General Motors Product Development

Table of Contents Introduction General Motors’ Leadership Competitive Advantages Challenges to General Motors Strategies Possible Growth Strategies Conclusion References Introduction The automobile industry is characterized by impulsiveness and indecision due to constant political, social, technological and economic transformations. Consequently, automobile companies find themselves in dynamic situations that call for steady adjustments.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on General Motors Product Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In such circumstances, the companies require effective leadership to help in identifying the most feasible and productive changes. Brown (2007) maintains that car companies should transform their operations in order to remain competitive. Hence, they need transformational leaders who can identify emerging opportunities and restructure the companies to exploit the op portunities. The success of General Motors is credited to its effective leadership. In spite of General Motors having numerous competitive advantages over other automobile companies, it relies heavily on its transformative leaders. The leaders are responsible for formulating operation strategies and establishing appropriate structures to facilitate implementation of the plans. This paper will discuss the effectiveness of leadership in General Motors. Besides, it will identify various growth strategies that General Motors can pursue. General Motors’ Leadership According to Bayou and De Korvin (2013), the current state of automobile industry calls for transformative leadership. It underlines the reason General Motors hires transformative chief executive officers (CEO).Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Through the transformative leadership of Mary Barra, General Moto rs has been able to restore order in all its global units. Bayou and De Korvin (2013) allege that the most critical role of a transformative leader is to re-establish order and shrewdness into the messy whirl that is the modern day’s business atmosphere. Prior to Barra assuming leadership of the company, General Motors’ product development processes were in absolute confusion. The company had at least 30 distinct platforms. Besides, the company offered inefficient services and manufactured inferior cars. There were needs to align operations and enhance organizational efficiency (Fogel, Morck Yeung, 2014). Barra embarked on these vital transformational objectives and within one year she managed to downsize the product line. In addition, she improved the quality of cars and ensured that employees were conscious of customer needs. Today, General Motors manufactures its cars based on customer demands and preferences. Barra has instituted a team of leaders with varied skil ls in the automobile industry to help the company meet customer demands. General Motors suffered from autocratic leadership for many years. The company’s leaders did not give employees an opportunity to explore their talents or make decisions. Employees received instructions from plant managers and CEO. Such leadership style inhibited innovation. In return, General Motors was unable to compete with other automobile companies leading to its meltdown. Currently, the General Motor’s leadership has eliminated bureaucracy and emphasized on employee empowerment (Fogel et al., 2014).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on General Motors Product Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Employees are responsible for making decisions on matters affecting their areas of specialization. Besides, they are accountable for all their decisions. Barra’s leadership has restored employee commitment and innov ation leading to General Motors becoming competitive. Indeed, the current leadership has helped the company to be in the forefront of the fight against global warming. General Motors has not only managed to offer value to its clients, but also reduce the United States’ overreliance on hydrocarbon-based fuels. Competitive Advantages Bayou and De Korvin (2013) allege that General Motors is the second principal automobile company worldwide. One of the General Motors’ competitive advantages lies in its extensive geographic coverage. The company has 207 divisions that are distributed throughout the globe. The different divisions share ideas on product development with each other, thus helping the company to develop superior cars. One of the challenges that automobile companies encounter is lack of efficient design teams. However, General Motors has trounced this challenge by establishing a design team that can combine skills from different markets. Besides, General Motors p roduces its automobile parts at low costs due to economies of scale. According to Dyer (2006), General Motors has an extensive collection of regional brands such as Cadillac, Hummer, Buick, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Saturn, and Saab. The extensive collection of brands enables the company to compete with other automobile companies in local and regional markets. Its brands are not only strong, but also popular in most countries. Therefore, General Motors does not incur enormous marketing costs since most customers are familiar with its brands. Besides, General Motors reaches a broad market base relative to other companies.