Management and Leadership in Operations: A Tesco Retail Analysis

This report delves into the critical differences between leadership and management, focusing on their distinct roles, functions, and characteristics within a business context. Using Tesco, a prominent UK-based retail chain, as a case study, the report examines how leaders set visions, motivate teams, and mentor subordinates, while managers focus on planning, organizing, and monitoring operations. It contrasts leadership styles, such as transformational leadership, with management styles, like transactional leadership, and discusses how these approaches influence decision-making and resource allocation. The report further analyzes leadership theories like system, situational, and contingency leadership, illustrating their application in real-world scenarios such as employee turnover, constant modifications, and conflict resolution. Ultimately, the analysis underscores the importance of operational management and the factors affecting decision-making within a retail environment, highlighting the integrated role of both leaders and managers in achieving organizational goals and fostering long-term success.

Management and
Operations
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Table of Content
Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
P1 Compare the role of leader with that of manager...................................................................3
P2 Examine the role of leader and function of manager with reference to different situations. .6
P3 Discuss various theories with approaches of leadership........................................................7
P4 Elaborate several approaches of operation management........................................................8
P5 Importance of operation management....................................................................................9
P6 Assess the factors that has impact on decision making and operation management............10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11
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INTRODUCTION
Management and operations are considered as the process of planning and managing the
overall activities of business enterprise so as to ensure that goal is attained within a shorter time
period. In relation to this, this consist of several aspects which assist the firm in determining the
availability of resources which aid in making fruitful decision that provide a way to the firm to
gain significant position (Anderson and et.al., 2017). Tesco is considered for this report as it
renowned retail shop which is situated in UK as it deals with groceries, household essentials,
food products and so on as it aims to meet the needs and criteria of customers by maximising the
sales and revenue. It has expanded its operation in different countries such as Hungary, Spain,
Germany and so on which gain the maximum exposure and help in diversification and
modernisation of a firm. This report covers the role and characteristics of leader and manager
and several approaches of leadership. It also includes the concept and significance of operational
management and lastly, it includes several factors that have impact on operation management.
Main Body
P1 Compare the role of leader with that of manager
Leadership and management perform varied function in an organisation as they have
different roles and obligations which are not related to each other. There is distinguish which is
formed among the roles of leader and manager as their main emphasise is put towards the
accomplishment of task within a set time frame (Borodin and et.al., 2016). With reference to
Tesco, the characteristics of leader and manager are prescribed as follows:
Leadership involve the process of leading the whole group as it tends to direct the
behaviour of others by its influential nature. The leader of Tesco would render an excellent
advice among their staff and assign them their task with clarity while promoting cooperation
among them so that they would not face any sort of difficulty and tends to complete their work in
a predetermined manner.
Role of leader
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Setting a clear vision: An efficient leader tends to influence their team members by
explaining them about their vision and significance of their worth in performing the task. This
would help fill the confidence among the team members in case of Tesco and thus they would
contribute more by working beyond their potential.
Motivation: The leader of Tesco would encourage their subordinates by meeting their
needs and expectations and giving them with awards and sense of appreciation which make them
to feel that working role is important and make them feel delighted. This boost their confidence
level and enhance more productivity.
Mentoring: The leader act as coach as it explains the overall working procedures and role
to their team members and guide them which help them in making preparing them for accepting
challenging roles (Heizer, 2016). The leader of a concerned firm would render a specialised
training among their staff by making them capable of handling specialised tools and equipment
which in turn boost their morale.
Characteristics of leader
Passionate: The leader has to passionate regarding their work as it should work hard and
stick towards its goals which promote a better culture in a retailing company like Tesco.
Innovative: The main aspect of leader is to render new and innovative ideas as it has to
perform its function smoothly and efficiently which ensure long term success in future. In case
like Tesco, the leader would also consider their staff ideas by its active listening skills as it
develops enthusiasm among them which build their capabilities and maximise their knowledge
base.
Time management: The leader of Tesco would manage their time efficiently by
formulation of strategic planning and work accordingly so that they could generate maximum
level of output.
