Leadership and Operational Management Analysis: M&S Case Study Report

This report provides an executive summary of leadership and management principles, focusing on enhancing team performance to achieve organizational goals. It delves into the roles and responsibilities of managers and leaders, comparing their characteristics and functions in various situations, including new product development and team management, with Marks & Spencer as a case study. The report explores leadership theories, such as situational, system, and contingency leadership, and analyzes key operational management approaches. It also examines factors affecting operational management and the importance of operational management in achieving organizational objectives. The report concludes with an analysis of decision-making by leaders and managers within the context of operational challenges and strategies.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The management report presents various leadership skills & roles of a manager and
leader in enhancing the performance of teams towards achievement of organisational goals. The
various leadership concepts and theories adopted by manager has helped them formulate better
plans for improving current working environment & rise in productivity simultaneously.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1) ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGER AND LEADER IN AN
ORGANISATION..................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P2) FUNCTION OF MANAGER AND ROLE OF A LEADER IN VARIOUS SITUATION
................................................................................................................................................4
P3) LEADERSHIP THEORIES WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LEADER.............................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P4) ANALYSING VARIOUS OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT KEY WHICH
APPROACHES ROLE WITH LEADER AND MANAGER................................................6
P5) VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF OPERATION MANAGEMENT TO ACHIEVE THE
ORGANISATION OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6) FACTOR AFFECT OPERATION MANAGEMENT ALONG WITH DECISION-
MAKING BY LEADER AND MANAGER.........................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Business operation is defined as set of action in which harvesting of value from the
business asset. In this, assets may be physical and intangible. Employee must focus on the
organisation goals and objective. The performance of employee helps in determination of various
function which is being followed such as marketing, accounting and help in manufacturing
operation. As per this organisation operation involves various of functions. It evolved in such a
way which prevent bugs occurring due to unconditional changes in firm (Battini and et. al.,
2016). In this there are various challenges include legal, marketing and ability as well as
capability problem are faced. In this context, organisation does must change their business
operation while facing any conflict. As per the context with Marks and Spencer, this a British
multinational retail store in London. They deal with clothing, home product and food product.
Marks and Spencer is founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds. This
report is based on role of leader and various function of manager which is required to manage
resources and various key factor based factor of operational management and admiring several
function which indicate the strategies and process which followed by selected firm to reach in
level of organisation aim and objectives.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
P1) Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
Manager- The supervision of all departments and their functioning of chosen
organisation is the duty of a manager. Manager is the one who regulates company processes and
takes initiative of developing appropriate plans & strategies to meet up requirement of chosen
retailing multinational.
Role of Manager:
Optimum resource allocation: The specific role of a manager is enhancing the overall
productivity of chosen organisation with earning satisfactory profits. In context of Marks &
Spencer, managers put resources into similar category & allocate them in a cost effective manner
eliminating wastage of resources.
Overall performance monitoring: The role of manager is to check the overall
improvement in performance of every employee and formulate plans or strategies accordingly
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for better efficiency in work management (Robbins and Davidhizar, 2020). In context of Marks
& Spencer, a good evaluation of overall performances helps managers with setting up standards
for better productivity and profitability.
Characteristics of manager:
Delegation of activities: Managers are the ones who create job descriptions and are able
to delegate authority & responsivity to every employee as per their ability to perform functions.
In context of M&S, managers are focussing mainly on assigning correct job roles to appropriate
employees helping in optimum allocation of resources.
Time management: In reference to M&S, managers are good at setting up deadline of
task according to the performance activities of every employee working at workplace. Timely
completion & submission of group or individual tasks is regulated by managers to keep track of
daily activities in respective business.
Leader- The role of a leader is to make sure that workers in organisation are completing
their assigned task on time (Barile and et. al., 2017). Leaders are one who have followers
influenced by their skill & abilities willing to follow their instructions. Leader's main aim is to
motivate employee’s enhancing firms productivity within specific time period resulting in
achievement of a common goal effectively.
Role of leader:
Decision making: Leaders role is to take effective decisions while instructing employees
at work organisation (Hong, Zhang and Ding, 2018). Proper guidelines must be taken in
consideration by leaders to help employees understand functional procedures of firm and work
accordingly.
Setting up of vision: Every employee in order to work effectively requires a vision to
follow upon & progress which is set by a leader of chosen company. With respect to M&S,
Leaders come up with a good vision for every worker in marketplace through good
communication & leadership motivation.
Characteristics of leader:
Emotional maturity: A leader should be mature enough to understand other employees
problems. This will help a leader resolve arising conflicts and take corrective actions for better
performance of employees.
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Effective interacting skills: Excellent communication is required by leaders to assist
teams & individuals at work. It helps them in demonstrating strong relationships with staff
members making them feel enthusiastic.