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Challenges to General Motors Strategies General Motors faces a myriad of challenges in its plan to recover from past financial meltdown. First, the company requires minimizing repetition in model production and producing vehicles that will increase its profit margin. To achieve this, General Motors has to ensure that its product range matches with the income distribution of its target markets. Second, the company’s technology is not consistent with the dynamic automobile industry (Fogel et al., 2014). General Motors should update its technology in order to implement its recovery strategies. Third, for General Motors to make a significant profit and minimize operation costs, it should scale down its global coverage. It requires relinquishing some markets that do not give it substantial returns. Even though General Motors has conquered the liquidation that it experienced in 2009, the company still requires containing its operation costs as a strategy to regain productivity. Fin ally, General Motors cannot realize its goals with undertaking a major restructuring and changing its corporate culture (Bayou De Korvin, 2013). The main challenge is that the United States’ government influences the decisions made by the company. Therefore, it is hard for General Motors to initiate cultural transformation or implement other strategies aimed at benefiting the company. Possible Growth Strategies For General Motors to overcome the current competition in the automobile industry, it should focus on alternative growth strategies. The company should invest in technology and focus on customer needs. There is high demand for trucks in the global market. Hence, General Motors should invest in truck development as one of its growth strategies (Fogel et al., 2014). The truck development will help General Motors to increase its revenues, and therefore its competitiveness in global market. Additionally, customers are buying hybrid vehicles since they are environmental fr iendly. Thus, General Motors should invest in hybrid electric cars as a measure to boost its sales volume. Conclusion Automobile industry is characterized by constant changes that call for effective leadership. Through transformative leadership, General Motors has managed to recover from past financial meltdown. Currently, the company is working hard to re-establish itself in the automobile industry. The leadership has helped General Motors to abolish bureaucracy and encourage innovation. The company has numerous divisions worldwide that makes it enjoy economies of scale. Moreover, it has an extensive collection of brands that are popular worldwide. The United States’ government influences decisions made by General Motors. Hence, it is hard for the company to initiate and implement recovery strategies. For instance, the company cannot reduce its global coverage since it has to get authorization from the government. General Motors should invest in hybrid electric cars and truc ks to achieve future growth. Demand for trucks and hybrid vehicles will continue to rise as people go for environmental-friendly cars. References Bayou, M., De Korvin, A. (2013). Measuring the leanness of manufacturing systems: A case study of Ford Motor Company and General Motors. Journal of Engineering and Technology Management, 25(4), 287-304. Brown, A. (2007). Organizational culture: The key to effective leadership and organizational development. Leadership Organizational Development Journal, 13(2), 3-6. Dyer, J. (2006). Specialized supplier networks as a source of competitive advantage: Evidence from the auto industry. Strategic Management Journal, 17(4), 271-291. Fogel, K., Morck, R., Yeung, B. (2014). Big business stability and economic growth: Is what’s good for General Motors good for America?. Journal of Financial Economics, 89(1), 83-108. This case study on General Motors Product Development was written and submitted by user Zackery Acosta to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II

Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II The Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought October 23-26, 1944, during World War II (1939-1945) and is considered the conflicts largest naval engagement. Returning to the Philippines, Allied forces began landing on Leyte on October 20. Responding, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched plan Sho-Go 1. A complex operation, it called for multiple forces to strike the Allies from several directions. Central to the plan was luring away the American carrier groups that would be protecting the landings. Moving forward, the two sides clashed in four distinct engagements as part of the larger battle: Sibuyan Sea, Surigao Strait, Cape Engaà ±o, and Samar. In the first three, Allied forces won clear victories. Off Samar, the Japanese, having been successful in luring away the carriers, failed to press their advantage and withdrew. In the course of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese suffered heavy losses in terms of ships and were