Manager is help responsible for managing and administering the overall activities of a
business enterprise as they provide an ability to maintain proper hierarchy and organisation
structure in a respective place.
Role of manager
Efficient planning: This is most crucial step in which the manager of Tesco would form
an appropriate strategy as what is to be done and in what manner so that better decision could be
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taken which render an enormous growth within the confines of retailing sector (Pihlainen,
Kivinen and Lammintakanen, 2016).
Organising: The manager of a respective firm has to delegate the task by organising the
work in a best possible manner which facilitate proper coordination and ensure success for a
longer time.
Monitoring: The senior manager of Tesco would tend to control and scrutinize the
overall activities by comparing the actual performance against set standards so that immediate
action can be taken which provide effective results.
Characteristics of a manager:
Optimisation of resources: The manager of Tesco makes judicious utilisation of
resources such as manpower, technology, material and money so that better results could be
expected and thus ensure prospects of growth in future.
Task oriented: The manager emphasises their staff on working towards the task once it
has been decided and set priorities so as to built a better future. In Tesco, it also shows dignity
and respect towards their colleagues in such a manner that they could achieve high ended results.
Distinguish between leader and manager
Basis Leader Manager
Motive The main motive of leader is
to train their colleagues by
making them familiar of new
technology and changes that
has taken place so that they do
not hesitate and thus promote
effective ideas.
The purpose of manager is to
carry and operate the functions
in an efficient manner which
bring coordination and smooth
flow of activities.
Decision making power The leader has fast decision-
making ability as it focuses on
taking quick action which
ensure greater effectiveness.
The manager would invite the
contribution of employees
towards decision making
which lead to delay in its
implementation as this
accelerates more efficiency.
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Leadership style The leader would use
transformational style as this
would as it bring changes and
promote a new style of
working which aids in gaining
rivalry edge over a
marketplace.
The manager would consider
transactional style as it would
punish those who are not
implementing the rules and
regulation and provide
rewards to those who work
with their constant efforts in
order to achieve maximum
output level.
Use relevant theories while determining the role and function of leader and manager
The manager of Tesco would use democratic style of leadership as it welcomes the ideas
and opinions of their staff so that they could feel that presence has worth and significant which in
turn increase their job satisfaction level and help in retaining them for a longer time. At the same,
time, the leader would make an immediate action so as to get desired results which improves the
profitability ratio (Gillen, Jacquillat and Odoni, 2016). According to Kotler theory, the role of
leader is to provide best advice to their team members so that they could make further
improvements and the manager who is goal oriented is particular about the completion of task
within a limited period of time.
P2 Examine the role of leader and function of manager with reference to different situations
In the context of Tesco, the several examples are stated below:
Reduction of employee turnover: In a competitive era, there are several reasons of
turnover of employees such as long working hours, improper environment, unfair practices and
so on. In aspect of Tesco, the manager would motivate their staff by rendering several
compensation benefits and incentives and provide paid holidays which increase their satisfaction
level and ensure a vast growth in a respective time period (Choi, Wallace, and Wang, 2018). The
role of leader is to divide the work among them in accordance of their talent and skills so that
there is no confusion and misunderstanding among them as this increase their morale in case of
retailing company like Tesco.
Constant modifications: The leader is innovative in nature and has risk taking ability
which assist the firm like Tesco to make continuous transformation in business level by
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upgradation of technology, new rules and regulations, efficient management system which aid
the firm in managing the operations and facilitate smooth flow of activities. The manager also
play a significant role in this aspect as it monitor the changes and determine deviations if any so
that it could take corrective actions that provide excellent results.
Resolving conflicts: The manager of Tesco would tend to handle the conflict by listening
to both parties and provide a better solution so that the performance could not be hampered. The
leader in a similar case would assign the work among them equally and compliance all laws and
legislations to promote the safety of workers which provide a peaceful environment in a retailing
company. They also have ability to work in pressure calmly and patiently which ensure growth
of a firm to the next level as it contribute towards the success.
