role of leader and function of manager
Managers and leaders both play different role in the business unit. It is responsibility of
both these person that to ensure company provides quality products to consumers and take care
of their needs. Leaders play motivator and innovator role in the firm whereas managers play role
of planner and administration. It is responsibility of managers that to plan activities, give training
to staff members so that they can understand their responsibility well. This aids in raising
performance level of employees in M&S to great extent (six sigma, 2017).
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M2 strength and weakness of different approaches
There are various theories of leadership. Strength and weakness of these approaches are
as following:
Autocratic leadership
Strength
 In this type of model higher authorities take all decision and employees do not get
involved in decision making process.
 As all experts are present in decision making process, so changes of errors can be
minimized to great extent (Cherrafi and et.al., 2016).
Weakness
 As all decisions are taken by higher authorities so it increases dissatisfaction among all
employees.
 In people are no involved thus, company does not get innovative ideas for improving
business performance.
Burocratic
Strength
 People are involved in meeting and decisions that motivate people.
 This develop relationship between employees and management of M&S.
Weakness
 Less flexibility sometimes demotivates people.
 Rigid controlling process impact on employee’s moral (Blum, 2015).
Democratic leadership
Strength
 It develops strong bonding between employees and higher authorities
 Company can get innovative ideas for positive changes
Weakness
 It is time consuming process.
 Sometimes creates conflict situation in the workplace because of involvement of different
views of employees.
D1 Evaluation of theories
Situational leadership theory
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Strength
 It concentrates more on task and accordingly leader behave with works of Marks and
Spencer.
 It helps in boosting people and developing healthy relationship with them (Kalra and
Kopargaonkar, 2016).
Weakness
 Behavior of each person is different from each other thus, it is very difficult to manage
people in different situations.
 It is difficult to implement this theory in organization.
System leadership model
Strength
 It supports in modifying operations for improving quality of products and services of
company.
 This theory is beneficial in increasing efficiency level of M&S.
Weakness
 This leadership increase chances of conflicts in workplace.
 As it is applied in such place where leaders follow tall structure that may create
communication gap between employees and management.
Contingency theory
Strength: It give optimistic results to leaders.
Weakness: It is difficult to understand different situations easily.
Task 2
P2 Key approaches of operation management
Operation management is the process of examining current operations and making
changes in operational process for improvement. It is essential part of business operations which
helps in controlling and designing the process in such manner so that quality of products of M&S
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can be improved. There are various approaches of operation management (McGivern. and et.al,
2015).
Dynamic approach
Current corporate market is highly competitive, there are many firms those which are
performing well. In such condition it becomes essential for M&S that to make changes in its
operation for improving quality of products and services. Dynamic approach concentrates on
knowledge, contingencies, learning and problem resolutions. These aspects support the firm in
making necessary changes in operations for positive improvements (Dong and Huang, 2013).
Six sigma approaches
It is another model of operation management, that supports in identifying errors in the
current process and improving these lacking points. Quality management is the only tool of
measuring quality of products. Six sigma is that approach that ensure quality of products and
services of the company. M&S applies this sig sigma approach in the business unit, by this way
it gets to know lacking points and make changes in these aspects. That support cited firm in
providing quality products to consumers as per their needs and requirements (six sigma, 2017).
DMAIV and DMADV are two main approaches through which entity measure quality of
existing items.
Lean production graphics
It is another operation management approach which assists in eliminating wastage and
improving quality of products. In this method M&S can identify areas which are creating issues
in operation and can take action to minimize such overburden elements.
Role of leader and manager in operation management
Leaders of M&S plays motivator role. They encourage people by sharing their ideas. This
helps in retaining skilled employees in the workplace for longer duration and improve their
working performance to great extent. Leaders coordinate well with staff members and direct
them properly. That supports in developing strong relationship with employee and improving
their working performance. That supports in making them understand with their role and
responsibility and gaining good results. Leaders utilize resources well so that they can get quality
output at minimum cost (Dong and Huang, 2013).
On other hand managers play role of planner in Marks and Spencer. They plan activities
by conducting market research. This support in analyzing loop fall in operational process and
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improving these lacking points. They give reward and recognition to employees as per their
performance level. That supports in encouraging people and retaining them in cited firm for
longer duration (Nowicka and Vertovec, 2014).
