You are correct that management played a major role in the demise of GM. It cannot be over-emphasized that GM's management did a horrible job of making changes when changes were necessary. Since 1973, they've been years behind most of the foreign car companies...in innovation, quality, etc. In 40 years, GM hasn't figured out how to build a small car. And yes...that is a management issue.
And I'm not blaming the assembly line workers so much as the union itself. I remember the sheer ugliness that comes out when a union is pushing its agenda.
The union pushed for unsustainable contracts. Of course, when management would balk, the petulent striking, picketing, intimidation, etc. would come out. Thanks to the unions' demands (and management's acquiesence), about $2K was added to a car's cost...all the while, the quality for decades is below other manufacturers.
I think it's a sad day when our country manages to go from an industry standard in auto manufacturing to an embarassment in just over a generation.
