...Philips vs. Matsushita Case Greg Tensa 1. How did Philips become the leading consumer electronics company in the world post war era? What distinctive competencies did they build? What incompetancies did they build? Prior to World War II, Philips had created a culture of embracing technical innovation. On the production side, Philips was a leader in industrial research, and scrapped old plants in favor of new machines or factories whenever advances were made. On the product side, strong research enabled the company to broaden its product line, starting with light bulbs but growing into vacuum tubes, radios and X-ray tubes by the 1930s. Because Holland was such a small country, Philips was forced to start exporting in the early 1900s in order to have enough sales volume for its mass-production facilities. Philips evolved into a highly centralized company with decentralized sales and autonomous marketing in 17 countries. Political events in the world during the 1930s forced Philips to change into a truly multi-national company. First, the depression caused countries to erect trade barriers and enact high tariffs, forcing Philips to build local production facilities in the foreign markets they served. Second, in anticipation of World War II, Philips transferred its overseas assets into trusts in Great Britain and the U.S. They moved the bulk of their research staffs to England, and their top managers to the United States. With these assets, the national organizations (NOs) became...
Words: 1891 - Pages: 8
...Assessment of Philips Electronics: Is Sense & Simplicity Sustainable Andrew M. Froning Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Submitted: May 4th, 2013 Abstract Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V has been recognized as an industry leader for sustainability. In the past decade is has undergone a whole culture shift in the way it does business. But is what Philips doing really sustainable or are they just green washing their products. The report looks at how a sustainable business operates and how Philips’ programs and initiatives line up with those constructs of sustainable business development. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Assessment of Philips Electronics: Is Sense & Simplicity Sustainable 4 Enterprise Thinking 5 Inclusiveness & Value Networks 8 Suppliers 8 Stakeholders 9 Connectedness 10 Social Responsibility 10 Philanthropy 11 Reuse & Recycling 11 Life Cycle Thinking 12 Innovativeness & Leadership 13 Conclusion 14 References 15 Footnotes 16 Figures 19 Assessment of Philips Electronics: Is Sense & Simplicity Sustainable Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., also known as Royal Philips Electronics but commonly known as “Philips”, is an electronics company based in the Netherlands with facilities located across the world. It is one of the largest electronics companies in the world and the largest manufacturer of lighting.1 In 2004 Philips released their brand promise, “Sense and Simplicity” encapsulates...
Words: 3620 - Pages: 15
...The Philips Arena Brandon Rabon One of my favorite events was when I went to the Philips Arena to watch the Hawks and the Heat play. My friend and I went on a trip to Atlanta to go see our first NBA game. This was very exciting to go watch the most exciting team in the NBA play. We really didn’t know what to expect but assumed it would be like any other venue just like the Colonial Life Arena. The drive there was nice and it was pretty easy to spot the venue in the middle of the city. Parking was a different story all together. It took us probably 30 minutes to try to find a spot. They had a few police officers trying to direct traffic but there could have been more. We ended up having to parking like three or four blocks away from the venue and just walked there. They could have improved parking by using some of the parking garages around the venue. While we were walking back I saw at least two or three garages that were not being used and just shut down for the night. Arriving to the venue, the size of the Philips Arena was amazing. They haven’t opened the doors yet so there were a lot of people waiting to get in and seated. The crowd management up to this point is handled well because everyone got into lines fairly quickly once the doors opened. The tickets were scanned easy and quickly to get everyone in. We got into the lobby and then upstairs to the concessions portion of the arena. The signage in the arena could have been a lot better. It took me 10- 15 minutes to just...
