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Questions and Answers
What was a primary reaction of unions to General Motors' Sunbelt Strategy in the 1950s?
What was a primary reaction of unions to General Motors' Sunbelt Strategy in the 1950s?
Which statistic reflects the improvements made at the NUMMI plant compared to the GM Fremont plant?
Which statistic reflects the improvements made at the NUMMI plant compared to the GM Fremont plant?
What was the absenteeism rate at the GM Fremont plant in 1982?
What was the absenteeism rate at the GM Fremont plant in 1982?
What factor contributed to the hostile environment in the new GM plants according to the content?
What factor contributed to the hostile environment in the new GM plants according to the content?
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Which of the following was NOT a performance measure at the GM Fremont plant?
Which of the following was NOT a performance measure at the GM Fremont plant?
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What is a key focus of transformational leaders?
What is a key focus of transformational leaders?
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Which aspect is not a goal of transformational leadership?
Which aspect is not a goal of transformational leadership?
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In the context of the Diamond Model of Leadership, which factor is linked to 'Results'?
In the context of the Diamond Model of Leadership, which factor is linked to 'Results'?
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How can a manager promote commitment within their team?
How can a manager promote commitment within their team?
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Why might the KIABI competition be beneficial for stores?
Why might the KIABI competition be beneficial for stores?
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What primary outcome is expected from the KIABI competition?
What primary outcome is expected from the KIABI competition?
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Which statement best describes transformational leaders' ethical standards?
Which statement best describes transformational leaders' ethical standards?
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What approach can help in managing organizational change effectively?
What approach can help in managing organizational change effectively?
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What is the primary assumption of great man theories regarding leadership?
What is the primary assumption of great man theories regarding leadership?
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How do trait theories differ from great man theories in explaining leadership?
How do trait theories differ from great man theories in explaining leadership?
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What is a potential limitation of trait theories in understanding leadership?
What is a potential limitation of trait theories in understanding leadership?
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In which historical context is aristocracy most relevant regarding power distribution?
In which historical context is aristocracy most relevant regarding power distribution?
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What defines the assumption behind the bureaucratic distribution of power?
What defines the assumption behind the bureaucratic distribution of power?
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What do contingency theories of leadership emphasize?
What do contingency theories of leadership emphasize?
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What does the infocracy model suggest about power distribution?
What does the infocracy model suggest about power distribution?
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Which leadership style is suggested to be most appropriate when the leader is the most knowledgeable member of the group?
Which leadership style is suggested to be most appropriate when the leader is the most knowledgeable member of the group?
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According to behavioral theories of leadership, what is the view on leadership ability?
According to behavioral theories of leadership, what is the view on leadership ability?
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Which of the following traits is commonly associated with strong leadership according to trait theories?
Which of the following traits is commonly associated with strong leadership according to trait theories?
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What does the phrase 'father knows best' imply in the context of aristocracy?
What does the phrase 'father knows best' imply in the context of aristocracy?
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What is the primary focus of management theories of leadership?
What is the primary focus of management theories of leadership?
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What is the primary goal of the competition among the Women’s Departments in the KIABI stores?
What is the primary goal of the competition among the Women’s Departments in the KIABI stores?
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Participative leadership theories primarily advocate for what approach?
Participative leadership theories primarily advocate for what approach?
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What reward is offered for winning the primary sales competition?
What reward is offered for winning the primary sales competition?
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What is a distinguishing characteristic of situational theories of leadership?
What is a distinguishing characteristic of situational theories of leadership?
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What can the employees win in the side competition aimed at taking interesting photos?
What can the employees win in the side competition aimed at taking interesting photos?
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How do participative leadership theories ensure group member engagement?
How do participative leadership theories ensure group member engagement?
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What do the leadership researchers White and Hodgson suggest about effective leadership?
What do the leadership researchers White and Hodgson suggest about effective leadership?
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What might be a key factor in motivating employees for the upcoming competition?
What might be a key factor in motivating employees for the upcoming competition?
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Where will the first meeting with employees about the competition take place?
Where will the first meeting with employees about the competition take place?
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How long has the manager been responsible for the women's and men's departments?
How long has the manager been responsible for the women's and men's departments?
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Which demographic does the manager's employees belong to?
Which demographic does the manager's employees belong to?
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What is an objective for the manager in participating in the competition?
What is an objective for the manager in participating in the competition?
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Study Notes
The Sunbelt Strategy
- General Motors implemented the Sunbelt Strategy in the 1950s.
- The strategy involved building plants in Southern and Western US states.
- These states had “right-to-work” laws, meaning workers didn’t have to join unions.
- Unions viewed this strategy as an attempt to move away from union-controlled states.
- These new plants became known as some of the most hostile and conflict-ridden GM plants.
1982: The GM Fremont Plant
- The Fremont plant had 5000 employees.
- It had 20% absenteeism and a high number of unresolved grievances (2000).
- The total number of grievances per year was 5000.
- There were 3-4 wildcat strikes.
- The car produced was the Chevrolet Nova.
- Assembly costs were 30% higher compared to Japanese manufacturers.
- Productivity and quality were the worst in GM.
1986: The NUMMI Plant
- NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.) was a joint venture between GM and Toyota.
- The plant’s productivity more than doubled with a significant improvement in quality.
- The plant’s absenteeism significantly decreased, dropping to 2%.
- The number of unresolved grievances decreased to zero.
- The number of wildcat strikes dropped to less than 1 per year.
- While still producing the Chevrolet Nova, the plant now also manufactured the Geo Prism.
- Assembly costs became comparable to Japanese manufacturers.
Leadership Theories
- Leaders’ success is determined by a complex combination of factors, including leadership style, follower characteristics, and situational aspects.
- Great Man Theories: Assume that leadership qualities are inherited, meaning great leaders are born, not made. This theory centers on individuals’ innate abilities.
- Trait Theories: Emphasis is on traits such as extroversion, self-confidence, and courage as predictors of effective leadership.
- Contingency Theories: Focus on the situational context and how it influences the effectiveness of different leadership styles.
- Situational Theories: Propose that leaders adapt their approach based on situational variables, choosing the best course of action based on the context.
- Behavioral Theories: Consider that effective leadership is a learned behavior, emphasizing observational learning and development.
- Participative Theories: Encourage group participation and involve followers in decision-making processes.
- Management Theories (Transactional Theories): Emphasize supervision, organization, and performance through a system of rewards and punishment.
- Relationship Theories (Transformational Theories): Focus on leader-follower connections, with leaders inspiring, motivating, and helping followers reach their potential.
KIABI Vicenza Short Case:
- The manager needs to motivate employees to increase sales for the KIABI store.
- There is a competition between all Italian KIABI stores for the highest sales increase.
- The winning store will receive a free dinner at a fancy restaurant.
- A side competition encourages employees to take interesting photos for the KIABI website.
- The manager needs to develop a plan to communicate and motivate his employees.
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Description
Explore the history and impact of General Motors' Sunbelt Strategy implemented in the 1950s. This quiz covers significant events at the Fremont and NUMMI plants, highlighting labor issues, productivity challenges, and the dynamics of union relations. Test your knowledge on how these strategies shaped GM's operations.
