Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation

Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2011.

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Takaoka, Hiroaki
Other Authors: Arnoldo C. Hax.
Format: Thesis
Language:eng
Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/65792
_version_ 1811095975039598592
author Takaoka, Hiroaki
author2 Arnoldo C. Hax.
author_facet Arnoldo C. Hax.
Takaoka, Hiroaki
author_sort Takaoka, Hiroaki
collection MIT
description Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2011.
first_indexed 2024-09-23T16:36:17Z
format Thesis
id mit-1721.1/65792
institution Massachusetts Institute of Technology
language eng
last_indexed 2024-09-23T16:36:17Z
publishDate 2011
publisher Massachusetts Institute of Technology
record_format dspace
spelling mit-1721.1/657922019-04-12T14:54:29Z Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation Takaoka, Hiroaki Arnoldo C. Hax. Sloan School of Management. Sloan School of Management. Sloan School of Management. Thesis (M.B.A.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 2011. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (p. 123-125). Competition in the business world is becoming harsher as markets shrink due to the financial crisis of the late 2000s. Firms have to leverage their core competencies to survive by attracting more customers and attaining more efficient operations. In such circumstances, diversified corporations that run multiple businesses have opportunities to differentiate themselves by implementing horizontal strategies. Unfortunately, a horizontal strategy never happens spontaneously. There must be strong control and solid process to realize synergy. Furthermore, there are no generalized or standardized methods for developing and implementing a horizontal strategy. Executing this kind of corporate strategy is very difficult in the real world. However, if the firm could establish a solid infrastructure to implement a horizontal strategy, it would be a sustainable competitive advantage that could not be easily imitated. In fact, there are many firms that enjoy synergy by implementing a horizontal strategy using various approaches. They differentiate their products and services, reduce operating costs, attract and involve customers, and create high barriers to prevent invasion by rivals. A horizontal strategy is a powerful business tool that enhances a firm's capabilities and increases its corporate value. In this thesis, I will investigate several historical theories of horizontal strategy and attempt to integrate their core concepts. I will examine four actual diversified corporations to determine how they utilize their horizontal strategy, while also identifying their critical driving forces and challenges. Then I will propose a practical process for creating and implementing a horizontal strategy. In my proposal, I will also recommend appropriate evaluation system and strong leadership because the lack of them frequently results in failure. by Hiroaki Takaoka. M.B.A. 2011-09-13T17:53:18Z 2011-09-13T17:53:18Z 2011 2011 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/65792 749908785 eng M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission. http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582 125 p. application/pdf Massachusetts Institute of Technology
spellingShingle Sloan School of Management.
Takaoka, Hiroaki
Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
title Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
title_full Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
title_fullStr Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
title_full_unstemmed Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
title_short Horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
title_sort horizontal strategy in a diversified corporation
topic Sloan School of Management.
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/65792
work_keys_str_mv AT takaokahiroaki horizontalstrategyinadiversifiedcorporation