From what I understand, a big part of what’s happening with Boeing, is that Boeing is run by Business person who want to maximize return of stock-owner rather than by people wanting to make a good product. The gained flexibility/nicer budget from massive sub-contracting led to “loss of knowledge”, and cutting-down quality control steps which “never catch anything” led to issue being missed-out.
Do you think that MBA program will take this reality into account ? or would they keep focusing on maximizing short-term profit even if it jeopardize the company’s future ?
hahahahahahaahahaha
no
Edit: Rather than being full snark (it was a genuinely funny question though), I’ll give a more thoughtful answer. The reason the answer is no, is because MBAs tend to attract narcissistic sociopaths. And the first thing they do in this situation, is blame someone else, not the degree, but the specific person.
“If only he was a better MBA he would have kept the company focused on its core values”. That sort of thing.
The thing a degree that’s held by the majority of Narcissists and Sociopaths in the world absolutely won’t do, is inflect.
This is a very uninformed response that seems to be based on nothing more than “I don’t like business people.”
This was literally an “Ask Lemmy” question, which pulls on individual personal experience for responses, so I’m not sure what else you would have been expecting.
I work with MBAs all day every day. Nonstop. They’re the vast majority of my touchpoints as a lifelong software engineer/DBA that manages several teams. I’ve been in the industry for 25+ years and have worked for multiple large (enterprise tier) medium, and small (startup) companies across multiple states including owning my own consulting company and interfaced directly with C-types that held nothing but MBAs.
So, not uninformed, but it is anecdotal. In the sense that this matches my life experience for 25+ years of working closely with MBA types on hundreds of projects during that time. Someone else might have different experiences. But I’m here answering their question so I’m going to talk about my experiences.
There’s plenty of MBA holders that are pragmatic and “normal”. However, at the top level, MBAs either attract, or turn people into narcissistic sociopaths, because the majority of narcissistic sociopaths I know and have worked with, hold MBAs.
Take from that what you will.
Edit: Apparently he took away a downvote. Getting a sneaking suspicion this guy might have an MBA. :) Not sure why you’re downvoting my life experiences, but sure guy. You win.
You know what’s most ironic, those executives decisions actually endangered their own lives. Who’s a group of people typically flying quite frequently? Upper management. And it’s more likely than not to be on a Boeing.
Imagine being so focused on shareholder value that you risk your life for it.
This wasn’t a bug, it’s a feature of capitalism.
I feel like it is a story as old as time and not isolated to Boeing. I am pretty sure all companies that are publicly traded have a legal obligation to maximize stockholder return, it’s why most companies go to shit eventually. They may be able to frame making better decisions as an investment into future returns, but they are legally obligated to maximize returns. Boeing just did it while also being propped up by federal contracts where holding them accountable for the decline in quality and changing vendors was above everyone’s pay grade. End stage capitalism combined with good old boy government contracts = astronauts stuck on the space station. Boeing has been a powerhouse of profit for 50+ years before it crumbled, that is the entire adult life of a boomer. And we all know Boomers don’t give a shit about the next generation. So it served its purpose.
Disclaimer: I am in no way educated in business or have any experience. I am just stating my opinion. Back on the site we don’t speak of, usually a generic not relevant comment like this one just meant to join the conversation usually got buried with something relevant ending up at the top. Here it is one of a few comments so I feel obligated to point out that I am just talking out my ass. Remember, reddit went to shit when it became publicly traded and they began trying to maximize shareholder profit, unlike boeing who is propped up by the government, we just left.
You’ve got the wrong idea about what the shareholders prioritize. They got sued by the shareholders for lying about being committed to safety and instead maximizing short term profits.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/boeing-is-sued-by-shareholders-following-max-9-blowout-2024-01-31/
Shareholders seek to maximize profits. If that includes a lawsuit to squeeze out even more investments, then why not?
They never bothered to check if Boeing did what they had to do security wise. Only once it threatened their profits they sprang into action.
Exactly how are you supposed to check that a company you own shares in does what it’s supposed to? You’re not allowed into the factory. You’re not allowed to see any reports other than what they already publish.
You have to take the word of the management.
