Amazon Transportation

Introduction

Transportation is a critical component of Amazons business model and, as such, turnover in this area can have significant impacts on the companys bottom line. In order to address this issue, Amazon needs to recognize that its employees are key to the success of its transportation operation and, as such, it should strive to motivate them by various means (both extrinsic and intrinsic, such as competitive wages and benefits, as well as opportunities for career growth). By implementing helpful values, principles, and theories of motivation Amazon will been able to keep turnover low and maintain a high level of performance in its transportation operations. This paper will address these issues in turn and show how Amazon can solve the organizational problem of turnover resulting from job dissatisfaction.

Part 1

Amazon Transportation is responsible for the companys transportation and delivery needs. The department works with a variety of transportation partners to move goods around the world efficiently and cost-effectively. In addition, Amazon Transportation works closely with Amazon's other departments to ensure that products are delivered on time and to the correct location. The department is also responsible for ensuring that transportation operations are safe and compliant with all applicable laws and regulations. As one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world, Amazon Transportation plays a vital role in the company's success.

As an outside organization consultant, Amazon Transportation is important to me because I value it as a stakeholder and as a professional. Amazon has become the go-to source for shopping needs for a whole new generation of consumerswhich means it oversees a lot of transportation.

Yet Amazon faces challenges like turnover and supply chain snarls like any other transportation company. One question that may be asked is: How can management improve job satisfaction among employees so as to reduce turnover?

The organizational problem this paper addresses is the relationship between job dissatisfaction and turnover. Evidence indicates that there is a relationship (Mullen et al., 2018). Turnover is a problem for companies because it is expensive to replace employees. Consider the costs of advertising the position, interviewing candidates, training the new hire, and lost productivity while the position is vacant. In addition, when an employee leaves, they take with them institutional knowledge about the company, its products, and its customers. This can result in a loss of efficiency and effectiveness as the new employee gets up to speed. Also, turnover can have a negative impact on morale, as other employees may feel that their efforts are not appreciated and that their jobs are not secure. When companies experience high levels of turnover, it can have a significant impact on the bottom line.

So it is no surprise that high turnover rates are a major issue for Amazon Transportation (Mellor, 2022). As Mellor (2022) notes, Amazons attrition rate, which was 123% in 2019, jumped to 159% in 2020, according to the leaked memo. That is well above the overallturnoverrates across the broadertransportationand warehouse sectors in the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022) points out, for instance, that the national average for turnover rates in 2019 and 2020 was about a third of what Amazon saw.

Resolving this issue could have a number of positive impacts for the company. First, it would reduce the costs associated with recruiting and training new employees. Second, it would improve morale and employee retention. Finally, it would improve customer service and satisfaction levels. All of these factors would contribute to increased efficiency and profitability for Amazon Transportation. In order to resolve the issue of high turnover, Amazon Transportation needs to address the root causes. These causes need to be researched to be fully understood, but they could include poor working conditions, low pay, lack of career advancement opportunities, or some other issue that causes workers to be dissatisfied with their work at the company. By addressing these issues and identifying these causes, however, Amazon Transportation could start to turn things around and become a more successful company.

Part 2

Organizational theories provide a framework for understanding how businesses operate. By understanding the different types of organizations and the way they function, managers can make more informed decisions about how to improve operations. For example, theories of bureaucracy can help managers to identify inefficiencies in their organization and to implement policies that will improve productivity. In addition, theories of organizational design can help managers to create a more effective structure for their business. By understanding and applying these theories, managers can make significant improvements to the way their businesses operate.

Operations management is the process of planning, organizing, and controlling the resources needed to produce goods and services. Classical theory is a branch of operations management that emphasizes efficiency and predictability. Its key insights can be used to improve operations in a number of ways. For example, classical theory can help managers to develop more efficient processes, to better utilize resources, and to minimize the risk of disruptions. In addition, classical theory can be used to improve communication and coordination among workers. By understanding and applying the insights of classical theory, operations managers can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organizations.

Symbolic organization theory is another perspective that can be used to improve operations within a ompany. This theory suggests that businesses are organized around culturally-defined symbols that give meaning to the work being done (Hassard, 2002). By understanding the role of symbols in organizational life, managers can make decisions that will improve employee satisfaction and motivation. In addition, this understanding can help managers to create a more...

…on a regular basis or undertaking major initiatives from time to time. It is about always looking for ways to improve, even if things are already good. These three values - customer focus, operational excellence, and continuous improvement - are essential for any organization but they are especially important at Amazon Transportation. Additionally, the employees must have a positive attitude and be willing to work hard to overcome challenges. To get there, Amazon could apply Maslows (1943) theory of motivation and find out what the needs of workers are and make sure they are being met; this would support self-actualization and the development of the right kind of attitudes overall. With the right values and attitudes in place, the Amazon transportation team can continue to make decisions that will help the company achieve its objectives.

As far as how values and attitudes influence the various structures and lines of authority, any organization is built on a set of values and attitudes that guide its members. These values and attitudes can be deliberately cultivated, such as in a corporate culture, or they can emerge organically from the interactions of the people within the organization. Either way, they will have a significant impact on the structures and lines of authority within the organization. For example, Amazon Transportation values competition and thus has a hierarchical structure with clear lines of authority, while an organization that values cooperation is more likely to have a flat structure with less clear lines of authority. Similarly, an organization that values innovation is likely to encourage risk-taking and creativity, while an organization that values stability is likely to discourage these things. Amazon Transportation needs to focus on stability because it has so many orders it must process and deliver. However, it can also benefit from innovative new ways to approach handling transportation that are developed by the R&D department. Ultimately, then, the values and attitudes of an organization will heavily influence its internal workings.

Conclusion

By supporting the right values and attitudes at Amazon Transportation, the company could make big strides in addressing its turnover problem. Amazon Transportation needs to value employee loyalty and commitment. The company should create an environment where employees feel appreciated and supported, and where they can see themselves staying for the long haul. Additionally, Amazon Transportation should focus on fostering a positive attitude among its employees. A positive work environment will go a long way in keeping workers happy and engaged, and less likely to leave for greener pastures. Ultimately, however, Amazon Transportation should promote a culture of respect and teamwork. By valuing its employees and fostering a positive workplace culture, Amazon Transportation can make significant progress in addressing its turnover problem. Moreover, it could incorporate symbols that reflect these values into its workplace and thus support…