Comprehensive Report: Leadership, Management, and Operations at Uber

This report offers a comprehensive analysis of leadership and management practices at Uber Technologies Inc. It begins by comparing the characteristics and roles of leaders and managers within the organization, highlighting their distinct responsibilities in decision-making, risk-taking, and communication. The report then examines the functions of managers and the roles of leaders in various business situations, such as change management and product launches, providing relevant examples. Furthermore, it explores different leadership theories and approaches applicable to Uber, including situational leadership, system leadership, and contingency leadership, along with a discussion of essential leadership traits. The report also explicates key approaches to operational management, such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Just-in-Time (JIT) and continuous improvement, assessing their relevance to Uber. Finally, it discusses the factors within the business environment that influence managerial decision-making and operational management, concluding with an overall assessment of Uber's management and operational strategies.

Management & Operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK1.............................................................................................................................................1
P1: Identify the characteristics and role of leaders & manager of given organisation in
comparative ways........................................................................................................................1
TASK2.............................................................................................................................................3
P2: Describe functions of manager and role of leader in distinct business situations with
suitable examples........................................................................................................................3
P3: Provide different theories and approaches of leadership with respect to Uber....................4
TASK3.............................................................................................................................................6
P4: Explicate key approaches with considering role of leaders and managers of chosen
organisation.................................................................................................................................6
P5: Define operational management importance in context of Uber..........................................7
TASK4.............................................................................................................................................9
P6: Discuss the factors of business environment that impacts managers & larder's decision
making and operational management of respective organisation...............................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Management is refereed as the ability to plan, effectively organise, monitor, direct and
control human and work resources within organisation or business entity so as to accomplish
business objectives effectively. It also defined as a person or individual who posses executive
abilities to lead group of human resources through hardship and aspiring to meet business
purpose and vision (Management Definition, 2020).
Uber Technologies Inc. is also known as Uber founded in 2009 by Travis Kalanick and
Garrett Camp. It provides vehicles for hire, delivery of food, couriers, package delivery, Freight
transportation through partnership with lime, motorized and electric bicycles on rent sop as to
make easy and quick convenience services for customers. It is estimated that company has 110
million active users monthly throughout the world. It has 67% market shares for riding and 24%
for food delivery services.
This report is based on management and operation for Uber Technologies Inc. within
which different roles and characteristics of leaders and managers are consist based on
comparison, role and functions of them in situational context. Furthermore theories as well as
approaches of leadership, fundamental approaches for operations management with role of
manager and leader are considered within the report. Additionally operations management
importance for goal accomplishment and environmental factors that influence management
decision making are discussed in this report.
TASK1
P1: Identify the characteristics and role of leaders & manager of given organisation in
comparative ways.
Manager: It is defined as and individual identity of a person who is responsible for variety of
activities such as- planning, organising, directing and managing work as well as human resources
of organisation.
Leader: It refers as the human being who have the abilities to lead and influence others for
accomplished of specified tasks and duties delegating to them in cooperative & coordinating
manner.
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Comparative roles of manager & leader : Both leaders and manager have different roles &
responsibilities towards employees and organisation as well are explained as under in
comparative manner:
Basis of comparison Leader Manager
Decision making Based on decision making
characteristic of leaders
ineffective due to lack of
power and experience as
compared to managers
(Cachon, Girotra and
Netessine, 2020).
While managers have the
characteristic to take effective
decisions regarding employees
and other areas of
organisation.
Risk taker Another characteristic and
nature of a leader is that they
are risk avoiders
While managers are risk taker
based on new and innovative
business ideas and taking
change within the organisation.
Communication skills In terms of leader always keep
their team informed about
present and future obstacles
happening within organisation.
This reflects effective
communication skills of
leaders.
On the other hand manager's
communication skills are
ineffective as compared to
leader due to narcissistic
attitude (Barnes, 2018).
Comparative characteristics of manager & leader : In terms of characteristic there are huge
differences between leaders & managers based on nature & features are considered as follows:
Basis of comparison Manager Leader
Goal establishment In terms of respective
organisation it is the role of
manager to set business
objectives and goals based on
current situation of business
On the other hand as compared
to manager, it is the
responsibility of leaders of
Uber Technology Inc. to
establish goals for tasks
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Chary, 2017). accomplishment within
specified time limit based on
firm's future growth.
