Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier Description
The Auto-Graphics, Inc. ("A-G") case is an example of a small business that has survived over three generations through adapting to industry and market trends, yet still faces challenges as technology continues inexorably to change the business environment. A-G competed in the public, academic, and consortia (PAC) segment of the library-automation industry. It was founded in 1950 in Alhambra, CA by Ira C. Cope and in 2011 was led by his grandson, Paul Cope.The case opens with Paul Cope's excitement and optimism about the future possibilities of the library-automation industry. His optimism was tempered by the fact that the library market was very mature and libraries in both Canada and the U.S. were confronted with shrinking budgets. Although Paul Cope was hopeful about the future possibilities of the library-automation industry, A-G had to find a way to increase revenues in its North American business in the face of declining library budgets. The case describes the library-automation industry, the market segments served, the products offered by the firms in the industry, the trends affecting the industry, and the challenges faced by incumbents in the industry. It then describes competition in the PAC segment, which was intense throughout the 2000s. Competing technologies included SaaS (Software as a Service) and open-systems software. Markets were also changing. One ongoing issue was that library patrons belonged to a generation accustomed to Google-like search engines and the latest and greatest technologies, so held high expectations for a library's ease of use and breadth of content. Libraries needed to make radical changes to redefine their relevancy with their community of users and to keep up with changes in technologies including eBooks, eJournals and other online resources. The case then describes A-G itself-how it innovates, its product line, and its financial statements over the past five years. The case ends with the challenges facing Paul Cope and A-G. The case will challenge students to integrate industry and competitive dynamics with market demands and technological trends and devise a set of worthy strategic alternatives commensurate with its financial resources to help A-G continue to grow in the future.
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Case Analysis of Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier is a Harvard Business (HBR) Case Study on Strategy & Execution , Texas Business School provides HBR case study assignment help for just $9. Texas Business School(TBS) case study solution is based on HBR Case Study Method framework, TBS expertise & global insights. Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier is designed and drafted in a manner to allow the HBR case study reader to analyze a real-world problem by putting reader into the position of the decision maker. Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study will help professionals, MBA, EMBA, and leaders to develop a broad and clear understanding of casecategory challenges. Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier will also provide insight into areas such as – wordlist , strategy, leadership, sales and marketing, and negotiations.
Case Study Solutions Background Work
Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
case study solution
is focused on solving the strategic and operational challenges the protagonist of the case is facing. The challenges involve – evaluation of strategic options, key role of Strategy & Execution, leadership qualities of the protagonist, and dynamics of the external environment. The challenge in front of the protagonist, of Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier, is to not only build a competitive position of the organization but also to sustain it over a period of time.
Strategic Management Tools Used in Case Study Solution
The Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study solution requires the MBA, EMBA, executive, professional to have a deep understanding of various strategic management tools such as SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.
Texas Business School Approach to Strategy & Execution Solutions
In the Texas Business School, Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study solution – following strategic tools are used - SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis / PEST Analysis / STEP Analysis, Porter Five Forces Analysis, Go To Market Strategy, BCG Matrix Analysis, Porter Value Chain Analysis, Ansoff Matrix Analysis, VRIO / VRIN and Marketing Mix Analysis.
We have additionally used the concept of supply chain management and leadership framework to build a comprehensive case study solution for the case – Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Step 1 – Problem Identification of Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier - Harvard Business School Case Study
The first step to solve HBR Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study solution is to identify the problem present in the case. The problem statement of the case is provided in the beginning of the case where the protagonist is contemplating various options in the face of numerous challenges that Library Automation is facing right now. Even though the problem statement is essentially – “Strategy & Execution” challenge but it has impacted by others factors such as communication in the organization, uncertainty in the external environment, leadership in Library Automation, style of leadership and organization structure, marketing and sales, organizational behavior, strategy, internal politics, stakeholders priorities and more.
Step 2 – External Environment Analysis
Texas Business School approach of case study analysis – Conclusion, Reasons, Evidences - provides a framework to analyze every HBR case study. It requires conducting robust external environmental analysis to decipher evidences for the reasons presented in the Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier.
The external environment analysis of Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier will ensure that we are keeping a tab on the macro-environment factors that are directly and indirectly impacting the business of the firm.
What is PESTEL Analysis? Briefly Explained
PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study. PESTEL analysis of " Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.
