Assignment Overview

Reorganizing at GM

GM has gone through a great deal of change in reorganization efforts in the past several years. Part of this restructuring was the result of the company’s near collapse several years ago, and the bailout by the government. GM’s leadership has started on a major reorganization effort in this large but troubled organization.

It is one thing to organize a small- or medium-size business, but reorganizing a global organization is quite another issue. In a 3- to 5-page paper answer the following questions in a well-thought-out argumentative essay:

1. What changes has GM’s leadership made since the government bailout which fall under the organizing functions of management?
2. Which aspects of this reorganization will be the most challenging for GM’s leadership? Note: Only discuss aspects of organizing that will be a challenge, not challenges in terms of planning or controlling.
3. What additional aspects of the organizing function of management do you think GM should change?

Remember to focus on these specific questions rather than general background information, and focus only on the organizing function of management at GM.

Required Reading

Higgins, T., Green, J., (2012).   GM Seen Planning Global Reorganization Against ‘Fiefdoms’  Bloomberg.  Retrieved from:  http://origin-www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-17/gm-seen-planning-global-reorganization-against-fiefdoms-.html

Vlasic, B., (2013).  G.M.’s Profit Rises Despite Weakness in Europe.  The New York Times.  Business Day.  Retrieved from:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/business/gm-hurt-by-europe-still-increases-profit.html?ref=generalmotorscorporation&_r=0

Higgins, T., (2013).  GM Considers Brazil Options With Akerson’s Global Reorganization.  Bloomberg.  Retrieved from: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-25/gm-considers-brazil-options-with-akerson-s-global-reorganization.html

Eisenstein, P., ( 2012). GM Readying Another Major Reorganization.  The Detroit Bureau.  Retrieved from: http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2012/08/gm-readying-another-major-reorganization/

This document may provide some useful historical context regarding GM’s most recent restructuring efforts to address the loan security agreement with the US Department of Treasury:

General Motors Corporation, (2008).  GM 2009 – 2014 Restructuring Plan.  Presented to U.S. Department of the Treasury As Required Under Section 7.20 of the Loan and Security Agreement Between General Motors and the U. S. Department of the Treasury.  Retrieved from:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/business/20090217GMRestructuringPlan.pdf

Please also visit GM’s site and conduct further research, for instance by reading some of the latest news about the company.

Assignment Expectations

• Read the Background materials in depth.
• Identify key concepts (main aspects of organizing, such as design/structures, teams, etc.), make a list of them, and study them.
• Study the case presented in the reading materials in depth and conduct additional research if necessary.
• Identify facts in the case that match the organizing  principle of management.
• Apply these concepts to facts in the case in order to develop your arguments.
• Make sure to have an introduction, a main body with as many sections as identified concepts of reorganization design, etc. (see my hints), and conclusions.