Analyzing Operations Management in Various Organizational Structures

Operations Management is a crucial function within organizations, shaping how they produce goods or services efficiently and effectively. This report analyzes two major companies: Walmart and Amazon, focusing on their distinct operations management practices. Walmart, with its decentralized organizational structure, prioritizes efficiency through cost reduction, inventory control, and supply chain optimization to ensure consistent service delivery across numerous retail outlets. Its strategy revolves around achieving economies of scale and leveraging vendor partnerships for competitive pricing. In contrast, Amazon employs a centralized model emphasizing innovation, customer-centricity, and rapid technological adoption. This approach fosters flexibility in decision-making processes, allowing quick adaptation to market changes through advanced data analytics and automation. The strategic use of technology and logistics integration defines Amazon's operational excellence, enabling it to maintain high service levels and fast delivery times. Both companies demonstrate the impact of their operations strategies on overall business performance; Walmart excels in optimizing cost efficiency for customer value while Amazon focuses on enhancing customer experience through innovative solutions. This comparative analysis highlights how different approaches to operations management can drive organizational success across various industries.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Definition and compare different role and characteristics of leader and manager............1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Apply role of leader and function of manager in different situational contexts...............5
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach.............................................................6
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................7
P4 Key approaches to operations management......................................................................7
P5 Importance of operations management to achieve objectives...........................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P6 Business environment factors that impact on decision making and operations management
................................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Management and operations comprises business activities which are executed by top
personnel to attain organisation goals and objectives. It is essential that appropriate tools and
equipments are implemented in system for manufacture of products and services in respect to
demands and needs of public (What is Operations Management? 2014). Present assignment is
based on Marks and Spencer which is multinational retail firm that has headquarter in UK. This
company provides variety of home appliances, clothes, food items and many other products to
people. Manager and leader role and characteristics which differ with each other is described in
this report. It is necessary that they execute business activities in according to market situations.
Superior uses management theories and approaches for designing system and directing staff
members to function effectively. Along this, business environment factors are acknowledged by
top personnel to make appropriate decisions which are beneficial for company.
TASK 1
P1 Definition and compare different role and characteristics of leader and manager
Marks and Spencer was started by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in 1884. it is a
multinational firm which has outlets in different nations to have large market reach and
customers to enhance its sales volume and profitability. Company offer variety of home items,
home appliances and apparels for men and women to fulfil demands and needs of people.
Organisation structure: Functional, divisional, flat and matrix are different types of
structure which are selected by firms in respect to their objectives, resources availability and
market functionality. Management of M&S uses divisional and flat organisation structure which
help company to sustain its position and market share (Moghaddam and et. al., 2011).
Flat structure which define that between administration to lower workers there are limited
and no levels of management. This help top personnel to safe their time and efforts of instructing
and involving employees in meeting and communicating them information in respect to assigned
tasks and targets. Besides this, divisional structure benefit M&S to organise and set up number of
branches in same city and other countries. For this, higher authorities require to proper
management of resources to have large market reach and customer base to enhance its sales and
profitability.
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Illustration 1: Flat Organisation Structure
(Source: Flat Organisation Structure, 2018 )
(Source: Divisional Organisation Structure, 2016)
As per Pinto (2015), manager distribute tasks and frame strategies to make staff members
perform activities in effective manner and timely attain targets. Besides this, they conduct
training and development program for enhancing skills of employees as in context of their
capabilities which is asses through performance appraisal tactic.
Role of manager: Mintzberg has define these functions which management of M&S
perform are described below: Informational role: Manager formulate strategies and provide knowledge to employees
about tasks and targets that they require to carry out in regard to achievement of
organisation objectives and goals. M&S is retain store in which manager inform
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Illustration 2: Divisional Organisation Structure

subordinates about their activities and products that are present in outlet to provide data
to customers. Decisional role: Manager involve staff members in meeting and conference to gain their
opinion and thoughts, as they communicate with customers and also have knowledge
about system which help top personnel to make appropriate decisions which are
beneficial for company (Rani and Moreira, 2011). In M&S, employees help management
to transform products in according to requirements and needs of people. They are
involved in decision process which benefit authorities to make changes in system and
items according to market conditions. Interpersonal role: Manager provide duties and direction to employees to make them
perform tasks effectively and help them in accomplishment of business objectives. In
M&S, management conduct meeting and interact with staff members to provide them
information about direction and guidelines to perform activities in systematic and
organised manner.
