Impact of Uber on UK Mini Cabs

Impact of Uber on UK Mini Cabs IntroductionThe intense rivalry among competitors in the market is a critical driving force for severally organisation. A healthy competition among competitors builds fuel for organisation long run, and trance seeking progress firm practices influences other companies in the pains. The present look for en fitteds the police detective to find emerge such influences produced by Uber through their innovative practices. The enquiry attempt shed lights on Uber Cab Company performance and the impact do by the organisation on other minicabs in the UK go intentness. The queryer looks to utilise the journals of Wallsten (2015) and Edward, George and Sarkar (2010) for perceiving current issues efficiently. The investigation tries to perceive strategies and practices executed by Uber to advance in the UK locomote industry along with identifying the influence made on minicabs performance.Literature re ideaThe rise of Uber and the subsequent disruption in taxi industry has been a key research issue in recent years. For example, the count of Sundararajan (2014) revea direct that the achiever of Uber was mainly due to the convenience offered by the dish comp ard to existing cab swear outs. This judgement has been upheld by other research workers such as Malhotra and Van Alstyne (2014) and Isaac (2014). All these studies point to the fact that Uber offer higher value to taxi nodes in terms of discredit charge, higher convenience and better safety offered by Uber. The theory of quality-value-loyalty cosmic string was gived by Wallsten (2015) to evaluate the success of Uber in Taxi industry.Figure 1.1 case-value-loyalty chain fount Wallsten (2015)As per Quality-value-loyalty chain, price, point of intersection quality and service quality develop the perceived value of a product or service which in turn away contributes to customer loyalty towards the product or service. Among these elements, competitors are easily able to imitate product quality and price. But it is very difficult to imitate service quality (Edward, George and Sarkar, 2010). Due to this, service quality has an enhanced role in creating value and loyalty for the product or service. Wallsten (2015) notes that the superior service quality of Uber has helped the troupe in creating value for customers and in developing loyal customer base in taxi industry. From the review of existing literature available on Ubers success in taxi industry, it fecal matter be understood that the ability of the caller-out to offer better value, service quality and convenience was the main reasons for its success. look into purportThe study intends to identify the impacts that created by Uber Cab Company in the UK taxi industry and canvass influence that the company made on minicabs in the country. The research objectives of the current research areTo evaluate the factors affecting satisfaction of cab customersTo assess the factors contributing to the a gonistical advantage of Uber in UK Taxi industryTo analyse the impact of Ubers growth on mini cabs of UKTo provide suggestions to mini cabs of UK to remain competitory in UK Taxi industry RationaleDespite being a start-up in the UK taxi industry, Uber cab serve had provided growth to the traditional taxi service in the country. The process made the countrys private taxi firm to get up tall where other numerous taxi companies had failed. According to Megaw (2016), 97% of the organisation that tried fit their name in the industry had fallen within the offshoot four months where Uber showed resilience in making an impact which flew beyond the capital. The company had expanded beyond borders leaving a note on taxi industry to look for an urgent lift in which the mini cabs meet experienced most of the damage. Uber was able to advance in each market that they have entered which led to protests and strikes in the UK. Uber Cab company flexibility had attracted few drivers who worked i n mini cabs in capital of the United Kingdom to join in the company. The low pricing strategy that the company presented has made controversies as competitors had alleged the practice unhealthy and artificial. Uber started its operation in the UK with four locations and increased the size to eighteen with 30,000 drivers in London (Torrance, 2016). Data digest interprets that since Uber started its operation, the private hire operations in London has attained a decline of 11% assuming minimum ten private taxi concern close in every month. The research seeks to identify major reasons for the customer to choose Uber cab over minicabs by comparing their service using service quality framework and looks to interpret recommendation for minicabs in order to survive the situation. Scope and limitation of researchThe Uber Cab Company intervention to the UK taxi industry has been questioned severely by the minicab operators as their low payment system and other operations has affected minic abs and provoked few operators to end their operations in London landing field. The investigation gathers ample evidence for interpreting the features that attracted customers to Uber service so that certain recommendations could be drawn to the minicab operators in the UK for improving their business in the location.Research methodologyFor constituting the study, the research worker has to acquire efficient information on operations of both Uber Cab and minicab services. For carrying out the research both capital and secondary information accumulation method is used by the researcher. The literature and journals on the topic are utilised to attain secondary info, and the primary information is collected through death penalty a regard on taxi customers. The survey is conducted on 55 customers who use taxi services in London in which 30 feminine and 25 anthropoid customers are targeted. The survey method enables researcher to understand consumer perspectives on services pr ovided by Uber Cab and minicab companies improving