2. 2
Table of Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3
Task 1.............................................................................................................................................. 4
The features of organization that encourage allow continuous improvement ............................ 4
The leadership and management styles that facilitate continuous improvement ........................ 5
The features of the learning organization.................................................................................... 6
Approaches to introduce and embed change within an organization.......................................... 7
Approaches to quality improvement ........................................................................................... 8
Task 2.............................................................................................................................................. 9
An assessment of the sources of information which are likely to identify the Opportunities for
improvement................................................................................................................................ 9
An analysis of the information which identifies areas for improvement .................................. 10
An assessment of the impact of the proposed changes to organizational activities .................. 10
An evaluation of the proposed changes to the organizational activities ................................... 11
Task 3............................................................................................................................................ 12
Determine the changes required to introduce improvements to the organizational activities .. 12
Agree the proposed changes with stakeholders......................................................................... 12
Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 12
References..................................................................................................................................... 14
3. 3
Introduction
ASDA is the American owned British supermarket retailer. Headquarter of stores is in Leeds.
Asda has the subsidiary of the American retail store Walmart since July 1999. This becomes the
second largest supermarket chain in context of the market share. The company also offers a
number of other products including a mobile phone and financial services besides its core
supermarket retail format. The mobile phone is using the existing network of EE (asda, 2015).
The promotion activities of the Asda base only on the price. The slogan of the company is “Save
Money. Live Better.” Like the Wal-Mart the
company submits full accounts each November to
companies House. The store format of the company
is simple and fresh. This mostly follows the
strategies and operations of the Wal-mart especially
in the later mid of 90s. On the other hand, number of
problems has grown for the company with the expansion and development of the business.
This study bases on managing the continuous improvement of the organization and managing the
change in the environment of business. Kaizen is a term use in Japan (Coughlan et al., 2002).
This means the continuous and gradual progress, improvement, increase value and
intensification. Continuous improvement is associated with number of organizational
developments including the total quality management, employee involvement programs,
adoption of lean manufacturing, waste reduction campaign and customer service initiatives
(Eriksson and Garvare, 2005). Supply chain and logistics are necessary and important for
business excellence and inventory management. Asda is also using different technologies in the
business to make the operations efficient. E-procurement helps to save lot of cost for Asda.
However, with passage of time, globalization and intense use of technology brings everything
towards the process of continuous improvement (Glasgow, Yano and Kaboli, 2013). Therefore,
everyone in the market has to struggle to manage the process of change and continues
improvement to retain itself in competition. The use of different types of technologies also helps
to improve the business operations (Heavey, Ledwith and Murphy, 2014).
4. 4
Task 1
The features of organization that encourage allow continuous improvement
The change management and continuous improvement is the state of the art that plays an
important role in the development of the business. This also helps to improve the effectiveness
and capability of the workforce. One of the key features is to offer the road map for a progressive
transformation of the organization. The quality service and products can offer to customers with
change management (Kaye and Anderson, 1999).
Flexible structure is necessary for the organization to adopt or adapt the change. The success of
the organization is that it works continuous on the innovation of the products and services
(Maull, Brown and Cliffe, 2001). The high performance of the organization includes the use of
informal communication for high level of trust. Leaders replace managers for innovation,
employee collaboration, personal development and organizational needs, compensation system,
high remuneration, peer evaluation and many others. These points make organization to perform
better in the market and sustain its position. The success of the business also lies in the effective
leadership and management (Murray and Chapman, 2003).