Characteristics of manager: Experience: Manager require to have knowledge about different management theories
and models which can be applied in organisation in functioning of system. This help
them to implement appropriate equipments and machines in M&S for providing products
according to demands of people. Along this, changes in items to make them in respect to
market trends are made to attract large number of people (Ravindran, 2016).
 Accountability: Executive provide duty to manager to direct members and design system,
so that business objectives and goals are achieved. Along this, performance assessment
are conducted by management of M&S to have information about capabilities of
employees by comparing their results with standards. This help them to inform staff
members about quality of their work to motivate them to conduct activities in more
efficient manner.
According to Slack (2015), leader construct and maintain relations with subordinates to
inspire and motivate them towards assigned tasks, so that they complete it within defined time
frame. Along this, they are even able to timely acknowledge issues and conflicts which are faced
by staff members to provide them appropriate solutions. Thus, company have skilled and
competent people which deliver quality products and services to people.
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Role of leader: Support and guide members: Leader provide instruction and guidance to employees to
make them conduct business activities in better manner. In M&S, subordinates are
provided guidelines in respect to products, its features and other tactics to influence and
persuade buyers to purchase items. Required at all levels: Leader plays essential part in each and every level of organisation
that is provide information to management about employees issues and performance. In
M&S, leader motivate and inspire subordinates to conduct activities effectively and
deliver quality products and services to customers (Thaler, Priest and Fuchs, 2016).
Characteristics of leader: Team building: Leader require to have capability to keep employees bind in group to
make them work in coordination with each other. This help M&S for utilisation of
resources by making staff members perform activities in team. Influential: Leader create and maintain friendly relations with subordinates to make
them dedicated and inspired towards job. Along this, they are even able to analyse
problems and issues faced by staff members to provide them appropriate solutions. M&S
require to have motivated employees which carry activities to persuade customers to
purchase products (Balasubramaniam and et. al., 2016).
Difference between manager and leader
Basis Manager Leader
Skills Manager require to have time
management abilities and
decision-making skills to make
appropriate judgement and
utilise resources efficiently.
Leader need to have good
interpersonal skills, team
building and delegating ability
to have skilled and competent
staff which conduct activities
effectively.
Focus Manager aim is to accomplish
goals and objectives by
directing and coordinating
members to perform tasks in
Leader focus is to retain
skilled and competent people
for longer time. For this, their
duty is to motivate and inspire
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systematic and organised
manner.
staff members towards duties
assigned by top personnel.
Function Manager formulate strategies
and distribute duties to
subordinates for execution of
business activities so that
appropriate products and
services are provided to
customers (Fayol, 2016).
Leader guide and provide
support to employees to make
them perform tasks and
complete targets within
defined deadline. Along this,
they even asses conflicts and
issues of staff to provide them
appropriate solutions.
TASK 2
P2 Apply role of leader and function of manager in different situational contexts
Organisation are present in market which is dynamic and keeps on changing with time.
For this, management responsibility is to redesign system and make changes in strategies for
execution of business activities in according to conditions prevailing in market. Along this,
employees are provided duties in according to their skills and capabilities, so that they execute
tasks effectively and timely attain targets. In M&S, manager and leader take part in decision-
making process and keep complete knowledge about requirements of people to provide them
appropriate items and services. Thus, these are different situations which require proper
functioning of superior are described below (Giuliani and et. al., 2015):
Decision making: Meeting and conference are conducted in firm, so that appropriate
judgements are made by top personnel which are beneficial for company. This situation define
that manager and leader involve staff members to decision-making process to have knowledge
about requirements of people which are used to select appropriate things. M&S us retail firm
which need to up-gradation in products in respect to market trends.
In this, manager role is to frame appropriate policies and changes in system in according
to conducting of business operations to needs and demands of people. Besides this, leader
involve subordinates in this process which help them to motivate and inspire them by giving
value to their opinions and thoughts.
