| Author: | Chan, Chi-kong Ivan |
| Title: | Innovation for growth : an analysis on a high technology firm |
| Degree: | M.B.A. |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Nokia (Firm) Mobile communication systems |
| Department: | Department of Management |
| Pages: | 76 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | When a firm competes in a global industry, the principal issue of strategy is the same: how to position and adapt the company to its changing environment. However, the global environment is extremely complex as markets and regions differ in characteristics such as their culture, levels of technology, buying capacity and governmental regulation. This project uses case study methodology to investigate Nokia, the current leader in mobile telephone handset manufacturing. During the past decade Nokia sustained huge losses. However, it was able to exploit an era characterized as having high levels of technological discontinuity to achieve high growth rate during the past 4 years. The study focused on the case firm's techno-competitive environment and its strategic position. The analysis of its utilization of its technological innovations, effective knowledge management and efficient supply chain management showed these were important in its achievement of a position of technological leadership within the industry. The analysis was focused on these issues because the mobile handset business is a high technology business that demands 1) technology innovation through knowledge creation in research and development; and 2) cost advantage through demand/supply chain management to meet the requirements of this global business. The results show that the key role of knowledge management is striking. Nokia invested in the best practice in an attempt to manage knowledge effectively and efficiently. In addition, Nokia understands the importance of locating R&D activities in strategic regions globally to grasp the benefits of their best talent and from sharing their latest technological knowledge with units in other countries. In addition, even for a prominent leader in the mobile communication industry, achieving an accurate forecast of demand/supply of global products is extremely difficult because - the mobile handsets market is experiencing rapid growth as well as high levels of volatility. Nokia's strong collaborative culture demands planning, forecasting and replenishment efforts with its customers and these have to be established in order to achieve cost advantages, inventory reductions and improved delivery cycle time. The study also discusses some implications for practicing managers. Managers should pay more attention to the establishment of global networks, monitor technology trends closely, exploit industry shifts as growth steps, view R&D as a critical asset, locate R&D activities strategically and develop strong collaborative demand planning, forecasting and replenishment processes for efficient product delivery. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b1611601x.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.11 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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