Words: 664 - Pages: 3
...9-910-410 DECEMBER 11, 2009 CHRISTOPHER A. BARTLETT Philips versus Matsushita: The Competitive Battle Continues Throughout their long histories, N.V. Philips (Netherlands) and Matsushita Electric (Japan) had followed very different strategies and emerged with very different organizational capabilities. Philips built its success on a worldwide portfolio of responsive national organizations while Matsushita based its global competitiveness on its centralized, highly efficient operations in Japan. During the first decade of the 21st century, however, both companies experienced major challenges to their historic competitive positions and organizational models. Implementing yet another round of strategic initiatives and organizational restructurings, the CEOs at both companies were taking their respective organizations in very different directions. At the end of the decade, observers wondered how the changes would affect their long-running competitive battle. Philips: Background In 1892, Gerard Philips and his father opened a small light-bulb factory in Eindhoven, Holland. When their venture almost failed, they recruited Gerard’s brother, Anton, an excellent salesman and manager. By 1900, Philips was the third largest light-bulb producer in Europe. Technological Competence and Geographic Expansion While larger electrical products companies were racing to diversify, Philips made only light-bulbs. This one-product focus and Gerard’s technological prowess enabled...
Words: 9318 - Pages: 38
...A. Philip Randolph Daneka Ruiz Born on April 15, 1889 in Crescent City, Florida, Reverend James W. and Elizabeth Randolph gave birth to their second son, Asa Philip Randolph. James worked as a tailor and minister, while Elizabeth worked as a seamstress. Both of his parents were supporters of equality for African Americans as well as general human rights. Being black during that era meant having to live through difficult circumstances while striving to survive. Through the guidance and nurture from his parents, Asa inherited his compassion and drive towards racial inequality. In 1891, the Randolph’s moved to Jacksonville, Florida, which had a positive, and well-established African American community. Asa and his brother were superior students. Their parents always made sure that the boys had many books to read. The collection of books was small, but powerful. They were exposed to Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Darwin, and many more of the greats. They attended the Cookman institute, one of the first schools of higher education for African Americans. Throughout his high school career Asa excelled in many subjects and was noticed for his articulate and confident voice, which he had inherited from his father. Reverend James continuously supported him by letting him know that he was gifted. With those gifts, Asa went on to pursue public speaking, drama, and singing. He graduated as class valedictorian. James and Elizabeth instilled many important values...
Words: 1701 - Pages: 7
...ASA PHILIP RANDOLPH JONATHAN D. DUPREE WEBSTER UNIVERSITY HRMG 5930 DANNY KAIL, INSTRUCTOR ABSTRACT Asa Philip Randolph, civil rights leader and trade unionist, was born in Crescent City, Florida on April 15, 1889. He was the second of two sons of James, a traveling minister, and Elizabeth, a devoted member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Both parents were strong supporters of equal rights for African Americans and had an overwhelming influence on Randolph. He and his older brother William would often play childhood games that included role playing in which they worked for African American rights. Randolph and his brother were both superior students and attended the Cookman Institute in East Jacksonville, the only academic high school in Florida for African Americans. Randolph excelled in literature, drama and public speaking. It would be Randolph’s strong family influence and academic ambitions that would provide the foundation for his journey on the quest for fair economic and trade rights and racial equality for African Americans. After graduating high school and working numerous odd jobs Randolph devoted his time to singing, acting and reading. Influenced by W. E. B. Du Bois’ “The Souls of Black Folk”, Randolph was convinced that the fight for social equality was more important than almost anything else (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Philip_Randolph, 2011). Segregation and racial discrimination against blacks was increasing exponentially each...
Words: 2221 - Pages: 9
...The Stanford Prison experiment was a psychological experiment that took place in 1971 at Stanford University and was conducted by Philip Zimbardo a psychology professor who believed that prisons were violent places because of the nature of the roles guards and prisoners were expected to play and the rules and expectations attached to these roles. Zimbardo argues that no matter who was placed in such a position they would act in the same manner, based on their expected and perceived roles. Zimbardo attempted to prove his hypothesis by putting law-abiding middle class male students in the position of prisoners and guards. Twenty four male volunteers were chosen and randomly divided into two groups, 12 guards and 12 prisoners. Uniforms were issued to each group, very few rules were given except that the guards were permitted to do whatever they felt necessary to keep order...
