Analysis of Leadership and Management in Toyota Plc's Operations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices within Toyota Plc. It begins by differentiating the roles of leaders and managers, exploring their functions in various situational contexts, and comparing their respective features. The report then delves into leadership theories and models, including situational, system, and contingency theories, and their application within Toyota's operational framework. The second task focuses on operation management, including methodologies such as Six Sigma and Total Quality Management (TQM), and the leader's role in implementing global business strategies. The report examines how Toyota Plc can leverage these strategies to improve production efficiency, manage costs, and achieve its objectives in a dynamic business environment. The report emphasizes the importance of adapting management and leadership approaches to address challenges, such as rising costs, and the need for continuous improvement through techniques like Kaizen.

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................1
TASK – 1.................................................................................................................................................1
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Description as well as comparison of varied different roles & features of a leader and a manager
.............................................................................................................................................................1
P2 Leader’s role as well as manager’s function in diverse situational contexts..................................2
P3 Theories as well as models of approach.........................................................................................3
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................4
TASK – 2.................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction..........................................................................................................................................4
P4 Methodologies to operations management and leader’s role.........................................................4
P5 Significance of operations management towards attainment of objectives....................................5
P6 Business environmental factors influencing operational management and decision-making........6
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
In each and every business organization, leadership as well as management plays a
very crucial role because it supports in utilization of the resources effectively so as to
accomplish the objectives and goals of the firm by application of numerous models and
strategies (Pettinger, 2007). Concerning this, the present research report is being written in
regards with the role of leaders as well as managers in the firm that supports in improving the
production efficiency and develops high quality products. It also aims to analyse different
kinds of leadership as well as management skills being practiced in the organization and will
also make significant attempt to analyse its strength and weakness plus the operational and
managerial requirement in achieving the goal of the firm. For this purpose Toyota Plc which
is a Japanese company significantly deals in the automobile sector is being taken under
consideration (Toyota Way 2001, 2012). The later part of the report will include the
significance of management theories as well as leadership styles in perspective of operation
management of Toyota Plc.
TASK – 1
Introduction
As a management consultant of Toyota Plc. Investigation in regards with the influence of
leaders and managers on the functioning and working of the company will be done in this
part of the writing.
P1 Description as well as comparison of varied different roles & features of a leader and a
manager
Defining managers and leaders
Tossing light in connection with the managers, they are those people who structures
and crafts the firm towards prior distinguished destinations and goals. Toyota Plc is an
organization of Japan engaged into manufacturing of vehicle and is promised in assembling,
gathering, structuring and exchange of the passenger cars in numerous countries such as
North America, Japan, Asia, Europe and Asia (Lin and McDonough, 2011). The fundamental
task of the director of Toyota Plc in regards to fruitful accomplishment of the targets is to
develop and actualize the appropriate methodologies and strategies and to design the
activities of the staff members with a point that they do their undertaking according to the set
objectives. Administrators are partitioned on various levels in the firm in order to deal with
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the work exercises in disparate divisions effectively. They are likewise stressed over the
evaluation of the performance level of the staff members.
Then again, pioneers or leaders are those individuals who influence others for playing
out a specific exercises tuned in to the objectives of the firm. The pioneers of Toyota Plc
assumes a vital job in motivating the staff members by their course and relational abilities.
Furthermore, the leaders of the firm make the representatives work as per the pre-decided
targets (Guiding Principles at Toyota, 2018). The principle point of pioneers is to affect and
urge labourers in order to improve their productivity level which will at last expand the
efficiency level of the firm.
