Report: Leadership, Management, and Operations at Tesco

This report provides an in-depth analysis of leadership and management practices within Tesco Plc, a multinational retailer. It begins by differentiating between the roles of leaders and managers, outlining their responsibilities, approaches, attributes, and decision-making styles within the organization. The report then examines the application of these roles in various situations, including technological change, business expansion, and crisis management. Furthermore, it explores different leadership theories and approaches, such as Contingency Theory (including Fiedler's Contingency Model), Path-Goal Theory, System Theory, and Situational Theory, and discusses their relevance to Tesco's operations. The report concludes by highlighting factors within the business environment that influence the decision-making of leaders and managers, offering a comprehensive overview of leadership and management strategies in a real-world business context.

Management and Operations
(Task 1)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P 1 Roles of a leader and a manager in an organization..............................................................1
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................3
Application of the roles of leader and manager in different situations in organization...............3
P 3 Different theories and approaches of leadership..................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................6
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Management is the process of administering and controlling the activities of organization
so that the task accomplished lead the company to achieve its goal and objectives. Efficient
management is the backbone of successful organization. Operations management is concerned
with converting the labour and materials into finished goods and services in an most efficient
manner in order to maximize the profit of the company. This report is based on observational
study of Tesco Plc which is a British multinational groceries retailer and is operating its business
in 11 countries across Europe and Asia. This report will highlight the roles and characteristics of
a leader and manager in an organization. The report will also include roles of leader and manager
in different situations and various theory and approach of leadership. The report will include the
role of leader and manager in operations management of the organization. This report will also
highlight the factors within the business environment that affect the decision-making of a leader
and a manager.
LO 1
P 1 Roles of a leader and a manager in an organization
Basis Leader Manager
Meaning A Leader is a person that
influences his followers and
subordinates for achieving specific
goal of an organization.
Manager is the person that plans,
direct, control, coordinate and
manage the activities of the
organization as per the policies
and procedures(Antonakis and
Day, 2017).
Approach Leaders in Tesco sets direction for
their subordinates to perform the
tasks.
Mangers of Tesco plans the details
of all the activities of the
organization to be performed.
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Attribute Leader in Tesco has the better
quality of foresightedness for the
outcomes of the task to be
performed.
Managers use the quality of
intelligence in order to initiate the
tasks efficiently by the employees.
Aim The main aim of Tesco leaders is
to initiate the growth and
development of their subordinates
which can benefit the organization
as well as improve their
performance(Shin and et.al., 2015).
The main aim of Managers at
Tesco is to facilitate the
attainment of the required
outcomes by employees as per the
planned activities and processes.
Focus Leader mainly focuses on people
and their activities and monitors
their performance.
Managers of Tesco focuses on the
process and procedures of the
activities that are to be performed.
Change Leader of Tesco plays the role of
promoting any change to the
subordinates, initiated by the
management of Tesco.
A manager has to react towards
any change that will be applicable
to Tesco organization.
People A leader aligns his subordinates in
performing the tasks for the
company.
A manager of Tesco has ton
organize all the people as per the
tasks and activities.
Decision A leader of Tesco has to facilitate
and implement any decision made
by the manager for the
organization.
Managers of Tesco makes
decision as per the situations and
analysis of any activity and
informs the leader regarding the
same.
Subordinates A leader has followers as his
subordinates.
Manager consists employees as
his subordinates.
Style Leader uses Transformational
leadership style in leading his
A manager uses Transactional
Leadership style to lead and
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subordinates. manage his employees.
Risk Leaders of Tesco eventually takes
risk in implementing change for
the subordinates(Bolden, 2016).
Managers look forward in
minimizing the risk and
complications in the organization
to initiate smooth flow of
activities.
Work Leaders build relationship with
their subordinates so that they
perform their activities efficiently
and also leaders provide personal
motivation to them.
Manager plans and builds
strategies, systems and process for
conducting the activities of the
organization enabling the setup of
goals and objectives of Tesco.
Leaders are the person who creates vision whereas managers are the person who creates
goal in order to reach or achieve vision of the organisation. Leaders are the one who take risk
whereas mangers do not take risk instead they focus on minimizing the risk. Their main motive
is to control or avoid the problem.
