Session Summary

Session Number:164
Session ID:S36
Session Title:The Change and Development Journey in the Pluralistic World of John Deere and Company
Short Title:John Deere case: Transforming
Session Type:Theme Session
Hotel:Hyatt East
Floor:LL2
Room:GndBall A
Time:Monday, August 09, 1999 4:10 PM - 5:30 PM

Sponsors

AA  (Peter Smith Ring)pring@popmail.lmu.edu 310-338-7411 

General People

Organizer Yaeger, Therese  Benedictine U. tyaeger@ben.edu 630 829 6207 
Presenter Chesmore, Marshal C. John Deere ChesmoreChipC@JDCORP.deere.com 309-765-4931 
Presenter Hinrichs, Gina  Deere & Company gh33545@deere.com (309)-765-5170 
Presenter Koteki, Mary Lou John Deere koteckiMaryLou@JDCORP.deere.com 309-765-1500 
Presenter Sorensen, Peter F. Benedictine U. tyaeger@ben.edu 630 829 6222 

Submissions

Abstract

The John Deere All-Academy case focuses on the journey of the second oldest U.S. corporation preparing to move into the 21st century. This case deals with a highly successful organization faced with a range of complex challenges as it moves into the future. Deere & Company, founded in 1837, grew from a one-man blacksmith shop into a worldwide corporation that today does business in more than 160 countries and employs over 34,000 people worldwide. The company is guided today, as it has since 1837, by John Deere's original values: a commitment to product quality, customer service, business integrity, and high regard for individual contribution. The major source of information for this All-Academy case is a series of interviews across organization; namely a Vice President of Human Resource Division, a Vice President, of International, union representatives and several members of the John Deere Transformation Team. Also, Dr. David Cooperrider, a member of the OD&C Division of the Academy, will discuss the John Deere journey in terms of its role as a corporate global citizen. The journey is framed by a major transition in top leadership, changing from the existing CEO to a new CEO. Specific issues that will be addressed by the panel as part of the journey include: 1) International (2) Work Force Transition 3) Organizational Redesign The John Deere case is designed to present with candor the complexities the paradoxes and the learnings from both failures and successes.