Hewlett Packard to exit computing and buy Autonomy

This is a good case study for a number of strategic management concepts:
i) planned and emergent strategies: a few months ago HP had announced that they will concentrate on WebOS which has not produced the expected results; HP is quick in changing strategy, even if it must be very financially painful for them.
ii) exit from its cash-cow business: selling pc BU which is considered the biggest in the world. Interpreting the justification from a strategic management perspective, it seems that the software segment has larger profit margins. Interesting to note that this refocusing is a combined with the acquisition of Autonomy.
iii) the refocusing of the business is based on the expertise of its new CEO who has joined from SAP.
The article draws the parallel between HP and IBM a decate ago, but there is a fundamental difference; IBM was not No. 1 when decided to diversify. Also, HP's history of mergers has shown that it is not the most adaptable and flexible company.

Hewlett Packard to exit computing and buy Autonomy

Hewlett Packard has confirmed plans to stop making PCs, tablets and phones, in order to refocus on software.
It has also emerged that the US company has agreed to buy UK software firm Autonomy for £7.1bn ($11.7bn).

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14584428

Nokia and Microsoft form partnership

Very interesting development in the mobile phones industry. Good example of how to companies which have traditionally been leaders in their industries, and now are falling behind, have decided to react. It is interesting to note that Microsoft has continued its recent corporate strategy of responding to dynamics in industries (mobile phones and internet) which are not core for it (software) with strategic alliances.
Quite interesting and insightful commentary by Cellan-Jones, on the impact of organisational culture for the choice of partner on behalf of Nokia. It links well with the theories on Network Level Strategies which suggest that collaborations are more successful if organisational cultures are close between the partnering companies. Moveover, also useful to emphasise that there is significant difference in the organisational culture between two companies for the same country and environment (Microsoft and Google).

Nokia and Microsoft form partnership

Nokia has joined forces with Microsoft in an attempt to regain ground lost to the iPhone and Android-based devices.
The deal will see Nokia use the Windows phone operating system for its smartphones, the company said.
It means that Nokia's existing operating systems will be sidelined

Read the whole article at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12427680

BMI being taken over by Lufthansa

Here is a good example how one network level strategy (strategic alliance) has changed to another (M&A). The point of interest in this story is the fact that it is not a deliberate strategic option by Lufthansa but an emergent strategy.

BMI being taken over by Lufthansa

UK airline BMI is being taken over by Germany's Lufthansa.
Lufthansa is buying the 50% of firm owned by BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop, who forced the purchase under a long-standing agreement.

Read the whole article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7697261.stm