LO 2
Application of the roles of leader and manager in different situations in organization
To study this context, various situations that are commonly occurred in Tesco Plc are
being considered and observed for determining the different roles that leaders and managers
perform during these situations-
Technological change- In the current generation of globalization there is a rising trend of
technological advancement and the use of digital technology in the business organizations. Same
in the case of Tesco as the company in order to grow its business, has to adopt the latest
technology for its operations and other business functions. The following are the different roles
being played by a leader and manager during this situation-
Manager:
 To conduct the research and select the best technology suitable for Tesco Plc to be
implemented.
 Study the use of technology and understand its features and identify the areas where it
can be applicable in Tesco organization.
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 To calculate and prepare the budget for the cost of technology in coordination with the
finance department(Northouse, 2018).
 To initiate the training programs for the employees in order to make them learn the
technology implemented in Tesco.
 To monitor whether the technology benefits or create complications in operations of
business.
Leader-
 To implement the technological change initiated by the manager and inform the
subordinates regarding it.
 To monitor the training of subordinates over learning the technology implemented.
 To measure the changes and outcomes of the performance of subordinates after
technological change.
Expansion of business- Along with the growth of business in one market, there need to be
expansion of the business in different countries and markets which increases the market share of
the company. Tesco is a multinational retailer and has its branch in several countries, so the
following roles are been initiated by the leader and manager of Tesco Plc in case of its expansion
process-
Manager-
 To conduct the research of the market in which the company wants to expand its
business.
 To study the regulations and procedures of the particular country that the company might
face in the expansion process.
 To complete all the formalities of related to the paper work and legal procedures.
 To select up a location for the company as per the market conditions and consumer
behavior.
 To hire the local workforce from the company and provide them training for performing
the activities of the organization.
Leader-
 To monitor the performance of newly hired employees.
 To integrate the efforts of employees in order to achieve the short term targets.
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 To ensure whether the instructions and guidelines are been applicable and implemented
by the employees(Thorpe, 2016).
Crisis in the organization- Every business faces some or other fluctuations in different phases
of cycle. Crisis is a situation where the organization is not able to achieve its goals and objectives
and faces severe loss condition in the market. The leaders and managers plays important role in
this situation for Tesco so that the issues of Crisis are been resolved faster.
Manager-
 Identify the root cause of the crisis and find out the areas of improvement.
 Prepare and implement various short term strategies for the company in order to be out of
the crisis.
 Implement the change in management or reduce the compensation paid to the employees
due to the loss of the company.
 Prepare strategic management plan to overcome these crises.
Leader-
 To motivate the employees for performing better so that the company production
improves which can contribute towards better position for Tesco.
 To influence them and make them understand about the situation and motivate them to
support the company's condition as being a part of the company.
 Ensure the changes made are being implemented to the employees in a positive manner
and benefits Tesco.
P 3 Different theories and approaches of leadership
Contingency Theory- Contingency theory of leadership comprises three factors that are traits,
behavior and situation. The theory suggests that the leader has to change his behavior as per the
changing situation. Thus, Contingency theory suggests that there is no best style of leadership.
Contingency theory includes different models and theory that are as follows-
 Fielder's Contingency model- This model suggests that the leadership style can be
measured on the basis of LPC (Least preferred Co-worker). This is a tool where the
leader is asked to overview a person which they least like to work with and score them on
different scales. Here if the leader scores high on LPC scale then it can be stated that he
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has a high end relationship with the workers and treat the least preferred worker
generously. If he scores low then the leader is termed to be task oriented and focuses on
performance of the activities. This model also suggests that the leaders need to manage
and perform effectively in different situations and have control over the employees in
situation(Lussierand Achua, 2015).
However Tesco should apply this model as it will help the higher authorities to evaluate the most
effective leader in the organisation. According to which company can give responsibilities to the
person.
 Path-Goal Theory- Tesco leaders should apply this theory within the organisation, this
theory suggests that the leader's behavior and the situations in organization are
interconnected. This theory states that in order to increase the efficiency of organization
the managers must match the situation with the leader's behavior or change the leader's
behavior as per the situation. This theory focuses on flexibility while adopting leadership
styles in different situations. It emphasizes different behaviors of leaders as such-
Directive, supportive, participative and Achievement-oriented. Therefore, this theory will
help leaders to apply the leadership style which best suits the situation of an organisation.