P5 importance of operation management
Operation management is significant function in the organization that supports in
enhancing profitability of business unit and support in accomplishing goal of the company. The
main purpose of Marks and Spencer is to provide quality fashionable products to consumers so
that they feel satisfied with the brand. But if company does not concentrate on management of
operations then its goal can not be achieved. Success and failure of company complete depends
upon its operational activities (Brimhall Lizano and Barak,2014). By managing operations well
M&S can expand its business and can control over its operational expenses.
In this respect, company has to concentrates on allotting work to staff members on the
bases of their capabilities. This can boost their energy and can improve their working
performance to great extent. Operation management is important in effective designing so that
production can be improved and entity can fulfill needs of clients (McGivern. and et.al, 2015).
This is also beneficial in developing positive environment in the workplace and developing
healthy relationship between workers and management. By managing operations well entity can
minimize errors and can reduce its expenditures. Operation management plays significant role in
providing valuable services to consumers and making them loyal towards the brand. TQM, sig
sigma are essential tools through which M&S can analyses its errors and can make plan to
improve its operational process. That helps in raising quality of products and increasing
satisfaction level of employees.
P6 Factors affecting business environment
Fashion industry is highly fluctuating, market trends, consumer preferences can get
changed any time. In such condition it becomes very difficult for the M&S to sustain in the
market for longer duration. There are various factors that impact on operation management and
business environment of the company to great extent (Qu, Janssen and Shi, 2015).
Internal factors
Internal factors are those factors which are internally present and impact on overall
operations. These are explained as below:
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 Value system: Company has to give values to their employees, but if strict rule are
followed by firm then people will not feel satisfied. This can increase complication in the
business unit and entity will get failed to retain its skilled employees in the workplace for
longer duration.
 Financial issues: It is another major element which may affect business environment of
M&S. M&S needs huge funds to implement latest technologies for raising quality of
products. If it does not have adequate funds then it will be difficult for the entity to
analyses mistake and remove these errors. This can create huge issues for the
organization (Newman and et.al, 2014).
 Poor relationship: If company dies not have strong relationship with its employees then it
may affect its operational process because employees will support management. In such
condition If M&S make changes in process then conflict situation may get arisen.
Company is required to develop strong relationship with its employees so that issues can
be minimized (Blum, 2015).
External factors
Apart from internal element there are many external factors those affect operational
process of the company. These are explained as below:
 Corporate social responsibility: If M&S does not full fill its CSR responsibilities then it
may impact on its business environment. Because people will not buy its products which
will affect its profitability and it may get failed to accomplish its objectives.
 Political condition: If government makes changes in tax law, employment law then M&S
will have to modify its operations as per these legislation. In such condition costing of
entity may get increase which will reduce its profitability (Cherrafi and et.al., 2016).
 Technological changes: It is another major factor which impact on business environment,
due to changes in technology company may increase its efficiency level but at the same
time it enhances its cost as well.
M4 Different affects affecting business environment
There are various factors that affect company’s environmental conditions to great extent.
Economy condition of nation is the main element which impact on business. If there is inflation,
deflation etc. then purchasing power of customers will get affected. In such condition people,
will not be able to spend such high amount in buying fashionable cloths. This may affect
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profitability of the firm because demand will get decreased. On other hand changes in legislation
is another main factor which impact the business environment. Due to sudden changes in rules
and regulation company have to make modification in its existing process (Qu, Janssen and Shi,
2015). That increase cost of the firm and new rules are not accepted by employees of the firm. In
such condition M&S may have to face conflict situation which is very difficult to resolve. It may
increase turn over rate of employees. This can impact on efficiency and profitability of the
company to great extent.
D2 Evaluation of operation management
Sig sigma is the effective tool that supports in identifying loop fall in the system and
making changes in process so that overall lacking points can be avoided. By using this tool M&S
can improve quality of its products and can offer quality fashionable cloths to consumers asper
their needs. It supports the firm in gaining competitive advantage in such highly competitive era
(Kalra and Kopargaonkar, 2016). Furthermore, risk may take place any time, in such condition
leaders and managers make contingency plan so that such type of challenges can be faced by the
firm effectively,
Conclusion
From the above report it can be concluded that operation management is the essential part
of business unit. That can help in improving quality of products and fulfilling needs of
consumers. Sig sigma, TQM are essential tool that measures quality of products, By applying
these methods in the workplace entity can raise its quality of products and can accomplish its
goal significantly.
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