Analyzing Uber's Management and Operations: A Comprehensive Report

This report delves into the management and operations of Uber, a prominent transportation company. It begins by defining and comparing the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, crucial for successful business practices. The report then examines how these roles apply in different situations, such as staff turnover and technology implementation. It explores leadership theories like situational, systems, and contingency leadership, emphasizing their impact on Uber's performance. Furthermore, the report explains key approaches to operations management, including the 'just in time' approach, and highlights the roles of leaders and managers in these processes. Finally, it assesses the factors within the business environment that influence operational management and decision-making, providing a comprehensive analysis of Uber's operational strategies and challenges.

Unit 4 – Management and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.........1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts........................................................................................................3
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency..........................................................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play..............................................................................................................................5
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives.....................................................................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision making by leaders and managers......................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Management and operations is very crucial part of business as it will lead to have direct
impact in capabilities and potential of business. Management is useful approach that is consider
by organisation with the motive of controlling or monitoring business aspects (Contreras and
et.al., 2020). Through effective operations of business it will be able to enhance its overall
revenues. This report is based on Uber company. This organisation is dealing in transportation
sector and its is providing products and services to large market area. Uber company was
developed in year 2009 and founder of this organisation is Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick.
Head office of Uber company is located in San Francisco, California, US. This report includes
different roles and characteristics of leader and manager. In this, role of leader and function of
manager has been determined. This report consists of different theories and models of leadership
as well as operation management. Value and importance of operation management is analysed.
Apart from this, different business environment factors which affect operation management is
evaluated.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leader and manager are very important for business and it will help in successfully or
effectively conducting business practices (Annys, Ghebreyohannes and Nyssen, 2020). It is
essential for Uber company to have strong leaders and manager so that business practices can be
performed successfully.
Leader – This is define as the person who have capability or potential to lead or command
others or group of people. Leader is able to influence other individual in order to motivate them
or successfully performing business practices.
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Manager – The definition of manager includes that person who is responsible for
controlling or administering business staff as well as other resources. Manager is organizer who
is responsible for maintaining or managing different task and employees of business.
Roles and characteristics of leader
There are different roles and characteristics of leader such as – Role – The main role of leader is to make sure all employees have clearly understand the
requirement of business so that they could conduct business operations significantly.
Leaders role is to influence and motivate other employees to use their full capability and
potential to conduct business task in significant manner.
 Characteristics – There are various characteristics that needs to be within a person in
order to become good leader (Grynning and et.al., 2020). It is essential that leader of
Uber company have strong vision so that they can guide or direct employees in effective
and accurate manner. Courage characteristic of leader is significant for taking better and
effective decision that is beneficial for business.
Roles and characteristics of manager
Crucial role and characteristics of manager is mention below -
 Role – Manager have to perform different roles in order to successfully or effectively
perform business practices. The major role of manager is to monitor the overall
functioning of business as well as its staff member. Manager role is control task and other
practices of business so that it is performed in correct manner.
 Characteristics – It is important that manager has strong communication characteristic so
that they can convey message and idea with others in more significant and effective
manner (Nie and et.al., 2020). Time management characteristic of manager helps in
completing all required set of task in right time and attain set goals.
Comparison between leadership and management
Leadership Management
Focus The main focus of leader is to
motivate employees in order
to use full capabilities and
potential to carry out business
Manager focus is to manage
business practices and
employees in order to make
sure that all employees follow
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operation. the rules and policies of
business.
Cantered Leadership practices are
cantered to the vision in order
to guide change or influence
followers or employees
Management is more centred
to the process of business
which is developed or created
to follow the rules and
regulation of business.
TASK 2
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.
It is essential that leaders and manager are conducting their role and function in accurate
manner with the motive of enhancing business practices. There are different situations which
occur in Uber company that needs to be significantly manager in order to accomplish desired
goals. Role of leader and function of manager in different situation of Uber company is mention
below –
Increase in staff turnover – This refers to the situation that is faced by company in which
proportion of employees leaving Uber company is more as compare to the total percentage of
workforce (Niu, Rong and Ying, 2020). It is essential for manager and leader to determine the
situation with the motive of reducing staff turnover issues as well as retaining talented staff
member. Increase in staff turnover will lead to have negative impact on business and it will
directly affect the functioning of business. Due to more staff reduction respective company will
face issues of lack of capable employees to carry out business practices. This will lead to lower
performance and production of business. Role of leader and function of manager is mention
below – Role of leader – In this type of business situation major role of leader is to motivate
employees so that they are willing to work with Uber company. Leader of Uber company
needs to identify and determine the issues due to which large number of employees are
leaving organisation (Tran and Tuan, 2020). In this situation leader’s role is to
communicate with the staff member as well as try to understand the actual issue.