Comparison of manager & leader roles:
Managers & leader have different role to perform but can be interchanges in form of
responsibilities as managers can be true leaders too (Cooper,2017). Given below are the factors
that elaborates the difference between managers & leaders:
Dimensions Leader Manager
Goal objective The main objective of leader is
to utilize employee skills in
achieving company goals. In
context of M&S, staff
members are influenced
through creative leadership
skills used by leaders to meet
up company vision & mission
Managers aim is to accomplish
task duties assigned by top
management of firm . In
relevance with M&S, Manager
may not be able to influence its
subordinates like leaders but is
excellent at planning &
attainment of company
objectives.
Management of people Leaders are good at managing
people working in company by
aligning their personal
interests with organisational
goal according to their skills.
They are good at identifying
every individuals potential to
meet up target set by M&S.
Managers duty is organizing
what employees have to
perform for specific activities
in such a way that it completes
the motive of chosen
organisation in a well-defined
way.
Delegation of work Leaders are the instructors not
delegator of selected entity
who decide that how every
individual worker has to
perform in a systematic
Managers does the delegation
of work to employees and
groups according to the
activities carried on in the
M&S entity.
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manner to achieve enterprise
objective (McGuinness, Vieito
and Wang, 2017)
Set up of vision & mission Leaders are responsible for
setting up vision in the mind of
employees to be achieve with
establishment of organisational
mission.
The vision set by superiors of
company is communicated by
manger to the leaders of
chosen corporation who has
ability to motivate others
indulged in activities of
company in a systematic way.
Hereby, managers are the people whose duty is to specify objective of company to leader.
In context of Marks & Spencer, leaders are the ones who are responsible for communicating
manager's vision & mission to employee staff as well as motivating them to accomplish goal
objective as per organisational guidelines.
TASK 2
P2) FUNCTION OF MANAGER AND ROLE OF A LEADER IN VARIOUS SITUATION
The function of manger and role of leader is to achieve the goal of organisation by doing
the work in right direction and within a specified period of time. Marks and Spencer is facing
various issue regarding with several situation. As a leader, they used to take decision in such a
way to eradicate the condition and manager play another type of role to retaliate the condition. In
addition to this some of the situation which is mentioned below:
New product development: In context with Marks and Spencer, while they are launching new
product in market they used to configure various aspect of situation. Moreover, the situation
from this launch create stress and more over work for employee. So, as per this the role of leader
and function of manager is vary. Thus, mentioned below:
Role of leader: In context with this, leader have focus on single responsibility include
maintain the concentration in focus and try to fulfil the demand and supplies of product in market
and employee are must engaged with them. Overall, leader engaged with product development
and their life cycle.
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Function of manager: The manager of Marks and Spencer focus on overall phases of
product development such as taking responsibility to lead product from the germ to an idea to
launch, focus on various feature which is associated with product, business value and customer
engagement with product.
Team management: To manage a team is difficult for leader and manager. There are various
member which have their own aim and objective for their career. So they used to approach their
work as behaviour with self-development, in many cases some conflict is raise due to improper
communication and lack of coordination. Moreover, there are some role of leader and function of
manager are undertaken.
Role of leader: In this case, they are trying to build self-assessed team which is based on
various potential. They manage team by making new short term goal and they focus on employee
engagement by task. This eradicate the conflict situation.
Function of manager: Manager plans, organize and staff the team for single goal. They
motivate employee as per communication, guiding and encouraging employee for their work.
P3) LEADERSHIP THEORIES WHICH IS REQUIRED BY LEADER
To increase the efficiency and motivational level of employees, leadership plays an
important role in organisation. The role of leader is to select the leadership style and theory that
will help the organisation to achieve the goal and target effectively and efficiently. There are
various types of leadership and which include the situational leadership, system leadership and
contingency leadership.
Situational Leadership: It means the theory is used when there is different task and
situation in organisation and it is best style of leadership in this case. Marks and Spencer use this
style when there is complex situation and different problem in the department of operation and
management. When the leader tries to influence and adjust their style of leadership that it
develops the level of the employees (Oriade and et. al., 2016). In this style the leader can change
the leadership style according to the requirement of the situation in organisation. They should
consider aspect in situation when applying this style such as the task complexity, competency of
employee and leadership approaches.
System Leadership: It includes the system that mobilize innovation, group leadership,
decentralised network and subsystem in large body not an individual. Synergy and
communication is the key success of an organisation and this theory also explain concept. In
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Mark and Spencer, system leadership style is necessary to complete the task of multitasking
project. To achieve the target, ensure that the approach used is effectively plan and proper
manner. Such leadership style help in making effective decision to area of work done.
