Assignment: Competing in Technology Industries
SensorTech makes motion sensors to detect intruders in high-security buildings. It has been in business for over twenty years and has industry-leading processing technologies that enable the compe to produce the motion sensors at the lowest cost in the industry. Tim Smith, the CEO of the company has recently learned that sensor technologies will experience a major breakthrough by adopting RedAnt technology, a revolutionary technology invented by Drexel University's School of Engineering that will increase the accuracy of motion detection by three folds at potentially half the cost. Unfortunately, he also learned that some of his competitors and startups have already invested heavily in the RedAnt technology, whereas his company has not. Tim hired you as a consultant and asked you to guide through the challenges and opportunities that his company will face over the next few years. Specifically,
(a) Your first job is to communicate the challenges that SensorTech will face to its board. Please describe the challenges that SensorTech will face in the next few yearsand potential consequences from such challenges. Cite examples from real life companies (or case discussed in class) that have gone through similar challenges. (5 points)
(b) After learning about his company's inability to monitor the emerging RedAnt technology, Tim is considering to set up a corporate venture capital (CVC) unit within SensorTech. What purpose would the CVC unit serve for SensorTech? What advices would you give him in setting up such a unit? (5 points)
(c) Given that SensorTech is already far behind in RedHat technology, Tim is considering an acquisition of a small startup, RedAnt Technologies, Inc. to catch up with the competitors. What are the benefits and risks of such a strategy (as opposed to internal R&D or alliances)? (5 points)
Interim class/peer review
Your answers in this space will NOT affect on how I grade your exam questions.
Indeed, I will not look at your answers until I grade your exam answers.
1. Please rate the following items in a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) and write qualitative comments on why you like or dislike a particular aspect of the course. Please provide with suggestions for improvement.
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Your Rating
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Comments
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Cases:
- Silicon Valley
- Gazelle
- Eli Lily
- Handpress
- Roche-Genentech
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Simulations:
- Bay Back Battery
- Wintel
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In class lectures and activities
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2. Is the amount of reading too little, just about right, or too much? Please provide comments.
3. Is the amount of written assignment for the course too little, just about right, or too much? Please provide comments.
4. How is your teamwork going? Are there any issues concerning effectively working as a team?
5. Please provide any other suggestions to improve the class or your experience outside the class.
Attachment:- Attachments.rar