Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? Description

This case focuses on Skype in the voice-over-IP (VoIP) industry. Its offering created such exceptional utility for users around the world that Skype has become a verb - to "skype" someone means to call someone using the Skype application. Yet despite explosive growth in demand, the company was not profitable in four out of the five years prior to its acquisition by Microsoft in 2011. The case allows participants to deepen their understanding of Blue Ocean Strategy by applying first-hand the concepts and tools of the Blue Ocean strategy sequence.

Case Description Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Strategic Managment Tools Used in Case Study Analysis of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

STEP 1. Problem Identification in Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

STEP 2. External Environment Analysis - PESTEL / PEST / STEP Analysis of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

STEP 3. Industry Specific / Porter Five Forces Analysis of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

STEP 4. Evaluating Alternatives / SWOT Analysis of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

STEP 5. Porter Value Chain Analysis / VRIO / VRIN Analysis Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

STEP 6. Recommendations Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

STEP 7. Basis of Recommendations for Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study

Case Analysis of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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. Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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. Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study will help professionals, MBA, EMBA, and leaders to develop a broad and clear understanding of casecategory challenges. Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? will also provide insight into areas such as – wordlist , strategy, leadership, sales and marketing, and negotiations.

Case Study Solutions Background Work

Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?, 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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, Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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 – Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Step 1 – Problem Identification of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? - Harvard Business School Case Study

The first step to solve HBR Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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 Skype Ocean 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 Skype Ocean, 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?.

The external environment analysis of Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study. PESTEL analysis of " Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?" 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? macro-environment and how it impacts the businesses of the firm.

How to do PESTEL Analysis for Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

To do comprehensive PESTEL analysis of case study – Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? , we have researched numerous components under the six factors of PESTEL analysis.

Political Factors that Impact Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Government policies have significant impact on the business environment of any country. The firm in “ Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? ” 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 Skype Ocean is operating, firms are required to store customer data within the premises of the country. Skype Ocean 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. Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? has numerous instances where the competition regulations aspects can be scrutinized.

Import restrictions on products – Before entering the new market, Skype Ocean in case study Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?" 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. Skype Ocean in case study “ Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? ” should look into these export restrictions policies.

Foreign Direct Investment Policies – Government policies favors local companies over international policies, Skype Ocean in case study “ Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? ” should understand in minute details regarding the Foreign Direct Investment policies of the prospective market.

Taxation & Regulation Impact on Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

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 “ Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? ” 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 Skype Ocean can compete against other competitors.

Government Scheme & Subsidies Impact on Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

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 – Skype Ocean 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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Social Factors that Impact Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Technological Factors that Impact Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Environmental Factors that Impact Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

Legal Factors that Impact Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?

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 Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study. PESTEL analysis of " Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean?" 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.

Step 4 – SWOT Analysis / Internal Environment Analysis

Step 5 – Porter Value Chain / VRIO / VRIN Analysis

Step 6 – Evaluating Alternatives & Recommendations

Step 7 – Basis for Recommendations

References :: Skype in the Voice-over-IP Industry: A Commercially Viable Blue Ocean? case study solution