Business plan
Week 1 case study 1
Case Study #1: Can GameStop Survive with Its Brick-and-Mortal Stores?
Perform a five forces analysis of the online gaming industry. What are the implications of the five forces analysis for GameStop?
Competitive rivalry- the rivalry in the gaming industry is high since there are so many competitors who come up with new ideas and different products (Roy, 2009). This means that the company's margins and profitability will be affected. However, the company can increase product differentiation and expand the market to overcome the intense rivalry.
Supplier power- there are many suppliers in the gaming industry and this means that the supplier power is high and they have a dominant position in the market (Roy, 2009). This means that gaming industries can deal with various suppliers. This is a disadvantage to the GameStop since its profitability will be affected. However, it can increase profitability by selecting the most efficient and dedicated supplier.
Buyer power- in the gaming industry, buyers have high bargaining power and consider prices, discounts and offers when purchasing goods and services. This will also affect the GameStop's profitability but the industry can tackle this challenge by innovating new products and provide discounts and incentives in order to increase the customer base.
The threat of substitution-the gaming industry power and profitability is weakened by the substituted goods from other companies. This indicates that the GameStop's profitability will be affected but it can address the challenge by focusing on quality services, identify the customer need and meet the needs and provide them with switching cost.
The threat of new entry- there is a high force of new entrants in the online gaming industry. However, the high rate of new entrants is an indication that the GameStop will benefit from innovation (Roy, 2009). New entrants bring challenges such as more competition but GameStop will manage these challenges by reducing cost, innovate new products, develop economies of scales and build capacity.
What role have information systems played in the five forces you identified?
Industries use five forces to create a competitive advantage through factors such as cost and quality. The information system has played a significant role in that it has enabled the industry to employ the competitive strategy or rather the five forces (Rainer & Cegielski, 2011). With information technology, the industry can now create a strategic goal and increase productivity.
How has GameStop used information systems to compete more effectively?
The information system has helped GameStop become an information-based industry and the company has used the information system to view the internet and learn the digitized information such as the internet applications, and business activities related to operations, distribution, marketing among other business strategies (Rainer & Cegielski, 2011).
What other strategic actions will GameStop need to take to protect its business?
In addition to the use of the information system to create a business strategy, the company should focus on quality services to increase choices and convenience. It should also focus on relationship building, peer exchange and increase its online presence by developing video games competition with other players and teams.
Week 1 case study 2
Case Study #2: The battle for Net Neutrality
What are the strategic interests of carriers? What are the strategic interest of websites?
The strategic interest of carriers is to promote network infrastructure and provide internet users with the best services. The strategic interest of websites is to connect customers with business and build and maintain communication between organizations and customers (Roberts, 2019).
How do the interest of carriers differ from interest of websites? What are the implications for websites from a value chain perspective?
The interests of carriers differ from the interest of websites in that the former focus on expanding its financial markets through providing internet services while the former focus on marketing communications where friends, families, customers, and firms can exchange information regarding goods and services. From a value chain perspective, websites add value by providing customers with business information regarding the pricing, products, advertisement, real-time feedback, promoting, and customer self-service and real-time services (Roberts, 2019).
What is the basis for Verizon’s lawsuit against the Federal Communication Commissions? Why did it claim a violation of free speech?
Federal Communication Commissions (government agency) passed net neutrality regulations and approved that the internet service providers should not charge the internet users, and added that all people should access internet without discrimination. Verizon, an internet service provider, filed a lawsuit against FCC for violating free speech arguing that the agency does not have the regulatory power (Roberts, 2019). Verizon argued that the internet service providers have the right to properties and right to charge the users.
What are the relevant considerations on the role of government could play to resolve differences between carriers and websites?
To resolve the case, the U.S court should consider the role of government in protecting the internet subscribers and user privacy and the role in creating transparency rule and regulating commerce.
Week 2 case study 1
Case Study #1: Mobile Payment and the Digital Wallet
What are the potential benefits of this technology for consumers? What are the potential benefits for retailers?
Potential benefits of mobile payment to customers include, managing finances, convenience and security as people do not carry cash and the ability to check balances and buy tickets such as airline tickets. Retailers also enjoy the benefits of the mobile payments since they can provide real-time demand and meets the customers' need at any time (Taniar, 2009). Retailers also generate revenue since the consumers will pay instantly in point-of-sale terminals and they will and returning customers since the process of purchase will be easier. Retailers will also reduce the cost that could be incurred using a credit card terminal.
What are the risks for consumers and retailers? What are some ways that these risks could be overcome?