Different roles and features of managers and leaders
Over and over again the jobs of managers as well as pioneers are taken as
substitutable, yet there is a distinction in the midst of the elements of both to get the labourers
work for Toyota Plc. Supervisors in the firm does the errand of setting goals according to the
vision and mission of the firm (McCann, 2011). Though, a pioneer plays out the task related
to the correspondence of the vision to the workers and moving them to accomplish the
equivalent. Workers pursues the progression being offered to them by the leaders. The
contrast between the two is being characterized underneath:
Managers Leaders
Managers are responsible for setting the
objectives of the firm
Leaders helps in persuading the objectives
being developed by the managers
They give direction to the group They offer direction to team
They communicate the policies and rules to
the leaders (Reynolds and Warfield, 2010)
They transfer guidelines to the employees
and inspire them to work according to the
specified guidelines
A manager is administrative in nature A leader is innovative in nature
The main focus of manager is on system and
structures
The main focus of leaders is to people
The main role of the managers in the
company is planning
The main role of leaders in the firm is to
inspire people towards effective work
(Michie and Zumitzavan, 2012)
P2 Leader’s role as well as manager’s function in diverse situational contexts
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The association work in an ideal way and accomplishes targets with compelling
working of supervisors and successful job of pioneers. There are various functions of
supervisor and assortment of attributes of leadership that supports in legitimate activity of
functions of the board. Toyota Plc is going towards the condition in which the costs identified
with fuel, gear and material is expanding at a quick pace and in such a situation, there is a
need of effective functioning of the management and successful aptitudes of authority to
design and build up systems which can control the expenses of production and consequently
expands the association's profit (Burns, 2012). There are various theories of management that
can be comprehended with the leadership abilities which can assist the firm with growing and
succeed and these are as per the following:
 The contemporary theory – For dealing with the present state of enlarged expenses of
assembling, this theory is used by Toyota Plc. The heads of the organization arranges
systems like picking such providers that can offer crude materials at lesser costs. The
pioneers can use their aptitudes and capacities to incite the labourers to think about
improved innovations in order to limit the expense of assembling and to kill
showdown to change in the midst of the labourers by making the environment
brimming with trust (Verdaasdonk, 2009).
 Classical management theory – This is additionally can be used in Toyota Plc
wherein the administrators of the firm builds up strategies for upgrading the
efficiency. They have built up the technique called KAIZEN wherein the chiefs and
representatives utilize their endeavours constantly in order to have improvement in
the production exercises. The pioneers of Toyota Plc pursues participative authority
style so as to get more contribution from the labourers and administrators in the
choices concerning decline in the expense.
 Behavioural theory of management – Behavioural theory can also be adopted in the
firm. In this, the directors thinks about the capacities and abilities of the labourers.
Though, the pioneers pursues the transformational administration style wherein the
person in question speaks with the labourers adequately and approaches & methods
are explained to them in a successful way.
P3 Theories as well as models of approach
Talking in reference with the situational leadership, it is being defined as a type of
leadership where the style of leaders is generally dependent on the skills and abilities of the
workers for who they are required to influence so as to complete the task. The operation
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management of Toyota Plc can be influenced with this kind of leadership because they takes
into consideration various style on various situations (Schedlitzki and Edwards, 2014). In the
present scenario, the firm is facing the issues of increases cost and thus, situational leadership
can play an important role.
On the other hand, system leadership as applied in Toyota Plc, the leaders will have
control on activities of the workers and will communicate the situation of the firm. They will
also make workers perform as per the requirements of the firm. For example, Toyota Plc in
the current situation requires to make changes in their operation and need to execute those
strategies for accomplishment of KAIZEN. They also want their employees of operations
department to make improvement in their activities in regards with the manufacturing of the
cars in such a manner that achieves lower costs (Najdawi, Chung and Salaheldin, 2008).
Talking in regards with the contingency theory, it focuses on the change in the
strategies according to the situations. The leader’s role is also vital which helps in influencing
the workers to bring alterations in the operation so as to encounter issues as well as
challenges leading in the market. Furthermore, the manager of the Toyota Plc has taken into
consideration the factors behind the increased cost of manufacturing and has implemented the
theory to execute some alterations in the activities so that high prices of materials and other
equipment can be brought down from the suppliers (Otley, 2016). Accordingly, the policies
of the firm in production and operation department has also changed.
Conclusion
Consequently, it can be concluded that the philosophies of administration operations
as well as leadership styles is applied to the firm than enhanced consequences might be
attained. The main focus has been made on the theories of management like contemporary,
classical and styles of leadership that relates to these theories.
TASK – 2
Introduction
Operation management is being regarded as one of the most critical part of the
organization so as to administer the activities as well as to improve the quality of product in
the firm. This part of the report will explain the prominence of operation management and its
consequences in regards with the level of production of Toyota Plc. It will also focus on the
leader’s role towards building global business strategies for Toyota Plc.