Relationship with staff In context of respective
organisation another important
role performed by manager is
manage and control firm that
reflects unfriendly
relationships with employees.
While as compared to
manager, leaders of Uber are
responsible for building trust
and belief among subordinates
that has prominent impact in
terms of making effective
relationship with staffs (Choi,
Wallace and Wang, 2018).
Guide & control With respect to Uber managers
plays effective role for
controlling and monitoring of
subordinates based on their
performance and behaviours
(de Sousa Jabbour and et. al.,
2019).
On the contrary it is the
responsibility of leaders of
respective firm to guide,
support and motivate
employees for effective
performance and productivity.
TASK2
P2: Describe functions of manager and role of leader in distinct business situations with suitable
examples.
When it comes to business situations that has prominent impact over organisational
performance as well as behaviours within organisation. For the purpose managers and leaders of
firm perform different roles and functions in order to support organisational culture in effective
and efficient manner (Erjavec and Trkman, 2020). In context of Uber following are the
situational examples within with functions of managers and roles of leaders are explained:
Situation1
Change management: The particular situation is occurs within organisation due to superiors
management's decision of introducing a change within organisation so as to enhance employees
performance as well as organisational culture. Change may be in terms of adapting new
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technology, business expansion, changes in policies and laws of firm etc. thus in case of change
adaptive by respective organisation in terms of enhancing business performance and
organisational growth managers and leaders functions & roles are explained as follows:
Function of manager: As per above situation managers of Uber Technologies Inc. plays
significant function in terms of formulating plans and policies as per the requirement of change
introduced within organisation. It is the primary function of manager to ensure allocation of
required resources and equipments needed by employees in order to implement change for
effective in business objectives (Feng and Shanthikumar, 2018).
Role of leader: Based on above situation it is the responsibility of leaders of respective firm to
communicate with employees effectively about the new change established within company and
how it is beneficial for both employees as well as organisation based on attainment of profits and
objectives of business. It is also the responsibility of leaders of respective organisation to helps
and guide employees and motivate them towards reaching highest potential so as to ensure
higher results in their performance and productivity.
Situation2
Launch of new product: Another situation of respective organisation is related to introduce and
launch new products within firm for successful enlargement of product portfolio of business that
has prominent impact over market share and business growth in sustainable manner. Following
are the functions and role of manager & leader of Uber in context of above situation:
Function of manager: For introducing and launching of new product or service by respective
firm manger performs the function of planning strategies towards developing of products,
allocating resources, communicating vision and objectives to subordinates etc. so as to ensure
successful dealing with above situation (Ivanov, Tsipoulanidis and Schönberger, 2017).
Role of leader: In terms of above situation leaders for respective organisation are responsible to
effectively communicate with subordinates in order to make them clear about importance and
need of new product launch within organisation and how it helps them in rising their skills ans
benefits whether in terms of monetary or non-monetary. Thus leader's role in above situation is
to guide and motivate employees for successful accomplishment of business objectives.
P3: Provide different theories and approaches of leadership with respect to Uber.
Leadership is refers as the ability and skills of someone used to influence and lead other
people in terms of enhancing their performance & behaviours that has prominent impact over
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firm's position and contributes to effective management. With respect to Uber Technologies Inc.
these theories and traits are discussed below:
Situational leadership: It is defined as the leadership style used as per the requirement of
different situations arise in firm. It is divided into four categories are considered as under:
Telling leadership: It is based of skills and knowledge of leader to communicate tasks &
duties with subordinates. In context of respective organisation it will be effective and successful
leadership style in term of business crisis (Kumar, Mookerjee and Shubham, 2018).
Selling leadership: Another category based on situation leadership style helpful for
respective organisation for task accomplished within specified time limit. As per this leaders sell
their knowledge and ideas with subordinates to enhance performance and productivity.
Participative leadership: It is the type of leadership that allows employees to participate
within business decision-making activities and process so as to improve staff performance and
behaviours based on different situations.
Delegating leadership: It is related with task and role allocation to employees with some
authorities so as to make them independent and responsible towards their performance with own
pace. It helps for leaders of respective firm in terms of enhancing capabilities of subordinates for
ensures efficiency & effectiveness in their performance.
