Social and Political Sciences

3. Why is Google investing in Android? How and when will Google be able to determine if Android is a success? To what extend are the stakeholders in the wireless industry aligned with Google? What impact would their alignment or misalignment have on the viability of the Open Handset Alliance?

Technology Management – Take Home Exam - Final

Associate Professor S. Emre Alptekin

Select two of the following questions

1. What are the major factors that contributed to Xiaomi becoming a leading smartphone company in China? What capabilities would Xiaomi need to develop to compete head-to-head with industry giants Apple and Samsung? Xiaomi has been very successful in China, but how will they fare in the global market? What obstacles are they likely to face? What capabilities will they need to develop to expand globally?

2. Explain briefly the Dabbawala system. What are the critical factors behind its success? Could this system be used elsewhere?

3. What are the challenges and risks faced by Cisco in new product introduction? What are the risks and benefits of using Chinese contract manufacturing from the start?

4. Dropbox is a late mover in a crowded space. What opportunity did Houston see? Specifically, what are the key elements of Dropbox’s current business model? What should Houston do about the decision posed at the end of the case, i.e., creating a separate version for small and medium-size business (SMB) customers? What process should he use to make this decision?

5. What are the main challenges and opportunities GE will face with its Industrial Internet transformation?

Select two of the following questions (DO NOT SELECT YOUR OWN CASE).

1. What role could 3D printing play in changing supply-chain management? What are the advantages, disadvantages and limitations of 3D-printing technology compared with those of traditional manufacturing technology? What could be the short-term and long-term impact of 3D printing on the Chinese manufacturing industry be?

2. Are watches, TVs, and car the right focus for Apple? Is Apple doing down the best path in watches and wearables? Should Apple shift direction in Tvs? Does it make sense for Apple to enter the car business, and if so how? Will these potential investments bring a commensurate returns?

3. Why is Google investing in Android? How and when will Google be able to determine if Android is a success? To what extend are the stakeholders in the wireless industry aligned with Google? What impact would their alignment or misalignment have on the viability of the Open Handset Alliance?

4. Why do you think Hewlett Packard (HP) needed to split the 75-year-old company into two independent, publicly traded companies? What is the aim of the project "EG Ignite"? What challenges should HP expect during the transformation?

5. In early 2015, Intel had virtually no presence in the smartphone market, and had only recently gained a real presence in the tablet market. Why do you think it is important for Intel to be present in these markets? What are the challenges Intel will face entering these markets? Will Intel be successful or is it already to late?

6. In 2010, Pfizer established four small research units in New York, Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego located close to several premier Academic Medical Centers (AMCs), or hospitals with adjoining medical schools. What are the goals of these units? What were the strengths of and challenges facing academic collaboration model proposed by Pfizer? How would the model evolve in the future? And how would new, similar collaboration models surfacing at other major pharmaceutical companies pose a threat to the Pfizer model?

7. What was the source of Sony’s real profits from the PS4? How can Sony ensure the viability