Rays of Sunshine: Leadership, Management, and Operations Analysis

This report provides a detailed analysis of management and operations within the context of Rays of Sunshine, comparing the roles and functions of leaders and managers, and applying various management and leadership theories. It examines the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, such as scientific management, human relations theory, and transformational leadership, and assesses their influence on organizational effectiveness. The report also delves into operations management, highlighting its importance in achieving business objectives, the impact of the business environment on operational decisions, and strategies for improving operational efficiencies. Furthermore, it evaluates the application of operations management and the factors impacting the wider environment, drawing comparisons with Fruitapeel to illustrate key concepts. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wealth of study resources for students.

Management and operations
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Contents
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...................................................................................................................................................4
1.0 Report on the roles and functions of leaders and managers in Rays of Sunshine.....................4
2.0 Application of the roles and functions of leaders and managers................................................9
3.0 Application of different theories and models of approach to the roles and functions of
leaders and manager at Rays of Sunshine.......................................................................................12
Task 2.................................................................................................................................................15
A Report on Operations Management and the role managers and leaders play..........................15
1.0 Role leaders and managers play in the operations function of an organisation......................16
2.1Key approaches to Operations Management..............................................................................16
3.0 The importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.......18
4.0 Factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers......................................................................................18
5.0 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational Management to
successfully meet business objectives...............................................................................................20
6.0 Evaluate the application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider
environment.......................................................................................................................................21
Conclusion..........................................................................................................................................23
References..........................................................................................................................................24
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Introduction
Management and operations are the major elements of the company which is needed to be
manged and understood in the best possible manner. It is very necessary for the company to
understand the needs and requirement so as to take corrective action and can be able to
arrange all the required things. There are various theories and concepts that is needed to be
considered by the management of the company to carry out all its operations and functions in
the required and appropriate way. In an organisation, leaders and managers plays a vital role
to make it successful and grow in the competitive market. In this report, difference between
managers and leaders and their role that they play in a company. Here, Rays of Sunshine and
Fruitapeel will be used so as to better understand the implementation of management in the
operations. The application of the roles and responsibility of the managers will also be
understood in the study. Different management theories will be discussed so that the working
of organisation could be able to get understand. The significance and worth of the operations
in the organisation will also be discussed in this particular study. There are several factors
that have an impact upon the operations and functioning of the business that is also
considered here.
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Task 1
1.0 Report on the roles and functions of leaders and managers in Rays of Sunshine
To: CEO
From: Human Resource Manager
Date: 05-03-2018
Subject: A comparison among functions as well as roles of managers and leaders with
the help of various concepts and theories
Executive Summary
Management is one of a major part of an organisation which cannot be possible without
leaders and managers. Appropriate administration can be done by applying various
management and leadership theories in Rays of sunshine which will help in increasing
productivity and profitability.
1.0 Introduction
Management is one of the most important practices in any organization which is being done
to control or deal with different people and things. It basically makes inclusion of several
activities regarding the strategy and coordination among employees in order to achieve
objectives with the support of existing resources like natural, financial, human resource and
technical. For the appropriate management in Rays of Sunshine, it is very significant to have
a proper flow of administration and for this, there is a need of leaders and managers who have
different roles and function which will be explained here.
Who is a manager?
Managers are basically termed as the persons in a company who make management and
designing of activities as per the already made objectives and goals. In order to successfully
implement various objectives, the major duty of the manager is to establish and develop
related policies and strategies and also to make plans regarding employees and staff working
with the aim so that they will be able to carry out numerous tasks as per the objectives
(Johnson, 2016).
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Who is a leader?
Leaders are those who get the tasks completed from employees by taking into consideration
several goals of an organisation. An important role is being played by leaders of an
organisation with the support of their communication and leadership skills (Nixon, 2013).
1.1 Characteristics/qualities of a manager
 A manager led employees in an effective and efficient manner.
 An effective manager must have good communication skills in order to make
conversation with its team members.
1.2 Characteristics/qualities of a leader
 Leaders are the major part of an organization that inspires and influences employees
to raise productivity and profit (Li, et. al., 2015).
