Ford Motor Company entered the automotive manufacturing business world on June 16, 1903 when Henry Ford and 11 business associates signed the company’s articles of incorporation (Ford Motor Company, 2007). Today Ford Motor Company is the second largest automotive manufacture in the industry. Ford was able to attain this level through mergers and acquisitions. In 1989 Ford acquired Jaguar for 2.5 billion dollars (Ford Motor Company, 2007). To ensure a smooth transition and integration, Ford Motor was in need of restructuring. As part of Ford’s revitalization plan, the company announced several restructuring actions, which included closing five plants, identifying new products for two plants, selling one plant, major downsizing and shift reductions at 11 facilities, line speed reductions, and changes to operating policies and procedures at nine plants (“Ford Motor Company Announces,” 2002).
Sears is the fourth largest retail store in the nation worth over 50 billion dollars with approximately 3, 800 retail stores in the United States. Sears is a sales leader for tools, home and gardens, home electronics, and automotive repair. The company has exclusive rights to brands, such as Kenmore, Craftsman, and Jaclyn Smith line of clothing in addition to other commodities (Sears Holdings Corporation, 2007). The merger between Kmart and Sears was finalized on March 24, 2005, creating the Sears Holdings Corporation. Sears Holdings will operate both companies and continue to market products under both companies (Sears Holdings Corporation, 2007).
Organizational Structure Alignment with Strategy at Ford and Sears
To help Ford Motor Company with its revitalization plan, Human Resources (HR) was engaged to help facilitate the communication, training, employee selec ...