unable to mount large-scale operations for the rest of the war. Background In late 1944, after extensive debate, Allied leaders elected to begin operations to liberate the Philippines. The initial landings were to take place on the island of Leyte, with ground forces commanded by General Douglas MacArthur. To assist this amphibious operation, the US 7th Fleet, under Vice Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, would provide close support, while Admiral William Bull Halseys 3rd Fleet, containing Vice Admiral Marc Mitschers Fast Carrier Task Force (TF38), stood further out to sea to provide cover. Moving forward, the landings on Leyte commenced October 20, 1944. Admiral William Bull Halsey. US Naval History and Heritage Command The Japanese Plan Aware of American intentions in the Philippines, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, initiated plan Sho-Go 1 to block the invasion. This plan called for the bulk of Japans remaining naval strength to put to sea in four separate forces. The first of these, Northern Force, was commanded by Vice Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa, and was centered on the carrier Zuikaku and the light carriers Zuiho, Chitose, and Chiyoda. Lacking sufficient pilots and aircraft for battle, Toyoda intended for Ozawas ships to serve as bait to lure Halsey away from Leyte. With Halsey removed, three separate forces would approach from the west to attack and destroy the US landings at Leyte. The largest of these was Vice Admiral Takeo Kuritas Center Force, which contained five battleships (including the super battleships Yamato and Musashi) and ten heavy cruisers. Kurita was to move through the Sibuyan Sea and the San Bernardino Strait, before launching his attack. To support Kurita, two smaller fleets, under Vice Admirals Shoji Nishimura and Kiyohide Shima, together forming Southern Force, would move up from the south through the Surigao Strait. Japanese battleships at Brunei, Borneo, in October 1944, photographed just prior to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The ships are, from left to right: Musashi, Yamato, a cruiser and Nagato. US Naval History and Heritage Command Fleets Commanders Allies Admiral William HalseyVice Admiral Thomas Kinkaid8 fleet carriers8 light carriers18 escort carriers12 battleships24 cruisers141 destroyers and destroyer escorts Japanese Admiral Soemu ToyodaVice Admiral Takeo KuritaVice Admiral Shoji NishimuraVice Admiral Kiyohide ShimaAdmiral Jisaburo Ozawa1 fleet carrier3 light carriers9 battleships14 heavy cruisers6 light cruisers35 destroyers Losses Allies - 1 light carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort, approx. 200 aircraftJapanese - 1 fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers, approx. 300 aircraft Sibuyan Sea Beginning on October 23, the Battle of Leyte Gulf consisted of four primary meetings between Allied and Japanese forces. In the first engagement on October 23-24, the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, Kuritas Center Force was attacked by the American submarines USS Darter and USS Dace as well as Halseys aircraft.  Engaging the Japanese around dawn on October 23, Darter scored four hits on Kuritas flagship, the heavy cruiser Atago, and two on the heavy cruiser Takao. A short time later, Dace hit the heavy cruiser Maya with four torpedoes.  While Atago and Maya both sank quickly, Takao, badly damaged, withdrew to Brunei with two destroyers as escorts. Battle of the Sibuyan Sea, 24 October 1944 Japanese battleship Yamato is hit by a bomb near her forward 460mm gun turret, during attacks by U.S. carrier planes as she transited the Sibuyan Sea. US Naval History and Heritage Command Rescued from the water, Kurita transferred his flag to Yamato. The next morning, Center Force was located by American aircraft as it moved through the Sibuyan Sea. Brought under attack by aircraft from 3rd Fleets carriers, the Japanese quickly took hits to the battleships Nagato, Yamato, and Musashi and saw the heavy cruiser MyÃ… kÃ…  badly damaged. Subsequent strikes saw Musashi crippled and drop from Kuritas formation. It later sank around 7:30 PM after being hit with at least 17 bombs and 19 torpedoes. Under increasingly intense air attacks, Kurita reversed his course and retreated. As the Americans withdrew, Kurita again changed course around 5:15 PM and resumed his advance towards the San Bernardino Strait. Elsewhere that day, the escort carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) was sunk by land-based bombers as its aircraft attacked Japanese air bases on Luzon. Surigao Strait On the night of October 24/25, part of the Southern Force, led by Nishimura entered the Surigao Straight where they were initially attacked by Allied PT boats. Successfully running this gauntlet, Nishimuras ships were then set upon by destroyers which unleashed a barrage of torpedoes. In the course of this assault USS Melvin hit the battleship  FusÃ…  causing it to sink. Driving forward, Nishimuras remaining ships soon encountered the six battleships (many of them Pearl Harbor veterans) and eight cruisers of the 7th Fleet Support Force led by Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf. USS West Virginia (BB-48) firing during the Battle of Surigao Strait, 24-25 October 1944. US Naval History and Heritage Command Crossing the Japanese T, Oldendorfs ships used radar fire control to engage the Japanese at long range. Pounding the enemy, the Americans sank the battleship Yamashiro and the heavy cruiser Mogami. Unable to continue their advance, the remainder of Nishimuras squadron withdrew south.  