Question

Southwest Airlines in 2014: Culture, Values, and Operating Practices,

3B. How would you modify the traditional manufacturing value chain to fit SW?

3C. What actions are taken by SW to reinforce its culture?

3D. Will international destinations force SW to change its operating strategy?

Answer 1

Solution 3B

Southwest airlines can remodel traditional practice and replace by new management practices like Supply chain management and Lean management for delivering maximum value to price sensitive customers . The airlines can also implement total quality management for high quality consumer by offering maximum customer experience .

Solution 3C

The firm can implement customer driven and ownership based culture so employees are responsible for delivering maximum customer value and customer experience. Also an ownsership based culture drives employees to perform more and take complete control of business and profitability .

Solution 3D

International businesses and new routes will increase overall costsand increase turnaround time for SW. Hence it is imperative to change the operating strategy by implementing economies of scale, connecting flights and airports in new locations and manpower distribution as well as lighter mix of crude oil to decrease fuel, maintenance and manpower costs.