study strength. The data achieved from books, journals, articles and websites drop dead to the secondary resources which are used by the researcher to analyse the issue further. The adequate information attained from these practices is used to provide significant interpretations for present research problems from which efficient recommendations are drawn for the minicab operators. Action plan Research objectiveBy when Resources to be used (2.1)when do you know this objective is achievedwhich is after the by when to ensure that you have actually achieve the objective How will you monitor this objective is being achieved? method of monitoringTopic selection17th declination to 22nd declination 2017Books, articles and online journals for study topic selection21st December 201722nd December 2017Reporting Regularly to supervisorAim and objective cooking23rd to 24th December 2017Adequate journals and books23rd December 201724th Decem ber 2017Reporting Regularly to supervisorLiterature review25th December to 10th January 2017Secondary resources like books and publications both online and offline for literature review preparation8th January 201710th January 2017Timely informing supervisor work situation updatesResearch methods12th January to 16th April 2017Journals and books for perceiving research methods13th January 201715th April 2017Updating report status to supervisorData collection17th January to 16th February 2017Survey on customers as primary resource and data from books, journals and company reports as secondary resource15th February 201716th February 2017Communicating status to supervisor interpretation of data17th February 1st March 2017Comparison of primary and secondary information and abbreviation descriptive methods25th February 20171st March 2017Updating work status to supervisorConclusion and recommendationMarch 2nd fourteenth March 2017On the basis of interpreted data and analysis13th March2017 14th March 2017Timely report to supervisorFinal submission15th March 20172.2 Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed judicial admission and procedures.Questionnaire designThis research was deliberated to mainly evaluate the effect of UBER Cab Company on mini cabs in the UK. For conducting the study, the research has opted UBER Cab Company to carry out the study. The research has mainly opted questionnaire method so as to gather data and information from the customers of UBER Cab Company to know more about taxi and the orbit of them. For developing and evolving the questionnaire, the research has take Likert scale method, and to the customers of UBER Cab Company, the questionnaire was distributed with the aid of survey method. By opting the customers of UBER Cab Company for conducting the survey, the data gathered by the researcher was unblemished and appropriate to the question of the research.Data collection methodFor the study, the research decided to opt primary data collection using survey method. The research was through with(p) with the aid of survey that was carried out on the customers of a minicab in London. The researcher decided to opt about 55 as the sample size for the study where 30 were women, and 25 were men. With the aid of survey method, the researcher could gain more knowledge and understanding about the company and the taxi services. All the research questions were link up to the study and the questions prepared was simple and very easy to understand. This helped the researcher to get the opinions of customers.Advantages of survey methodWith the aid of primary research, the research could gain relevant, apt and particularized answers when compared to any other research methods.With the aid of Likert scales, the researcher could understand more about the topic and do not spend more time on the data collection.Survey method is cost effective and time-consuming.Disadvantages of survey methodThe survey that is unsympathetic and structured might have less validity and dependability than other methods.There can be favourable answers been marked by the researcher so as to support the subject.The respondents will not be able to give their maximum as they will not be aware of the reason behind the survey.Advantages and disadvantages of analysis of variance methodThe survey method was analysed with the aid of analysis of variance method through which qualitative data collection was collected. Over more than two groups the data are examined and reviewed constancy for gaining the result in the case analysis of variance method. The t-test is mainly compared to ANOVA methods as instead for ANOVA method t-test is used for the similar use.The advantages of ANOVA areANOVA method is mainly opted to relate groups of mixed samples sizes when compared to the t-test.Without cumulating the probabilities of Type, I error, with the aid of ANOVA more than two grouped can be evaluated.The disadvantag es of ANOVA areIncorrect results can be gained from ANOVA if the samples are gathered from the average population.ANOVA helps to makes sure if the samples are different from each other and also indicates the samples that are different from the similar ones.D3 Justify the choice of data collection methodsTo get accurate and reliable data and information the researcher adopted primary research for this study conducted on UBER Cab Company. The research has adopted survey method as the research strategy to gather data from the customers of UBER Cab Company London. The responses gathered from different customers were different and had different opinion and suggestions. The questions were closed and structured through Likert scales. Likert scales also aided the researcher in understanding the questionnaire. It was comparatively easy for the researcher to gather quantitative data with the help of survey methodology that made the research to be analysed easily with the aid of ANOVA method.2 .3 Record and collate relevant data where appropriateThe researcher has used ANOVA analysis for testing the data collected