Foxconn and Sharp just announced an alliance that involves a purchase of Sharp shares by Foxconn, sales of LCD screens from Sharp to Foxconn, and Foxconn access to Sharp LCD technology. It is a clear case of firms seeking to overcome their weaknesses: Foxconn LCD technology is not up to Sharp standards, and Sharp is a high-cost player with difficulty selling its screens.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/03/why-is-foxconns-alliance-with-sharp-a-problem-for-sony-and-apple/
In 1978, engineers at Sony successfully married a compact playback device with lightweight headphones to create the prototype for a product that would become a worldwide hit. In 1979, the ‘Walkman’ was introduced in the Japanese market, selling out its entire stock of 30,000 units within the first three months.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/03/innovation-success-how-the-apple-ipod-broke-all-sonys-walkman-rules/
Sony now has designated its next chief executive – Kazuo Hirai, whose credentials include running the US game division and then turning the overall game division back from a precipice of potentially enormous losses. With Sony’s long slide from leadership in multiple businesses (think TVs, portable music, and games), there is a lot of second-guessing of their strategies so far.… Read more
Permanent link to this article: http://blog.insead.edu/2012/02/strategy-and-organization-in-sony/