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P4 Methodologies to operations management and leader’s role
Tossing light in connection with operations management, it is a significant procedure
through which the accessible assets inside the firm are being utilized successfully with least
measure of waste. The function of operation management is to upsurge the productivity of the
firm with least use of assets suggested (Hill and Hill, 2011). Other than this, the procedure of
operation management includes exercises which convert the crude materials into the last
items and services. The accompanying key methodologies being utilized in Toyota Plc are
being characterized in the ensuing section:
 Six-sigma – It is being characterized as that kind of technique that focuses on team
endeavours in the accomplishment of errands and because of which, the general
profitability of the firm is improved. The director's job while creating worldwide
business methodologies of Toyota Plc is to arrange such kind of systems that can
bring viable use of accessible assets (Azis and Osada, 2010). The administrators can
utilize six sigma approach and can kill the waste and can improve their production
level successfully. Further, the job of pioneer is to execute collaboration and position
collaborations for headway of the firm.
 Total quality management – TQM is being alluded as a procedure that aides in
acquiring proficiency in the production process of the firm. This methodology lays
accentuation on endless improvement in the predominance of the products and
services being given by the firm by thinking about the necessities and needs of the
customers. The job of administrator in TQM is to apply the techniques of KAIZEN in
Toyota Plc where the administration focuses on the unremitting change in the
development to have general improvement. While, the job of pioneer is to make their
representatives inspired to work in joint effort and destroy obstruction of progress
between the representatives so that new measures can be embraced effectively
(Toyota Production System, 2018).
Considering the present circumstance of Toyota Plc, there are two significant
methodologies that can be embraced for improving the system of manufacturing of
automobile in lower cost is with redesigned know-how and procedure. For improving the
innovation just-in-time technology can be utilized. It is being characterized as a procedure of
requesting material from the provider just when it is required at the time of creation. This
technique helps in wiping out the misuse of stock and expands the adequacy in the
organization. Further, for improving the procedure, constant improvement procedure ought to
be utilized, which proposes upgrade in the administrations, framework, procedure and items
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for the advancement of the firm. Here, the supervisors guides the group to keep the assets in
charge and improves the production routinely. On opposite, pioneers assesses the
performance of the labourers in time holes (Amasaka, 2002).
P5 Significance of operations management towards attainment of objectives
Operation management is quite vital in each and every organization. It support the
firm in making use of the available resources successfully and resourcefully. In addition to
this, operation management also helps in improving the quality of products and services on a
regular basis. It helps in converting the raw-materials into the finished goods and products in
lower costs. Furthermore, it gains its importance in the firm significantly by helping the firm
in removing the wastes (Kachwala and Mukherjee, 2009). Articulating about the objectives of
Toyota Plc, it is a company which operates the automobile industry and thus, the goal is to
develop quality cars as per the desire and requests of the customers. Thus, the objectives of
the firm can be summarized as to achieve competitive gain in the market, producing quality
automobile and to realise satisfaction of the customers, to bring sustainability in the business,
to enhance the technology for green energy cars and finally to bring competence in the
production (Slack, Brandon-Jones and Johnston, 2013).
Transformational leadership is being defined as that approach that can be used in
meeting out the challenges in the market in reference to Toyota Plc, as it pays attention on the
changes that has to be implemented in the firm. Further, this style can also be used for
achieving competitive advantage as well. Through this, the leaders will work with their sub-
ordinates concerning implementation of change and can make the firm superior from others
in the market. In addition to this, or achieving the ethical business objective, corporate
governance can be used. It helps the firm in understanding the significance of considering the
ethical standards in business. The main principle of corporate governance encompasses
taking into account the interest of stakeholders, environment and maintaining sustainability
(Bass, 2010). Thus, it can be said that the corporate governance and operation management
might support Toyota Plc in accomplishing the purposes of the firm and aids in maintaining
the customer satisfaction level.
P6 Business environmental factors influencing operational management and decision-making
Each and every company is paying attention on the prerequisite of upholding ethics,
sustainability and value in the firm so as to make improvement in the relations with the
patrons and to offer gratification with the services by considering ethical principles in the
operations of the firm. Toyota Plc works in the business environment, which is full of
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competition and to achieve competitive advantage in such type of market and to established a
superior position from the other firms operating in the same market, it is essential to adopt the
concept of developing sustainable business (Lindgreen and Swaen, 2010). The leaders as well
as the managers of Toyota Plc plays a crucial role in corporate social responsibility.
The CSR (corporate social responsibility) in the organization is impacted by the
association among the styles of leadership and functions of management. The managers takes
into consideration the policies and develops strategies taking into account the factors that can
influence the social responsibility of the firm in regards with the society. In addition to this,
the policies in relation with the environment protection as well as satisfaction of the
customers and many more are offering high quality products and services to the customers at
reasonable prices. The main role of the manager here is to transfer the policies and
procedures to the company as a whole and must proceed in the right direction as per that.
