Jeffrey Immelt’s Leadership Effect on General Electric Company
Abstract
Jeffrey Immelt is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of General Electric Company. In his tenure at GE, Immelt has implemented changes in vision, strategy and organizational culture necessary to adapt to GE’s changing external environment. As the CEO of one of America’s most admired companies, scandal and ethical issues have tarnished the reputation of an industry giant and its leader.
Jeffrey Immelt’s Leadership Effect on General Electric Company
Introduction
Jeffrey Immelt has been employed at General Electric Company (GE) since 1892. During his employment at GE, he has held leadership roles in GE’s Plastics, Appliance and Healthcare departments. According to the GE Corporate website, he became an officer at GE in 1989, a member of the GE Capital Board in 1997, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer in 2000. He is the ninth Chairman of GE, which he has held since September 7, 2001. Immelt is the chair of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness (General Electric Company, 2011).
General Electric Company, a 132 year old industry giant, has had a stellar reputation as one of the most admired companies in the country. During Immelt’s time at GE, the company has experienced an economic downturn, drops in stock prices and took large losses at the hands of the subprime mortgage collapse. G.E. cut its dividend for the first time since the Great Depression, lost its triple-A credit rating and hastily arranged a $3 billion investment from the billionaire Warren E. Buffett (Lohr, 2010). Through examining General Electric Company’s organization culture, the type of corporate environment and past history before Immelt’s tenure, we will have a better understanding of his leadership.
Questions have been raised concerning Immelt’s ethical conduct. He was recently appointed to chair the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness under the Obama...