Contingency Leadership: It refers that it will depend on the situation of leader and
employees in an organisation to achieve the success and according this leadership style there is
no best style. In other words, the contingency model means the leader is effective in one situation
and ineffective in other situation (Samà and et. al., 2018). The leader has to assess whether the
decided leadership style in a situation is effective or ineffective. According to the Mark and
Spencer they solve the problem by guiding them on the improvement in situation and problem in
different areas, situation and operations in which they operate.
TASK 3
P4) ANALYSING VARIOUS OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT KEY WHICH
APPROACHES ROLE WITH LEADER AND MANAGER
There is various function of operation manager which is being defined as the loop of
several function which are design in such a way which help the firm to observe its role and
responsibility. This tend to formulate new strategies and new plan to achieve the business
objective and short term goals. This is completed by utilising available resources and allocation
of an enterprise. There are some of conceptualization which is being used to discussed this in
elaborative way.
Six sigma- This is an indicative approach which is driven by an organisation as per the
management team. In this they focus on various system based module to minimise the issue
which is faced by organisation (Bhattacharya and et. al., 2016). This should be manageable and
conduct in better way which eradicate the problem in future. In context with Marks and Spencer,
this systemic approach helps number of employee to keep their set goal and enhance their
performance. In relation with this they are actively preface to reduce the aspect of cost which is
being extra. This overhead cost will reduce by taking this strategy in organisation as view point
of Marks and Spencer.
Lean production- This approach is taken in an organisation to reduce the excessive waste
of raw and other matter. It is better to maintain such a working management which have ability
to retain and use that wastage in effective way. This help and organisation to established better
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quality of raw material which further help to manufacture best product and service for customer.
As per the Marks and Spencer, they use their proper resources according to proper need of
market.
Queuing theory- This approach help the working system or management to improve the
working pattern and dimension which create negative impact in firm. This system helps to form
queuing approach. In context with Marks and Spencer, this theory is applicable for effective
decision making process (Fettermann and et. al., 2018). It will provide information to manage
regulation of supply chain management. The higher level of organisational person plays very
vital role to motivate and influence employee for their work. This indicate a significance to
perform better quality of work by completing various role and responsibility.
Management approaches
Total quality management: The total quality management is defined as the various
approach which have ability to improve the performance. This overall scenario focus on quality
of function and responsibility. This tend to improve the core performance of various loop of
organisation. In which this is an operational method that elaborate various functional role which
is required by the customer as view to product and services. The total quality management itself
defined as all aspect with base to quality and they have right to control poor quality of product
and service. This help in analysis of quality and then give an assess to improve and create better
product. In the context with Marks and Spencer, the manager plays vital role in determination of
internal and external factor which affect the organisation product quality and inhibit to
organisation on reaching their objectives.
Inventory management: The inventory management is defined as deposit number of
stock and transfer to various market place. In context with Marks and Spencer, this is analysing
that the managing of various decision should be accessible on the effective decision making. In
this there are various function are taking place and manager play important role in function to
completing the regular demand of customer as per identify stock and requirement which is
needed by in specific place (Golroudbary and et. al., 2019). The role of manager is to grow
through regular check-up of inventory. This function fulfils the demand of product and service.
This factor also helps a firm to achieve their enterprise objective as to manage the cost of
inventory.
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Kaizen: This a regular base of approach which is drive manager to manage the quality
and they try to maintain the best quality of product will arise in market. This function is always
based on internal factor along with external business environment in each and every department
of Marks and Spencer. In addition to this the manager play very essential role about every
employee which is showing their best performance and contribute in objective of an
organisation. So as per this, leader and manager play very functional role to performance in
effective way.
P5) VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF OPERATION MANAGEMENT TO ACHIEVE THE
ORGANISATION OBJECTIVES
The operation management have their own vital role in formulation of various activities
which is associated with achieving objective of organisation. This is an advantages for the
businesses to gain more profit and revenue. They help the business entity as well as from
assisting and managing, controlling, supervising raw material which is accessed in a firm. In the
context with Marks and Spencer, the leader and manager of company make ensure about
operation and process through management is to do the work in such an effective way (Olya
2019). There are various importance and value of process and operation which is linked with an
organisation. The overall principle and significance as per the view point of Marks and Spencer
are discussed below:
Increase revenue: In the context with selected firm, it can be help to enhance the profit
as well as sale ratio. Business firm is able to identified the various ratio of cost which is usually
related with organisation and their needs. For expansion of business this is right and appropriate
way which help in development of organisation. This is a kind of opportunity which is driven by
organisation through some activities and global level of strategies. The thing is gone with prior
level then this may alter the structure of management in effective way. The organisation structure
is synthesis in such a way which provide smooth function and easier source of angle to employee
for accomplishing objective and goals of Marks and Spencer. The overall expansion of firm lead
to generate more revenue and profit.