from taxi customers of London. The researcher collected data from 55 taxi customers (30 young-bearing(prenominal) and 25 male customers). The working possibleness adopted by the researcher is that there is clear difference in taxi service preferences of male and female taxi customers of London. This working hypothesis is time-tested with the help of ANOVA analysis.SSdfMSFPPrice388.92861388.92869.240.028759Accessibility388.92861388.92865.080.073916Convenience388.92861388.92863.560.117844Driver behaviour388.92861388.92866.690.049044Quality of car388.92861388.928610.890.021476Safety388.92861388.928614.90.0118792.1 ANOVA analysis of customer needs from taxi serviceFrom the in a higher place ANOVA analysis it can be understood that the opinions of male and female taxi customers significantly diverge in terms of their needs and expectations from taxi services avai lable in UK. The analysis shows that female customers gave greater importance of safety, quality of car and driver behaviour when compared to male customers. On the other hand, male customers gave higher importance to convenience aspect while choosing taxi services.SSDfMSFPReliability388.92861388.92866.650.049507Assurance388.92861388.928614.250.012957Tangibility388.92861388.92864.120.098139Empathy388.92861388.928611.680.018887 reactivity388.92861388.92862.830.1533442.2 ANOVA analysis of customer rating of service quality of UberFrom the ANOVA analysis of the customer rating of service quality of Uber it is clear that both male and female customers have diverging opinions regarding the different dimensions of service quality of Uber. For example, it is evident that reliability, empathy and assurance elements of service quality of were disposed(p) higher rating by female customers while male customers gave higher importance to reactivity of the service of Uber.SSdfMSFPReliability388 .92861388.92868.360.034132Assurance388.92861388.92865.710.062422Tangibility388.92861388.928621.020.005922Empathy388.92861388.92863.280.129892Responsiveness388.92861388.928611.020.021017Methodology I used simple random sample because it is the simplest way to select participants from a population. According to Saunders, et al., using these methods means that each several(prenominal) in the population has the same chance of being selected for the sample (2012)The survey questionnaire was developed on free online source distributed to employees via email, and social media messaging. Printed sheets of questionnaire were also provided for data collection. The pass judgment sample size is set to 100 participants from the target population and the sampling is undertaken based on simple random sampling method.2.3 ANOVA analysis of customer rating of service quality of UK minicabThe above analysis of customer rating of service quality of UK minicabs reveal that female customers hold very d ifferent view regarding the service of minicabs when compared to female customers. It is evident from the analysis that female customers opinion regarding the reliability, assurance, tangibility and responsiveness of minicabs diverge from that of their male counterparts.SSDfMSFPUber388.92861388.92862.430.179774Minicab388.92861388.928614.250.0129572.4 ANOVA analysis of customer likelihood of using of Uber and MinicabThe above ANOVA analysis shows that female customers are much more likely to not use minicabs than male customers. On the other both male and female customers are equally likely to use Uber as taxi service in London.3.1 give appropriate research evaluation techniquesEffectiveness of Project planning was developed by the researcher for implementing the current research realise. The plan entailed the main steps of the project alongside milestones, objectives, review dates and resource allocation. This research plan was highly efficient in enabling the implementation of t he research within the allocated time frame. One area where the research faced difficulty was in using ANOVA analysis method in data collation stage. The lack of knowledge and experience of the researcher in using ANOVA analysis method was a key obstacle in the smooth implementation of the research.Achievement of research objectivesObjective 1 To evaluate the factors affecting satisfaction of cab customersThe primary objective of the current research was to evaluate the factors affecting satisfaction of cab customers. From the survey of taxi customers in London, the researcher was able to understand that convenience and accessibility were the most measurable factors that customers considered while selecting taxi service. From this it was inferred that convenience and accessibility of the cab service were the most important factors affecting satisfaction of UK cab customers.Objective 2 To assess the factors contributing to the competitive advantage of Uber in UK Taxi industryOne of the other objectives of the research project was to assess the factors contributing to the competitive advantage of Uber in UK Taxi industry. With the help of the customer survey, the researcher evaluated the service quality dimensions of Uber. From this analysis it was understood that reliability, responsiveness and tangibility of service of Uber was rated highly by customers. From this it can be understood that Uber gains competitive advantage in UK taxi sector by offering reliable, responsive and tangible service.Objective 3 To analyse the impact of Ubers growth on mini cabs of UK The other objective of the research to analyse the impact of Ubers growth on mini cabs of UK. This was achieved by comparing the service quality of minicabs with that of Uber. From this comparison it was revealed that that reliability, responsiveness and tangibility of service of minicabs were inferior to that of Uber. This gap in service quality dimensions can be adjudged as the reason for the success of Uber in UK taxi market at the expense of minicabs.Objective 4 To provide suggestions to mini cabs of UK to remain competitive in UK Taxi industry The last objective of