Analysis of Leadership and Management in Tesco Ireland Ltd Report

This report examines the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within the context of Tesco Ireland Ltd, a major retail organization. It begins by differentiating between leaders and managers, comparing their relationships, guidance styles, and cultural approaches. The report then delves into various leadership theories, including situational, systems, and contingency theories, illustrating their application through scenarios relevant to Tesco. It also explores Fayol's functions of management—planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling—and how these functions are implemented within Tesco. Furthermore, the report addresses different approaches to operations management, emphasizing the role of a store manager and the impact of external factors on decision-making processes. The analysis highlights the importance of operations management in the retail environment and its effect on the achievement of organizational goals and objectives within Tesco Ireland.

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
(a) Differences and similarities between a leader and manager with respect to their roles and
characteristics...............................................................................................................................4
(b) Functions of a manager according to Fayol and the way a manager in organisation
performs these functions..............................................................................................................8
(c) Explaining leadership theories using various scenarios of organisation ...............................9
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................12
(1) Different approaches to operations management ...............................................................12
(2) Explain the one OM measure that is been used in store with explaining role as a store
manager......................................................................................................................................13
(3) Importance of operations management in store...................................................................13
(4) Assessing the key outside factors that can have an effect on operations management .......14
5 ) Impact of this factors on decision making of store manager................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

LIST OF FIGURES

INTRODUCTION
To have the highest level of possible efficiency in processes of organisation, operations
management plays a significant role. It is all about converting the materials and labour in such a
way that maximum output from same can be gained as efficiently as possible (Chevalier and
et.al., 2015). Tesco Ireland Ltd has been chosen for the current study which is an Irish arm of
supermarket group, Tesco. With reference to same, differences and similarities between a leader
and manager with respect to their roles and characteristics will be discussed. Also, functions of a
manager according to Fayol and the way a manager in organisation performs these will be
explained along with stating leadership approaches like situational, systems and contingency
using various scenarios. Further, there will be focus on different approaches and importance of
operations management with factors impacting upon decision making as a store manager.
TASK 1
(a) Differences and similarities between a leader and manager with respect to their roles and
characteristics
Leaders
A leader is one who gives direction, guidance and support to his team members and
influence them to do what he wants them to do with his actions. Leaders are basically the
representatives of organization who encourage the people and influence their behaviour towards
attaining the set targets.
Managers
Managers are the people in organisation who create goals and maintain status quo of
company (Ferguson and et.al., 2017). They are the people who get work done from employees in
an efficient and effective manner. Major function of a manager is to control the risk in business
rather than embracing them. They are responsible to build the systems and processes in a way
that maximum output can be gained.
Comparison of leaders and managers with respect to their roles:
Basis Leaders Manager
Relationships A leader always make efforts to
maintain healthy and strong
relationship with his employees as
well as his influence is highly
On the contrary, manager always
maintains his relationship with
people of his organisation on the
basis of position power.
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based on the personal power.
Guidance It is the major role of leader to
support his team and act as a coach
or facilitator.
While, manager always act as a
boss. He generally directs and
controls the employees.
Stability Leader does not focus on
maintaining the stability in
organisation as he always make
initiatives to bring changes at the
workplace to deal with the
changing trends in market.
However, manager’s focus is on
the maintaining stability in the
organisation so that all tasks will
get completed on time and in a
systematic manner (McCaffery,
2018).
Culture Leaders always maintain a culture
where there is integrity at the
workplace. His focus is basically
on maintaining coordination
among workforce to get the work
done with quality and on time.
On the other hand, manager’s
focus is on creating a culture of
efficiency in organisation to get
the work done effectually i.e.
maximum output with limited
resources.
Comparison of leaders and managers with respect to their characteristics:
Basis Leaders Manager
Leading and
managing people
Leader’s main motive is to
motivate, influence and make
employees able to understand the
importance of their sincere
contribution towards the success of
organisation (Kok and McDonald,
2017).
However, manager always
controls a group with an aim to get
the set goals accomplished. This is
the inspiration and influence only
which creates major difference in
between leader and a manager.
Circles of power
and influence
Leader’s major emphasis is on
influencing the behaviour of
people with his actions.
While, managers have
subordinates on which they have
the circle of power and treat them
as per the designation they hold in
organisation.
Values Leaders always believe to generate
some value out of the efforts that
team has made.
On the other hand, for managers,
value is always countable as either
they cut down on the value by
either rejecting or appreciating
people as well as their idea.
Control Leader’s emphasis is more on
pushing employees to make their
best efforts and set a benchmark
that is acceptable for business.
On the other hand, managers
maintain control over employees
to get the work done as per set
benchmarks with bringing best out
of them (Oshagbemi, 2017).
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Analysing and differentiating the role of a leader and functions of a manager by applying a
range of theories and concepts
To analyse and differentiate the role of a leader and functions of a manager, many
theories and concepts are there on the basis of which it can be done. Some of them are like:
Hard management skills – These are the skills or abilities which can be easily quantified and
used to describe job-specific skills. Machine operation – As per the requirement of job based on position one holds in
organisation, manager needs to be aware with the way to operate a machine required for
performing the tasks to make workers/employees understand the same.