 Innovation is being termed as a major key to success; an effective leader must have
innovative ideas so as to increase reputation of a company.
1.3 Comparison between the characteristics of managers and leaders
AREAS OF COMPARISONS MANAGER LEADER
MEANING Managers focus to
measure, achieve and set
goals.
Leaders are there to
create a vision and to turn
them in real.
VISION/GOAL SETTING Objectives of an
organisation are being set
up by managers (Bolman
and Deal, 2017).
Various objectives which
are made by managers
influence leaders.
STRATEGY Ideas are being created
by managers for the
organisation’s
development.
Those ideas are
implemented by leaders
in real.
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GOVERNANCE/POWER There is a group to which
managers provide
directions.
There is a team in which
directions by leaders are
provided.
FOCUS /THINKING PROCESS Main focus of managers
is on things.
Main attention of leaders
is on people.
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Managers give several
tasks to the employees.
Motivation to do work is
being given by leaders to
employees.
RISKS Work is being done by
managers to minimise
risk, they control or
avoid problems instead
of embracing them.
Leaders are always
willing to take several
risks (Müller, et. al.,
2012).
OPERATIONS/
EFFECTIVENESS
Policies are
communicated by
managers to leaders.
Communication of those
policies to employees and
motivation to work is
given by leaders.
1.4 Management theories
Scientific theory of management- by Fredrick Taylor
It is that theory of management which supports to synthesize and analyze the flow of work.
Main aim of this theory is to enhance economic and organization’s efficiency, main
productivity of labour, improvement in efficiency of completion of task (Waring, 2016).
Administrative theory of management – by Henri Fayol
This theory basically focuses on the type of interaction that should be there between
employees and management. It provides logical and extensive framework regarding the
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administration’s process and can be understood by five major elements like planning,
commanding, controlling, organizing and coordinating.
Human Relations theory – by Elton Mayo
This theory was developed in early 1920 at the time of revolution of industry. Productivity
was the main focus of any business at that time. Elton Mayo starts such experiments in order
to prove that people play main role in productivity instead of machines. This theory believes
that people want to be a part of such team which will support growth and development
(Booth and Erskine, 2016). Therefore, if employees are encouraged to take participation, they
will believe that their work is important and this will make them feel motivated which will
eventually increase productivity.
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1.5 Theories of leadership
a) Action-centered theory of Leadership – by John Adair
This theory is being focused on activities or actions of leaders. Balance of the needs has
to be maintained by leaders from three elements like team, task, and individual. An
effective leader is a person who keeps all such elements in balance and achieves them at
same time (Western, 2013). For instance, due to limitation of resources and time, there is
lots of pressure on teams.
b) Transformational theory of leadership
This theory is being defined as the process in which leaders, as well as their followers,
raise each other at high level of motivation and morality. It is found at each and every
level of organization like teams, divisions etc. These kinds of leaders are risk takers,
visionary and inspiring.
c) Transactional theory of leadership
It is such kind of leadership which focuses on performance, organization, and
supervision. In this theory, leaders make promotion of agreement by followers with the
help of punishments and rewards (Dinh, et. al., 2014).
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2.0 Application of the roles and functions of leaders and managers
Apply and assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches/theories and
how they influence the roles and functions of leaders and managers, within Rays of
Sunshine.)
(a)Using Rays of Sunshine, examine examples of how the function of a manager applies
in different situations.
The functions of manager in Rays of sunshine are done in an effective manner as to fulfill the
wishes of every child. The management theories are very supportive and are assisting the
managers to carry out all its functions in the best possible manner so that the company could
be able to attain the set plans and standards.
Strengths of Human Relations theory
 The well-being of the people is one of the best benefits of this theory (Booth and
Erskine, 2016).
 The bond and relationship will be built by the management and employees of the
company with the assistance of the model.
Weaknesses of Human Relations theory
 It became very difficult to understand the behavior of the employees working.
 The behavior of people become very casual many time which creates problems in the
professionalism.