System Theory- System leadership theory enables the leaders in organizations like Tesco to
create several conditions where people at different levels could work productively and efficiently
as per their potential. This theory uses the principles of human behavior to create the system
design, organizational strategy and social process. This theory provides tools to leaders so that
they can predict the behavior of their subordinates in the organization as well as helps them to
build their productive behavior which will benefit the organization in achieving its goals and
objectives.
Situational Theory- This theory of leadership suggests that there is no best specific leadership
style as it mainly depends on the situations and the style used during the situation by the leaders.
According to situational theory the leaders must adapt their leadership styles as per the changing
situations for effective leadership over their subordinates(Raymer and et.al., 2018). Similarly the
leaders of Tesco should also apply situation theory. This theory suggests 4 styles of leadership
which leaders must adopt during changing situations-
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 Telling- Here the leader of Tesco instructs and command their subordinates of their tasks
and activities. Selling- Here the leader communicates and collect the suggestions of the employees
rather than simply commanding them. The decisions are however made by leader
himself. Participating- Here the leader discuss the decisions to be made and encourage his team
members and supports them.
 Delegating- Here the leader assigns all the responsibility of decision-making to the team
and just oversees their work and provide feedback.
As per this theory the leader of Tesco will change the leadership style as per the situation.
Management by Objectives- MBO is a strategic management model that focuses on improving
the organizational performance by defining the objectives that are agreed by the management as
well as employees of the company. This model states that having a goal setting and action plan
enables the participation and commitment by employees in relation to the organizational
objectives. The following are the steps in MBO model-
 Initially the managers and top personnel determine the objectives of the company in
relation to Vision and mission of Tesco.
 Secondly these objectives are transformed into SMART (specific, measurable, achievable
and time-bound) objectives to be achieved by employees of Tesco.
 Next is that the organizational objectives are shared with the employees and employees
further prepare their own personal objectives considering the company's objectives.
 Fourth step involves monitoring the employees performance and progress towards the set
objectives of Tesco.
 Last step is when the managers of Tesco evaluate the performance and provides rewards
and feedback to the employees for their efforts.
Human relation approach- Human relation approach states that in order to achieve the
organizational objectives, the satisfaction of the employees is necessary with the inclusion of
wages and salary provided to them This approach states that the managers must be able to build
relationships with the employees to build up interaction and their self-satisfaction as this can
improve their efficiency and productivity in their performance. The following are the different
features of Human relation approach-
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 Managers of Tesco must have basic understanding of the behavior of their employees.
 Managers must study the inter-personal relations among the people at work.
 Larger production and higher motivation can be achieved only through good human
relation.
 The study of management must draw the concepts and principles of various behavioral
sciences like Psychology and Sociology.
Six Sigma Approach- Six Sigma is a quality management methodology used to help businesses
improve current processes, products or services by discovering and eliminating defects. The goal
is to streamline quality control in manufacturing or business processes so there is little to no
variance throughout. It enables Tesco Plc to define the organizational problems and project
requirements, measure the current performance of the company, analyze the root cause of the
variance and issues in performance, improve the performance by eliminating the variances and
control the new process by avoiding the old mistakes.
LO 3
(Covered in PPT)
LO 4
(Covered in PPT)
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is summarized that the leaders and managers plays an important
role in managing the organizational activities. The report also studies how managers and leaders
perform their roles in different situations in an organization. It also studies the different theories
and models of leadership. The report also studies the approaches of operations management and
their contribution in the production department. It is also observed regarding the importance of
operations management for business organizations in achieving its goals and objectives. The
report concludes by learning various factors in the organization that affects the decision-making
of a leader and manager.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Shin and et.al., 2015. Top management ethical leadership and firm performance: Mediating
role of ethical and procedural justice climate. Journal of Business Ethics. 129(1). pp.43-
57.
Bolden, R., 2016. Leadership, management and organisational development. In Gower
handbook of leadership and management development (pp. 143-158). Routledge.
Northouse, P.G., 2018. Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Thorpe, R., 2016. Gower handbook of leadership and management development. CRC Press.
Lussier, R.N. and Achua, C.F., 2015. Leadership: Theory, application, & skill development.
Nelson Education.
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