General Motors: Address Company Issues
General Motors: Address Company Issues from Organizational Psychology perspective
Q-1-Write a 1,500 word case study describing how you might advise and help the 29 plant managers at GM. The aftermath of a strike can be difficult. Some workers are happy and some are angry. Gaining employee commitment and maintaining high morale and productivity are challenging. The new contract changes work rules and policies. The supply chain was disrupted. Challenges must be addressed on multiple levels including operational, technological, employee engagement, leadership, morale and commitment – and put into the larger context of maintaining profitability, quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. Specifically, what are the major areas of concern you have about the current situation at GM plants?
A-1- As a consultant, identify the main areas of concern that caused dilemma at GM. In this part of the paper, you must identify the workplace issues and other related scenarios using all the suitable strategic tools and techniques discussed in the class.
Sample tools and techniques that can be used includes the following:
- Fishbone diagrams
- Flowcharts / Process Maps
- Strategy maps
- Mental maps
- Idea maps and Many More
Q-2- What actions would you recommend to implement the changes brought about by the strike and new contract? What data might be gathered and analyzed to understand the needs of front-line managers and worker challenges, concerns and potential solutions? What might be done to address these concerns?
A-2- Based on your assessment of workplace issues, I am looking for the following:
a. Your recommendations on solutions in line with change management process and organizational improvement strategies to avoid these issues from happening again at GM
b. Identify the needs between managers and worker to assist them in addressing their challenges, concerns at work particularly the solutions recommended to stabilize the situation at GM.
c. As a consultant, what are the industry best practices from pedagogical research and best practices you would like to recommend to GM for management to support these changes? You may cite your samples based on validated sources from top global companies.
d. I need to see some Organizational Psychology Theories and Frameworks to be highlighted in this part as you discuss this vital part of your paper. I need to know how your recommendations as a consultant, will fit in the issues highlighted at GM.
e. Examples of frameworks available (i.e. McKinsey 7s, PMS Tools, Change Management Techniques… etc.)
Q-3- In what ways might leadership positioning and the relationships with employees improve? What actions can be taken so that the strike doesn’t happen again after this contract is up? What risks or downsides need to be avoided?
A-3- Based on the examples provided during our class discussion, you may look on Qatar Shell Pearl GTL video that inspite of being the biggest / largest Gas to Liquid Project in the World, what do the Shell Management did to avoid these issues. Identify risks and downsides to avoid and as a consultant, what are your recommendations to improve GM’s situation further.
Q-4- What tradeoffs need to be evaluated? How might individual staff, work teams, and the overall organization be involved to understand what to do now? How could successful change be measured? What might indicate that the actions taken have addressed the most important problems needing to be addressed? What might a realistic practical business solution look like?
A-4- As a consultant, what approaches are you going to do to ensure that these programs that you have recommended are successful and it matches the requirements needed for change? You may review the mission, vision and core values of the organization and how this will be communicated to the members of the organization. With this being said, what approaches are you going to implement to ensure everyone understand management’s direction as GM moves forward?
Q-5-From a personal and professional development perspective, what components from your previous training, education, and work experience would help you to investigate, inform and improve the situation for GM? Why might you be the best candidate to address these issues? Which of your personal strengths, skills and special abilities might be used to enhance the likelihood that the consulting firm you work for will be selected by GM to engage in this assignment?
A-5- The above paragraph is self-explanatory. This is where you provide your personal view of solving the problems but I need you to support your views by citing some real life examples from verified sources. I want to know how your work will add value on the study of Organizational/Work Psychology .