How to do PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis? What are the components of PESTEL Analysis?
As mentioned above PESTEL Analysis has six elements – political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal. All the six elements are explained in context with Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier macro-environment and how it impacts the businesses of the firm.
How to do PESTEL Analysis for Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
To do comprehensive PESTEL analysis of case study – Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier , we have researched numerous components under the six factors of PESTEL analysis.
Political Factors that Impact Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Political factors impact seven key decision making areas – economic environment, socio-cultural environment, rate of innovation & investment in research & development, environmental laws, legal requirements, and acceptance of new technologies.
Policy Making Impact on Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Government policies have significant impact on the business environment of any country. The firm in “ Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier ” needs to navigate these policy decisions to create either an edge for itself or reduce the negative impact of the policy as far as possible.
Data safety laws – The countries in which Library Automation is operating, firms are required to store customer data within the premises of the country. Library Automation needs to restructure its IT policies to accommodate these changes. In the EU countries, firms are required to make special provision for privacy issues and other laws.
Competition Regulations – Numerous countries have strong competition laws both regarding the monopoly conditions and day to day fair business practices. Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier has numerous instances where the competition regulations aspects can be scrutinized.
Import restrictions on products – Before entering the new market, Library Automation in case study Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier" should look into the import restrictions that may be present in the prospective market.
Export restrictions on products – Apart from direct product export restrictions in field of technology and agriculture, a number of countries also have capital controls. Library Automation in case study “ Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier ” should look into these export restrictions policies.
Foreign Direct Investment Policies – Government policies favors local companies over international policies, Library Automation in case study “ Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier ” should understand in minute details regarding the Foreign Direct Investment policies of the prospective market.
Taxation & Regulation Impact on Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Corporate Taxes – The rate of taxes is often used by governments to lure foreign direct investments or increase domestic investment in a certain sector. Corporate taxation can be divided into two categories – taxes on profits and taxes on operations. Taxes on profits number is important for companies that already have a sustainable business model, while taxes on operations is far more significant for companies that are looking to set up new plants or operations.
Tariffs – Chekout how much tariffs the firm needs to pay in the “ Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier ” case study. The level of tariffs will determine the viability of the business model that the firm is contemplating. If the tariffs are high then it will be extremely difficult to compete with the local competitors. But if the tariffs are between 5-10% then Library Automation can compete against other competitors.
Government Scheme & Subsidies Impact on Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Research and Development Subsidies and Policies – Governments often provide tax breaks and other incentives for companies to innovate in various sectors of priority. Managers at Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study have to assess whether their business can benefit from such government assistance and subsidies.
Consumer protection – Different countries have different consumer protection laws. Managers need to clarify not only the consumer protection laws in advance but also legal implications if the firm fails to meet any of them.
Political System & Stability, and its Impact on Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Political System and Its Implications – Different political systems have different approach to free market and entrepreneurship. Managers need to assess these factors even before entering the market.
Freedom of Press is critical for fair trade and transparency. Countries where freedom of press is not prevalent there are high chances of both political and commercial corruption.
Corruption level – Library Automation needs to assess the level of corruptions both at the official level and at the market level, even before entering a new market. To tackle the menace of corruption – a firm should have a clear SOP that provides managers at each level what to do when they encounter instances of either systematic corruption or bureaucrats looking to take bribes from the firm.
Independence of judiciary – It is critical for fair business practices. If a country doesn’t have independent judiciary then there is no point entry into such a country for business.
Government attitude towards trade unions – Different political systems and government have different attitude towards trade unions and collective bargaining. The firm needs to assess – its comfort dealing with the unions and regulations regarding unions in a given market or industry. If both are on the same page then it makes sense to enter, otherwise it doesn’t.
Economic Factors that Impact Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Social Factors that Impact Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Technological Factors that Impact Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Environmental Factors that Impact Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Legal Factors that Impact Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier
Step 3 – Industry Specific Analysis
What is Porter Five Forces Analysis
PESTEL stands for political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors that impact the external environment of firm in Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier case study. PESTEL analysis of " Auto-Graphics, Inc. and the Library-Automation Industry-the New Technology Frontier" can help us understand why the organization is performing badly, what are the factors in the external environment that are impacting the performance of the organization, and how the organization can either manage or mitigate the impact of these external factors.
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