Saturn's Quality of Work Life
Saturn Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors from 1984 to 1994) outlines the successful and unique adaptation of a new approach to organizing in the U.S. automobile industry. The organization represents many of the characteristics typified by "Quality of Work Life" programs, and allows students to see the benefits of a cooperative and customer-focused HRM approach.
1. Explain what aspects of quality of work life (QWL) programs does the experiment at the Saturn plant illustrate?
2. Explain how can Saturn assure that employees have not only the willingness to take responsibility but also the ability to do so?
3. In this case, a completely new company was started with considerable autonomy from General Motors. Why do you think so many large organizations turn to "greenfield" operations such as this when undertaking major changes in corporate culture and operations? Do you foresee any problems down the road for GM in this regard?