Case study 1 constancy of purpose
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Jan 9, 2024
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Lack of Constancy of Purpose: A Closer Look at Tesla, Inc.
In the scope of quality and productivity with relation to engineering management, one of the core
principles for the sustained success of an organization is "constancy of purpose." This principle, created by Dr. W. Edwards Deming (1994), emphasizes the importance of having a precise, clear, consistent, and long-term commitment to the company's mission, pillars, and objectives. Not aligning to this principle can lead to various issues such as unsuccessful future planning and lacking long-term goals. We will be addressing Tesla, Inc., an electric automotive and clean energy sustainable company created by Elon Musk.
Tesla Inc. has made commendable growths in the automotive industry and has pioneered electric vehicles and innovative technologies that can be appreciated worldwide. However, upon a closer look at their practices and strategies, a lack of constancy of purpose becomes evident in the case of two major components.
1. Lack of Clear Planning for the Future:
One major manifestation of a lack of constancy of purpose is Tesla's tendency to prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability. An illustrative example is the production of the Model 3. During this phase, Tesla faced significant production bottlenecks and quality control issues, leading to reports of inconsistent build and manufacturing quality as well as delivery delays (Kolodny, 2018). These issues jeopardize the Tesla brand and its future sustainability. Additionally, Tesla's ambitious goal of autonomous driving, part of its "Clear Vision," has faced setbacks in the form of aggressive marketing claims that have not been met in practice (Valdes-Dapena, 2022). These issues demonstrate a focus on immediate market demands and financial milestones at the expense of meticulous long-term planning. Furthermore, issues regarding working conditions and injuries among Tesla's workforce pose questions about the company's commitment to long-term employee safety and well-being (Kolodny, 2018).
2. Lack of Long-Term Definitions and Goals:
Deming's principle also urges the importance of defining long-term goals and objectives that are in line with the company's mission. Tesla has faced numerous criticisms for poor transparency and specificity regarding its long-term objectives. Even with “Openness” being one of its 7 pillars (Livescault 2021). There has not been a clear path on how Tesla plans to achieve its target of pioneering the world's transition into
sustainable energy. Shareholders and industry analysts have expressed uncertainty about Tesla's strategies and timelines (Kiley, 2018). Additionally, the company's shifting goals and unmet promises, such as the claim of fully self-driving cars by 2017 (Valdes-Dapena, 2022), indicate a lack of long-term goal setting backed by research and development efforts.
In conclusion, Tesla, Inc., despite its commendable innovative culture, exhibits signs of a lack of constancy of purpose, evident in its failure in long-term planning and the absence of clear, concise, and detailed future goals. While Tesla has made commendable progress in sustainable energy adoption, it must modify its approach to align more closely with Deming's principles for enhanced quality, productivity, and longevity. This dedication will not only pave the way for ensuring Tesla’s longevity but also positions it as a pioneer in the automotive and clean energy industry globally.
Referencesf
Deming, W. Edward. (1994). Out of the Crisis.
MIT Press.
Kolodny, L. (2018). Tesla factory workers reveal pain, injury, and stress: 'Everything feels like the future but us.'
https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/21/tesla-factory-workers-reveal-pain-injury-and-stress.html
Kiley, D. (2018). Elon Musk's Secretive 'Green' Fund Could Finally Bring Tesla's Rivals to Market. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkiley5/2018/12/17/elon-musks-secretive-green-fund-could-
finally-bring-teslas-rivals-to-market/
Valdes-Dapena, P. (2022, December 12). Tesla: Our "failure" to make actual self-driving cars "is not fraud." https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/12/business/tesla-fsd-autopilot-lawsuit/index.html
Livescault, J. (2021). 7 Pillars Shaping Tesla’s Corporate Culture – Tech – Web flow Ecommerce Website template
.
https://www.braineet.com/blog/tesla-innovation-culture
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