Suggested Case Questions
I-3,4 Electronic arts
1. In 1995, what are the key characteristics of the video game industry? In which
ways is it similar/different from the movie industry?
2. Until 1995, how successful has EA been? Why? What is the basis of their
competitive advantage?
3. Until1995, what has been EA’s technology strategy? How is it linked to their
business strategy?
4. In 1995, how should EA top management think about the platform development
decisions if faces?
5. By 2002, how has the Internet affected the video game industry? How does it
affect EA’s corporate strategy? What should EA’s corporate strategy be for the
next 5 years? Why? How execute the strategy?
II-4 HP
1. In summer 1998, what is the position of the Enterprise Server Group (ESG) in its
industry? How has it evolved? Why?
2. Why did HP get involved in developing the IA-64 architecture?
3. Who will benefit the most from the introduction of the Merced chip in the markets
served by ESG? Who will benefit the least? Why?
4. In summer 1998, what should Jim David recommend?
Ⅱ-6
Telecommunications Industry
1. How has the Telecommunications Act of 1996 affected telecoms?
2. During the period of 1996-1999, what are the key developments that have reshaped
the local service industry? What did these happen? What are the implications?
3. During 1996-1999, what are the key developments that have reshaped the long
distance industry segment? Why did these happen? What are the implications?
4. How has the Internet affected the telecom industry? What are the implications for
providers of local or long distance services?
5. By 2005, what is the telecom industry likely to look like?
Ⅲ-11
3M Optical Systems
1. As Andy Wong, how would you handle the authorization for expenditure (AFE) for
the relaunch of the privacy screen?
2. As Paul Guehler, would you approve the AFE if Wong set it up to you?
3. How effective has Wong been as a front-line manager in the 3M context? How
effective has Guehler been as a 3M division president?
4. What is it about 3M that makes it perhaps the most consistently entrepreneurial
large company in the world?
Ⅳ-1
Dell
1. What are the competitive forces shaping the computer industry in 1993?
2. What has been the state of Dell Computer Corporation prior to and including 1993?
Its finances? Its customer base? Its products and product development process?
What are they trying to change or improve?
3. Why has Dell’s senior management introduced the new 18-month development
process? What are they trying to change or improve?
4. Which battery option should Holliday’s team select? Stay with the proven NiHi
battery technology? Or go with the new LiOn battery technology under
development at Sony? Or should they defer the decision until the qualification phase
review?