the research project was to provide suggestions to mini cabs of UK to remain competitive in UK Taxi industry. Form the research project it was understood that reliability, responsiveness and tangibility of service of minicabs were inferior to that of Uber. Hence it is recommended that minicabs seek improvement in reliability, responsiveness and tangibility elements of their service.Effectiveness of research methodsIn the current research, survey method was used for collecting data from taxi customers in London. This data collection method was highly effective as it helped the researcher in collecting data from large number of customers with relative ease. As the data was collected from London this improves the validity of the research findings as London has a very diverse population. However, the research findings cannot be extrapolated across UK as the scope of the study was limited to London city.The research study is using both primary and secondary data. Primary data is obtained from the online survey and appropriate case study examples to interpret the results and Analysis. Secondary data has been used in Literature review .This air division starts off by introducing you to four commonly used qualitative data collection methods. These collection methods and many others are also described and explained how to use them in evaluation. It then explains how you may go about involving participants This is also known as sampling. The section ends with a discussion of a couple of onrushes to qualitative data analysis. I will have to use some of these methods as part of your routine project monitoring activities, in a needs assessment or baseline or as part of an evaluation exercise.Quantitative and Qualitative data collection methodsThere are two ways of analysing qualitative data. One approa ch is to examine your findings with a pre-defined framework, which reflects your aims, objectives and interests. This approach is relatively easy and is closely aligned with policy and programmatic research which has pre-determined interests. This approach allows you to focus on particular answers and abandon the rest. I refer to this approach as framework analysis (Pope et al, 2000).The second approach takes a more exploratory perspective, encouraging me to consider and code all your data, allowing for sassy impressions to shape my interpretation in different and unexpected directions. I refer to this approach as thematic network analysis (Attride, 2001).Benefits of research resultsThe main returns of the research results is that they outline the scope of competition between Uber and minicabs in UK taxi sector. This would help minicab service providers in understanding the areas where there is scope for improvement in their service.Difficulties faced in the researchOne of the mai n difficulties faced in the current research was related to collecting data from taxi customers in London. The researcher faced difficulty in collecting data as the researcher lacked previous experience in collecting primary data through survey.3.2 Interpretation and analysis of data1. GenderPie chart 1 Gender of the survey respondents stemma Created by the authorGender of the survey respondents is represented by the above pie diagram. From the above diagram, it is observed that relatively increased number of females (54.55%) constituted the participants of this survey program.2. Rate the following factor in terms of their significance in your selecting a particular taxi serve (Scale of 1-5 where 1= Very high and 5= Very low)Bar chart 1 Ranking of factors that customers considers in selecting a taxi serveSource Created by the authorAnalysing the significance of the various factors that a customer considers while adopting a taxi service, it is observed that convenience and accessibil ity were the for the most part rated elements. The importance of safety element and pricing strategy were also identified from the customer responses. Thus it could be interpreted from this survey result that service efficiency, product attribute and pricing constitutes the main elements that influence the decision-making the process of the customers. This is in line with the literature study of Wallsten (2015) that explains the concept of Quality-value-loyalty chain.3. Rate the following elements of service quality of Uber on a scale of 1-5 where 1 = Very good and 5= Very bad?Bar chart 2 Customer rating for the service attributes of UberSource Created by the authorResponsiveness, tangibility and reliability were the highly rated characteristic features of Uber services. This is in line with the findings of Sundararajan (2014) and Isaac (2014) who identified that service excellence was the key element that provided an improved competitive advantage for Uber. However, it is also obs erved from the above pie diagram that Uber has received a negative customer response regarding its assurance.4. Rate the following elements of service quality of minicabs of UK on a scale of 1-5 where 1 = Very good and 5= Very bad?Bar chart 3 Rating for the service quality of minicabs of UKSource Created by the authorA multitude of opinions was gathered from the customers regarding their rating for the service quality of minicabs. However analysing the above bar diagram it is apparent that majority of the customers has given comparatively a higher rating for the empathy element in the service quality of UK minicabs.5. Rate the likelihood of you using the following services when you use taxi service next time on a scale of 1-5 (1= Very high and 5=Very low)Bar chart 4 Probability of selecting Uber and minicab servicesSource Created by the authorAnalysing the probability of customers in selecting a taxi service, it is observed that majority of the participants opined that they prefer t o opt Uber services. This signifies that Uber has achieved an improved recognition and competitive advantage compared to other minicab services of UK, which is in line with the reports of Isaac (2014) and Wallsten