System leadership: This leadership style is based on personal skills and abilities of leaders as
well as past experience needed to guide, support and influence others with good image within
organisation so as to maintain effectiveness within organisational culture and environment. In
context of Uber leaders of it can use this type of leadership for motivating and encouraging
subordinates with formulating a situation at which each individual will work to reach highest
performance & productivity.
Contingency leadership: Is is also an significant style of leadership which is not based on
unique skills and knowledge thus it builds flexibility for leaders to solve problems as per the
requirement of situation that has prominent impact over respective organisation.
Leadership traits: These refers as the personal abilities and nature of that helps to guide and
influence others for reaching effectiveness in business objectives. In context of Uber these traits
are explained as follows:
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 Positive attitude: With respect to Uber's leaders should posses positive attitudes towards
dealing with adverse situations within firm so as to build moral of employees towards
work effectively in peek situations. Communication skills: In terms of influence and motivating behaviours of others leaders
of respective firm should have effective communication so as to covey informations
successfully (Matthias and et. al., 2017). Creativity & innovative skills: Another important skill to be posses by leaders of
respective company in terms of make innovations and change within organisational
culture. Responsibility & accountability: Leaders of Uber must have responsibility and
accountability towards subordinates in terms of fulfilling promises make to subordinates.
 Motivation skills: Another important skill of leaders of respective firm should posses in
order to reach highest potential of employees & subordinates is based on effective
motivation and influencing skills.
TASK3
P4: Explicate key approaches with considering role of leaders and managers of chosen
organisation.
Approaches of operation management
Total quality management (TQM): This refers as the effective approach of managing
operation and manufacturing process that focuses on enhancing total quality of goods and
products through creating awareness in organisation that helps in ensuring team work and long
term improvement within firm.
Just in time (JIT): Another important approach that helps in rising efficiency and
eliminating waste of production process. Just in time approach for operations management helps
to improve cash flow of firm through lowering cost of inventory, minimising capital expenses of
company.
Concept of continuous improvements: IT is also an significant approach that has
prominent impact on production process and activities of business based on improving
productivity, health and safety, quality, workplace culture (Reid and Sanders, 2019).
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As per above discussion over different approaches of operations management it is concluded that
total quality management is effective approach for Uber Technologies Inc. as it helps in
effective focus on overall production and manufacturing process of business. That will help in
maintaining quality of transport goods and helps in minimising entire cost indulging with waste.
Theories of operation management
Six sigma: When it comes to operational management theories it is best method to
minimise company cost, lead time and improve firm's productivity. Six sigma makes it easy for
business organisation to find out defect in manufacturing & transactional process of product and
services. This theory is beneficial because it eliminate variations that helps in solve business
problems associated with manufacturing and operation activities of business.
Lean manufacturing: This refers as another significant technique of operation
management that helps in eliminating production waste based on cutting waste and operational
cost of company that has prominent impact in terms of rising efficiency and effectiveness of
operational activities.
Queuing theory: Another important theory which is based on quantitative studies of
information, functions, awaiting line and queue. This method helps in making cost effective
organisational workflow with efficiency which plays prominent role in smooth and successful
business functioning.
Although based on above consideration it is observed that all above theories are important for
operation and manufacturing activities. In terms of Uber lean manufacturing is effective
operational management theory which will help leaders to cutting waste and manufacturing cost
that impact business productivity.
P5: Define operational management importance in context of Uber.
Operation management is reflect as an activity that plays prominent role in business
organisation in terms of effective direction and control and supervisory services. It is related with
effective planning, staffing, directing and controlling of production and manufacturing process
and activities of firm. Thus operations management has significant role in order to improve
productivity of product & services so as to ensure smooth functioning of firm (Sabbaghtorkan,
Batta and He, 2020). In respect of Uber Technologies Inc. importance of operations management
are discussed within following points:
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Rising business productivity: Operation management of respective firm plays significant role in
ensuring efficiency and accuracy within production and manufacturing process. This helps in
reducing unnecessary wastage within operational activities and cutting the cost that reflects
enhancement of overall production process of respective organisation. This will help in saving
time, cost, money and efforts of firm.
Profit maximisation: Although waste reduction within overall production process and activities
it has significant impact over entire performance of organisation. Thus, effective production
ensures timely delivery of services needed by customers that helps in satisfying needs and
demands of customers that helps in rising profit of firm.
