Operations Management, Leadership, and Business Environment at M&S

This report provides an analysis of leadership and management practices at Marks & Spencer (M&S). It explores various leadership theories, including behavioral, classical, contingency, trait, and transformational leadership, and examines how these theories are applied within the organization. The report also delves into different leadership styles such as situational, system, and contingent leadership, assessing their strengths and weaknesses in the context of M&S's operations. Furthermore, it explains key approaches to operations management, including Total Quality Management (TQM), Just-in-Time (JIT), continuous improvement, Six Sigma, and lean production. The roles of leaders and managers in implementing these approaches are also discussed. Finally, the report analyzes factors in the business environment that impact operational management at M&S, providing a comprehensive overview of the company's management strategies.

Operations and
management

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK1 (Covered in PPT)................................................................................................................3
TASK2.............................................................................................................................................3
P2: Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager....................3
P3: Apply different theories and models of approaches.............................................................5
M2: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work
environment.................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P4: Explain the key approaches to operations management........................................................7
P5: Explain the importance and value of operations management..............................................8
M3 How leader can enhance efficiency of operational management..........................................9
TASK4...........................................................................................................................................10
P6 factor in business environment contact upon operational management...............................10
M4 Analyse several factors affect business environment..........................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
FERENCES...................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is defined as the procedure that contains various activities and functions
such as plan organisational strategies, organise all human and financial resources, monitoring
and supervising production process as well as ensure efficient manufacturing of products and
services. The main focus of operations management is upon concerting all organisation inputs
and material into outputs effectively and efficiently. Basically, it is the administration of various
business practices that creates higher efficiency at work place in order to attain all organisational
defined goals and objectives and help to maximise business profitability and performance
(Abbas, Di Fulvio and Spinelli, 2018). The concept of operations management develop balance
between cost and revenue of organisation to attain higher operations profit. It is related to ensure
proper utilisation of organisational resources such as staff, equipment, material as well as
technologies. In this report the chosen organisation is Marks & Spencer which is British
multinational retailing organisation established in the year of 1884 by Michael Marks and
Thomas Spencer. The organisation provides its products and services world-wide through
locating stores at 1463 locations. and headquarter situated in London, England, UK. In this report
roles and functions of leaders and managers in different situational context, strengths and
weakness of these approaches and different leadership theories are discussed. Apart from that,
different approaches and importance of operations and management and factors of business
environment that impacts on organisational decision-making are covered in this project report.
TASK1 (Covered in PPT)
TASK2
P2: Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager
Behavioural theory of leadership: The respective leadership theory focuses on the
behaviour of leaders and examines that how leaders use their skills and capabilities in most
effective and efficient manner. As the behaviour is the most important aspect of measuring the
potentiality and performance of leaders in specific situations (Cezar, Cavusoglu and
Raghunathan, 2017). The behavioural theory evaluates the behaviour of employees in Marks &
Spencer and develop effective policies accordingly that help to enhance employee performance
and productivity level.

Classical theory of management: Classical theory focuses on specific task which is
distributed in various teams as well as departments of Marks & Spencer. Management plays
important role in assessing the various perspectives of organisation. Managers of respective
organisation apply the theory within organisation after explaining the defined task at all level of
organisation that enhance the productivity as well as efficiency. Before implementing the theory
managers analyse skills and capabilities of employees than train them to match the skills of team
members to most suitable options.
Contingency theory of management: The contingency theory is implemented within
management functions on the bases on efficiency leads the behaviour as well as solutions of
Marks & Spencer department in order to attain desired goals and objectives properly. It depends
upon various practical techniques that are used for organisational growth and development. The
respective theory is applied in the organisation according to circumstance and resources of
organisation (Chowdary, and Fullerton, 2019). As there are various positive as well as negative
situations are raised so, management suitable decisions as per situation to run business activities
appropriately.
Leadership trait theory: In leadership trait theory, managers and leaders concentrate on
approach that enhance employee motivation. There are various factors are included in this
theory, one factor is focus on maintaining the effective brand image on the other hand, other
factors impact on productivity if organisation concentrate on one factor (Cummings, Li, Seth and
Seong, 2020). If Marks & Spencer decides to provide training and development on employees
that is the responsibility of managers and leaders. Managers of organisation identify the
requirements of training than leaders need to assess the long-term training requirements to
improve employee performance.
Transformational leadership theory: In this leadership theory, leaders inspire employees
of Marks & Spencer that motivates employees to perform their task more efficiently. There are
various decisions are taken by organisation based on employees which enhance overall
performance and effectiveness of employees. Managers and leaders apply the theory to recognise
the needs of providing training and development to employees to enhance their working
efficiency.