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Risk taking: This is another condition which define that firms have various problems and
difficulties in respect to their position and reputation in market. It is necessary that resources that
are funds, material and manpower are properly utilised for which management responsibility is
to implement appropriate tools and equipments in system. M&S is retail firm whose risk is
related with products which require to be delivered in according to needs and preferences of
people (Handschin and Petroianu, 2012).
In this, manager duty is to conduct market research to gain information about choices and
demands of public. Along this, they even require to have complete knowledge about competitor's
offerings which are used to design and manufacture products accordingly. Superior frame plan
and budget for proper utilisation of capital and execution of business activities in systematic
manner.
Leader role in this situation is to maintain relations with staff members to timely
acknowledge their conflicts and issues, thereby provide them solutions. This help top personnel
to have sufficient manpower by retaining skilled and competent people for longer period.
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach
Management responsibility is to accomplish business goals and objectives. For this, they
require to design system and conduct appropriate operations which help firms to deliver adequate
products and services in market, in respect to needs and demands of people. M&S is
multinational firm which have branches in different nations. In this, superior duty is to use
appropriate theories and concepts to conduct activities effectively. These are various leadership
theories which are stated below (Jørgensen and Zaccour, 2012):
Situational leadership theory: This concept define that enterprise require to function in
according to conditions prevailing in market. For this, manager of M&S conduct market research
which help them to design system and make changes in strategies accordingly. Along this, they
even require to manage workforce as they are different from each other in respect to gender,
religion, caste, language, family background and other aspects. In this, leader role is to direct
employees and make them work in team for timely completion of targets. Strengths: This theory help management to make system function in respect to market
situation to maintain its position and reputation in respect to competitors.
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 Weaknesses: This theory have certain demerit which is related with capability of superior
to have knowledge in respect to market conditions. This consumes time and efforts, as
they require to conduct activity in specified time (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017).
System leadership theory: It is another tactic which specifies that management require to
implement appropriate equipments and tools in system, so that business operations are conducted
effectively. M&S is retail store which provide variety of food items, home appliances, clothes to
people. Strengths: M&S has in-house outlets which help customers to get fashionable and trendy
apparel. In company appropriate equipments and machines are used to deliver quality
products and services to buyers (López and et. al., 2015). Weaknesses: Management of M&S require to have skilled and competent staff which are
able to perform activities with tools and equipments which are implemented in system.
This determine quality of products and services which decline if customers are not
provided appropriate items.
Contingency leadership theory: This concept defines that leader personality, nature,
skills determine their functioning and decisions made by them. Demands and needs of people
keeps vary with time, for this, management require to design system flexible in which changes
are applied easily (McPherson and Pincus, 2017). Strengths: This theory help superior to frame flexible work structure which support them
to overcome and reduce unfavourable circumstances from M&S.
 Weaknesses: Manager of M&S make changes in system which affect on employees
work, as they didn't require to perform tasks with improved equipments.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management
Operation management is a very crucial process of every organisation, it basically refers
to management of different activities which are being organised in an organisation. Management
is something which makes it possible to operate effectively as well as efficiently. Marks and
Spencer is an organisation under which managers as well as leaders play an important role in the
overall development and growth of the organisation. Some of these roles can be discussed as
follows:
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 Planning: It is basically one of the most fundamental processes that a manager has to
perform at a workplace. It is very important to conduct right kind of planning before
making or designing any plan. Planning helps in effective decision making as well as
management of the operations of the business in a more efficient way. If proper planning
would be there then it become easier for the manager to put their feet forward in the right
direction and implement the necessary tasks of the firm to grow as well as prosper going
forward (Mendis, Muttaqi and Perera, 2014). Managing: Mere Planning is not enough, it is also important that effective management
of all the resources of Marks and Spencer is done that will enable growth and
development of the business in the longer run. Resources of the organisation can be both
financial as well as non-financial. Proper management of such resources requires skills as
well as abilities from managers. Thus it is essential that Marks and Spencer hires
managers with efficient skills and abilities that will allow the organisation to grow as well
as prosper. In this context, the main role of manager is to allocate adequate resources to
the workers at the time of performing their task. Along with this, leader also responsible
for leading and guiding their team members so that they can easily utilize allotted
resources and attain positive outcomes.
