Principles of Management (MGT101) Assignment 1: GM Case Study Analysis

This assignment analyzes a case study on General Motors (GM) and its management practices. The student answers questions about the extent to which GM utilizes evidence-based management, the consistency of its practices with management science and operations management, its adherence to quality management principles, and its representation of a learning organization. The response highlights GM's implementation of evidence-based practices, such as accident reports, and its efforts to align with management science through qualified engineers. The student also discusses the challenges in operational management and the company's attempts to foster a learning environment through training programs and managerial improvements. The assignment references several sources to support the analysis.

College of Administrative and Financial Sciences
Assignment 1
Principles of Management (MGT101)
Deadline: 05/03/2020 @ 23:59
Course Name: Principles of
Management Student’s Name:
Course Code: MGT101 Student’s ID Number:
Semester: 2nd CRN:
Academic Year: 1440/1441 H, 2nd Term
For Instructor’s Use only
Instructor’s Name:
Students’ Grade:
Marks Obtained/Out of 5
Level of Marks: High/Middle/Low
Instructions – PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY
 The Assignment must be submitted on Blackboard (WORD format only)
via allocated folder.
 Assignments submitted through email will not be accepted.
 Students are advised to make their work clear and well presented, marks
may be reduced for poor presentation. This includes filling your
information on the cover page.
 Students must mention question number clearly in their answer.
 Late submission will NOT be accepted.

 Avoid plagiarism, the work should be in your own words, copying from
students or other resources without proper referencing will result in ZERO
marks. No exceptions.
 All answered must be typed using Times New Roman (size 12, double-
spaced) font. No pictures containing text will be accepted and will be
considered plagiarism).
 Submissions without this cover page will NOT be accepted.
Assignment Workload:
 This Assignment comprise of a short Case.
 Assignment is to be submitted by each student individually.
Assignment Purposes/Learning Outcomes:
After completion of Assignment-1 students will able to understand the
LO 1. Identify and explain the concept of management, functions, roles and skills
of a manager (Lo1.1)
Assignment-1
 Please read the Management in Action case “GM’s New CEO….” at the
end of Chapter 2 “Management Theory” available in your textbook
Management: A Practical Approach 7th edition by Kinicki, A., & Williams,
B., and answer the following questions:
Assignment Question(s): (Marks 5)
1. To what extent is GM using evidence-based management? Are they overdoing
it? Explain your rationale.
2. To what extent are the managerial practices being used at GM consistent with
principles associated with management science and operations management
techniques? Discuss.
3. How are the managerial practices being used at GM consistent with the
Quality-Management viewpoint? Explain your rationale.
4. To what extent does GM represent a learning organization? Discuss.
Answers:
1. GM is ensuring to implement evidence-based practice at all its facilities for better
productivity. For example, it is using evidence-based practice by asking for accident

reports of all the equipment to assess the work. No, it was not overdone as this move was
calculated and ensured no such faults in the future (Hoboken, 2016)
2. the practices at GM are totally in sync with management science principles as they
hired the best engineers who were qualified not only in their domain but in managerial
tasks as well. this helped them minimise risk and improve efficiency and productivity.
However, the operation management wasn't the best as there were many recalls and the
process wasn't improved. (KISSINGER, 2018).
3. GM is trying hard to ensure that all the managerial practices are implemented. The new
CEO has created a very good structure in which all the managers were asked to assess the
situations well and take immediate actions (MEYER, 2017). However, this transition
wasn’t the best and required a lot of rework. GM did not have a very good start, at least
with the managerial practices since a lot of the managers were quite lazy and deceptive,
and maybe even incompetent.
4. GM has created a good image of itself. after Marry Barbara took over as the CEO of
GM, she ensured that learning is always a part of GM. She ensured regular training of all
the employees. the managers are asked to keep improving themselves and their
subordinates by organising seminars and workshops (General Motors, 2020).
References
General Motors. (2020). Social Investment. Retrieved from https://www.gm.com/our-
company/social-investment.html
Hoboken, N. (2016). General Motors Deploys NICE Performance Management to Improve
Employee Collaboration While Putting Customers First Across 65 Contact Centers
Managing 30 Million Interactions. Retrieved from https://www.nice.com/engage/press-
releases/General-Motors-Deploys-NICE-Performance-Management-to-Improve-
Employee-Collaboration-While-Putting-Customers-First-Across-65-Contact-Centers-
Managing-30-Million-Interactions-683/
KISSINGER, D. (2018). General Motors’ Organizational Structure for Flexibility in Regional
Markets. Retrieved from http://panmore.com/general-motors-organizational-structure-
flexibility-regional-markets
MEYER, P. (2017). General Motors’ Operations Management: 10 Decisions & Productivity.
Retrieved from http://panmore.com/general-motors-operations-management-10-
decisions-productivity