Rising business sales: Operational management helps in reducing unnecessary cots and wastage
of firm occurs during production and manufacturing process. Thus this maximise the production
efficiency and ensures profit maximisation of firm will automatically results in rising sales
volume of respective firm. This will helps in ensuring smooth functioning and sustainability of
Uber.
Eliminating waste: With help of different tools and techniques of operation management such
as- lean manufacturing, total quality management helps to analyse entire process related to
production and manufacturing activities of respective organisation. This will helps in reducing
waste and cost occurs within process necessarily. This helps in effective operation of firm and
success of business (Yan, 2018).
Operational cost reduction: Operation management helps respective firm to reduce production
costs and exercise effective control over resources so as to increase profitability of firm through
reducing operational cost. This will helps in ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of business
leads to successful business operation.
Customer satisfaction: Although through eliminating waste, operational cost helps to continuous
flow and successful functioning of business that has prominent impact over business
performance that ensures timely delivery of products and services which ensues customer
satisfaction. This will help in sustainability and future growth of business as well as profit
maximisation of firm.
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TASK4
P6: Discuss the factors of business environment that impacts managers & larder's decision
making and operational management of respective organisation.
In terms of respective organisation's operations management and decision-making of
managers and leaders are affected by various factors arise in business environment are
considered as follows:
Market trend & demand: Trends and demands of new and innovative products & services are
rising day by day that has prominent impact over Uber Technologies Inc. in terms of
technological advancements and modifications could be rise towards matching latest trends in
market. Thus market trend is considered as significant factor that forces the decision making of
managers of respective organisation to conduct market research for analysing values, demand
and trend of market so as to satisfy customers with effective services that helps them for easy,
reliable and convenient transport services. On the other side leaders of respective organisation
has to motivate and influence employees.
technological changes: Another important factor that impacts decision-making of manager and
leaders of respective organisation is related to technological development of firm in order to give
their business a shape that has prominent impact over firm's position. In terms of Uber manager
plays significant role through developing plan and strategies for adopting new technology or
innovations within manufacturing, operation, transportation and advertisement activities of firm
so as to enhance market share and value of firm. On the other side leaders of respective firm
have to implement plans and strategies of adopting technological advancement with helps of
employees. For instance use of electric bikes and bicycles for make fast and convenient food
delivery of food services (Terwiesch and et. al., 2020).
Organisational resources: On the basis of business environment factors that impacts respective
firm's operations management and leaders & managers decision-making process is associated
with availability of required resources. For instance equipments, human resources, material and
revenues of firm. In terms of manager of Uber has to allocate essential resources that leads to
effectiveness and constant functioning and growth of firm. Leaders of Uber should train their
staffs for ensuring effectiveness & efficiency in organisational performance and productivity so
as to enhance profits and market shares of business so as to attain competitive advantages over
industry.
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CSR: Another important factor that impacts decision-making of leaders and managers of
respective firm as well as operations management is associated with consumer social
responsibility. Consumers are more ethical supply chain practices and sustainability. In terms of
managers of respective firm should consider customers interest in operation activities so as to
ensure their satisfaction and leaders should support their managers while taking important
decisions and encouraging employees to offer better services so as to enhance their experience.
For instance fast transportation services at affordable prices.
Culture & values: Customer's cultural values and beliefs also affects operation management and
decision-making process of leaders and managers that reflects business growth and long terms
sustainability with smooth performance of respective firm. Uber's managers have the
responsibility to conduct market research to know values and beliefs of customers and then
focusing addressing consumer interest within production and management process of firm.
Leaders should communicate manager's plans and modification strategies for operational
management and encourage employees towards work effectively for serving customers well and
better.
CONCLUSION
As per above consideration on operation management of Uber Technologies Inc. it is
concluded that there are various differences between roles and characteristic of leaders and
managers. Furthermore there are several theories and approaches of operations management that
has prominent impact over business performance and productivity. Moreover, different functions
of managers and roles of leaders within various situations occurs within organisation are
explained in their report with effectiveness. Several factors that affects decision-making process
of leaders and managers of respective organisation in operation & management context are
considered within this report so as to support business effectiveness and functioning that leads to
profit maximisation.
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