Organizational Management Report: M&S Functions and Structure Analysis

This report provides an in-depth analysis of organizational management, focusing on two key functions: Human Resource Management (HRM) and Marketing, within the context of Marks & Spencer (M&S). It examines the aims of each function, highlighting their individual practices and contributions to overall organizational goals, including profitability, sales, and market competitiveness. The report then delves into the significance of organizational structure, defining its role in facilitating effective communication, assigning responsibilities, and enabling efficient work supervision. It explores the positive impacts of a well-defined structure on an organization's performance and success. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these elements interrelate to drive organizational effectiveness and achieve strategic objectives.

Organizational
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Aims of two functions of organization........................................................................................1
Contribution of effective structure..............................................................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERNCES...................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Organizational management refers to co-ordination of activities of all departments in
order to achieve goals and objectives. Strategies are developed which are implemented and
executed within the entity for meeting needs of the business. It requires effective leadership
along with adequate handling of processes, systems and available resources (Wadhwani and
Bucheli, 2014). It is an integral part of the whole organizational management in which
synchronization is established between human resource, processes, technology and strategy. In
this report, Marks & Spencer is selected which has its headquarters in London, United Kingdom.
It is a British company having its presence in many international market. Further, the report
covers discussion of prime motives of organizational functions and positive impact of a structure
on an organization.
MAIN BODY
Aims of two functions of organization
Every organization has defined goals and objectives which are its main reason to survive.
There are different departments working together to form collective efforts in order to fulfil the
common aim. Each of these units or departments such as human resource, finance, marketing,
customer service, technical and many more have their individual practices and systems which are
managed by the leaders. With regard to this report, Marks & Spencer (M&S) is chosen which is
a British multinational retailer dealing in quality clothing, home products and food items
(Official profile of Marks & Spencer. 2019). It is also listed on London Stock Exchange and one
of the renowned company having huge profit. For a corporation like this, it becomes imperative
to analyse the working of all its functions for making strategies and plans for better management.
The success significantly depends upon how the leaders and managers are handling the internal
matters related to each function.
A single unit cannot perform represent and work on behalf all the other divisions hence,
detail evaluation should be made. In this report, human resources management and marketing
have been included for assessing key aims in order to have better management. These should be
examined extensively to determine their contribution in overall attainment of goals, profit, sales
and revenue. Furthermore, knowing all functions deeply helps in maintaining better
competitiveness in the market place.
1

Human Resource Management (HRM) function
Human resource management (HRM) is a function of Human resource department which
is crucial for an organization. It has activities like planning in which this team identifies the ways
through which work can be get done by employees. HR manger and team identifies programs
which should be there in the organization for polishing the capabilities of staff in order to
achieve goals. It is done through determining needs of organization to hire individuals and
description of job requirements and source from which employees are to be recruited. In addition
to this, organizing is the activity for developing objectives, plans and programs which are to
achieved. In this, work is divided into small sets, different activities are given to different
personnel, tasks are assigned to each of the staff follow by a co-ordination among all the
employees. Directing undertakes tasks of formulating plans and programs for motivating and
encouraging them to work hard. Staff is given guidance and leadership by the leaders for
increasing the efficiency. It may include incentives programs, enhancing safety and welfare of
workforce etc. This function does not stop here, it extends to determining needs and expectations
of personnel. Controlling is about regulating activities in accordance with plans so as to observe
any difference (Noe, and et. al., 2017). It is necessary to determine the gap in order to correct
them.
It can be seen that HRM is integral for the whole organization as objectives and goals are
achieved by them. It has number of main aims such as to ensure that company has competent,
skilled employees who are motivated and committed towards their work. This department of
Marks & Spencer has to make sure that there are sufficient number of talented employees for
achieving the goals. Furthermore, to implements programs such as training, seminars etc. in
order to increase knowledge of workforce. It is important to keep them updated with changes
taking place in business environment to make them work accordingly. In addition to this, HR
managers of Marks & Spencer has a aim to develop amicable atmosphere within the
organization. It is vital for maintaining good and healthy relationship with workforce. In this
way, Marks & Spencer can understand its employees in a better way leading to reduced conflicts
and deadlocks. Apart from this, HRM aims to develop and implement policies in order and
understand needs of stakeholders for meeting needs of diverse workforce. It can be achieved by
2