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 Function of manager – It is important for the manager of Uber company to take correct
decision in order to successfully overcome the issues and problems that occur due to this
situation. In this situation, major function of manager is to create effective strategies and
action plan for developing positive working environment. This will help in reducing staff
turnover rates.
Implementation of new technology – It is important for company to timely implement new
technology within organisation in order to enhance business practices. There is various advance
technology in market area that is significant for making business process easy along with this
increasing overall performance of organisation (KS and Papaiah, 2020). Uber company needs to
consider new and innovative technology with in business in order to gain competitive advantage
over other rival companies. Respective company is planning to implement new technology with
in business with the motive of conducting business practices significantly. Role of leader and
function of manager in successful implementation of new technology with in business –
 Role of leader – In this situation the role of leader is to provide vision to employees
regarding the benefits of implementing new technology with in business. This is
significant for motivating as well as encouraging employees to conduct business
activities with the consideration of new technology with the business.
 Function of manager – The main functioning of Uber company manager is to providing
assistance to employees so that they can correctly or accurately use new technology of
business. It is manager’s function to manager to develop training and development
programme with the motive of developing required skills with in employees to use new
technology successfully.
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.
Leadership includes different activities and practices of business that is important for
influence and encourage employees to successfully perform business practices. It is important
for Uber company to consider correct and effective leadership approaches that is helpful in
enhancing overall performance of business (Li, Wan and Lai, 2020). There are different theories
and models that is related to leadership such as situational, system as well as contingency
leadership. Different leadership approaches is mention below –
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 Situational leadership – This is refer as the leadership style in which leader is
considering different elements and aspects related to situation. In this leadership
approach, leader will analyse team member as well as various other variables related to
workplace. This is significant model in order to develop people and workgroup as well as
established the rapport in order to bring out the best of employees for enhancing overall
performance of business. In this type of leadership model, leader is responsible for
analysing or determine the situation in which company is conducting its business
practices as well as increasing overall performance of business.
 System leadership – This can be describe as the set of skills and capabilities that are
included in individual or organisation in order to support the process of business. In
system leadership, leader of Uber company is conducting leadership practices in more
systematic manner (Ji and et.al., 2020). System leaders are creating the condition with in
organisation in which employees at all level are able to use their full potential as well as
improve productivity of business. This is effective leadership that supports the overall
process of system level changes. It consist of collaborative leadership, system insight to
mobilize innovation as well as decentralize network.
 Contingency leadership – This is effective and efficient leadership approach in which
leader is considering different contingent factor to successfully perform leadership
practices. This leadership approach is developed by Fred Fiedler and the motive of
developing this theory is to determine various contingent factors. Contingency leadership
is significant style of leadership as in this leaders are analysing or evaluating different
aspects in order to take important business decisions. Through this leadership style it has
been determined that success of leader is not only dependent on the abilities but there are
various other contingent factor that affect capabilities of leadership.
TASK 3
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play.
Operation management can be describe as the administration practices of business that is
significant for increasing effectiveness and efficiency of business. This is one of the important
function of business which is majorly concerned with the converting raw material into finished
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goods of business (Liu and Qiu, 2020). Operation management is helpful for enhance sales and
profitability of business along with this improving performance of business. There are different
approaches to operation management and in this manager or leader play very crucial role in
successfully performing business practices. Key approaches to operation management is mention
below –
Just in time approach – This is one of the effective and efficient approach of operation
management which assist managers and leaders to successfully performing business practices.
Just in time approached is refer as in management strategy that is useful for providing guidance
and direction to collect manage raw material and other resources of business with the motive of
attaining desired goals. This approach of operation management is significant for providing
assistance to manager and leaders to that they can successfully conduct business practices as well
as meet with the demand of market area (Barsness and et.al, 2020). Through this approach Uber
company is able to have correct amount of resources so that it can timely with the requirements
of customers. Role of manager and leader is this approach is mention below –
 Role of leader – In this approach role of Uber company leader is to collect and gather
significant amount of resources that is helpful for effectively performing business
practices. Leader role is to collect information about different business requirements as
well as needed resources to successfully completing business operations. Leader will
determine market requirements along with the resources of business so that it could be
timely accomplished.