 Computer programming – In today’s era, to have basic as well as advanced skills of
computer programming are necessary to work in an organisation. Without having this
skill, to perform assigned tasks are not possible to be performed by the manager
(Hallinger, 2018).
Soft leadership skills – These are the subjective skills which are actually hard to quantify and
often used to describe abilities that lead to maintain relationships with other people. Positive outlook – As per this soft leadership skill, leader needs to have a positive outlook
and he must understand that with positivity only, he can bring best out of the team.
 Feel empathy – It is important for a leader to have an ability to understand the feelings as
well as perspectives of employees so that their concerns can be known as there are many
people in the organisation who want mental well-being rather having mindless pursuit of
professional success.
Mintzberg managerial roles
The roles that managers play sound very simple but in actual, they are highly complex.
To be a leader in any organisation is not an easy but highly complicated and challenging task.
There are majorly 3 roles played by the manager i.e. interpersonal, informational and decisional.
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Figure 1: Mintzberg’s Management Roles
(Source: Mintzberg’s Management Roles, 2018) Interpersonal roles – As per these roles, a leader needs to be a figurehead for his team to
influence them. Then, a manager is supposed to lead the people in order to guide them
towards attaining a specific goal. The final role within this category is to act as a liaison
to keep things running smoothly. Informational roles – Under this category, manager needs to act as a monitor to track the
changes taking place in organisation. Then, he is required to be a disseminator to gather
data from a range of internal and external sources (McCaffery, 2018). Finally, manager is
supposed to be a spokesperson being the representative of his team.
 Decisional roles – Sometimes, being a manager in a large organisation provides
responsibility to his like he is handling a small business. The second role under this
category is that a leader is required to be a disturbance handler as for short and long term
productivity, to solve the problem and getting back to the work is important. Then, to be
a resource allocator is required for a manager based on the budget available for a project
(Kok and McDonald, 2017). Lastly, he needs to be a negotiator to do negotiation within
the team whenever required.
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By referring all the above depicted aspect, it can be presented that in the context of Tesco
both managers and leaders play a significant role in the achievement of goals & objectives.
Leaders within Tesco focuses on encouraging personnel and fulfilling targets in terms of both
monetary as well as non-monetary. On the other side, managers are involved in development of
sound policy framework which in turn maximizes both productivity & profitability.
(b) Functions of a manager according to Fayol and the way a manager in organisation performs
these functions
According to Henry Fayol, there are 5 functions of management i.e. Planning,
Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating and Controlling that every manager has to follow and so
as in Tesco, Ireland Ltd.
Figure 2: Five Functions of Management
(Source: Five Functions of Management (Fayol), 2018) Planning – Planning is all about looking for the future. It serves as the base for all other
functions and so, a good plan of action is to be made by the higher authority of
management. Tesco Ireland Ltd, being in retail industry, needs to adapt the changes time
to time as per the changing trends in market. So, manager in this company needs to plan
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accordingly with taking organisation’s available resources and flexibility of personnel
into consideration. Organizing – Functioning of a firm depends on how well-organized it is. Organizing
refers to the availability of sufficient human resources, capital and raw materials in order
to make the business run smoothly (Oshagbemi, 2017). In Tesco Ireland Ltd, manager is
required to delegate the tasks and functions as per the capability and interest of personnel
so that with minimum efforts of them, maximum output can be generated. Commanding – Commanding is to give clear instructions and orders to employees to
make them understand what they are exactly supposed to do. In Tesco Ireland Ltd,
managers give concrete instructions in relation with the activities that are needed to carry
out. They communicate very clearly and also, their decisions are based on the regular
audits taking place in organisation. Coordinating – It refers to harmonize all the activities so that functioning of a firm can be
done in a better way. Managers in Tesco Ireland Ltd are influencing the behaviour of
employees positively by stimulating motivation as well as discipline within teams.
 Controlling – Controlling is all about verifying that whether everything is going in the
planned way or not. Managers in the selected organisation first establish performance
standards on the basis of targets to be achieved (Hallinger, 2018). Then they measure the
actual performance given by employees and report about the same. After that,
comparison is done by them in the actual and desired results. In case if changes are
required, they again start taking corrective actions.
(c) Explaining leadership theories using various scenarios of organisation
There are different leadership theories which are used based on the situations occurring in
organisation. Among all, few are explained as below using various scenarios of Tesco Ireland
Ltd:
Situational leadership – This is the kind of leadership theory that is adaptive as it is a model of
choice. It is majorly followed to develop people and workgroups as well as to get the best out of
them with establishing a rapport. In Tesco Ireland Ltd, this theory is majorly used while bringing
changes in organisation like at the time of implementing new technology and making some
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changes in company policies. It is because; with the help of this theory, leadership approach as
per suitability of condition is selected as there is no single best style which can be used in all the
situations.
