IBM: Brief Company Overview Essay

In order to compare employee satisfaction by division (independent variable) and examine employee attitudes, we compared the mean differences between the following dependent variables: the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), the pay satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ), Job Descriptive Index (JDI), the work itself (JDIW), supervisors (JDIS), Job Descriptive Index of Co-Workers (JDIC) and promotions (JDIPRO). Additional dependent variables regarding employees sentiments towards performance appraisal

2000 studies have been published on job satisfaction since the 1950’s (Kahn, 1972). Job satisfaction refers to an employee’s feelings towards their job based on the comparison between actual versus desired outcomes (Locke, 1969). Each individual experiences various levels of job satisfaction due to their different expectations towards their job

In the seven years (since 1994), that Lou Gerstner reigned over IBM, the company’s earnings per

Organizations that are serious about making improvements are going to have to deal with the issue of job satisfaction. Job satisfaction can be best described as the positive feeling that an individual has about their job resulting from an evaluation of the job’s characteristics (Robbins & Judge, 2009, p.31). It would seem natural to think that job satisfaction would have a positive correlation with successful organizations. What impact does job satisfaction have on an organization? Research will show that there are not only internal effects from performance related issues, but also external effects that impact customer satisfaction.

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) is an American integrated technology and consulting company founded by Thomas J. Watson and Charles R. Flint on June 16, 1911. (IBM Corporation , 2014)

Data storage now meant that all the data that was on paper could now be in a digital format. This meant less space, faster access, and better organization than ever before. Companies could now store data not only related to the company’s inner workings but consumer data as well. IBM not only leased out this to smaller companies but had an offer to buy out the product if they wanted. This was a good move by IBM due to the fact that this invited groups both small and large to experiment with the product.

Employees are the most useful resources in every organization. They are the people who propel the organization toward achieving its objectives and goals. Employees need to be treated like the most valuable assets in the organization. For the employees to be fully optimized and work toward achieving all the organizational goals, they need to be motivated and satisfied in whatever they do.

IBM is among the oldest of the Fortune 500 companies with operations all over the world. The company is renowned for its capacity to transform careers and deliver innovative technologies and business solutions. Over the past decade IBM has undergone a transformation of its own as it shifts from hardware development to cloud computing and business consulting. The company sees this niche market as having huge potential to carry it forward into the ensuing decades.

IBM is recognized as one of the most successful computer companies and is considered the pioneer of early computing. Over the past decade IBM has shifted from the saturated market of personal computers to full business solutions. Today IBM is a multinational technology and consulting corporation. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software and offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting in areas ranging from mainframe computers to nanotechnology. Fortune Magazine ranked IBM the second largest employer in the United States with over 435,000 employees worldwide and the ninth most profitable company. IBM’s employees have received five Nobels Prizes, six Turing Awards, ten National Medals of Technology and five National Medals of Science. The automated tellar machine, floppy disc, hard disk drive, and the magnetic stripe card were all invented by IBM. As large and successful as IBM is, it would have never come to exist had it not been for one man. Thomas J Watson was the first of it’s guiding lights and is generally considered to be the father of IBM.

IBM was founded in 1911. IBM (International Business Machines) is by far the world's largest information technology company in terms of revenue ($88 billion in 2000) and by most other measures, a position it has held for about the past 50 years. IBM products include hardware and software for a line of business servers, storage products, custom-designed microchips, and application software. ("What is IBM (International Business Machines)? - Definition from WhatIs.com," n.d.)

At IBM, we strive to lead in the invention, development and manufacture of the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, storage systems and microelectronics. We translate these advanced technologies into value for our customers through our professional solutions, services and consulting businesses worldwide. Create experiences that combine the magic of software with the power of Internet services across a world of devices We recognize and seize opportunities for growth that builds upon our strengths and competencies N/A

IBM has weaknesses in the transformation of its business model. It is lack of flexibility in the transition because of its large company

Over the past five years, IBM has quietly transformed itself into a "software, solution and services" company. With the transformation from a hardware vendor to a solution provider, it has entered the area of consulting services.

In this essay, I will explore the relationship between the level of employee satisfaction and employee production. Firstly defining and explaining satisfaction and job performance as these variables are difficult to define, and a clear definition is critical for assessing the relationship between them. Secondly I will discuss some of the most significant studies in this area of research. I will then analyse various factors which determine the correlation between these two variables, focusing on the attitude-behaviour relationship as this gives an insight into how a higher level of satisfaction may link to greater production. Finally I will look into a set of different models which propose variations to the job satisfaction-performance

Job satisfaction is the very important factor in general quality of life because it is closely connected with working life (e.g. Argyle, 1989; Bang & Lee, 2006), with family life, everyday life, and mental health (Orpen, 1978; Schmitt and Bedeian, 1982; Faragher, Cass & Cooper, 2005). Level of job satisfaction is also highly related to turnover, absenteeism rate, work productivity or accomplishment (Muchinsky, 1977; Organ, 1977). Many researchers (e.g. Cherrington, 1994; Acorn, Ratner & Crawford, 1997; Ostroff, 1992; Spector, 1997) state that employees who experience high job satisfaction contribute to organisational commitment, job involvement, their physical, mental health and overall well-being are improved. Job dissatisfaction on the