taking into account the individual expectation of every personnel and creating growth
opportunities for them.
If Marks & Spencer completes all of these aims, then it can get number of benefits such
as low employee turnover because when expectations of working people are fulfilled they would
not want to leave the company. In addition to this, increased productivity is also an advantage in
which the motivation is high which makes them give their best performance. More sales and
profit is possible by incorporating creative and unique ideas to do all activities. Customers are
the people to whom a company sells its products for a price in order to earn income. And it has
been seen that buyer always look for change or innovation in existing goods. Lastly, employees
can be retained for a long time as they feel more secured and safe within the organization.
Marketing function
The other function of Marks & Spencer is marketing which has been taken in this report.
Marketing function is the process in which the marketing team of a company to target potential
clients and involves number of activities such as conducting research, promotion, selling and
distributing the produced output (Armstrong, and Taylor, 2014). It is again a very important
function for the survival of an organization. It is a continuous function which can influence the
perceptions of clients with attracting strategies and advertisements. Furthermore, every entity has
marketing objectives which is about identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer needs in
order to multiply the profits. The goals need effective aims for achieving them within the time
allotted. Marks & Spencer believes that marketing function helps it present its existing as well as
new stock in such a manner which can attract huge number of customers. The sales and profit
have dependent on this. It gives chance to showcase the products or services with all its features,
prices, offers etc. to target audience.
Marketing department has aims which should be in consistent with overall goals and
objectives. The first being to identify needs of customers as its continuous to change frequently.
In such as scenario, it becomes necessary to determine real expectations of therm with regard to
product or service. If Marks & Spencer fails to meet the requirements then it can affect the
business adversely causing financial loss, destruction of brand image, low consumer base etc.
Marketing team has a aim to make sure goods or services are able to cater needs of its buyers in
order to make them purchase on repetitive basis. Furthermore, the changing requirements should
3

also be assessed for making changes in existing inventories. Another element is to identify
buying pattern and decision of consumers and the factors responsible so as to make new and
improved strategies and plans (Wirtz, Tuzovic, and Kuppelwieser, 2014). This includes
determining features, price range, packaging, after sale service etc. It has aim to complete all
criteria in order to ensure customers are highly satisfied. Furthermore, the current as well as
future needs should be anticipated and measured against the standard set by Marks & Spencer for
ascertaining any gap. This can help it reduce unnecessary costs.
Marketing department is a link between the company and other departments viz.
Purchasing, finance, sales etc. in a company. It works by forming co-ordination with these units
in order to fulfil needs of clients for providing them high satisfaction. It is crucial for generating
profits and revenue which is one of the main objectives of an entity for which it has been
incorporated. Furthermore, maintaining brand name is another aim of in which the marketing
team ensure that people are made aware about the features and benefits of product or service of
an organization for making the customers believe reliability of such items. It is important to
maintain their loyalty. Marketing team should invest time in formulating strategies by which they
can be retained for a long time. Also, competitive prices and distribution channels play huge role
in creating positive brand image in the minds of buyers.
In addition to this, marketing team aims to make people buy its products or service on
repeat mode. One time sale can not generate income therefore, it should persuade clients in
making purchase more often and become loyal customers for a long time. In this function,
marketing department interact with individuals through social media, newsletter, website,
discounts, promotions and loyalty programs. Marks & Spencer should engage the clients in such
a way that make them trust the quality and composition. Furthermore, there should be after sale
services along with resolving issues of customers regarding products or services. Also, it can
form collaborations and alliance with other corporations and entities for increasing market share.
Hence, it can be said that HRM and marketing are two important functions in all
organizations irrespective of their size, nature and sector/industry. These two should work
closely with other departments in order to get desired results. There can be number of benefits of
combined effort such as high profit, sales, more customers, expanded market and many more.
4

