Running Head: Deadly Ignition Switch 1

Deadly Ignition Switch

Assignment 2-Week 2

Christian Gonzalez

ORGL 4361 BV3 Capstone II

Dr. Romeo Benavidez

04/02/2017

1
Case Study Week 2 2

Contents
Barra stubbornness...........................................................................................................................3

Paying back......................................................................................................................................3

Understanding Organizational silos.................................................................................................3

Forms...............................................................................................................................................4

Prosecution without investigation....................................................................................................4

General Motors?..............................................................................................................................5

Reference.........................................................................................................................................6
Case Study Week 2 3

Barra stubbornness

I agree with GM, to decreases the change of another fatal accident peoples best beat is to just

leave their cars parked. However in the case study story says the Barra and GM urge. Although

GM let them know, Barra took a different rout and caused GM lots of money because of their

ignorance. Barra refused the request refused to pass the lifesaving information to the victims and

families. Instead they said it was ok to drive as long as they only had one key in the key ring. As

bad karma the company filed bankruptcy and responded to lawsuits. If they were to just advice

families about the safety precaution they would still be in business and wouldnt have to pay $35

million.

Paying back

GM should pay for all damages caused by the faulty switch prior to 2009 even if isnt legally

required to do so. The reason I say this is because GM already knew about the deadly issue back

in 2001. They knew that the switch would turn to the accessory position or to the off position if

accidently jostled or if pulled down by the weight of a key chain. And GM also new that when

this happened the cars engine, power steering, and power breaks would shut down. The airbags

were also disabled. And the end result of them knowing and not taking action right off the back

was at least 13 deaths. The ignition switch was again brought up in 2002 by the manufactures.

They wrong GM that the switch did not meet specifications. And once again in 2006 by two

engineers that ordered a replacement for the original switch. It is for all this prove of GM

knowing about the ignition switch that I feel that they should pay for all damages prior to 2009.
Case Study Week 2 4

Understanding Organizational silos

To first stop the organization as silos we must first understand what they are made up off. There

are three aspects to the organizational silos barrier. This are nonaligned priorities, lack of

information flow, and lack of coordinated decision making across silos. If we can understand this

and find a way around them it would really benefit GM. However silos in companies happened

no matter what. So my solution for this is that if the information can be withheld as longest it

doesnt put the company at any kind of risk or at fault. If it raise a red flag it must be shared and

action must follow.

Forms

I think followers can go on to forms and post about what they think or know is going to be or is

an issue with the product. Today you can find a form online for pretty much anything on the web.

It like a community of people with the same interest. Or they can ask GM, then GM should run

an investigation and get back its followers with an answer. The followers should also bring any

information rather it be good or bad to GM so that they can run an investigation.

Prosecution without investigation

I read on the case study that hundreds if not thousands of employees shared the blame for GMs

failure to recall the faulty switch for over a decade. However I dont feel that they should all face

criminal prosecution for the cover up. There are many reasons to why they might have not said

anything. One of those reasons could have been employment termination. There is no black or

white areas in the business world. There is a lot of gray. I know this by experience, theres a lot

that HR department doesnt get to know about. And for this reason I say that no, not all

employees should be prosecuted for the cover up. They must first do a big investigation due to

why they dint say anything.

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General Motors?

I presently really dont like General Motors products because this is not the first recall scandal or

safety scandal. General motors have had many recalls for all sort to things, breaks, motor, and

airbags. I like Dodge, I think they have also had some recalls but nothing major. Another reason

why wouldnt buy General Motors is because it to then a full decade to take care of a $1.00

recall. Imagen if it was a $1.01 issue. It would take them a century. Ill stick to my gas eating

Hemi thank you.

Case Study Week 2 6

Reference

Chapter Followership Ethics (P. 290-292) Case study 9.2 GMs Deadly Ignition Switch.