P3: Apply different theories and models of approaches
In Marks & Spencer organisation, leaders play various roles and functions to motivate as
well as inspire organisational employees by assessing their needs and desires. There are various
internal and external factors are identified by the leaders to take effective decisions that provides
various competitive advantages to respective organisation than other competitors. Some of
leadership styles are mentioned below:
Situational leadership: The situational leadership style is defined as the concept that is
related to allocating and assigning work and activities according to skills as well as talent of
workforce that enhance their productivity and performance. There are various leadership styles
of leadership are adopted by the Marks & Spencer to according to different situations that are
raised in business. As the organisation conducts various business activities across border that
raise various difficult situation for organisation that are out of control of business management.
So, effective leadership style provides required solution to Marks & Spencer to take effective
decisions. Leaders of respective organisation assess current market trends as well as conditions
by various market research to take decisions accordingly (Kuhi, Kaare and Koppel, 2018). There
are two factors of situational leadership style that are directive as well as supportive benefits that
facilitates the organisation to adopt different situations and facilitates managers and leaders to
take decisions accordingly to ensure growth of organisation.
System leadership: System leadership style is referred as the approach that outlines the
guidance across the organisation as well as various geopolitical boundaries. It focuses on the
result than the process which is used to accomplished desirable outcomes. Marks & Spencer
implement the leadership style in organisation that concentrates on results that are attained by
performing different activities. All functions as well as activities which are planned to achieve
desired results are compared to actual results and variances are addressed (Lalla-Ruiz, 2017).
Marks & Spencer is a multinational company that includes number of activities that are
performed in various departments contains their own goals and objectives.
Contingent leadership: In contingent leadership style, Marks & Spencer focus on various
organisational situations which are identified in business and impacts business functions and
activities in both positive as well as negative manner. In respective theory states that there is no
universal theory that suits every organisation and it depends that there are various internal and
external factors thar impacts on business and leaders of Marks & Spencer take decisions

according to different business situations. Before implementing the model, respective
organisation examines challenges of business than effective leadership is adopted according to
situation.
Management by objective theory: The respective model that developed to enhance
organisational performance and productivity through identifying the goals and objectives of
Marks & Spencer organisation to ensure that these are achieves by the both organisation as well
as employees. There are five stages are included in this theory that starts from establishing
objectives, monitor as well as evaluating employee performance then provide them reward and at
last review organisational objectives.
Chaos Theory: The theory is used in specific time period in the respective market place. It is
connected to the market when it slows down in the global economy or it requires change. It
facilitates the Marks & Spencer to identify the changes are adopts in organisation in order to
avoid losses in business (Marić and Opazo-Basáez, 2019). There are various different marketing
theories are included in it that facilitates the organisation to enhance efficiency and development
of employees.
M2: Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work
environment
As there are various approaches and theories are implemented by the organisation to run
business activities and functions properly. These theories consist various strengths and
weaknesses that impacts on organisations. Marks & Spencer assess all these factors than
implement effective approaches to attain organisational goals and objectives efficiently.
Situational leadership model:
Strengths Weaknesses
 Situational leadership is the effective
and creative approach
 It helps organisation through allocating
resources properly.
 Analyse skills as well as competencies
of organisational employees then
provide them training to perform
 Shortage of fund and resources in order
to analyse market trends properly.
 Ineffective interpretation and allocation
of organisational resources
 Consisting higher switching rate.

