Case

Sharp Corporation: Beyond Japan

Case Audit of Team 6

Team 2:

Zainab Alshehri, Mehroze Lalani, Andrew Tate, Valerie York

International Business

MGMKT-831-01

Fall 2014

This case study discusses the current business model and possible future direction of Sharp Corporation, a Japanese electronics company that produces audio-visual and communication equipment, health and environment equipment, and information equipment. Sharp is beginning to feel the effects of global competitive pressure and is looking for a business and corporate strategy that will best fit their internal and external environments and allow them to at least maintain competitive parity in the long run. Sharp is best known for its LCD technology that has been used in televisions, calculators, and other types of screens. Sharp’s current strategy revolves around differentiating its products from competitors through extensive research and development. (See Sharp’s product groupings in the Appendix.) Sharp produced a number of new product innovations between 1925 and 2007, including the first Japanese-made radio set, first mass production of TV sets in Japan, first full lineup of LCD TVs, and world’s largest LCD TV to name a few. (See Sharp timeline in Appendix) (Bartlett, Beamish 2014). Sharp’s business creed revolves around the two principal ideas of sincerity and creativity (About Sharp 2014).

1. Who is the decision maker in this case? How would you characterize his background? Is he unusual?

Overall, our interpretation was that Team 6 answered the question fully based on the case information and the added picture of CEO Mikio Katayama in the presentation was a nice touch. The team acknowledged Katayama as the decision maker in the case, explained some of his unusual qualities, and provided background information stated in the case.

In addition, however, we would have liked to see more detailed researched information on Katayama and his background. Also, an added visual or graphic might...