Harvard Case Study: The Wichita Decision
Executive Summary The Boeing Manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kansas had to make operational decisions that would maximize profit, keep its products competitive, and help it retain its position as a leader in the commercial airline industry. This case study examined the situation at this specific plant, which was experiencing significant labor difficulties, which impacted productivity and profitability.
Organization: Boeing
Mission Statement: To maximize profit and keep the product quality that has made Boeing the leader in the commercial airline industry.
Facility: The Wichita, Kansas Boeing manufacturing plant. This plant is currently used as the primary place of manufacture for the Boeing 737 airplane. In addition to manufacture, the location is responsible for design changes that would impact commercially sold 737s. The plant not only assembles the finished airplanes, but also manufactures component parts for the airplanes. Physically, the plant is immense. It has over 6,000,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The manufacturing technology at the facility is adequate, but not state-of-the-art and cannot compete with the manufacturing technology employed by competitors.
Challenges: One of the biggest challenges at the Wichita, Kansas location is the relationship between labor and management. This situation is long-lasting and there is no foreseeable end to the labor-management tension. One of the problems is that
The 8th amendment states, “ Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” Which brings me to the case of Thompson vs. Oklahoma. The debate is on whether or not capital punishment should be given to minors. On one hand, some may argue that Thompson should have been charged with capital punishment because “his acts were heinous and cruel” (Pearson Prentice Hall: n.d.). On the other hand, others such as Oklahoma argue that it is a violation of the 8th amendment under “cruel and unusual punishment.” This creates the argument of Thompson vs. Oklahoma.
The Boeing Company designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and launch systems and services worldwide. It operates in five segments: Commercial Airplanes, Boeing Military Aircraft, Network & Space Systems, Global Services & Support, and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment develops, produces, and markets commercial jet aircraft for various passenger and cargo requirements; and provides related support services to the commercial airline industry. This segment also offers aviation services support, aircraft modifications, spare parts, training, maintenance documents, and technical advice to commercial and government customers. The Boeing Military Aircraft segment researches, develops, produces, and modifies manned and unmanned military aircraft, and weapons systems for global strike, vertical lift, and autonomous systems, as well as mobility, surveillance, and engagement. The Network & Space Systems segment researches, develops, produces, and modifies strategic defense and intelligence systems, satellite systems, and space exploration products.
The business level strategies for Boeing commercial are deliver customer value, lead with innovation and fuel growth through productivity. Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a business unit of The Boeing Company, is committed to being the leader in commercial aviation by offering airplanes and services that deliver superior design, efficiency and value to customers around the world (Boeing.com, n.d).
Seventy percent of the aircraft’s production and designing was outsourced to over fifty Tier 1 suppliers compared with only thirty-five to fifty percent that was traditionally outsourced in the production of other aircrafts (S. Tang and D.Zimmerman, 2009: 77). In late 2008, over twenty-seven thousand Boeing employees went on strike due to the company’s outsourcing policies and what its effects on job security (Doornbos n.d.). The strike lasted for fifty-seven days and it would cost Boeing a total of three months in production time, an estimated $100 million a day in revenue, and approximately $7 million a day in net income (Isidore
The Boeing Corporation is the world’s leading aerospace company and is the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners as well as military aircrafts. Boeing has teams that manufacture missiles, satellites, defense systems, and communication systems. NASA turns to Boeing when they need something and Boeing operates the International Space Station. Boeing has a broad range of capabilities and skills, which is probably the reason they are the world’s leading aerospace company. With the Boeing headquarters in Chicago, more than 170,000 people in 70 different countries find themselves employed with the corporation and
This case analysis of Texas v. Gregory Lee Johnson was a Supreme Court case that overthrew bans on damaging the American flag in 48 of the 50 states. Gregory Lee Johnson participated in a political demonstration during the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, where he burned the American flag. Consequently, Johnson was charged with violating the Texas law that bans vandalizing valued objects. However, Johnson appealed his conviction, and his case