Contribution of effective structure
Structure in an organization refers to a system comprising of variety of activities
designed to achieve goals and objectives. It provides a base or direction by following which
work can be successfully completed (Feng, Morgan, and Rego, 2015). Every types of entity
needs a structure on which it can rely and carry its business smoothly. The overall system
depends on this as it helps in giving shape to the company. A hierarchy is formed in structure in
which roles and responsibilities are assigned to people working in the organization on the basis
of their knowledge, skills and capabilities. Entities may follow any one of the structures which
are present however, each of them requires effectiveness in order to get the maximum out of
minimum.
Choosing a structure is not enough but it should be suitable to the business activities of
the company. Some organizations may follow centralised structure in which decision making
power is with top management only. It is based on top to down approach in which instructions
flow from top to bottom. Decisions and instructions of higher authorities such as director, CEO
etc. are impose on lower or operational management. On the other hand, decentralised structure
is also followed by some entities which provides powers to lower management to make
decisions. It gives them certain level of flexibility which increases their participation within the
organization. The impact of a structure is significant on the overall working of the entity.
It is true that effective structure contributes positive impact on the organization as it has
lots of benefits. Some of these are, better communication is possible whereby clear lines and
channels are formed through which information can flow effectively. This can reduce chances of
gap between the communication which helps in transmitting information from one place to
another by containing originality. Furthermore, it provides clear assignment of job and
responsibilities to each and every person working in the organization. It helps in forming clear
relationships in which an individual may be held accountable for its work. It makes it easier to
supervise the work within the organization by making them aware about the scope or the
authority which should not be crossed (Lunenburg, 2012). Furthermore, each personnel is
allotted their individual tasks and activities on which they have their exclusive rights and
responsibilities.
Apart from this, effective structure assist companies in utilising scarce resources
optimally for getting expected results. This is useful in determining the candidates who can be
5

right for the organization with appropriate skills and talent. The adequate competencies can
reduce unnecessary costs and get the right directions to become successful. Also, fresh talent can
bring new and unique ideas within the entity. It helps in making things more innovative and
customers like such product or services. These are some of the reasons why it can be said that
effective structure create positive impact on the business of organization (Ferri, Kalmi, and
Kerola, 2014). When all things are at right place along with right employees, it is obvious that an
entity is likely to have desired outcomes. Furthermore, it has number of leaders and managers
who are capable of finding the best solutions and ways for making team members work in
synchronization. Also, it assist in better management of work along with good and strong
supervision leading to limited errors and defaults (Moorman, and Day, 2016).
Right structure is vital for success of a company which allows it to have systems that are
in consistent with the strategies. This can also make it more competitive and strong, making it to
become a leading organization in the sector or industry in which it is operating. Also, it provides
a stability in work environment which makes personnel active, encouraged and motivated. In this
way, goals and objectives can be achieved smoothly.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that organizations include functions which
are divided into different categories with their individual tasks and working together to achieve
the common goals. Every such function has certain aims which are formed by focusing on the
overall organization and its objectives. Furthermore, there should be a collaboration and co-
ordination among the teams in order to work with combined efforts. This can provide variety of
benefits and reduce adverse effects on the entity. Along with this, structure is the foundation on
which the whole organization and its system are built. It is significant and the right structure
must be chosen which is suitable. This can increase productivity, efficiency, profit and sales of
corporations.
6

REFERNCES
Books & Journals:
Wadhwani, R.D. and Bucheli, M., 2014. The future of the past in management and organization
studies. Organizations in time: History, theory, methods, pp.3-32.
Noe, R.A., and et. al., 2017. Human resource management: Gaining a competitive advantage.
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2014. Armstrong's handbook of human resource management
practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Wirtz, J., Tuzovic, S. and G. Kuppelwieser, V., 2014. The role of marketing in today's
enterprises. Journal of Service Management. 25(2). pp.171-194.
Feng, H., Morgan, N.A. and Rego, L.L., 2015. Marketing department power and firm
performance. Journal of Marketing. 79(5). pp.1-20.
Moorman, C. and Day, G.S., 2016. Organizing for marketing excellence. Journal of Marketing.
80(6). pp.6-35.
Lunenburg, F.C., 2012. Organizational structure: Mintzberg’s framework. International journal
of scholarly, academic, intellectual diversity. 14(1). pp.1-8.
Ferri, G., Kalmi, P. and Kerola, E., 2014. Organizational structure and exposure to crisis among
European banks: Evidence from rating changes. Journal of Entrepreneurial and
Organizational Diversity, Special Issue on Cooperative Banks. 3(1). pp.35-55.
Online:
Official profile of Marks & Spencer. 2019. [Online]. Available through
:<https://www.marksandspencer.com/>.
7

8