Moreover, the features of ASDA are as follows:
Organizational Feature to Encourage Continuous Improvement
Doctrine Description
Leadership Establish direction, the internal environment and unity of
purpose of organization, involves people in achieving the
objectives and goals
Customer-Driven Business Asda depends on its customers, therefore, should
understand future and current customer’s demands, needs
5. 5
and meet the requirements. Moreover, able to strive to
exceed customer expectation
Design prevention and improvement The internal process of the organization should quality
focus and primarily applicable at the project level
(Oliver, 2009). The project management also focus on the
quality of design, product and services
Partnership Development Asda seeks to develop the external and internal
partnerships and agreements with unions. The contracts
put positive impacts on the project level at the site
management (Singh and Singh, 2015). The external
partnership includes the suppliers, consultants,
subcontractors etc
Factual Decision-making The management of the Asda makes analysis and
effective decisions on the data and information. The
effective actions require for the quality assessments and
improvement (Wheeler, 2009). These includes the project
performance, competitive comparisons, suppliers etc
Participation of People Employees are the foundation of any organization. For
the success of the organization full corporation and
involvement of the skilled knowledge and experience is
necessary (asda, 2015). Asda provides training, education
and creates new opportunities for individual growth and
organizational development. Moreover, this is necessary
for the process of continuous improvement
Systematic Approach The organization uses the systematic approach to
identify, managing and understanding a mechanism, to
inter-related processes for provided goals. This
contributes in overall performance of company
Process Approach Desire outcomes achieves more effectively with the help
of related resources and activities in a process
The leadership and management styles that facilitate continuous improvement
Leaders are those individuals why should capable do the right things. They characterize their
own particular bearing and principles for others to take after. Then again, trough is a post or rank
or position. Managers are dependable to do things rights (Coughlan et al., 2002). They need to
take after the predefined standards and regulations. Also, powers and obligations of managers
and leaders are unique in relation to one another. Initiative is a routine of controlling and sorting
out the general population for a common targets and objectives. Furthermore the old staff with
the deciding objective they ought to be reminded some of the time with their work in this manner
as to induce them (Eriksson and Garvare, 2005).
6. 6
Democratic Leadership
This style is imperative when group assertion matters, however it can be hard to oversee when
there are heaps of alternate points of view and thoughts. Pioneer allows the gathering to give
information before settling on a decision, disregarding the way that the level of data can contrast
from pioneer to pioneer (Glasgow, Yano and Kaboli, 2013). For example, Apple is the well-
known brand for innovation, design and continuous improvement in the product. The reason the
leadership style of the CEO of Apple Steve Jobs.
Laissez-faire
They allow people within the gathering to settle on a substantial bit of the decisions. These
capacities commendably when the gathering is exceptionally fit, is convinced, and needn't
trouble with close supervision (Heavey, Ledwith and Murphy, 2014). Then again, this behavior
can develop in light of the way that the pioneer is drowsy or involved; and this is the spot this
style of power can fall level.
Autocratic leadership
Settle on choices on decisions without advising their gatherings. This style of authority is seen as
fitting when decisions ought to be made quickly, when there's no prerequisite for information,
and when bunch affirmation isn't imperative for a productive result.
The features of the learning organization
The culture and structure of Asda is continuous learning. The association's structure is vital in
dealing with the general population. The structure of Asda Company is exceptionally adaptable
and casual. The casual correspondence inside of the association has positive effects on the matter
of Asda. Individuals come closer to one another and joint effort or enterprise increment among
them (Kaye and Anderson, 1999). The visionary leaders estimate the progressions and potential
changes in diverse ranges and market. The systems are rolled out as indicated by the conceivable
improvement in the outer environment. There are number of the products and services introduce
by Asda in other sites like flowers, money, gifts, groceries etc.
The culture of the organization also allows the employees to share the knowledge with each
other. In the changing environment the knowledge sharing helps to update employees with new
7. 7
skills and techniques. This is important for the organization to give honor and respect to
employees (Maull, Brown and Cliffe, 2001). Encourage them to participate in the process of the
change will make them feel that employer is taking care of them. Use of Kaizen for the quality
improvement and continuous improvement outputs positive results. The flexible structure of the
organization provides opportunities for further learning and adoption of change (Murray and
Chapman, 2003). On the other hand, organization having rigid structure and narrow culture fails
to sustain their position in the changing environment. The fast pace changing is due to the
advancements in technology. Like Walmart, Asda is also converting its operations online. All
sort of products and services introduce on the website. For further details customer can contact
with officials of the stores.
Approaches to introduce and embed change within an organization
Some factors are necessary to introduce the change within an organization. The involvement and
commitment of senior management is essential for the process of change within the organization.
