Discussion

Be sure to read Article 3 “Lockheed/Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works” before tackling this week’s Learning Engagement.

• Describe the “Skunk Works” (what it is, what it does, etc.)
• Is the "Skunk Works" organizational structure:
  • Organic; or
  • Mechanistic; or
  • Ambidextrous

                   Justify your answer.

• In your opinion, what  do you think made the “Skunk Works” such a versatile and successful  organization? Feel free to expand your answer beyond the scope of  Chapters 10 & 11, if you feel up to the challenge!

Professor's Guidance For This Week's LE:

When  it comes to innovation, it has been argued that large companies  inherently have an advantage over small companies for a number of  reasons…or do they? Another argument thrown out there is that innovative  companies may depend on an organizational structure that is mechanistic  or organic…or, considered the best of both worlds (maybe),  ambidextrous. What kinds of companies do you think would benefit from  these organizational structures? And from there, what do you think of  Lockheed/Lockheed-Martin’s “Skunk Works” ability to develop cutting edge  technologies to build advanced aircraft for the US military? Is it  strictly an organizational structure or was there more?

Your  goal this week is to determine why the “Skunk Works” is successful in  what it does in the context of “Organizing for Innovation.” Answer the  three (3) questions above, in the order it is asked. One (1) point will be deducted for LE posts that do not conform to this instruction.