Words: 756 - Pages: 4
...Compare how Larkin and Abse write about unhappiness in their poetry. Both Larkin and Abse have written poetry which involves certain degrees of unhappiness, however, it’s clear that they have different views on what causes the emotion. Charles Hall said that it was “preferable” in Larkin’s view, “for everyone to resign themselves to their destinies and accept the implacable emptiness of their lives.” Larkin seems to have the perspective that unhappiness is generally and essential aspect of the human condition. Whereas Abse is generally optimistic, usually his unhappiness in his poetry is subjective, caused by rare moments in the family, or awareness of mortality. Larkin generally believes that unhappiness lies in the expectations of life and reality. One of his most common beliefs is that marriage and family can be the cause of unhappiness through the routine and repetition of life. This is seen in his poem “Afternoons”, a study of a conventional working class family life, where Larkin acts as the “knowing outside” according to Andrew Motion. It starts immediately with the imagery of “Summer is fading”, he gives the impression that the life of the people he’s observing is digressing from their youth to middle age. He focuses on the youth of the parents being replaced by their children “but the lovers are all in school”. There seems to be this idea that history is repeating itself from parent to child, almost as though their children simply act as a reminder to the aging...
Words: 2029 - Pages: 9
...The last Philip of Spain came to power on November 1, 1700. Philip the 5th ruled Spain for 46 years until he died of a stroke and his son Ferdinand took the throne. During the early years he wasn’t liked but he ended up being one of the more beneficial Philips to Spain. Philip believed in the king’s divine right. He used that “right” to do things like order murders of nobles and viceroys that didn’t live up to the exceedingly high expectations he had set for them. Also if his nobles didn’t accomplish his demands he had them killed. The nobles of Spain were well-controlled by Philip. He didn’t let his nobles take part in any real decision making and didn’t give them any real power in Spain. He created the council of state to make the nobles believe that they had power. Philip himself didn’t even attend the council of state so it held no actual influence over his thoughts or actions. During his rule, Philip shifted the political system from more of a king/noble system to a complete Monarchy. Also, he didn’t participate in any major wars during his reign so he built a positive political relationship with the countries around Spain. However he did start the war of Spanish succession against the French, which resulted in his dethroning, he only caused negative conflict with the French....
Words: 612 - Pages: 3
...John Philip Sousa Perhaps the most iconic of all the marching instruments is the Sousaphone with its carefully crafted tubing and grandiose bell. This colossal apparatus is gargantuan not only in its physical size but in its thundering acoustics as well. But where did this mammoth instrument originate from? The answer is John Philip Sousa, a conductor and composer whose outstanding work in the United States Marine Band would earn him the title of “March King”. Sousa was born on November 6, 1854 near the U.S. Marine Barracks in Washington D.C. John Sousa grew up around the Marine Band throughout his early life since his father Antonio Sousa was a musician in the Marine Band. Sousa earned his basic education in Washington D.C. during which...
Words: 643 - Pages: 3
...Philip Anderson 1. Which of the investment alternative: Provides the highest returns to the client? Provides the highest profits to Stuart & Co.? Alternative C provides the highest returns to the client. It has the highest average annual total returns over last 5 years (net of management fees). And its load or commission is moderate. Alternative B provides the highest profits to Stuart & Co. It has the highest management fees, which direct benefits Stuart & Co., and the highest load or commission. 2. Which alternative should the top management of Stuart & Co. want Philip to recommend to his client? Is the company’s control system designed to ensure that choice? The top management of Stuart & Co. would want Philip to recommend Alternative B to his client, since Alternative B Can bring in maximum profits to the company. The company’s control system designed to ensure that choice. The management implement results controls. The demand on branch managers to push specific products is in-corporated into their annual sales budgets. And reword system also exists. So, if employees generate good results (selling specific products), they would get bonuses. It may cause employees to be concerned about the consequences of the actions they take. 3. If Philip recommends the highest profit choice (for the company), is he acting unethically? Personally, I don’t think that recommending the highest profit choice (for the company) is acting unethically...
