The Internet was a vast network of interconnected smaller networks of computers, supported by both tan- gible infrastructure (physical hardware) and intangible infrastructure. In 2012, the Internet was the essential medium for communication and content and its impor- tance to everyday life was regarded as higher than that of the telephone, television, and computer. Companies that provided the intangible infrastructural support to the Internet were clustered into segments whose bound- aries were rapidly changing and dissolving. Of these clusters, companies such as Google and Yahoo com- prised the content and electronic commerce segment.
Please follow the same format guidelines for a case study you used last week to develop a case study for Yahoo and post by the end of the week.
Objective:
A key skillset we utilize in this class is strategic analysis – your ability to take and find information on a given situation, identifying strategic problems and applying concepts from class. Also the ability to write clearly and concisely, filtering out extraneous information and providing a hard-hitting compelling persuasive argument is important.
Content:
Each analysis will answer a set of 4 specific questions about the assigned case:
a. What is the firm’s competitive advantage?
b. What problems is the firm facing?
c. What are the relevant external environmental and industry-level factors/forces impacting the firm’s problems and opportunities?
d. What actions do you recommend and why?
In answering each question – Explain and defend your positions clearly! This means use relevant examples and evidence and apply concepts from the textbook readings, class lectures and discussions, and outside sources where appropriate.
The best case analyses do not try to create endless lists of problem after problem. The strongest analyses focus on one or two specific problems and fully develop and explain them in detail. The same goes for the other two sections of the analysis. Depth is valued over breadth. Your analysis should be clear and concise, well-written with well-constructed arguments. Ideally your problem will flow to your discussion of the nature of the associated competitive advantage which should then flow to your solution ideas.
Format:
The formatting of this assignment is very specific. Each case analysis will consist of at least four paragraphs, one paragraph answering each of the three questions above. Each paragraph should begin with a bolder topic sentence. This means that the first sentence summarizes your answer and is to be literally printed in bold font. You do not need to repeat the question – you need to start with your answer to each question.