Strategic Planning and Innovation In A Yugoslav Self-Management Enterprise — Metalservis

Abstract

METALSERVIS, hereafter MS, was founded in 1947 as a trading enterprise supplying industry with production materials. In the 30 years of its business activity there were no large fluctuations. In the postwar economic development of Yugoslavia, MS gained the reputation of a reliable business partner. In 1975–1976 MS went through some kind of personnel crisis or crisis of management. The new, educated generation of experts had come in, but their arrival caused many disturbances. At that time, MS dealt with only one activity — wholesale trade on the domestic market. In 1976, the firm had about 800 employees. On January 1, 1977 the new management took over; changes began to be introduced and have remained in effect.