The case chosen for this research paper is the case of Lawrence V. Texas. In Houston, Texas police officers were dispatched to a private home, responding to a report of weapon disturbance. Inside the home they found John Lawrence and Tyron Garner engaging in a private, consensual sexual act. The two men were arrested and held overnight and charged with violating Texas law, specifically Texas law made the act of two people of the same sex engaging in certain intimate sexual conduct illegal. The two men were then convicted before a Justice of Peace. Lawrence V. Texas asks the question of whether the criminal convictions of Lawrence and Garner under the “Homosexual Conduct” law of Texas was in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. It was argued
In 1984, a protest was held during the Republic National Convention, in Dallas. The demonstrators were protesting the policies of the Reagan Administration and a few companies based in Dallas. Gregory Lee Johnson, at the time a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade, participated in the protest. When the protestors reached Dallas City Hall, Johnson doused an American flag in kerosene and set it on fire. Johnson was charged with violation of Texas law, "intentionally or knowingly damages, defaces, mutilates, or burns the flag of the United States or the State of Texas." His actions were classified as a class A misdemeanor. Johnson was convicted, sentenced to one year in prison, and fined $2,000. He appealed to the Fifth Court of Appeals in Texas, stating that his actions were protected by “symbolic
Gregory Lee Johnson was found guilty of violating Texas state law by burning the American flag at the Republican national convention in Dallas, Texas. The state sentenced Johnson to one year in prison and a fine of $2000. Johnson argued that the right to burn the American flag was protected under the right to free speech in the First Amendment. Johnson appealed the conviction to the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District in Dallas. The court upheld the conviction made by the state, and the sentence given to Johnson remained. Johnson then appealed to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and they reversed the decision of the district court and dismissed the charges. The state of Texas then appealed to the Untied States Supreme Court, and the Supreme
Boeing’s products are highly diversified and cater to all sectors within the aviation industry. Some of Boeing’s original products were the result of contracts with the Navy, and bombers that were in use during World War II. Current products span a wide variety of commercial, defense and space products. Some of the most well-known commercial airplanes Boeing produces are the 747 and the 737 jetliners. Both of these production lines are over 40 years old and contribute to significant portions of annual revenues. Boeing also manufactures many different defense aircraft, including helicopters, airplanes, and weapons systems. Occasionally, Boeing will create parts for spacecraft, but its main work in space-related products are its satellite systems and global positioning systems. Boeing has been involved in space-related technologies since 1995.
Boeing’s management plan shows determination to improve through creation of new more members of their airplane family (commercial airplanes). This would also be achieved through integration of military platforms, systems for defense and the war fighter by use of network-centric activities. Boeing plan is also inclusive of creation of improved technology to solve problems across all business units. Boeing plans to e-enable airplanes where automation is the key to this development. Finally, Boeing is determined to arrange for financing solutions to its customers. Through this it will be able to attract more potential customers. Moreover, it can also be able to establish a better relationship with its customers through provision of incentives and sales promotion.
Boeing was recently faced with the scandals which hurt the reputation of Boeing. The top management recognized the problem and tried to figure it out by effective management strategies.
The Boeing Corporation is one of the largest manufacturers in the world. Rivaled only by European giant Airbus in the aerospace industry, Boeing is a leader in research, design and manufacture of commercial jet airliners, for commercial, industrial and military customers. Despite enjoying immense success in its market and dominating an industry that solely recognizes engineering excellence, it is crucial for Boeing to ensure continued growth through consistent strategy formulation and execution to avoid falling behind in market share to close and coming rivals.
Air travel has drastically changed the way of life for many individuals that depend on air travel to take care of business. One of the top leaders in the air travel industry, The Boeing Company realizes in order to stay competitive in their chosen industry, an effective strategic plan should be implemented. There are several approaches that can be utilized, such as focusing on the external and internal objectives that could beneficial. Boeing strives to be the best aerospace-based manufacture in the world.
As the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security system, Boeing puts a lot of efforts and innovations in its products and services. These include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.