Studebaker Academic Paper

[Nelsen Motorsports]

Been a while since I posted here as I have been focused on finishing an economics degree with a minor in finance, but I still have my Studebaker and it was even my only car until November last year.

Either way, I am in a managerial economics course now and have a case study to write about a firm. I figured I'd write about my favorite: Studebaker. I am specifically looking at the post war period from 1951-1966. I'd like to get a bunch of old annual reports and build a study about the strategic decisions that led to the merger with Packard in 1954 and then the acquisitions of the early sixties (STP, Onan, Gravely, etc...). I'm also going to look at the decisions made about pensions, manufacturing, and R&D.

Currently, I have read More Than They Promised: The Studebaker Story and the university library has Studebaker : the life and death of an American corporation. Also, the great thing about this certain professor is that newspaper articles can also be cited, I don't need academic journals.

If more convenient, feel free to send any annual reports or relevant articles to my school email: an01849@georgiasouthern.edu

Thanks,
Alex

[StudeNewby]

What a wonderful project, Alex. I would expect Stu Chapman, Skip Lackie, Richard Quinn and others can provide some trials for you to traverse. Hopefully they will chime in soon.

[62champ]

Don't forget to check with the National Museum - IIRC, they will hopefully have items you could use. Amazing what was lost over the years, but even when I did my academic research there back in 1996, it is amazing what still remains.

[Skip Lackie]

You already have the Bonsall and Critchlow books, which are the best general references for the business decisions. Another one to consider is: Hall, Asa E, and Langworth, Richard M., The Studebaker Century, A National Heritage, Dragonwyk Publishing, 1983

The annual reports are useful for getting the chronology right, but they are very pollyannaish and don't provide much insight into what was really going on. The board of directors minutes held by the Stude Museum would have a lot more details.

[jpepper]

The interviews of Otis Romine published in several excerpts in Turning Wheels a number of years ago also had his views of numerous company decisions. It may be helpful to you. I do not recall when they ran but it was in about 5 parts. Maybe someone else can help with the time frame. Great project. Post it here when done.

[Nelsen Motorsports]

I will be writing this paper over the next coming days. Let me know if there are any other good resources at hand. I can post it when I'm finished and it should give a good, concise perspective as to why the organization which existed for over 100 years failed.

[8E45E]

I will be writing this paper over the next coming days. Let me know if there are any other good resources at hand. I can post it when I'm finished and it should give a good, concise perspective as to why the organization which existed for over 100 years failed.

Links here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...-to-Studebaker

Some further info here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...ighlight=erisa

Craig

[Mrs K Corbin]

- - - Updated - - -

And while you're at it, you can figure out a way to revive the brand!

[Stu Chapman]

What a wonderful project, Alex. I would expect Stu Chapman, Skip Lackie, Richard Quinn and others can provide some trials for you to traverse. Hopefully they will chime in soon.

Not sure what else I can add to my original comments when this thread first started way back when. But I'm always willing to try and answer any questions you may still have.

Stu Chapman

[56H-Y6]

Hi Alex

Good choice for a research project. For perspective of the buy out by Packard, read The Fall of the Packard Motor Car Company by James A. Ward.

Steve

[Xcalibur]

I coauthored (with a business professor, and I from psychology) a professional business paper/case study on Avanti MANY years ago. He was going to update it some time ago after I gave him info to do so, but I don't recall him completing it. I've long since retired and continue professional research with other ex-colleagues in far removed areas, but if you are interested in the reference please pm me and I can give you the publication info.

[JRoberts]

- - - Updated - - -

And while you're at it, you can figure out a way to revive the brand!

That has been done to some extent. The new corporate name is Studebaker MFG. Our chapter got a letter from them for using the red, white and blue Lazy S logo without noted that is their registered trademark. We can only use it if we use the R in a circle next to it. They have promised a variety of vehicles over the years from motorcycles to small SUV's as I recall, but there has yet to be any real production as far as I know.

[Mrs K Corbin]

Ok then revive Manufacturing of automobiles.

[8E45E]

They have promised a variety of vehicles over the years from motorcycles to small SUV's as I recall, but there has yet to be any real production as far as I know.

For the last TEN YEARS or more:

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?1474-Studebaker-Motor-Company

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?2007-NEW-STUDEBAKER-REVIVAL

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?46443-You-are-invited-to-witness-the-rising-studebaker-phoenix

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?59376-Anyone-seen-this-Return-of-the-Studebaker

http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?73958-The-Big-New-Studebaker-yes-new-concept

Craig