the past are likely to settle for what they perceive to be a cut in pay if the new structure does not apply to everyone, including management. Lincoln had an innovative pay for performance structure in place which was most likely significantly responsible for the company achieving the success it has in the marketplace, and it put the system into place well before such pay schemes became popular. While it is possible that changing the pay system may result in increased productivity, it is also likely that the company will not be able to return to the level of productivity that it enjoyed in the past.
In any case, the close relationship that workers and management formerly enjoyed has been tainted for some time to come, and the insertion of outsiders into the company demonstrates that for the new interest in stakeholders rather than shareholders, shareholders remain the most powerful voice in the running of many companies.
General Electric (GE) dominates the large appliance market (refrigerators, dishwashers and electric ranges), but has been unable to pick up a premier position in the washer segment. This segment is dominated by Whirlpool, which has 53 percent of the market (including 30 percent of the market which is sold under Sears' Kenmore brand name). Maytag and General Electric typically tie for second/third place in this market, and GE would like to gain market share in order to bolster its position.
To help accomplish this, the company recently introduced the Maxus, a washer
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