efficiently.
Contingent leadership:
Strengths Weaknesses
 Innovative leadership approach and
consist number of solutions.
 Help organisation to conduct effective
market research
 Sufficiency of Financial resources
 It involves high cost in market research
 Inefficient and untrained organisational
staff members
 Slow rate of growth and development.
System leadership model:
Strengths Weaknesses
 It clarifies the complexity of business
environment.
 Provides framework for developing
business ideas.
 It is lengthy as well as complicated
process.
 The lack of motivation, training and
development among employees.
TASK 3
P4: Explain the key approaches to operations management
Total quality management: Total quality management is defined as the process that helps
Marks & Spencer to develop planning for long time to achieve all desired objectives efficiently.
The main focus of TQM process is on improve organisational performance and enhance quality
of organisational functions to maintain balance in each department of respected organisation.
through maintaining quality of organisation products, organisation gain competitive advantages.
Just in time approach: The approach helps Marks & Spencer to focus on developing
various policies and strategies to enhance effectiveness of production process and reducing
waste. on production process (Marmolejo-Saucedo, 2018). Through the executing of this
approach reduce the requirement of investment, cost of production and facilitates to gain desired
outcome. By decreasing the wastage in production organisation can enhances produce quality.

Continuous improvement theory: The continuous improvement is defined as the approach
that is used by the Marks & Spencer at work place to improve business activities and functions.
The main objective of theory is to reduce the waste from organisational system (Shalabi and
Turkan, 2017). The approach leads the organisation towards success and ensure continuous
improvement in business policies.
Six Sigma: The six-sigma is defined as the approach that is implement by the organisation
to remove defected products as well as services from the production process. Through implement
the approach of Six-sigma Marks & Spencer attains the objective of higher customer satisfaction.
Lean production: Lean production is the effective method that is used by the Marks &
Spencer to attain higher productivity objectives. Output of organisation is getting impacted by
reducing wastage by implementing resources according to potentiality as well as capacity.
Managers and leaders provides various rewards to employees in order to ensure utilisation of
resources to reduce wastages.
Roles played by leaders in approaches: leaders play important role in implementing
different leadership approaches. The aim to remain committed and involved in their departments
so that they can provide a plan to support the organisational. Developing the processes by the
performance and measurement of each functioning stage (Pathiyil, Yeo and Low, 2017). Leaders
Maintain effective relations with suppliers as well as customers.
Roles played by managers in approaches: Roles of leaders are included to assess of need
and demands of employees and motivates them. Leader directs employees through defining
specific path to attain desired outcome efficiently. To perform checks on all equipment used in
the process of production. To assist the assistants with any challenges and to ensure that work is
delegated if need be. To monitor the implementation of the six-sigma approach in the
organisation.
P5: Explain the importance and value of operations management
Operations management provides various benefits and advantages to Marks & Spencer
organisation that facilitates the organisation to attain defined goals and objectives of
organisation. Some importance of operations management are mentioned below:
Controlling and distributing system: The main function of operations management is to
ensure the accountability and monitoring of production process in Marks & Spencer (Pavlov and
et. al.,2019). In order to attain defined goals and objectives through implementing distribution

merchandises in effective manner. When organisations functions are fulfilled, respective
organisation review their intentions for utilising the resources properly to be achieved.
Transforming materials in finished products: Operations management department of
Marks & Spencer organisation analyse the demands and preferences of customers then produce
products and services to satisfy them. It facilitates the organisation to convert raw material into
final products in most effective manner. The organisation focuses on developing quality products
that are acceptable by the potential customers and enhance customer as well as market share.
Capacity management: Operations management facilitates organisation through
identifying the organisational capacity of production process. It provides guideline to Marks &
Spencer to conduct all operations in effective and efficient manner with quality (Sarmiento,
Whelan, and Thürer, 2018). As bed quality of product impacts on organisational reputation
among customers that works against to attain organisational objectives efficiently.
Inventory and logistics management: As inventory and logistics are very important factor
of organisation, without proper support of logistics finished products and services cannot be
transferred to market on specific period of time. Through implementing management of
inventory and logistics Marks & Spencer store remaining products and use them on another
requited time period.
M3 How leader can enhance efficiency of operational management
It can be executed with aid to enhance appropriate participation among team. The overall
participation of team among Mark & Spencer has transform into best effective manner. The
leader and manager must very associated with proper optimization through the use of website of
leading Mark & Spencer (Ruan and et.al., 2019). This will leads to cover more user friendly
mode of accessible in leader. It can achieved by organising proper appointing towards use of
skilled SEO. It also focus upon improving proper customisation services in order to accomplish
proper meet of business objective. It will contribute proper introduction of plan with suitable
flow of incentives and perks towards employee and staff so that they can easily motivate and
encourage them in achieving optimised target with proper flow of working so that proper
desirable goal will be achieved and goal will be complete on time.