Retailers may suffer from the risk of fraud since the increasing opportunity will create a room for criminals to engage in cyber threats. Retailers are also expected to comply with federal regulations and failure to comply may lead to penalties (Taniar, 2009). Customer may suffer from theft of the physical device, malware infection, and loss of personal data especially when criminals access financial network. Since security is the main threat to both consumers and retailers, some ways to overcome the security risks include the use of the virtual private network, use multi-factor authentication and biometric methods to unlock the device (Taniar, 2009). Retailers should also ensure safety to the payment solution by implementing security technology to track the behaviors of the customers.
How could this technology affect the telecommunications and consumer banking industries?
The mobile payment has undermined the effectiveness of telecommunications and banks since many people have adopted the new payment method. The bank and telecommunication are suffering from lack of profitability due to a reduction of return on investment. Since the mobile payment has brought convenience and security than traditional methods, banks are losing their customers due to inability to meet customers' expectations and demand (Taniar, 2009). Banks are also spending a large amount of the discretionary budget in order to adjust to the changes. Telecommunications Company are also forced to increase customer base, and they are unable to adapt to these changes and to compete with the new service providers.
Do you believe this technology would work in the United States? Why or why not?
The mobile payment will not work in the U.S since Americans use credit cards and as they compare credit cards with mobile payment, they prefer to use a credit card since it offers security against fraud and users receive incentives and benefits. Americans do not see the value of switching to the new method due to security and privacy issues (Taniar, 2009). Mobile payment is not offering added value and special offers and its services are inconsistent since it is a new method in the financial market.
Week 2 case study 2
Case Study #2: Linkedln: The Social Network and E-Marketplace for Professionals
Linkedln does not rely heavily on targeted advertising but generates revenue from other services. Identify other sources of revenue that Linkedln uses and explain how each contributes revenue.
Other sources of LinkedIn revenue include: Talent Solution line- LinkedIn connects recruiters with network users and with the connection, companies are able to select and recruit talented professionals. Linkedln's marketing solutions- LinkedIn connects companies with customers and with the connection, the companies are able to advertise goods and services and users can understand the company's goal. Premium Subscriptions- customers pay a certain amount of money in order to purchase the company's goods and services according to personal interest (Meyerson, 2010).
What are some of the advantages for college students to use Linkedln?
LinkedIn provides students with professional development by helping them find job opportunities, stay connected and gain business skills.
What are some of the advantages and benefits to Microsoft in the acquisition of Linkedln?
Microsoft benefits from the purchase of LinkedIn since many people use LinkedIn and this means that they will get access to Microsoft Office products. Users will boost the growth of Microsoft business due to the connection between Microsoft and Linkedln.
Describe how Microsoft could integrate its products with Linkedln to provide great value to Linkedln customers?
Microsoft and LinkedIn will connect people in a single platform through the use of Microsoft Cortana. Users in both platforms will communicate, access information, collaborate and more importantly build a solid relationship thereby providing users with a great advantage.
WEEK 3 Case study 1
Case Study # 1: Telepresence Robots Support Remote Collaboration
What are the benefits of telepresence robots for a company?
Telepresence provides faster connections, improves workers collaboration and face-to-face interaction by connecting workers in the office and those who are outside the office (Lopez, 2014). It also improves everyday activities by eliminating travel costs.
What are the limitations of telepresence robots?
Telepresence robot has limitations in that it not does perform physical labor, it needs corporate security systems, and it also requires special skills and good office condition in order to operate the robot (Lopez, 2014). Furthermore, it does not offer quality social interaction due to lack of body cues.
How does the use of telepresence robots compare with traditional video conferencing?
There is a big difference between telepresence robots and video conferencing since the latter is more advanced and contains clear pictures, quality sound, quality HD video, clear audio, and directional cues. It allows end-user opinion and it does not require hand-held devices. On the other hand, video conferencing has poor connectivity, poor video, and audio. Users cannot interact effectively due to unclear pictures and inability to perceive body language (Lopez, 2014). It is also difficult to operate video conferencing due to its complex structure.
In what other settings might telepresence robots be applicable?
Telepresence can be used in other settings such as health care system where physicians can interact with patients. Education institutions are also using telepresence to connect school children with teachers where they ask questions and participate in learning (Lopez, 2014). Hotels managers are using this technology to communicate with tourists.
References
Roberts, K. (2019). Net neutrality. Greenhaven Publishing
Lopez, P. A. (2014). The robotics divide. London: Springer.
Meyerson, M. (2010). Success secrets of the social media marketing superstars. Irvine, Calif.:
Entrepreneur Press.
Rainer, R. K., & Cegielski, C. G. (2011). Introduction to information systems. Hoboken, N.J:
John Wiley & Sons.
Roy, D. (2009). Strategic foresight and Porter's five forces: Towards a synthesis. München:
GRIN.
Taniar, D. (2009). Mobile computing: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications.
Hershey, Pa: IGI Global.
