The role of Managers & Leaders in the Operations Management function of an Organization

Assignment front sheet
Program Title BTEC HNC RQF
Unit Number and Title 4 Management Operations
Assignment Title The role of Managers & Leaders in the Operations Management function of an Organization

Learner declaration
I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my own work and I fully understand the consequences of plagiarism. I understand that making a false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Student signature: Date:
(Can be your student email address)

Submission Format
The submission is in the form of a report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit is 2,000–2,500 words, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.
 
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager
LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts
LO3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations function of an organization
LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and management in a contemporary business environment
Assignment Brief and Guidance

Scenario and activity:

In 2020 the world was faced with a global pandemic, Covid-19, which has had a serious and drastic impact on businesses, people and societies. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of your organization has asked you to critically examine the role leaders and managers play in the operations function of your organization during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With references to ideas, readings, models and theories covered in Unit 4, you are required to conduct an investigation within the organization of your choice to compare and examine the role of a leader and the functions of a manager during the Covid-19 pandemic and address how the leadership and management team can improve overall operations within the company. To assist with this, you will need to investigate external business factors that influence operational management and the decisions the leadership and management team makes.

You will select the organization and identify leaders and managers from the organization outlining their impact during the Covid-19 pandemic. You can select a company based on information from case-studies, the news/press, journals, managers and employees and your own experience.

The report should have the following structure and cover the following areas:

1. Introduction
• Introduction to the organization
• Overview of the key operations of the organization of your choice
• The organization’s management structure (provide a hierarchy chart)
• Overview of the operation management issue and the purpose of the report.

2. Main body of the report: Definitions, Analysis and application of theories
• Explain the key operational functions, identifying the roles and responsibilities of managers in key operational functions
• Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role leaders and managers play
• Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
• Define, compare and analyse to differentiate the role and characteristics of leaders and managers in your organization, drawing on a range of theories and concepts
• Critically analyse and evaluate these theories and approaches to leadership by contextualizing them to the given scenario
• Examine with at least two examples how leaders in your chosen organization functioned in the different situations during the Covid-19 pandemic by applying theories and models, including situation, system and contingency leadership
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the different leadership approaches to situations adopted by the leaders from the organization of your choice within the work environment
• Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers.
• Critically evaluate application of operations management and analyse how these different factors affect and have an impact on the business environment and wider community
• An evaluation of how leaders and managers have made an impact on the organization considering whether they improved efficiencies of operational management to meet business objectives

3. Recommendation/conclusion
• Provide solutions/recommendations to address how leaders and managers can make future improvements to the operations management function of the organization in light of the issue(s) you raised
• Conclusion highlighting the main points of your report and the importance of your analysis and recommendations

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager LO1 & 2
D1 Critically analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given contexts.
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager. M1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by effectively applying a range of theories and concepts.
LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts.
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership and contingency. M2 Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work environment.
LO3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations function of an organisation

LO3 & 4
D2 Critically evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider business environment.

P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers play.
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives. M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to successfully meet business objectives.
LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and management in a contemporary business environment
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers. M4 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community.