Příčiny selhání British Leyland a jejich paralely v současném automobilovém průmyslu

This thesis concerns the decline and subsequent complete failure of the British Leyland Motor Corporation Ltd. It identifies and examines select causes of this development. The thesis poses two primary research questions: Which mechanisms led to the failure of British Leyland? Which of these individual mechanisms recur in the contemporary automotive industry? The first question is explored using the methodology of a historical case study, while the second is addressed through a qualitative comparison of the first part's results with the current situation in the automotive industry. The thesis identifies five main causes of decline: mergers, capital equipment and rationalization, industrial relations, management, and brand management strategies. It details the historical progression of events for each cause and the mechanisms likely responsible for this development. Parallels are observed in two contemporary companies—Stellantis and Volkswagen. The situation at Stellantis is very similar to BL's in brand management, and comparable issues can be seen in quality control. Volkswagen also faces problems with unions, though the nature of this problem has proven to be quite different from the situation at BL.