Turbulence: Boeing and the State of American Workers and Managers - Softcover

Greenberg, Edward S.; Grunberg, Leon; Moore, Sarah; Sikora, Patricia B.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0300177569 ISBN 13: 9780300177565

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2011

Synopsis

This timely book investigates the experiences of employees at all levels of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) during a ten-year period of dramatic organizational change. As Boeing transformed itself, workers and managers contended with repeated downsizing, shifting corporate culture, new roles for women, outsourcing, mergers, lean production, and rampant technological change. Drawing on a unique blend of quantitative and qualitative research, the authors consider how management strategies affected the well-being of Boeing employees, as well as their attitudes toward their jobs and their company. Boeing employees’ experience holds vital lessons for other employees, the leaders of other firms determined to thrive in today’s era of inescapable and growing global competition, as well as public officials concerned about the well-being of American workers and companies.

About this title

About the Author

Edward S. Greenberg is a member of the faculty in the Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, and professor of political science. Leon Grunberg is professor and chairperson, Department of Comparative Sociology, University of Puget Sound. Sarah Moore is associate dean of faculty and professor of psychology, University of Puget Sound. Patricia B. Sikora is owner/principal, Sikora Associates, LLC, in Superior, CO.

Review

""Turbulence" is not only a masterful, detailed study of ten years of dramatic organizational change at Boeing. It is also a story of how American managers and workers can cope with the fierce pressures of global economic competition, seeking both high productivity and a decent workplace."--Benjamin I. Page, Gordon Scott Fulcher Professor of Decision Making, Northwestern University--Benjamin I. Page (07/06/2010)

"The mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis is admirable and well done, a credit to the authors. The power of the work comes from an unusual, perhaps unique, empirical data-base looking at what actually happens to employees living through massive corporate change."--Jim Collins, author of "Built to Last", "Good to Great", and "How the Mighty Fall"--Jim Collins (07/15/2010)

""Turbulence" traces the history of corporate restructuring and its consequences through the experience of an iconic US company. A fascinating read."--Peter Cappelli, George W. Taylor Professor of Management; Director, Center for Human Resources at The Wharton School and Professor of Education, University of Pennsylvania

--Peter Cappelli (07/10/2010)

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0300177569
• ISBN 13: 9780300177565
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256