Case 7 “Invitrogen (A)”

(Case study 7- Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization 12e: Hitt, Ireland, Hoskisson (page 78)

Invitrogen was founded in 1987, the firm was one of the largest catalog life science companies in the industry. Its customers came form academic, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and government laboratories; sales includes molecular biology, biochemistry and cell culture reagents products. Invitrogen is a leading company in the life sciences industry which worked on aggressive acquisitions for growth of the company. Though not all acquisitions were successful the company saw major growth by acquiring companies that fit the strategic goals of Invitrogen.With monthly reviews on the acquiring business, close observation and integration plans they would acquire companies. Their new product development was massive every quarter and worked on in house technologies and technologies from acquiring companies and concentrated on merchandise excellence.

The industry’s future was on the next-generation sequencing and the strategic decisions the company needs to take. Next-generation sequencing directs the company to work towards personalizing medicine and provides a Invitrogen with a competitive edge in the upcoming years.The CEO’s effort to organize the resources for acquiring other companies grow the company’s competitive edge. Each factor for acquisition led to the different strategic plans of the organization’s growth. Their strategic leadership along with acquisitions and merges led to the tremendous growth of product.

Please answer these questions:

1. The identification of the company’s internal strengths and weaknesses.

2. The nature of the external environment surrounding the company (competitor analysis: competitor’scurrent strategies, strategic intent, capabilities, core-competicies, etc…)

3. A SWOT analysis.

4. Strategy formulation: Alternatives, evaluation of alternatives

5. Select an action plan or strategy with the highest probabilities of helping the firm in its efforts to earn profits.