Case Study: Platform Development Strategies at Whirlpool Corporation

This case study examines the platform development strategies employed by Whirlpool, focusing on the challenges of adapting products to diverse international markets. The core problem revolves around standardizing product adaptation without sacrificing market share, considering the costs associated with product modifications and the efficiency advantages of standardization. The analysis explores objectives such as simplifying decision-making, maintaining financial stability, and promoting effective corporate governance. It considers assumptions about Whirlpool's management approach, emphasizing the importance of product simplification and the integral role of company principles in fostering employee commitment and consumer attraction. The theoretical framework integrates six-sigma, business process redesign, and reconfigurable manufacturing theories to address the adaptation challenge. Alternative courses of action include full localization of the company, implementing effective principles, and leveraging modern manufacturing methods. The conclusion highlights techniques to improve operational management, inspire reliable governance, and stabilize the organization's financial position by promoting decision-making in standardizing product production and increasing market share.

Running Head: PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT AT WHIRLPOOL
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Platform development at Whirlpool
Name
Institution

PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT AT WHIRLPOOL
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Platform development at Whirlpool
Adaptation permits converting offerings to consumers’ specific likes and dislikes. In
different markets, the product price adaptation is the most concerning question. An
adjustment can be costly, especially from in manufacturing and development of products, and
causes loss of individual markets due to the production of enormous product versions.
Therefore, this study aims at solving the problem involved in the management of the
Whirlpool Company.
Statement of the problem: how can Whirlpool standardize the adaptation process of
products without losing markets?
Objectives
1) To clarify the process of making decisions
2) To keep up with a stable financial position
3) To motivate a corporate with adequately reliable governance
Assumptions
1. The management approach of Whirlpool is not yet wholly localized.
This limits employees in being part of the decision-making process. For the
corporation to have fully localized management, simplification in the development of
products is required. This will lead to the basis of customized products.
2. Principles are Whirlpool’s successful integral part.
Whirlpool Company needs commitment to doing tasks holistically and
wholeheartedly. Principles governing management help to enhance the sense of belongingness
and pride in employees, increasing competence in their work, thus attracting more consumers.
3. Flexibility methods of modern manufacturing contribute to market customization.

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These modern methods have made the strategy of adaptation more attractive without
the disadvantages of substantial costs. Industries like trucks, trains, and automobiles used the
same concept; thus, it prospers in the Whirlpool case for washing machines.
Theoretical framework
The theories of six-sigma, business process redesign, and reconfigurable
manufacturing are involved. Business process redesign deals with strategic management that
aims at analyzing process in the corporation (Sikdar, 2014). It restructures the flexibility of
the manufacturing platform in Whirlpool with less cost incurred (Hamlin, 2012).
Reconfigurable manufacturing is a system of designed production to absorb the increased
change in software, hardware, and structural components (Gumasta, 2011). It allows the
design of the world-washer to fit difficult situations in Whirlpool. For instance, in the United
States and Europe, the challenge was a primary washing machine difference. The United
States dominated the market with top-loading machines (Zardetto, 2012), while Europe had
front-loading (Szewcow, 2011. Front-loading machines grew in the market. Whirlpool wanted
to be part of it. Six-sigma theory focuses on quality by calculating potential defects. It
identifies financial goals like cost reduction or profit increase (Parast, 2011).
Alternative courses of action
Whirlpool has to ensure full localization of the company that contributes to attaining
goals. They should also consider acquiring efficient principles like promoting company
seminars that induce success and have flexible modern manufacturing methods in their
system.
Conclusion
Various techniques help in improving the operational management of washing
machines in Whirlpool. These techniques can contribute to inspiring reliable governance in

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Whirlpool, thus help stabilize the financial category in the organization by promoting the
decision-making process in standardizing product production, thus increasing the market.
References

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Gumasta, K., Kumar Gupta, S., Benyoucef, L., & Tiwari, M. K. (2011). Developing a
reconfigurability index using multi-attribute utility theory. International Journal of
Production Research, 49(6), 1669-1683.
Hamlin, R., Henry, J., & Cuthbert, R. (2012). Acquiring market flexibility via niche
portfolios: The case of Fisher & Paykel Appliance Holdings Ltd. European Journal of
Marketing, 46(10), 1302-1319.
Parast, M. M. (2011). The effect of Six Sigma projects on innovation and firm
performance. International Journal of Project Management, 29(1), 45-55.
Sikdar, A., & Payyazhi, J. (2014). A process model of managing organizational change during
business process redesign. Business Process Management Journal.
Szewcow, R., Robertson, J., & Roux, C. P. (2011). The influence of front-loading and top-
loading washing machines on the persistence, redistribution, and secondary transfer of
textile fibers during laundering. Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 43(4), 263-
273.
Zardetto, E. (2012). U.S. Patent No. 8,151,602. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.