35 Case Studys found

Sixteen years after the launch of Google Talk, Google messaging is still a mess.

Editor’s Note: This is a very long but fascinating look at how one of the world’s most successful companies has completely missed the boat, strategically speaking, over and over again.

Content: Case Study | Author: Ron Amadeo | Source: “Ars Technica” | Subject: Strategy | Company: Google

The moves that led to Nokia’s decline paint a cautionary tale for successful firms.

Content: Case Study | Author: Yves Doz | Source: “INSEAD Knowledge” | Subject: Strategy | Company: Nokia

Amazon has shown a remarkable ability to succeed in a wide variety of different product categories. That’s a contrast to most other high-profile tech companies that are really good in one area — Google’s dominant online services or Apple’s extraordinarily profitable hardware — but struggle when the quest for growth pushes them outside their zone of core competency. Amazon has figured out how to combine … [ Read more ]

Content: Case Study | Author: Timothy B. Lee | Source: “Vox” | Subjects: Innovation, Management, Strategy | Industry: Retail | Company: Amazon.com Inc.

CEO Adrian Gore describes how the South African company has been shaking up its industry through business-model innovation and explains what helps to catalyze new ideas.

Content: Case Study | Author: Adrian Gore | Source: “McKinsey Quarterly” | Subjects: Innovation, Strategy | Company: Discovery

Adobe executives discuss the company’s move from selling shrink-wrapped products to offering web-based software and services.

Content: Case Study | Source: “McKinsey Quarterly” | Subjects: Marketing / Sales, Strategy | Company: Adobe Systems

The Korean automaker’s explosive growth in the last few years—achieved through better quality, stylish design, and clever marketing—has made it a dynamic player in the U.S. auto industry.

Content: Case Study | Author: William J. Holstein | Source: “strategy+business” | Subject: Strategy | Industry: Automotive | Company: Hyundai

Changes in the marketplace, if not monitored, can cause serious losses in profit, market share, and in stakeholders’ confidence. Such was the case with one of the most celebrated American companies, Hershey’s. When the company failed to keep its ear to the ground and eye on the ball it lost touch with consumers and retailers. A shift in the company’s focus and a re-alignment of … [ Read more ]

Content: Case Study | Author: Rick Kash | Source: “Ivey Business Journal” | Subjects: Management, Marketing / Sales, Operations, Strategy | Industry: Food Products/Service | Company: Hershey’s

How an unusual management technique inspires business teams to envision — and achieve — breakthrough results.

Content: Case Study | Authors: Mohanbir Sawhney, Sanjay Khosla | Source: “strategy+business” | Subject: Strategy | Company: Kraft Foods Inc.

In a new market, you need to secure a foothold. World domination can come later.

Content: Case Study | Author: Stephen Wunker | Source: “The Conference Board Review” | Subjects: International – Africa, Management, Strategy | Industries: Finance / Banking, Telecommunications | Company: Celpay

With rivals poised to pounce, is there a way for Thales to remain a standalone company?

Content: Case Study | Authors: Ashok Som, Thomas Oberbillig | Source: “European Business Forum (EBF)” | Subject: Strategy | Industry: Aerospace & Defense | Company: Thales

“Bertrand Caron sat in his office and contemplated his most recent communications with George Milne and Philip Brown of Vancouver Aluminum Company of Vancouver, Washington, USA. Caron was the marketing director of the Canadian Railway Car Corporation (CRCC) headquartered in Montreal. CRCC was a privately-held firm that manufactured various types of railway cars. However, Caron’s firm was now threatened by increasing competition from U.S. manufacturers … [ Read more ]

Content: Case Study | Author: William R. Smith, Ph.D. | Source: “Graziadio Business Report” | Subject: Strategy

During an economic downturn, Cemex, the world’s second-largest cement maker, decided to try to sell more products to Mexico’s poor. Almost by accident, the company discovered a global model for developing previously overlooked markets.

Content: Case Study | Author: Ricardo Sandoval | Source: “Stanford University” | Subjects: Social Responsibility (ESG), Strategy | Industry: Construction | Company: Cemex

Companies that enter into strategic alliances thus encounter many dilemmas. This article summarises the key issues into six categories of 10 dilemmas and discusses how Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance, has dealt with these 10 dilemmas.

Content: Case Study | Authors: Angela Andal-Ancion, George Yip | Source: “European Business Forum (EBF)” | Subject: Strategy | Industry: Airlines | Company: Star Alliance

For 150 years, Steinway & Sons has set the standard for the quality manufacture of pianos. The secret to its longevity: a mix of old-world craftsmanship and modern-day management techniques.

Content: Case Study | Author: David Liebeskind | Source: “STERNbusiness (NYU)” | Subjects: Industry Specific, Strategy | Industry: Music

Macintosh market share continues to decline, but the iPod and iTunes are hit products. Where does Apple Computer’s future lie? An interview with HBS professor David Yoffie.

Content: Case Study | Author: David Yoffie | Source: “Harvard Business School (HBS) Working Knowledge” | Subjects: Industry Specific, Strategy | Industry: Personal Computer