Entering the strait, Shima encountered the wrecks of Nishimuras ships and elected to retreat. The fighting in the Surigao Strait was the last time two battleship forces would duel. Cape Engaà ±o At 4:40 PM on the 24th, Halseys scouts located Ozawas Northern Force. Believing that Kurita was retreating, Halsey signaled Admiral Kinkaid that he was moving north to pursue the Japanese carriers. By doing so, Halsey was leaving the landings unprotected. Kinkaid was not aware of this as he believed Halsey had left one carrier group to cover the San Bernardino Straight. At dawn on October 25, Ozawa launched a 75-plane strike against Halsey and Mitschers carriers. Easily defeated by the American combat air patrols, no damage was inflicted. Countering, Mitschers first wave of aircraft began attacking the Japanese around 8:00 AM.  Overwhelming the enemy fighter defense, the attacks continued through the day and ultimately sank all four of Ozawas carriers in what became known as the Battle of Cape Engaà ±o. Samar As the battle was concluding, Halsey was informed that the situation off Leyte was critical. Toyodas plan had worked. By Ozawa drawing away Halseys carriers, the path through the San Bernardino Straight was left open for Kuritas Center Force to pass through to attack the landings. Breaking off his attacks, Halsey began steaming south at full speed. Off Samar (just north of Leyte), Kuritas force encountered the 7th Fleets escort carriers and destroyers.   Launching their planes, the escort carriers began to flee, while the destroyers valiantly attacked Kuritas much superior force. As the melee was turning in favor of the Japanese, Kurita broke off after realizing that he was not attacking Halseys carriers and that the longer he lingered the more likely he was to be attacked by American aircraft. Kuritas retreat effectively ended the battle. Aftermath In the fighting at Leyte Gulf, the Japanese lost 4 aircraft carriers, 3 battleships, 8 cruisers, and 12 destroyers, as well as 10,000 killed. Allied losses were much lighter and included 1,500 killed as well as 1 light aircraft carrier, 2 escort carriers, 2 destroyers, and 1 destroyer escort sunk. Crippled by their losses, the Battle of Leyte Gulf marked the last time the Imperial Japanese Navy would conduct large-scale operations during the war. The Allied victory secured the beachhead on Leyte and opened the door for the liberation of the Philippines. This in turn cut off the Japanese from their conquered territories in Southeast Asia, greatly reducing the flow of supplies and resources to the home islands. Despite winning the largest naval engagement in history, Halsey was criticized after the battle for racing north to attack Ozawa without leaving cover for the invasion fleet off Leyte.

Social Networks are affecting negatively on relationships Essay

Social Networks are affecting negatively on relationships - Essay Example At the same time, many of the couples find that digital apparatus facilitate interaction and support. A majority of those in relationships maintain they operate separate email and social media accounts though a small number indicate that they share accounts. This paper looks to discuss the negative influence of the social networks on relationships. It is significant to note that social networks have negative effects that influence relationships negatively in a great way. One of the negative effects of the social networks on relationship is that it gives a false sense of association. Social networks make its hard to differentiate between the significant relations that couples foster in the actual globe, and the numerous casual relationships developed through social networks. By focusing so much of their time, resources and energy on the less important associations weaken their actual relationships in the real world. The real relations will weaken because of the less time, effort, and energy that they get. Less attention on the real relations and much attention on the casual relation across the social media in most cases have resulted in the death of many relations. Another negative influence of the social media on relationships concerns the issue of privacy. Social network sites inspire people to be more public concerning their private existence. The inspiration leads to many of the couples posting about their intimate details since it is simple to post them. What is more is that the issues they post remain accessible indefinitely. The details, in most case, have been found to prompt a negative backlash depending on the details that the couples posts. In return, the couples end up quarreling and fighting affecting their relations detrimentally. Social media affects the privacy of the relations, and it has brought many hurtful experiences to many couples across the globe. In addition, social networks have led to decreased