Case Study Boeing

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CASE STUDY: BOEING The long list of Boeing’s woes seems to have reached its pinnacle in 2003 with the scandal surrounding the Pentagon deal that alleged inappropriate behaviour and the loss of documents by Boeing officials. After his seven-year reign at the head of the organisation, December 2003 saw the eventual resignation of Phil Condit. Many breathed a sigh of relief at the news. The problems at Boeing were reportedly endless. From a stock price that had decreased by 6.5 percent while the company was under his leadership to increasing competitive pressures, the future of Boeing was in doubt and changes were needed. For many years, Boeing graced American corporate news for the prowess as the leading manufacturer of aircraft. However, in 1994, Airbus - their main rival – booked more orders. This shocked the management executives and began a series of changes that were implemented to overcome the bureaucratic structure, out-dated technological systems and unnecessary processes in a company that had reportedly changed little since World War II. THE BEGINNING OF CHANGE AT BOEING In 1997 market demand increased dramatically and Boeing attempted to meet the surplus of orders by doubling their production capabilities instantaneously. A manufacturing crisis ensued and Boeing’s reputation took a dramatic turn for the worse when they were required to stop production of the 747 aircraft for 20 days. The company had “stubbed its toe”, according to the then-president of the Commercial Airplane Group, Ron Woodward, who was dismissed not long after the crisis. The “win at all costs” approach that Boeing supposedly had to its business dealings and a lock of communication within the organisation appeared to have been the source of this problem. After experiencing these manufacturing difficulties an attempt was made to revitalize Boeing’s operations by streamlining aircraft

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