Creating and Maintaining an Efficient “Built Ford Tough” Learning Organization: The Evolution of Organizational Success

In today’s constantly changing global environment, Ford’s vision has shaped its culture and driven and sustained its organizational success for decades. The organization’s campaign “Built Ford Tough” and “One Ford,” reflect its strength of leadership and management. This paper explores a brief history of management theories that are linked to Ford’s strategies not only in fighting for industry position, but also to stay afloat during these economically uncertain times. Along with various forces in the environment, the paper explores the role which government played in the unfolding of political and legal forces that contributed to preserving and stabilizing the automotive industry. Understanding the forces effecting the environment makes organizations stronger and more competitive. These direct and indirect forces combined with the various value drivers demanded that Ford Motor Company enlist creative solutions in order to have sustainable success. Ford’s strategies have proved to be effective, steady, strong, and ultimately successful. The review of Ford’s management and leadership approaches provides many insights for others who are trying to stay afloat in these competitive economic times.