TASK4
P6 factor in business environment contact upon operational management
Mangers as well as leader that are taking decision making associated with business environment
cover high number of respective actions that is required to measure optimum level with precisely
(Rawat and et.al., 2019). The overall number or elements define the level of final decision
making. Basically, business environment consists of respective factor in Marks & Spencer -
 Economic condition that consists in order to measure high optimum level with proper
interest rate as well as inflation rate of tax.
 Technological condition- In modern era whole world is revolving around day by day.
These decision adapt in the greater form by implementation of high updated
technology.
 Socio- cultural condition- The factor consists of whole demanding toward goods and
services that is associated with various aspect of culture that consist of several way to
taste and preferences.
 Political legal boundaries connected with business.
 Global factor- The optimum globalisation are generation of the original routs linked
with the business element such as trade, global acceptance towards respective goods
and services.
 The elements that came to existence under environment of external that administrates
proper decision making among leader and managers. External environment combine
several layers of factors.
 Competitor- The overall quality related with product and services leads to generate
proper flow of price determination among elements of the competitors.
 Supplier- The overall demand in terms of supply is totally associated with global and
local supplier.
 Customer- Here in every business consumer act as real king of business that is linked
with the market growth of business that is why consumer must deliver first priority
through which all the decision must be taken by keeping in minds of consumer taste
and preferences. The decision making be regulated by the strategic regulators.
 Business partner- This will cover proper sync among each business as well as partner
that leads to define suitable success towards business.

The internal environment with reference to business leads to cover optimum role of business
through effective process of decision making (Malyar and et.al., 2020). This will combine of
owner, BOD, Employees- it is significant assets of entity that leads to cover energy applied
practice with proper manner in positive way so that company will easily accomplish its overall
success of organisation. Mission, The proper structure of organisational. These type of factor
affect the overall level that consist of proper decision making towards action of coordination
among both internal and external elements that needs to be properly understand by the manager
and leader (Shou and et.al., 2020). Decision making by them can be influenced by company at
grater extend that is the reason why leader is more bound in order to examine optimum level of
factor as per decision.
M4 Analyse several factors affect business environment
The factor or elements which influence overall business environment that cover wide coverage
area with the following manners in Marks & Spencer -
Mission: The statement of mission is very clear in order to take any decision making. The
overall mission will deliver proper idea, direction as well as purpose in terms of organisation.
Communication: The communication problem has been addresses while analysing
optimum number of minds as well as proper execution of effective solution where all the
decision making will be easily achieved (Kamel, 2021). Here effective form of communication
needs to be cover with optimization of proper decision making.
Political legal boundaries: The law of business will lead to counter and vary from one
country to another. Here geographical boundary consists in terms of legal and political that affect
organisation decision making.
Problems: Different type of problem need to be resolved through proper structured decision
process with organisation policy and action plan.
CONCLUSION
As per above report, it can be concluded that operations management is very important for
business to perform various organisational functions efficiently in order to attain defined goals
and objectives. There are various roles and functions are performed by the managers and leaders
in various situational context. Operations management is important role in achieving

organisational objectives efficiently. There are various management as well as leadership
approaches that facilitates the organisation perform all functions and activities properly.