For example: Tesco is planning to introduce technological advancement for ensuring
smooth functioning of operations. In this, situational leadership style can be used in the
following manner:
Diagnose At this step, leader assesses the ways and
main aspects through which employees can be
influenced towards technological change.
Adapt In this, leaders develops strategies for
motivating personnel towards change
management
Communicate Leader communicates the benefits of
technological advancement in terms of time
saving, career growth or advancement etc.
Advance By organizing training & development
session for personnel leader manages change.
Further, by taking feedbacks from concerned
personnel leader makes focus on taking
strategic action which in turn facilitates
effective change management.
Systems leadership – In this leadership theory, leaders in firm make efforts to create conditions
where employees working at all the levels can perform their tasks with highest potential to work
productively (Systems Leadership, 2018). Leaders in Tesco Ireland Ltd use this theory in
difficult situations like when there is reduction in sales and armoury is required who will hear the
voice of management and get a place at the table. Moreover, at this time, company lays high
level of emphasis on developing competent and strategic and policy framework. Thus, by
considering such theoretical framework leader can motivate personnel towards the common
goals and objectives.
Contingency Leadership – It refers to the leadership style where leader is contingent upon way of
leading people that he will choose which would match with the requirement of situation. Leaders
in Tesco Ireland Ltd use this style in many conditions depending on the situations like at the time
of conflict handling, while delegating tasks, to increase productivity and profits, etc.
Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work
environment
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There are many strengths and weaknesses of approaches to situations within the work
environment of Tesco Ireland Ltd. Some of these are given as below:
Situational leadership: In the context of teamwork situational can be applied by Tesco.
Moreover, in team work, leader has to deal with several tasks as well as individuals. Strengths – It is a practical approach as well as can be easily understood. Also, Tesco
Ireland Ltd uses this as it can be applied in different contexts. This approach focuses on
the flexibility of leader.
 Weaknesses – This approach creates confusion and leads to inconsistency on the part of
supervisor in terms of his behaviour. Sometimes, this approach is considered to be
manipulative as well as coercive (Sisk, 2018).
Systems leadership: In regards to the development of organizational strategic framework,
system design as well as process such leadership theory can be employed within Tesco. Strengths – This approach is adaptive and dynamic in nature. In the selected organisation,
with the help of this approach, focus is given on achieving individual as well as
organisational goals.
 Weaknesses – Major limitation of this approach is that it is not practical to be used always
and make the decisions delay thus, affecting the completion of work on time.
Contingency leadership: Leader at Tesco can use such leadership style for change
management. Further, at the time of occurrence of undesirable event system leadership style can
be undertaken. Strengths – Managers with this approach in Tesco Ireland Ltd. take decisions that what
they can actually do in a given situation to avoid undesirable aspects of environment.
 Weaknesses – It is a reactive style of leadership depending on its nature; not proactive.
The approach sounds very simple but in actual, this becomes complex when practiced.
Critically evaluating different theories and approaches to leadership
Situational theory – As per this theory, no single leadership style is best. It can be
critically assessed that leaders are the most effective when they adapt theory leadership style as
per the need of situation. However, on the other hand, their adaptability sometimes make the
employees confused and they take this style to be manipulative.
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Systems leadership – It can be critically evaluated that systems leadership approach
helps in creating organisational strategy, effective systems and social process. But, on the
contrary, to use this in any kind of situation is not practical.
Contingency leadership – It is the most suitable approach of leadership for all kinds of
situations. However, with this approach, practice of management cannot take much assistance
and so, needs of managers are not effectually satisfied with this (Bisk, 2018).
TASK 2
(1) Different approaches to operations management
The operation's management is the practice that is been followed within the organisation
which helps the organisation to enhance the quality of products and services. It is a process of
effectively and efficiently develop and plan the various organisational and business activities.
Various approaches are required to be taken in consideration by the store manager that
will help in better management of various operations that are been taken in supermarket for
proper growth and development of business operations (Chevalier and et.al., 2015). Some of the
approaches that are been followed are:
 Lean management: This approach of operations management will help the firm to
reduces the wastage and facilitate the effective utilization of the available resources. It
will assist the super market to develop suitable strategies and market plans that will lead
to effective utilization of available resources to selected firm. The managers and leaders
will look after the proper implementation of this strategy and improve functionality of
selected retail enterprise.
 Six Sigma: This approach of operations management will help the firm to set up proper
quality standards and bench marks that will help the organisation to check out,
manufacture and deliver high quality product or services to their customers (Gillen,
Jacquillat and Odoni, 2016). Leaders and managers will set this standards at their retail
stores to have a good customer satisfaction level.
 Just in time: Also known as the JIT approach, this will help selected retail firm to
develop and deliver its products and services to their customers in a stipulated time range.
This will plays a good role in improving the work performance and customer satisfaction
level of individuals to a greater extent. The managers and leaders of the firm will look
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