The other approaches include:
1. Active commitment and leadership to continuous improvement demonstrated at all levels
by managers
8. 8
2. Paying attention to the needs and demands of the customers
3. Developing a culture for continuous improvement and encouraging high innovation and
involvement
4. Focusing on people
5. Transforming the continuous improvement activities into the strategic goals within
organization
6. Critical processes focus
7. Learning from the results of continuous improvement for automatic capturing and sharing
of learning
8. Establishing feedback and measurement systems
In addition to these approaches, effective leadership and management also supports the process
of change within the organization (Oliver, 2009). The organizational culture of ASDA is very
flexible. It is not rigid or formal. ASDA is a type of the learning organization. Number of
employees interact each other and share their knowledge and experience.
Source: Adapted from (Kaye and Anderson, 1999)
Approaches to quality improvement
There are four approaches to quality improvement. These are also supportive in continuous
improvement. These are:
1. Statistical Quality Control
9. 9
2. Quality Assurance
3. Inspection
4. Strategic Quality Management
Amid the initial three periods quality was seen as an issue to be explained and the attention was
on the inside operations of the association (Singh and Singh, 2015). In the 1980s, quality was
seen surprisingly as a focused open door, a vital weapon that could be utilized against
contenders. In this manner, in the fourth quality period the emphasis was on the client. The
association was more proactive in suspecting and reacting to both client and market needs
(Wheeler, 2009). Proceeded with top administration duty and contribution in quality was seen as
fundamental to guarantee that quality was completely incorporated into business procedure and
arrangements and that it was enough conveyed all through the association (Coughlan et al.,
2002). The vital quality administration approach, be that as it may, is still lacking to meet today's
quickly changing business environment, described by vulnerability and unconventionality.
Task 2
An assessment of the sources of information which are likely to identify the Opportunities
for improvement
The culture is an important aspect of the sources of information that help to identify the
opportunities for improvement. On time need recognition for improvement and innovation also
helps to find the opportunities for the improvement (Eriksson and Garvare, 2005). The culture
uses as the dependent variable and independent variable. On the other hand, value creation for
customers plays a significant role in the continuous improvement (Glasgow, Yano and Kaboli,
2013). The Lean evaluation helps an association recognize potential open doors for development
at an abnormal state and gives a comprehension of the procedure before change happens. It is a
precise assessment that archives the present condition of the business and what can be normal
later on state (Heavey, Ledwith and Murphy, 2014). Common regions that are assessed through a
Lean appraisal incorporate the organization's present society, market desires, consumer loyalty,
worker aptitudes prerequisites, status to change, and different regions that may be recognized by
administration: Ultimately, any zone can be assessed (Kaye and Anderson, 1999).
10. 10
An analysis of the information which identifies areas for improvement
The region need to enhance for the ASDA is the innovation's utilization. Then again, e-
obtainment is otherwise called the supplier trade. It is the business-to-business (B2B),
administrations over net and offer of supplies (Maull, Brown and Cliffe, 2001). The innovation's
utilization in the business makes the business to develop and thrive. Wal-Mart is one of the
biggest retail locations. It is utilizing the diverse advances like, ERP framework and RFID in
stores to make the operations more attainable for the clients (Murray and Chapman, 2003). Like
Wal-Mart, Asda likewise needs to acquaint these advancements with run the operations easily.
Additionally, this likewise makes the laborers simple to guarantee the items' accessibility on
racks. With the use e-commerce or e-business the offer of the Wal-Mart increments in the market
(Singh and Singh, 2015). The web shopping offices to the clients are more optimistic and
achievable for their fascination.
An assessment of the impact of the proposed changes to organizational activities
The important skills help the association to push ahead in business sector. This makes the
association more skillful in the business sector among the contenders. The skills of ASDA
incorporate coordinated innovation of store network (Eriksson and Garvare, 2005). The
innovation's utilization or e-acquisition gives the suitable upper hand over contenders. ASDA
additionally has capacity to create huge deals volume. This competency is significant however
not rate in the business sector (Heavey, Ledwith and Murphy, 2014). The contenders likewise
have the same competency. Be that as it may, by utilizing this it help to able equality.
