Why We Opposed the Buyout at Weirton Steel

[Excerpt] On March 2, 1982, the National Steel conglomerate announced that it would make no further investments in its Weirton Steel division because a higher rate of profit could be made elsewhere. In the same press release the conglomerate suggested that the 11,000 employees of Weirton Steel buy the mill themselves. Unlike the steel mills that closed in Youngstown from 1977-1980, the Weirton mill was relatively modern and was making a profit (1% on 1981 sales of $1 billion). Continued operation of the facility made sense

Establishing and developing strategic relationships - the role for operations managers

Purpose – The objectives of this paper are, first to identify, from the literature, the key themes in the management of strategic relationships, second to apply those themes to understand how exemplary organisations establish and develop strategic relationships and third to determine the role of operations managers in this process. Design/methodology/approach – This empirically based research comprised four phases; interviews with managers to identify exemplars, interviews with managers from 27 organisations, data analysis and testing of the findings. Findings – From a theoretical point of view, a revised definition of strategic relationships has been proposed. Many previously disparate elements of relationships have been brought together into seven dimensions of strategic relationships. The scope and nature of exemplary relationships have been captured within each of these dimensions identifying 24 elements, and suggested the key roles for operations managers in establishing and developing their strategic business relationships. Research limitations/implications – This research has responded to the call to help operations managers understand the skill sets required to help them establish and develop strategic business relationships. It has contributed to the growing literature on business relationships and also provided practical guidance for operations managers. The research has a number of inherent weaknesses including the interpretative nature of the analysis and that the interviews were only carried out with one party to the exemplary relationships. The focus of the research was limited to exemplary strategic relationships and the study was conducted in one sector, though a range of types of organisations were involved. Practical implications – From a practitioner perspective, the outputs from the research have been summarised into a number of guidelines which flesh out the role for operations managers looking to identify, establish, evaluate or strengthen their role in establishing and developing strategic business relationships. Originality/value – The paper provides an original and detailed perspective into the nature of strategic business relationships, irrespective of their position in the supply chain, and identifies how such relationships can be established and developed

How Bad a Deal Is Weirton Steel?

[Excerpt] Your issue on worker ownership was excellent. It should be a very useful document for many union people. I would like to raise two points, however

John L. Lewis and His Critics: Some Forgotten Labor History That Still Matters Today

The purpose of this essay is to propose a new answer to the question of what happened to the Congress of Industrial Organizations? Lynd argues the CIO became what its creator, United Mine Workers (UMW) president John L. Lewis, intended it to be. This approach is juxtaposed with the approach taken by A.J. Muste, who helped to lead the cotton textile strike of 1919 to victory, then founded the Brookwood Labor School—probably the most radical and effective school for workers in American history

Tablet Magazines and the Affects on the Magazine Industry

The purpose of this study is to determine the affects tablet magazines have on the magazine industry. It includes research on past and present circulation trends for print and digital magazine consumption. Interviews of industry professionals were conducted, giving their insight into the development and consumer attitudes toward iPad tablet magazines. An online survey questioning subscription, functionality and general views of both tablet and print magazines was distributed as well as an in person case study that allowed users to physically navigate, observe and compare an iPad magazine and its print counterpart. The results of this study can be used to predict the impact of a recent technological introduction—the iPad magazine and its affects on the current and future magazine industry