Moreover, the leaders of Toyota Plc also ensures that the plan as well as policies have been
communicated to its employees effectively and clearly (Liu and Jiang, 2011). The leaders
then encourages, inspire and influence their workers to carry out operations effectively in
accordance with the strategies being defined to them by their leaders. Furthermore, the role of
leaders is to properly define and allocate the work to the staff members and should offer
needed training to them so as to achieve the aims of CSR.
Other than above, efficiency of employees on which the decision in regards with the
leadership style to be adopted is dependent is the important factor of the business
environment of Toyota Plc that can influence the operational management as well as decision
making of the managers and leaders. Performance of the workers are considered as the main
factor behind the success of the operational management that comprises the total quality
management and six sigma approach. In addition to this, there are other factors as well that
impact the operational management of Toyota Plc are the resources available in the firm
(Kachwala and Mukherjee, 2009).
Conclusion
Thus, it can be concluded that operation management helps in leading the company in
improving the production and quality of the products and services. There are various
methodologies concerning operation management like TOM (total quality management) and
JIT (just-in-time) technology that can be applied in Toyota Plc.
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CONCLUSION
Consequently, by analysing the current writing, it can be articulated that management
as well as leadership are quite diverse. In addition to this, their roles are also very dissimilar.
However, both of them works in the same direction i.e. accomplishing the overall objectives
and gaols of the firm by taking into consideration several philosophies and styles of
management along with leadership. The following research report has been written by taking
into account the policy-making process of the leaders and managers in Toyota Plc in the
improvement of the manufacturing process and their operations by cutting down the costs of
manufacturing and maintaining high quality of products and services. Finally, the report also
pays attention on several theories of operation management so as to eradicate or remove
waste and to make improvement in the performance of the firm for accomplishing the
objectives and goals of Toyota Plc.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Amasaka, K., 2002. “New JIT”: A new management technology principle at Toyota.
International Journal of Production Economics, 80(2), pp.135-144.
Azis, Y. and Osada, H., 2010. Innovation in management system by Six Sigma: an empirical
study of world class companies. Lean Six Sigma Journal, 1(3), pp.172-190.
Bass, B., 2010. The Bass handbook of leadership: Theory, research, and managerial
applications. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Burns, J.M., 2012. Leadership. Open Road Media.
Hill, A. and Hill, T., 2011. Essential Operations Management. London: Palgrave.
Kachwala, T.T. and Mukherjee, P.N., 2009. Operations management and productivity
techniques. PHI Learning.
Lin, H. and McDonough, E.F., 2011. Investigating the Role of Leadership and Organizational
Culture in Fostering Innovation Ambidexterity. IEEE Transactions on Engineering
Management, 58(3), pp.497-509.
Lindgreen, A. and Swaen, V., 2010. Corporate Social Responsibility. International Journal
of Management Reviews, 12(1), pp.1-7.
Liu, S. and Jiang, M., 2011. Providing Efficient Decision Support for Green Operations
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Najdawi, M.K., Chung, Q.B. and Salaheldin, S.I., 2008. Expert systems for strategic planning
in operations management: a framework for executive decisions. International Journal of
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Otley, D., 2016. The contingency theory of management accounting and control: 1980–2014.
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Pettinger, R., 2007. Introduction to Management. 4thed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Reynolds, J.G. and Warfield, W.H., 2010. Discerning the differences between managers and
leaders. Education Digest, 75(7), p.61.
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Schedlitzki, D. and Edwards, G., 2014. Studying Leadership: Traditional and Critical
Approaches. London: SAGE.
Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A. and Johnston, R., 2013. Operations Management. 7th ed.
Harlow: Pearson.
Verdaasdonk, P., 2009. Defining an information structure to analyse resource spending
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Online references
Guiding Principles at Toyota. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.toyota-
global.com/company/vision_philosophy/guiding_principles.html>. [Accessed on
4thSeptember 2018].
Toyota Production System. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.toyota-
global.com/company/vision_philosophy/toyota_production_system/>. [Accessed on
4thSeptember 2018].
Toyota Way 2001. 2012. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/data/conditions/
philosophy/toyotaway2001.html>. [Accessed on 4thSeptember 2018].
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