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Why do successful companies fail? A case study of the decline of Dunlop

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  • Tom McGovern

Abstract

This article examines the internal and external factors that contributed to the decline of Dunlop. For much of its history Dunlop operated in a protected home market or instigated strategies to restrict competition. This enabled Dunlop to dominate the British tyre industry. The complacency and inertia of management was exposed by a number of external jolts that produced radical environmental changes. Management failed to develop appropriate strategies which led to large losses in an industry suffering from overcapacity. Plant closures and the divestment of the European tyre operations were implemented to reduce company debt. This turnaround strategy proved to be a temporary respite as Dunlop was acquired by BTR.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom McGovern, 2007. "Why do successful companies fail? A case study of the decline of Dunlop," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(6), pages 886-907.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:bushst:v:49:y:2007:i:6:p:886-907
    DOI: 10.1080/00076790701710407
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph, 2016. "An integrative process model of organisational failure," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 3388-3397.
    2. Elisa Conz & Stefano Denicolai & Alfredo Massis, 2024. "Preserving the longevity of long-lasting family businesses: a multilevel model," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 28(3), pages 707-744, September.
    3. Imanol Basterretxea & Chris Cornforth & Iñaki Heras-Saizarbitoria, 2022. "Corporate governance as a key aspect in the failure of worker cooperatives," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 43(1), pages 362-387, February.
    4. Karabag, Solmaz Filiz, 2019. "Factors impacting firm failure and technological development: A study of three emerging-economy firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 462-474.
    5. Bj�rn Eriksson & Maria Stanfors, 2015. "A winning strategy? The employment of women and firm longevity during industrialisation," Business History, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 988-1004, October.

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