 Role of manager – Manager play crucial role in successfully implementation of just in
time approach. It is important that manager of respective company is analysing or
evaluating different areas of business in order to take most accurate decision. Manager
major role is to critically analyse the information as well as develop accurate strategies
which is beneficial for successfully or effectively managing business practices. This is
beneficial for meeting with the demand of customers and attaining business objectives.
Lean management – This is significant operation management approach that supports
business in continuous improvement as well as enhancing overall performance. It is very
important for Uber company to consider lean management approach which is helpful for
increasing overall productivity and profitability (Wei and et.al., 2020). Through this approach
respective company to conduct business practices systematically and seek to achieve small or
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incremental changes in the process of business. This is helpful for efficiency and quality
improvement of business along with the reduction of waste form business processes. Role of
leader and manager is successfully implementation of lean management approach is mention
below – Role of leader – Leaders role in effective and successfully implementation of lean
management approach is to provide direction or guidance to employees in order to
increase their capability as well as reduce waste. In this, role of leader is to influence
employee for correctly conducting business practices or reduce waste to earn more
profits. Role of manager – It is important role of manager to provide proper rules and regulation
of business so that each and every function of business can be smoothly perform (Feng
and et.al., 2020). Rules and policies developing is crucial role of manager of Uber
company as through this employees will conduct business practices accurately as well as
reduce waste.
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
Operation management is very important part of business in order to attain business
objectives successfully. It is crucial process of business that is majorly including planning,
controlling, supervision and service delivery. It is essential that Uber company is successfully
and effectively conducting operational management for enhancing its business practices as well
as providing better quality products and services to customers. Importance and value of operation
management is mention below –
 Customer satisfaction – Operation management practices are important for enhancing
customer satisfaction as well as help in enhancing overall functioning or process of
business. Customer satisfaction will be enhanced when Uber Company is able to provide
better quality products and services to customers. This will lead to improve the loyalty of
customers towards the business along with able to sustainably grow and develop business
practices.
 Improve quality – It is essential for organisation to provide high quality products and
services to customers that is significant for meeting with the objective of business (Farag
and et.al 2020). Operation management function of Uber company is valuable to improve
the quality of products and services that is offered by company to its customers.
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Improvement in quality is very important as it will lead to assist respective company in
gaining competitive edge over other rival companies. Reduce cost – Operation management function of business is significant for reducing cost
of business along with the improvement in functioning of organisational practices (Liu
and Qiu, 2020). There are different approaches of operation management which is helpful
for reducing cost of business by minimizing waste while conducting business practices.
Reduction in operation cost of business will lead to provide benefit to business as well as
help in increasing profitability.
 Enhance productivity – Operation management is consider to be important for enhancing
productivity of business along with timely attaining business objective. It is crucial for
Uber company to enhance its productivity as well as successfully conducting business
practices as it will lead to have impact over growth and development of business.
Operation management approaches are significant for systematically and successfully
conducting business practices. Through this respective company will be able to attain
desired goals.
TASK 4
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision making by leaders and managers.
There are several factors of business environment which will lead to have significant affect
over operational management as well as decision making practices of business. Business
environment of business consist of various factors that will lead to have significant affect over
business practices along with help in attaining business goals. Various business environment
factors are mention below –
 Stakeholders – This can be describe as individual who have interest in business practices
as well as affected by the decision of organisation. There are several stakeholders of Uber
company such as owner, employees, drivers, government, customers and many other
people. It is important for respective company to consider the views of all stakeholder in
order to take better and effective business decision (Barsness and et.al, 2020).
Stakeholder assist company in taking correct decision which is beneficial for growth of
business. This will lead to have direct affect on business for example if drivers of Uber
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company are against some policy or decision of Uber company then respective company
will not be able to carry out business practices accordingly.
 Corporate social responsibility – This is refer as the responsibility of business towards
the society and its citizens. It is essential for Uber Company to conduct different
corporate social responsibilities as it will lead to develop strong brand image of company
in market area (Wei and et.al., 2020). By conducting CSR practices it is opportunity for
Uber company to enhance business brand value in market area as well as attract more
customers towards company. Corporate social responsibility is essential factors of
business that will directly influence the decision making process of business and
operation management.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it have been concluded that there are different function of business
related to management and operations. It is very important that business is able to effectively and
efficiently conducting operational practices as it will lead to have major impact on growth and
development of business. Leader and managers of business are important for successfully
performing organisational task along with this attaining business objective. It is important that
manager and leader of organisation have appropriate skills and knowledge in order to attain
business goals. There are different theories of leadership that are developed in order to provide
assistance to leaders. Apart from this there are different factors of business environment that will
lead to have significant affect over operational management as well as decision making.
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