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Case NASA: The End of the Space Shuttle Program

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Case NASA: The End of the Space Shuttle Program
Case: NASA

Davenport University

Due: November 5, 2013

Introduction

The end of the space shuttle program has brought a great loss to NASA and the employee at the Kennedy Space Center. This loss not only effect the direct employees but have also effect the contractors at Alliant Techsystem, whom was task with much of the construction of the Ares rocket that would catapult the Orion capsule and known as one of the most established supplier for NASA.
As the space shuttle program come to an end, ATK started collecting data from employee’s departure (turnover) to create a model that calculate the possibility of the turnover rate. As indicated in the textbook, “Organization Behavior” - “It is the worst scenario for a company as it is set to improve as a result of the employee’s presence and have that employee’s leave for the competitor.” (Organizational Behavior, 2013, p. 62)
Although this model was form to predict its future of turnover rate, it can also cause certain issues for the companies in many ways, in which this paper will discuss the effect on the organization, the model of voluntary turnover, and ways that the company can manage the prediction of the turnover.
Effect of the Organizational Commitment
The space shuttle program ending will have a bigger effect on the employees of contractors who work with NASA, more than the direct employees. The reason why I feel this way is because some contractors will not be paid being lower bidders to obtain work in the industry and the clause of shutting down business were not mentioned or signed by the contractors. (Eaton, 2013) Contractors, such as ATK employees, who were a big supplier to NASA, have retired after the last launch. “With the 30 year era ending, ATK’s unknown involvement with NASA will affect people’s lives because flying space shuttle has been around for three decades.” (Reeds, 2011) Direct employees of NASA around the country have been off the job. This effect is huge on



References: Eaton, Sabrina. (2013, October 22) Contractors at NASA Glenn Research Center not reimbursed for shutdown pay. Retrieved on November 3, 2013 from http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2013/10/contractors_at_nasa_glenn_rese.html. Colquitt, J., Lepine, J., & Wesson, M., (2013) Organizational Behavior – Improving Performance and Commitment in the Workplace. NY. McGraw Hill Irwin. Reed. (2011, July 8) Local react to end of space shuttle era. Retrieved on November 4, 2013 from http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/local/article_bf6f955c-557f-525a-a0c1- 9f1fb692bccc.html.

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