Words: 343 - Pages: 2
...The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0953-4814.htm Leadership style and entrepreneurial change The Centurion operation at Philips Electronics Leadership style 73 Luchien Karsten University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Sjoerd Keulen University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Ronald Kroeze Free University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Rik Peters University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to look at the role of the top and middle management of the Philips organization during the transition from one type of organizational change to another in the 1990s and the role the history of the organisation played in this process. Design/methodology/approach – The paper analysis is based on historical records, literature and interviews with former Philips top managers. Findings – The paper shows that Philips’ leaders used different styles of leadership to create a deliberate atmosphere and willingness to change. The final emergent transformation, however, could only sufficiently materialise while it rejuvenated existing management concepts like Quality Management. The success was partly based on the fact that these concepts played a historical role in the Philips organisation. Originality/value – The paper adds the historical style approach to leadership research and pays attention to the important role of the organization’s history during processes...
Words: 10260 - Pages: 42
...Netherlands caused by the actions and attitudes of Philip II? By 1576, Phillips religious intolerance and financial mismanagement can be seen as a major cause of the outbreak of three revolts within the Netherlands. In 1566, 1572 and 1576 the Netherlanders decided that it was time to bear arms agaised their ever absent monarch, Phillip II. The increasing spanish centralisation and subsequent decline of particularism turned the people against spanish control. However we must asses weather the decline of the traditional aristocracy, caused by a rising mercantile class was a factor that led to the rebellion. The growing dissatisfaction of the grandees certainly helped to provide leadership, however the social and economic deprivation of the lower classes, caused by Phillip II's stubborn religious policies, gave the peasants due cause to rise up. Throughout he's reign Phillip constantly made poor appointments in the Netherlands. When he made Margaret of Parma, his half sister, regent he refused to give her any actual power in the area. This made her a completely useless figure head. After her resignation Philip replaced her with the Duke of Alva. Philip said "I remit all power to you", this would therefore allow Alva to have an impact on the netherlands, however this proved to be a very negative impact. Alva introduces the 10th and 100th penny taxation which proved extremely unpopular and alienated the nation against Alva and therefore philip and Spain. He also set up the council of...
Words: 834 - Pages: 4
...1. After we read the case carefully, the main strengths of Phillips were many as its weaknesses. Their organizational structure in the beginning was rather centralized but as they expanded geographically it transformed to a more flatter organization, like for instance the National Organizations which had absolute powers, and were very independent which created some friction between the mother company and them. First and foremost, looking back at their history we can certainly conclude that Phillips really cared about its employees and that’s why we think they had innovative ideas and products. Their main rules were to expand but at the same time also using new and updated technologies in order to be cost efficient. They saw expanding as a way of increasomg their profits and revenues and that’s why they took a geographic expansion in markets such as Brazil, United States, Europe, Canada, France and so on. In addition, they also created joint ventures in order to gain market acceptance faster. To add boost to their R&D department Phillips also came in agreement with General Electrics and Matsushita to share their patents. Another strength would be their “National Organizations” (NO) which in the end became powerful independent entities which also became a weakness for Phillips and we will further explain that when we are coming to weaknesses. The National Organizations main functions were to respond to the different demands depending on where they were located which gave rise to...
Words: 1569 - Pages: 7
...Company Introduction Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is an integrated power plant equipment manufacturer and one of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies in India in terms of turnover.{{cn}] Established in 1964, BHEL ushered in the indigenous Heavy Electrical Equipment industry in India. The company has been earning profits continuously since 1971-72and paying dividends since 1976-77 It was founded on 1953. It has its headquarters in New delhi, India. Its chairman and managing director is B.P.Rao. The company has its main product are uninterruptible power supplies, circuit breakers, switch gear, switchboards and motor controllers. It is engaged in the design, engineering, manufacture, construction, testing, commissioning and servicing of a wide range of products and services for the core sectors of the economy, viz. Power, Transmission, Industry, Transportation, Renewable Energy, Oil & Gas and Defence. It has 15 manufacturing divisions, two repair units, four regional offices, eight service centres, eight overseas offices and 15 regional centres and currently operates at more than 150 project sites across India and abroad. Most of its manufacturing units and other entities have been accredited to Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2008), Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2004) and Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSAS 18001:2007). It is the 12th largest power equipment manufacturer in the world. In the year...
Words: 1156 - Pages: 5