E-acquisition helps the association to deal with the framework and operations inside of the
association. The organization is going online furthermore goes for different endeavors like online
motion pictures, internet shopping and e-trade sites (Eriksson and Garvare, 2005). The ERP
programming is utilized to deal with the information structure interest arranging. Ideal supply
arranging or and key arranging is likewise create with the assistance of the ERP framework.
With the data's assistance innovation ASDA is making the operations excessively productive.
The utilization of the electronic strategies helps the clients to make the buy all the more
effortlessly and effectively (Kaye and Anderson, 1999). The Voice based request filling is
presented by the organization for the operations' achievement. This framework permits the
clients to submit the request in a simple way.
11. 11
An evaluation of the proposed changes to the organizational activities
Powerful administration begins with the CEO's and his top group's vision, benefiting from
business sector or administration opportunities, proceeds through a procedure that will give the
association focused or other point of preference, and prompts business or administration
achievement (Glasgow, Yano and Kaboli, 2013). Above all else an association works in the
commercial center as a result of the client. Along these lines, an association exists to address the
issues and desires of the client (asda, 2015). When we have set up the client needs and desires,
hierarchical procedures should be designed around what the client is willing to pay for. This
gives assurance to the force and focal part of the procedure (Wheeler, 2009).
A procedure methodology permits prize and acknowledgment frameworks to be founded on the
commitment individuals make to the procedure and its results (Coughlan et al., 2002). As
indicated by a few analysts deduction unites the client to the procedure, and the general
population to the procedure and client, through the procedure's arrangement results to the client
prerequisites and desires (Heavey, Ledwith and Murphy, 2014). The Centers on change
authorities likewise indicate execution with individuals execution learning. Authoritative
execution change is accomplished through individuals. For instance, numerous associations use
Six Sigma Green Belts, Six Sigma Black Belts (BBs) and Master Black Belt (MBB) assets or in-
house prepared pro to lead change. As individuals are fundamental to change, change masters
need to comprehend the behavioral component of change.
12. 12
Source: Adapted from (Heavey, Ledwith and Murphy, 2014)
Task 3
Determine the changes required to introduce improvements to the organizational activities
HRM of Asda is estimating and has vision. In this manner, they are taking a shot at ceaseless
change and development in the association. Another purpose behind the ceaseless change and
advancement is that contenders don't duplicate them or their procedures. A vital component of
strong administration is Employee strengthening (Oliver, 2009). It is gathered that
representatives feel obligation to accomplish objectives, enhance the workplace by including
them in choice making. Besides, representatives appeared to be prized and trusted. This
additionally inspires representatives by adding difficulties to their employment and giving them a
conclusion of proprietorship.
Agree the proposed changes with stakeholders
The operations of the Asda are going great or not in the meantime. The association ought to
present the Just-In-Time idea to control the items' conveyance. On time conveyance makes the
procedure more productive and keeps the client fulfilled. There is have to put more in the
innovation and data innovation framework (Maull, Brown and Cliffe, 2001). The free home
convey, request putting on the web, telephone booking and simple method of the installment
ought to improve the piece of the overall industry of the organization with expansion in deals.
Organization must make the business environment examination before drawing closer to other
worldwide markets to keep away from disappointment. The store network correspondence,
administration and danger has connection with e-acquirement subsequently, new procedures
ought to make by current situation. The organization ought to additionally distinguish objectives,
new advancements and measurements. Union of direct suppliers is additionally achievable for
Asda.
Conclusion
The ASDA is a growing business in retail market. This is because the continuous improvement
and managing the change in the organization. ASDA is the doing admirably and can be
accessible more chances to make greatness in execution. Production network correspondence
must be exceptionally powerful for the quality administration giving. ASDA is the working in
13. 13
the numerous nations. Thusly, the inventory network or inbound logistics of the organization is
extremely effective that convey the items to the customer immediately. The need is to recognize
the significance of e-acquirement for the proficiency of inventory network correspondence.
ASDA wants to handle the logistics by its own by disposal of the agents. This will likewise assist
the companying to make the effective conveyance so additional expense will likewise minimized
on late or early conveyances.
14. 14
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