PlanetFactory: Competing Under Rapid Technological Change

Abstract

This teaching case considers the situation of a small Catalan company without the support of a local cluster, which is competing in a dynamic global industry characterized by rapid technological change. The company faces the challenge of creating and commercializing a breakthrough innovation for digital education, with educational content for teachers and easy-to-use authoring tools for modifying this content. The case analysis includes an internal and external analysis of the company and the industry, and introduces concepts associated to rapidly changing markets such as lead-user innovation, first-mover advantage, and transient advantage. The case is therefore adequate for courses on technology management, innovation, competitive strategy, or marketing management.