P3 Discuss various theories with approaches of leadership
The theories of leadership consist of set of rules and procedures which provide guidelines
and assist firm to face several challenges in daily operations by rendering a best solution towards
it. In relation to Tesco, the varied approaches of leadership are elucidated below:
System leadership: It is understood as the process in which leader possess several skills
and its accuracy of decision making would render an idea of achievement of business objectives
in a short span of time (Gibson and Parkman, 2018). The leader of a huge retail chain such as
Tesco would make division of task to their staff related to their skills and abilities so that
efficiency could be gained.
Advantages: Planning would be done by leader in a most fruitful manner by deciding the
best alternatives so that best result could be obtained as this aids Tesco in gaining a significant
position across the globe.
Disadvantages: It involve lot of formalities and cumbersome procedure which lead to
delay in execution of operations and due to this it lost opportunities present in the marketplace.
Situational leadership: In this, the leader would act and behave differently in according
to the prevailing situation especially in case of flexible environment. The senior authority of
Tesco would use this approach so that it could make transformation and communicate this
among their staff so that they do not get confused and would accept the changes quickly.
Advantages: The manager of Tesco would render on the job training to their co workers
so that they could handle sophisticated machines which maximise the productivity within
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retailing sector. This maximise the sales and profit margins and create a goodwill in a
marketplace.
Disadvantages: Due to constant changes, there are some employees are reluctant for such
changes which create a barrier for growth. The focus is towards long term needs as it create a
situation of work load and thus affect the overall operations.
Contingency leadership: This theory of leadership emphasises that the style which
leadership possess should match to its capabilities and also it renders the allocation of resources
in a proper manner so that overlapping of task could be avoided (Meredith and Shafer, 2019).
This provide assistance to Tesco to gain an insight ability to take a better understanding and
immense the knowledge level which ensure long term sustainability.
Advantages: This type of approach is well suited for dynamic nature as it enhances the
skills of leader and provide an opportunity to employees to express their views which provide a
vast growth level.
Disadvantages: This theory is not applicable in case of practical situations and become
complex for the manager to handle the situation in case of adverse.
P4 Elaborate several approaches of operation management
The role of operation management is worth which involve the process of conversion of
raw material to full and finished products as their main aspect is to maintain adequate level of
stock which ensure smooth functioning in a workplace. In respect to Tesco, the approaches of
production management are as follows:
Six sigma: This is a methodology which emphasise the firm to improve the quality of
merchandise and produce them in accordance of customer’s needs as well as preferences. The
senior authority would organise and deliver the product at a fast speed of accuracy to their buyers
and it also provide after sale service which provide them with greater ease of convenience and
comfort to them. The top management of a respective firm ensure quality specification and
provide guarantee of clients against its leakage and spoilage as it has best packaging facilities
which win the customer loyalty and develop trust and confidence among them.
Total quality management: This is a business management technique which ensure
continuous improvement in merchandise as the main focus of a firm is to reduce defects from it
while maintaining proper standards. The manager of a Tesco would make sure that there is no
sort of defects as it reduces the spoilage and wastage of products as making proper usage of
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material so that cost is optimised (Shields and Hesbol, 2020). The leader of a respective firm is
to render an expert advice to their staff members about creating the products in a best possible
manner so that cost of operation is minimised and profitability increases.
Just in Time: This is one of the effective approaches in which the manager tends to
maintain adequate level of inventory so that it could save warehouse cost. In simple words, this
involve the practice of receiving merchandise from suppliers as whenever it is required instead of
carrying it on a huge scale. In this, the manager would make products or services in accordance
of latest demands and customer preferences which maximise the sales operations. The main
advantage of this approach which prove to be beneficial for Tesco is that it saves money as the
waste is minimised and also there is meagre risk of obsolescence. This generates greater
productivity and allow company to enjoy greater economy of scale by gaining sustainability
within retailing company.
P5 Importance of operation management
The operation management deal with day to day activities of business enterprise which
focus on creating and distributing the products in the right place in an appropriate time period.
