Corporate Culture and HR Strategies of Northrop Grumman

Introduction

Thesis statement: In every organization there are systems or patterns of values, symbols, rituals, myths, and practices that have evolved over time. These shared values determine to large degree what employees see and how they respond to their world. How an organization determines the demand for employees is a result of demand for the organization’s products or services. How Northrop Grumman satisfies these goals and demands shall be analyzed.

Company Overview:

Northrop Grumman (NG) Corporation is a global defense company headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Northrop Grumman provides technologically advanced, innovative products, services and solutions in systems integration, defense electronics, information technology, advanced aircraft, shipbuilding and space technology. With more than 120,000 employees, and operations in all 50 states and 25 countries, Northrop Grumman serves U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers.

Seven business sectors comprise Northrop Grumman. Below is a listing and description of each sector. To find out specific product, program or service information, click on the sector name below (in bold) and you will be taken to that sector's home page:

Electronic Systems

NG’s Electronic Systems sector is a world leading provider of airborne radar, navigation systems, electronic countermeasures, precision weapons, airspace management systems, space systems, marine and naval systems, communications systems, government systems and logistics services.

Information Technology

NG’s Information Technology sector delivers full life-cycle solutions that meet mission, enterprise and infrastructure needs in information systems and services; C4ISR; strategic security; engineering and science; training and simulation; base and range operations; and enterprise IT solutions and products.

Mission Systems

NG’s Mission Systems sector is a leading global integrator of complex, mission-enabling systems and services. The sector's technology leadership spans command, control and intelligence systems; missile systems and technical and management services.

Integrated Systems

NG’s Integrated Systems sector designs, develops, produces and supports network-enabled integrated systems and sub-systems for U.S. government, civil and international customers. It also supports the military with intelligence, surveillance and ...

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...ities. On the other hand, they can compensate for the shortfall with aggressive recognition programs. It appears that they recognize this shortcoming as they are engaged in developing a viable recognition program. How successful this program will be in fostering a comprehensive team approach and creating job satisfaction remains to be seen.

NG does not follow the standard HPO selection processes because of the nature of their business. Since they serve primarily as military contractor they have a narrow selection process. NG will only hire U.S. citizens; they do not hire foreign nationals that, I believe, limits workforce diversity to some extent.

Finally, the interview is an important source of information about the candidate. It can be unstructured, wherein the interviewer is free to pursue whatever approach and sequence of topics that might seem appropriate or structured where each candidate receives the same set of questions, which have pre-established answers. NG seems to favor a mix of both approaches. This gives the Human Resource manager the most relevant information for making a knowledgeable decision about which candidate will fulfill the needs of the organization.