The role of a manager is to manage the several situations in a possible manner so that the
problems and issues can be able to get managed appropriately. As the children wish to have
anything all the management regarding make it get obtained in the way the child is willing is
effectively get done by the manager of the company. This is very effectively assisting the
organisation to carry out its functions in the desired manner. The human relation theory is
one which is helping the managers to put effective efforts in the making healthy bonds with
the employees along with the users of the company’s services (Booth and Erskine, 2016).
Also, the decisions and any plan that is been made by the senior manager is handled and
delivered to the other departments is also one of the functions of the manager. This will help
in managing the coordination and corporation of the entire organisation in terms of working.
Many times the children illness become very severe, where the managers are functioning a
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key role. The management gets done by managers where all the required things are planned
and availed, also the decision of doing the right activities is been drawn by the managers of
Rays of sunshine company. The decision of the company is also being able to get done in an
effective manner as the human relation theory as it will be helping in knowing the
behavioural pattern of the employees working in the company.
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(b) Using Rays of Sunshine, examine examples of how the role of a leader applies in
different situations.
The leaders are the one in an organisation who motivates the employees to do the work in
best way and make them enthusiastic to achieve the work in such a manner which will lead to
obtain the aims and standards of the company. It is very must for an organisation to have
leaders as with their support employees could be motivated and work will get done in the
desired way. the leadership theory is having a great role in the functioning of leaders in an
organisation.
Strength of Transformational theory of leadership
 The vision of the business could be able to get planned appropriately on time.
 The employees will become more enthusiastic (Odumeru and Ogbonna, 2013).
 The level of motivation of employees will get an increase.
Weaknesses of Transformational theory of leadership
 Many times, the truth of the actual situation gets overlooked.
 The orientation of the organized people is one of the challenges.
Working in a team and in a motivated manner is very much required in the company as with
its assistance the organisation can be able to function effectively and can reach its aims and
standards. The transformational leadership theory is very supportive and is having a great
impact on the functioning and role of the leaders in company. With the help of this theory in
several situations, leaders are able to guide the employees/ followers so that they can work in
the best and effective way. team working will get promoted. The Wish granter leads the
entire team as per the decision made by the management. The leaders in the company are
having the role to impact others so as to make the wishes of children get fulfilled (Odumeru
and Ogbonna, 2013). When the need and requirements get increased the leaders will motivate
the employees to work in the necessarily required manner and this will lead to attaining the
aims of organisation.
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3.0 Application of different theories and models of approach to the roles and functions
of leaders and manager at Rays of Sunshine.
a) Situational Theory (Hersey-Blanchard theory)
The situation theory is the one, in which the leaders and manager adapt the managerial and
leadership style as according to the situation. The method and the ways through which the
employees get influenced that style and methods are get adopted by the manager's and
leaders. This style is very effective as with its assistance the management of the work and
working culture can be able to get done as according to the situation. Understanding this, the
managers and leaders could make effective steps and can make decisions as per the need of
the company. The employees many time need to manage and have to be led appropriately so
that the wishes of the children can be met and they can get delighted (Cornish and Clarke,
2014).
The major role of the manager and leaders in Rays of sunshine organisation is to supervise
the wish granters and also to make effective and suitable decision and plans for the
management as well as for the children for whom the entire organisation is working. With the
change in any of the external or internal situation the company also need to make appropriate
changes so that the issues and problems could get managed on time and in an effective way.
b) Contingency Theory (Fiedler's contingency theory)
This is the theory which defines that the dependency upon several factors is must to make any
decision or to sustain in the market. With the help of the theory the managers and leaders of
the company have to make effective strategies and plans so that the time of an emergency and
crises, the managers and leaders can act in a spontaneous manner. This theory states that
leaders and managers of Rays of Sunshine organisation will be able to manage the working
related to leading the people, making decisions and visualising a bright future for the
company (Battilana and Casciaro,2012).
The leaders in the company will be making contingency plans to motivate the employees and
to make them do the work in such a way that they will do the work without any kind of
resistance. There are many who gets motivated when they are provided any monetary
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