Customer satisfaction: It is defined as happiness of customer or customer is reliably feel
good from product or service which is given by organisation. To maintain the level of
satisfaction in customer the product and service are design in such a way which fulfil need and
want consumer (Pilkington and et. al., 2018). This can be say like by delivering best quality of
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product and service help organisation to complete expectation of consumer. In context with
Marks and Spencer, they manufacture their product and service in way which fulfilling demand
and need of user. The selected firm always deal with best quality of product.
Reduced operating cost: The importance of operation and management in an
organisation to analyse the overall operation and process of firm. This help in decreasing
operating cost of firm, this can be analysed by best alternative which help to reduce the other
unnecessary cost which is pay by organisation. According to various process, the proper use of
resources by such a technique which reduce wastage of product during production of good and
services. In context with Marks and Spencer, the reduced cost of operating help firm to utilise
this in another way to improve their profit and revenue.
Increase sales: There are various process to increase sale, as per this operation
management is also have ability to enhance sale of product and services. This management
technique is further used in such a positive way which help firm to gain competitive advantages
(Saucedo-Martínez and et. al., 2018). In context with Marks and Spencer, thy must adopts new
technology to increase their sale. The use of technologies is to promote and provide brief
information regarding product and services. Marks and Spencer usually use digital technology to
promote their product because it has higher reach of customer. This tend to generate more sale
and help in objective of organisation.
TASK 4
P6) FACTOR AFFECT OPERATION MANAGEMENT ALONG WITH DECISION-MAKING
BY LEADER AND MANAGER
In an organisation, there are number of factor which affect operational management along
with leader and manager in context with their decision (Stauffer and et. al., 2016). It is a
mandatory to examine various factor which affect organisation and as a manager or leader, this
can be eradicated by taking necessary action towards it. In recent competitive advantages. This
can help in enhancing their relationship with consumer. The main objective of this is to provide
satisfaction to customer, and number of strategies are implemented in this way which create
positive impact to customer for their product and services. As per this, the manager of Marks and
Spencer adopt the corporate social responsibility for growth and development of firm.
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Corporate social responsibility: It is a major factor which affect business in wider range.
This is an integration program of social and economic level of business. Corporate social
responsibility create impact in business environment in preface with decision which is taken by
higher authorities (Utne and et. al., 2017). In the context with Marks and Spencer, the
expectation of society and community affect operation and various forces synthesize issue
related with this.
Culture- This factor lays emphasis on various aspects of cultural diversity performing at
workplace. Since in a multicultural team formed by a leader, every individual have unique ideas
& opinion differentiating with other staff people affecting business at broader level. Also there is
a big chance that the society in which chosen company is operating may have a totally different
culture leading to more raising disputes or change in ethical values (Chang and Teng,2017). CSR
is a process that integrates organisational objectives with societal goals to ensure peace and
harmony in the external business environment. In context with Marks & Spencer, there is a
relationship maintained apart from profitability & functioning of internal management, that the
managers have to complete their CSR responsibility of the company on a consistent basis. Also,
company manager makes sure that there are effective strategic policies are formed regarding
influence of social responsibility towards society.
Some of the factors that impact the policies of chosen organisation are environment
protection, pollution control, organic products, tree plantations etc. Also the company has been
largely focussing now a day on introducing environment friendly products & services(Stevanin
and et. al.,2018). It is the duty of manager to make sure that the policies made by the top
management of company is properly communicate to the employees of M&S for abiding with
the rules & accordingly implement them when required.
For interacting with different cultural consumers & staff members, Leader of M&S is
appointed by managers to effectively communicate every regulation or policy to all team
members of firm. Managers have done external analysis to study varied cultures & their effect on
the business functions. Also leaders have implemented multiple management approaches
consisting of Six Sigma & quality management to maintain standards set by managers & top
authority. Leaders role in maintaining peace among varied cultures can be done by setting up a
common goal and making the best out of every individual opinion or creativity (Nicholas and
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Steyn, 2017). The factors influencing the business environment thereafter can be exercised
through mutual efforts of both manager & leader of chosen enterprise.
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion, business operation is defined as taking firm asset in such a
way which increase the value. There are various function and role of manger and leader. This is
undertaken to reduce the barrier which is arises in firm. As per this, they play very vital role to
eradicate the issue and problem which is faced by employee’s. Moreover, they came in phase of
decision-making which help firm to best possible way with their increased profitability and
productivity. This overall scenario comprised of several outcomes which directly and indirectly
help organisation to gain profit and growth.
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