 Total Quality Management: In today’s modern Era and generation, people are more
interested in the quality of goods and services provided rather than the prices that are
being set by the company. Marks and Spencer believes in providing goods and services
which are high in quality and are way better than its competitors. Under this, manager
play vital role in managing quality products and also provide better ways to their workers
to analysis customers needs. This will helps in reducing the wastage and improving the
performance level as well.
P5 Importance of operations management to achieve objectives
The importance of Operation Management within an organisation cannot be ruled out, it
is one of the most crucial aspects of any business organisation and thus it becomes much more
important to hire talented as well as skilled workers and managers who can manage these crucial
operations of a firm effectively over period of time. Marks and Spencer believes in managing its
operations in the most efficient way possible. There are various sorts of benefits which can be
derived by the management of the organisation through effective operations management:
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 Waste Minimisation: If the operations of the organisation will be managed effectively,
then this will ensure that the overall wastages that occur within the operations gets
reduced to an extent and thus will contribute in the overall productivity of the
organisation effectively. Consumer Satisfaction: Through right kind of operation management technique an
organisation can create a better image of itself among the mindset of consumers, this
through attaining their satisfaction, by providing them right kind of goods and services at
the most affordable prices possible. There is also a specific need to make sure that
effective management of consumers are taken as a part of operation management that will
enable much higher growth for Marks and Spencer.
 Profit Maximisation: If the operations of the organisation will have managed in an
efficient manner, as discussed above it will lead to minimisation of wastages as well as
consumer satisfaction, this means a higher profit in the longer run. Thus, Profit
Maximisation can be achieved by Marks and Spencer through right kind of management
of its business operations (Moghaddam, and et. al., 2011).
TASK 4
P6 Business environment factors that impact on decision making and operations management
The business and choices making procedure of Marks and Spencer is affected by two
kinds of situations which is required for association to examine for dealing with their exercises
and after effects of connected procedures.
Internal Factors
These are internal factors that affect the organisation along with its decision making and
operation management, these internal factors include:
Customers
These are individual buyers of goods as well as services of the organisation. They can
influence the organisation by amending their purchasing habits or behaviour or paying for goods
as well as services in different manner. For example, customers needs and wants are
conterminously change as per market trends, thus it is important for operation department to
analyse their taste day to day so that they can easily increase customers satisfaction towards its
offering.
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Employees
These are the people who work for company and helps in taking it forward. The various
demands and needs of employees shall be fulfilled; otherwise they will not be able to contribute
for the organisation effectively (Pinto, 2015). For example, workers of Marks and Spencer are
required new and advancement technologies which directly impact their workers techniques. So
that it is important for manager to provide training and development programs to improve their
skill and knowledge.
Suppliers
They can affect the business decision by making a change in the prices of their supplies
to the organisation, which has a ripple effect and consumers have to ultimately pay more. For
example, if the number of suppliers are decrease so that company failed in delivering their
services on right time. This will reduce sales of the company at market place.
External Factors
Political Factors
It refers to the political condition, policies and procedures that affect Marks and Spencer
based on the country in which it operates.
Economical Factors
It refers to the economic situation of countries in which Marks and Spencer Operates.
Marks and Spencer is a Multinational organisation and has to take care of economic conditions
of various countries in an effective manner (Priest and Fuchs, 2016).
Technological Factors
It is the most important factor within Marks and Spencer that affects its business as well
as operations. The kind of technology that a company chooses for the purpose of manufacturing
of its automobiles will have a direct impact on overall sales and profitability and market position
(Ravindran ed., 2016 Thaler).
CONCLUSION
Thus, from the above discussion it can be said that the ultimate aim of any management
of the organisation shall be to manage its business operations in an effective as well as efficient
way. There is also a need to make sure that skilled as well as capable individuals are hired that
will take the organisation to new highs. Various External as well as internal factors that affect the
business shall also be analysed in an efficient manner, so that proper business growth can be
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