Case Study Analysis

Prepare an in-depth analysis of three case studies during the semester. Answer all the questions listed below for each case. The ‘answers’ to the questions are best found by reviewing the case and reviewing the reading materials of the prior weeks. The questions are worded to help you apply the reading. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can stay within the terminology of the case. The best analysis will abstract the case content by applying the reading materials.

IT at Cirque du Soleil

Describe how the touring show life cycle is supported by IT. Translate the figure provided in the case to describe the lifecycle in simple generic terms.
What is/are the “system(s)” at Cirque du Soleil? Identify the specific generic type of system(s) and justify.
What are the key business processes in the touring show life cycle? Again, identify the specific generic type of processes and justify.
Which basic business processes did IT ignore? Why?

Wyeth

What is the final enterprise architecture at Wyeth (at the end of the case)? Apply the systems architecture framework from the reading materials.
What stages did Wyeth go through to achieve globalization? Which stage was the most critical? What were the key business processes at each stage?
Characterize the challenges faced by Wyeth IT personnel in achieving globalization using Galbraith’s star model of organization design. Do you think a different organizational design would have worked better? Why?
Describe the Wyeth IT organization using the Gartner ‘Built-to-Purpose IT Organization’ framework. Identify the type of line management, delivery role, and governance model. Which one of the four ‘ideal’ types does Wyeth fit best in (engine room, global service providers, IS the business, Everyone’s IT)? Why? Would a different organizational IT structure ease the future process of globalization? How?

Disruptive Innovation

The goal of this case is to apply disruptive innovation theory to one of the technologies below. You will be assigned the technology that you will work on.

3-D Printing
Internet of Things
Autonomous vehicles
The Connected Home
Mobile health monitoring (not consumer wearables)

There is no formal case reading.
See the resources available at http://library.temple.edu, for example try: http://library.temple.edu/summon or ProQuest ABI/INFORM Complete (note: link will likely only work if you are on Temple’s network) to find relevant materials.
Focus on:
- Define the scope of analysis, both technology and time frame.
- Describe the evolution of the “market” based on the disruptive innovation cycle. Appropriately defining, scoping, describing the market(s) is a key challenge in this project.
- Name the specific disruptions using Christensen’s’ terminology and describe how they will impact the above market(s).
- What recommendations would you make to the CEO of the key incumbent?
- What recommendations would you make to the CEO of the leading innovator?

Requirements

Summarize your analysis in a set of no more than 5 PowerPoint slides. Use the main slides to communicate the key points in a concise and direct manner. You may use the “notes” section on PowerPoint to add more detail and justification. Do not fill the main slides with text. The slides should (a) apply class materials, and (b) include a balanced perspective which explains both the rationale for a recommendation (the why), and any potential risks (the downsides).

The process for submitting your case study analysis is as follows:

Submit the case study analysis via email to me (at Bruce.Hohne@temple.edu) – no later than the day the case study is to be discussed in class. The file should be in Microsoft Powerpoint (.ppt or pptx) format.
Please bring the case to class on a flash drive. You may be asked to lead a discussion about the case using your slides.
Late submissions will not receive assignment credit.

Grading Criteria

Ability to answer all the stated questions in an integrated and comprehensive manner
Ability to creatively and successfully apply class materials
Provides a balanced perspective that includes both pros and cons in the analysis
Good use of the ‘deck’ as a medium of communication