The leader would make sure that it would control the excessive production rate otherwise it led
to wastage of merchandise and thus lead to negative consequences. With reference to Tesco, the
significance of production management is given beneath:
Ensure quality specification: The senior executive of Tesco would render excellent
offerings such as toys and groceries plus food products to their buyers and provide delivery to
them within shorter time as this build the trust and also they maintain effective relation with
them which bring sustainability and growth in future (Gray and Rhodes, 2018).
Efficient usage of resources: The senior authority of Tesco would make judicious usage
of resources as it makes sure that there is optimisation of machines and labour so that desired
output could be attained. Furthermore, the production manager while making the products would
tend to use every resource carefully and does not allow it to wastage as this would provide
enormous success.
Proper organisational structure: The manager of Tesco would form proper hierarchy in
a workplace as it assigns the job roles in a most appropriate manner while forming an
organisational structure which bring discipline and proper code of conduct in a workplace. Also,
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the leader would delegate the task so as to eliminate duplication of activities and ensure long
term growth in giant retail chain like Tesco.
P6 Assess the factors that has impact on decision making and operation management
There are several factors which are taken into consideration such as political, economic,
social, technological, and legal which affect the decision-making power of firm as it assesses the
availability of resources which provide firm a become a market leader and ensure success of a
firm. In relation to Tesco, the PESTLE analysis is presented as follows:
Political element: This involve several rules and regulations which affect the business
cycle of a firm. UK being the political nation consist of multiparty system that is conservative
and labour party. This assist Tesco to maintain same policies and procedures for a longer time
period due to the reason that it has constant ruling party (Choi, Kim and Kang, 2017).
Economic element: This consist of several attributes such as inflation, GDP, monetary
policies as well as trade restrictions. The vote of Brexit and coronavirus has created an
unimaginable chaos which adversely affect the economic condition of the country as it bring
negative consequences. This hamper the overall performance of such a huge retail outlet like
Tesco and thus affect its sales operation and profitability.
Social element: This aspect relates to change in taste and preference of customers as they
prefer high standard living with modern lifestyles. The manager of Tesco always come up with
new and latest trends and provide quality products which win the hearts of buyers and thus
improve the sale and revenue. As today, quality is crucial aspect as compared to price so the
respective firm emphasise on maintaining proper health and hygiene which is priority for every
customer.
Technological element: In a competitive era, there is huge revolutionise in technological
market which emphasise the firm to use latest technology. Nowadays, people are technical
oriented so by looking towards this Tesco would prefer innovative technology which help in
recording of transactions in a fair manner and allow ease in operations of business.
Legal element: This aspect covers antitrust laws, discrimination, patent, copyright and
many more. The senior authority of Tesco would provide protection of intellectual rights and
abide all employment laws such as food and safety laws, data protection act and so on which
provide welfare to their workers as it depicts the fairness and transparency within the confines of
retailing industry (Tortorella and et.al., 2018).
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Environmental element: Today, Government has taken several steps to provide
protection towards environment as it ensures brand image in case of retail sector. The manager of
Tesco would minimise the carbon footprints and avoid the use of plastic as it uses renewable
source of energy which ensure sustainable development. It makes eco-friendly packaging which
create a good image in the mind of customers.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be comprehended that management and leadership has different
roles and obligation but have common purpose as they share the same vision. Leadership
approaches like system, contingency and situational style are discussed in this report with their
pros and cons as they vary in according to prevailing situation. Concepts of operation
management like TQM, six sigma and just in time is discussed which assist firm in providing
best quality products. Several factors has impact on business environment would aid firm in
gaining competitive advantage at a global level.
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REFERENCES
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Gibson, P. and Parkman, R., 2018. Cruise operations management: Hospitality perspectives.
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Meredith, J.R. and Shafer, S.M., 2019. Operations and supply chain management for MBAs. John
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Shields, C.M. and Hesbol, K.A., 2020. Transformative leadership approaches to inclusion, equity,
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