Assignment:
DISCUSSION
Economics of Organization and Strategy
One of the hottest topics in the business press are rumors of major corporations merging together. Just as the entertainment press likes to report on rumors of celebrities who are dating, the business press likes to speculate about "corporate match-making". For example, Whole Foods was subject to rumors about several potential suitors including supermarket giants such as Kroger, Albertson's, and Walmart. But the world was somewhat surprised when a merger deal with Amazon was announced, as this seems like a bit of an "odd couple".
Go to Google news or other news search engines and see what the latest merger rumors are. Pick one of the merger rumors that seems the most unusual to you - one that makes you wonder why these two companies think they are a good match for each other. Share the link to the article with your classmates, and discuss the following issues:
1. Is this merger horizontal? Vertical? Conglomerate (unrelated diversification)?
2. Why do you think these companies would or would not make a good match?
3. Do you think this merger will actually go through? Or won't get beyond the gossip stage?
ECONOMICS OF ORGANIZATION AND STRATEGY
Assignment Overview
Apple and Samsung are often mentioned together, as they are both world leading producers of smartphones. However, they are much different companies in a variety of ways. Carefully review the background readings concerning diversification and vertical integration. Then do some extensive research on Samsung and Apple concerning their diversification and vertical integration strategies.
Case Assignment
When you have finished your research, write a four to five page paper answering the following questions. Make sure to cite both the required background readings as well as articles on Samsung and Apple:
1. To what extent does Apple engage in related diversification? To what extent do they engage in unrelated diversification?
2. To what extent does Samsung engage in related diversification? To what extent do they engage in unrelated diversification?
3. To what extent does Apple engage in backward (upstream) vertical integration? To what extent do they engage in forward (downstream) vertical integration?
4. To what extent does Samsung engage in backward (upstream) vertical integration? To what extent do they engage in forward (downstream) vertical integration?
5. Overall what major differences or similarities do you find between Samsung and Apple's diversification and vertical integration strategies?
Attachment:- Economics of Organization.rar