System Thinking Analysis: Leadership Challenges at UBER and Target

This discussion board post presents a system thinking analysis of two companies: UBER and Target. The first post examines UBER's issues related to its workplace environment, particularly concerning female employees, and the ineffective measures taken to address these problems, including the resignation of the CEO. It highlights the limitations of using software applications and emphasizes the importance of proper system thinking tools. The second post focuses on Target's challenges in the Australian retail market, stemming from changing consumer behavior and a focus on product quality over pricing. It recommends the implementation of a Soft System Methodology, emphasizing customer needs, product adaptation, and the involvement of employees and suppliers. The analysis underscores the importance of a holistic approach and clear problem identification for effective business strategies.

Running Head: SYSTEM THINKING
SYSTEM THINKING
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1SYSTEM THINKING
Post1
The post is trying to find out the relevant and current issues that UBER is facing in recent
times due to poor treatment over the female employees. According to Carson (2018) the
workplace environment of UBER was not so equal and transparent that can pose an equal
benefits for female employees. In fact, the aggressive culture in UBER was driven by the male
dominations where the female employees found it problematic and unjustifiable while working
in UBER. Therefore, the number of shareholders are reducing and the organisation was trying to
fix the problem through developing a software application.
However, the post had failed to identify the plausible consequences. Stating the loss in
annual revenue is considered to be one of the apparent result that the organisation is facing but
the problem is highly prominently deep down and reaching the fathom of sustainability of the
organisation. Former UBER CEO Kalanick had to resign from his designation due to the lack of
organisational effort to deal with the issue. As a matter of fact, the report of Booth (2018)
revealed that Dara Khosrowshahi also failed to take adequate steps in order to mitigate the issue
as soon as possible. Based on this understanding, it can be stated that using the UBER app is not
at all the right solution to deal with the problem. Moreover, the rich picture tool also reflected
emphasis on the shareholders rather than resolving the issue. In response to this, it can be stated
that the system thinking tools are not using properly and thus the problem identification and
resolving initiatives failed to mitigate the problem.

2SYSTEM THINKING
Post 2
Target is one of the leading retail companies in Australia. The company is facing series of
problems in its business orientation due to the change in the consumer behaviour. The prime
focus of the organisation is to set a standard of quality of products. Therefore, the general trend
in the Australian retail market of implementing better pricing strategy is not present there.
However, from the research of Arif (2016) it can be argued that the Australian customers are
fonder of product pricing rather than its quality. Therefore, it seems a significant drawbacks for
Target to expand its business effectively.
In this context, this post clearly defined a holistic approach where this research
recommended to implement a Soft System Methodology. Therefore, a clear understanding of the
needs and expectations of the customers along with the re-adaptation of the products were played
significant role. Moreover, the recommendation also suggested to involve actors like the
employees and suppliers in course of processing an effective measure for managing the
employees with customers. In course of this discussion, it can be confirmed that the post clearly
defines the issues and the holistic measures that Target should follow in order to gain enough
market capitalisation (Burnell, 2016). Moreover, identification of the problem is very clear and
accurate that created effective measure for Target to initiate adequate steps. The system thinking
tool is also followed in this post that is resembled with the suggestion of initiating effective
measure for the organisation.

3SYSTEM THINKING
Reference
Arif, S. (2016). Leadership for change: Proposed organizational development by incorporating
systems thinking and quality tools. Business Process Management Journal, 22(5), 939-
956.
Booth, B. (2018). A year later, what Uber has done to revamp its troubled image. Retrieved from
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/20/a-year-later-what-uber-has-done-to-revamp-its-
troubled-image.html
Burnell, D. (2016). Systems thinking orientation assessment framework (STOAF): Towards
identifying the key characteristics of the systems thinker and understanding their
prevalence in the layperson. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 33(3), 471-482.
Carson, B. (2018). Inside Uber's Effort To Fix Its Culture Through A Harvard-Inspired
'University'. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2018/02/03/inside-
ubers-effort-to-fix-its-culture-through-a-harvard-inspired-university/#2c17dfa16954