Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Case studies are meant to get you thinking broadly about the issues that are
presented in the case and connect these issues with what you are studying in the
class. The goal of a case analysis is to derive a cohesive problem(s) out of the
numerous facts that are presented in the case and to come up with feasible
solutions. It is common for each student to have different ideas about a case. The
value of a case discussion comes from everyone discussing (in an informal manner)
their thoughts. This way we all learn from each other.
The questions listed below are meant to help you focus on important issues in the
cases. You are encouraged to think of your own issues too. As a starting point to
our case discussions I would like you to analyze two cases (IBM and Atlanta Home
Loan) using the Discussion Board feature in Blackboard. You enter the discussion by
logging into Blackboard and clicking on Discussions. Read the discussion thread
related to each question. Come up with a response (continuing the discussion and
sharing your own ideas). This will get you warmed up for your time in the
classroom. Keep in mind that the discussion board is meant to be informal (just like
it would be in the classroom). So it is totally appropriate for your responses to be in
a conversational tone.
Case Questions
Information Systems
IBM
1. What factors led to IBMs success during the 1960s and 1970s and
its problems during the late 1980s and early 1990s?
2. What did Gerstner do when he assumed the role of CEO in April
1993? Evaluate Gerstners approach to crisis management. How
well did he perform as a turnaround manager? What challenges
did he face as he attempted to position the company for growth?
3. Why do large established companies, like IBM, find it so difficult to
build successful and sustainable new businesses?
4. Evaluate IBMs approach to leading mature, high growth, and
emerging business opportunities. What are the organization
design and leadership models required to manage each type of
business? How should a company like IBM (or AT&T, for example)
manage the innovation process?
5. What challenges did Sam Palmisano face as he assumed control of
IBM in March 2002? Can a company like IBM (or an organization
like the Army) be organized for both innovation and efficient
What
What
What
What
Did AirTex need a new control system at the time of the takeover?
What is important in this company (what are the important key
recurring decisions)?
Evaluate the control system that Frank and Ted implemented.
Should anything have been done differently?
1 Control of cash
2 Cost allocations
3 Transfer pricing
4 Authority and responsibility
5 Information flow
Will the system evaluated above work? Will they be wildly
successful, a muddling along survivor, or a bankruptcy statistic?