Description
Read the case and then respond to the case questions given below.
In addition to using the Southwest Airlines case study provided in the textbook, research the company further to find any relevant events that have transpired since the writing of the case study. Use the company's website, Internet search engines such as Google, online data services, or other sources to locate the latest articles about the company including press releases and current financial information. Be sure to cite all sources according to APA guidelines.
Feel free to bring in any recent news or current events concerning this company into your answer.
Case Questions
1.One could say that former CEO Herb Kelleher was eccentric, given his public affinity for Hawaiian shirts, whiskey, and pranks. Review Kelleher’s leadership tenure at SWA as CEO, and determine whether he was the “right person at the right time” to lead SWA. Be sure to explain your perceptions.
2.It is important for a company to achieve good execution of its strategies. What are the two best indications that a company is meeting or beating its performance targets? Does SWA exhibit these signs? How?
3.It seems apparent that SWA senior leadership has established and maintained an organizational culture that directly supports SWA organizational goals. Do you agree/disagree with that assessment? Provide the rationale behind your response.
4.The text states that “Well-conceived policies and procedures aid the task of strategy execution” and goes on to provide three efforts that can provide such support. Describe one of these efforts utilized by SWA. Has the use/application of the effort you’ve selected been successful? Why or why not?
5.What are the defined company values for SWA? How do these values influence the achievement and realization of SWA strategies? Detail the nature of the influence as well as an example of the influence in action.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Outline
Title: Southwest Airlines- case study
1. Introduction
2. Herb Kelleher’s leadership tenure at Southwest Airlines
3. Indicators for performance and target achievement
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Financial-based performance indicators
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People-based indicators
4. Organizational culture and goals
5. Efforts utilized by Southwest Airlines
6. Southwest Airlines Company values
7. Conclusion
Running head: SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
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Southwest Airlines- Case study
Name
Institution
Date
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
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Introduction
Southwest Airlines is a major aviation company in the United States. The company has a
reputation for providing short distance, frequent, end to end, and low priced airline services to its
customers. The company was incepted in Texas in 1967 by Rolling King and Herb Kelleher. The
firm started its operations with three aircraft that severed three main cities in the State of Texas.
In the fiscal year 2019, the company generated over the US $ 22.4 billion. As in the fourth
quarter of 2019, the company had over 60,000 employees (Southwest 2020). This paper provides
an in-depth analysis of the company’s former CEO’s suitability, the indications of the firm’s
strategic achievements, and its organizational culture. Additionally, the paper will highlight how
policies, procedures, and values have aided the execution of Southwest Airlines strategies.
Herb Kelleher’s leadership tenure at Southwest Airlines
As the CEO of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher was an astute and charismatic leader.
These attributes earned him respect in the entire aviation industry. Through his leadership, Herb
Kelleher inspired and motivated his employees (Cote, 2018). He led, inspired, and motivated
employees to achieve the firm’s goals and objectives. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
Herb Kelleher employed non-coercive leadership techniques, which influenced and determined
the employees’ direction in pursuit of the company’s goals. Although Herb ...
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