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Did a 1997 merger ruin Boeing?

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Re: Did a 1997 merger ruin Boeing?

#4
This is the “everybody knows” narrative that seems to get trotted out whenever modern Boeing has problems.

I’m curious - how much of it is true? Is it really systemic, or has it manifested only with one specific model plane?

It seems to fit very well with the “financialization is bad” narrative, too, but is there any other data to support the claims?

It’s possible that engineer-driven Boeing could have fucked up the Max, too.

I am skeptical of simple, tidy explanations regarding actions and arcs of any organizations as large as Boeing.

Re: Did a 1997 merger ruin Boeing?

#5
post #4

This is the “everybody knows” narrative that seems to get trotted out whenever modern Boeing has problems. I’m curious - how much of it is true? Is it really systemic, or has it manifested only with one specific model plane? It seems to fit very well with the “financialization is bad” narrative, too, but is there any other data to support the claims? It’s possible that engineer-driven Boeing could have fucked up the…

Boeing had an amazing engineering record, then it merged with a company known for having a terrible engineering record. The executives who ran the shoddy company basically took over Boeing from the old management. Now Boeing is a company with a terrible engineering record. Look at what happened to GE, it was the same style of management that ruined Boeing.

Re: Did a 1997 merger ruin Boeing?

#7
post #4

This is the “everybody knows” narrative that seems to get trotted out whenever modern Boeing has problems. I’m curious - how much of it is true? Is it really systemic, or has it manifested only with one specific model plane? It seems to fit very well with the “financialization is bad” narrative, too, but is there any other data to support the claims? It’s possible that engineer-driven Boeing could have fucked up the…

Boeing had an amazing engineering record, then it merged with a company known for having a terrible engineering record. The executives who ran the shoddy company basically took over Boeing from the old management. Now Boeing is a company with a terrible engineering record. Look at what happened to GE, it was the same style of management that ruined Boeing.

Answering the question by repeating the myth doesn't really seem to be what they are asking for.

Re: Did a 1997 merger ruin Boeing?

#9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Boeing had an amazing engineering record, then it merged with a company known for having a terrible engineering record. The executives who ran the shoddy company basically took over Boeing from the old management. Now Boeing is a company with a terrible engineering record. Look at what happened to GE, it was the same style of management that ruined Boeing.

Answering the question by repeating the myth doesn't really seem to be what they are asking for.

Well it's the way GE was run and look what happened to them. Caring only about your share price is a great way to ruin a company. The share price should be the result of a well run business not the true north of the company. By making the metric into the goal it totally defeats the purpose of the metric.

Re: Did a 1997 merger ruin Boeing?

#10
post #4

This is the “everybody knows” narrative that seems to get trotted out whenever modern Boeing has problems. I’m curious - how much of it is true? Is it really systemic, or has it manifested only with one specific model plane? It seems to fit very well with the “financialization is bad” narrative, too, but is there any other data to support the claims? It’s possible that engineer-driven Boeing could have fucked up the…

The same thing happened with the Starliner, Boeing's space vehicle. Shoddy engineering, failed tests, long delays. Plus there's plenty of anecdotal evidence from current and former employees.
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