General Electric 1981-2001
Waves of strategic change in the age of Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt pushes organic growth
Summary
Part 1:
The present case study uses the St Galler Management-Model to explore the corporate management of General Electric (GE). Empirically, the study draws on 33 letters to the shareholders from 1981 to 2013. The letters were coded along the 10 value drivers of the St Galler Management-Model. In this part (part A) of the case study the CEO Jack Welch and his three waves of strategic change – a time of intense restructuring – were explored. These are the waves of restructuring and a new positioning (1981-1988), the mobilization of collective energy (1988-1995) and the third wave in that GE has been transformed into a service orientated organization (1995-2001). The case study highlights the excellent capability of GE to constant strategic change and progress.
Part 2:
The present case study uses the St Galler Management-Model to explore the corporate management of General Electric (GE). Empirically, the study draws on 33 letters to the shareholders from 1981 to 2013. The letters were coded along the 10 value drivers of the St Galler Management-Model. In this part (part B) of the case study the data were used to describe the corporate management under the new CEO Jeff Immelt. His term of office was characterized by an uncertain environment. J Immelt responded to it through four strategic fields of actions (active portfolio management, organic growth and innovation, internationalization, synergy management, and customer focus and marketing expertise) in order to steer GE into the future.
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Bibliographic Data
GENERAL ELECTRIC 1981-2001 (PART A): WAVES OF STRATEGIC CHANGE IN THE AGE OF JACK WELCH
GENERAL ELECTRIC 2001-2012 (PART B): JEFF IMMELT PUSHES ORGANIC GROWTH
PART A: Case – Reference no. 314-366-1
Authors: Mueller-Stewens, G. (University of St. Gallen); Glatzel, C. (University of St. Gallen)
Published in: 2014
Length: 17 pages
Data source: Field research
PART B: CASE – Reference no. 314-368-1
Authors: Mueller-Stewens, G. (University of St. Gallen); Glatzel, C. (University of St. Gallen)
Published in: 2014
Length: 22 pages
Data source: Field research
Teaching Note – Reference no. D314-366-8 (German version)
Authors: Mueller-Stewens, G. (University of St. Gallen); Glatzel, C. (University of St. Gallen)
Published in: 2014
Length: 43 pages
Data source: Published sources
Contact person
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