Summary
Understanding the drivers of value is key to a technological transformation initiative. In the context of ‘Durian Widgets’ there is need for detailed analysis of business processes –contrary to initial intuition. On closer examination of the processes involved in manufacturing the widgets, students discover that the robotics technology which (on the surface) seemed cheaper and faster than the current manual operations, will actually result in inferior performance if implemented.
Teaching objectives
To teach the importance of understanding the contextual operational details for strategic technology initiatives. To illustrate (with a simple model) that operational analysis is the backbone of good strategy.
Keywords
- Robotics
- Transformational Technology
- Analysis
- Manufacturing
- Operations Management
- Q32020
