Corporate Failures Due to Change: Baldwin Locomotive Works

The course titled “Corporate Failures Due to Changes in Business and Economic Environments” offers a profound exploration into how shifts in business climates and economic frameworks can precipitate corporate decline, using Baldwin Locomotive Works as a primary case study. This course traces the rise and eventual fall of one of the most prominent locomotive manufacturers in America, analyzing the impact of technological advancements, market dynamics, and economic shifts that led to its inability to adapt to the burgeoning era of diesel engines and changing transportation needs. Through lectures, document analyses, and discussions, students will learn about strategic missteps, management decisions, and external economic pressures that can lead to a corporation’s demise. This curriculum aims to equip students with the analytical tools necessary to evaluate and respond to changing business environments, drawing broader lessons applicable to various industries.