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Nucor

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University of Pennsylvania

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Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics Theses 1-31-2007 Organizational Dynamics Programs

Nucor Corporation: A Study on Evolution Toward Strategic Fit
Regina Gordin
University of Pennsylvania, regina.gordin@gmail.com

Submitted to the Program of Organizational Dynamics In the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania. Advisor: Everett Keech This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. http://repository.upenn.edu/od_theses_msod/1 For more information, please contact repository@pobox.upenn.edu.

NUCOR CORPORATION: A STUDY ON EVOLUTION TOWARD STRATEGIC FIT

by

Regina Gordin

Submitted to the Program of Organizational Dynamics In the Graduate Division of the School of Arts and Sciences In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 2006

NUCOR CORPORATION: A STUDY ON EVOLUTION TOWARD STRATEGIC FIT

Approved by:

________________________________________________ Program Director

________________________________________________ Advisor

ABSTRACT

For much of its century long history, Nucor Corporation and its predecessors displayed turbulent financial performance. Several attempts at a strategic realignment proved unsuccessful, and in 1965, the company faced insolvency. Since that time, however, the company has rallied around its steel operations to become the largest steel producer in the United States, with $12.7 billion in net annual sales. This thesis examines Nucor’s development from an unprofitable conglomerate to a highly efficient enterprise. Specific focus on the evolution of the activity system underlying the

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