Case Details: |
Price: |
Case Code |
: |
OPER070 |
For delivery in electronic format: Rs.
400;
For delivery through courier (within India): Rs. 400 + Rs. 25 for Shipping & Handling ChargesThemes
International Operations |
Case Length |
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21 Pages |
Period |
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2000-2008 |
Organization |
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Nokia
Corporation |
Pub Date |
: |
2009 |
Teaching Note |
: |
Not Available |
Countries
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China |
Industry |
: |
Mobile phones |
Abstract:
The case discusses the operations of Finland-based telecom major, Nokia, in
China. Nokia entered China in the 1990s, and initially supplied network
equipment to Chinese manufacturers. Nokia entered into joint ventures with local
companies, which helped it understand the local market better.
By the end of the 1990s, China emerged as Nokia's second largest market after
the USA, but Motorola continued to be the market leader in China. By the early
2000s, the Chinese companies were making inroads into the market, and Nokia's
sales dropped drastically.
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The main reasons for the reduction in sales
were the limited range of handsets, and absence of clamshell
models from Nokia, and limited distribution facilities, due to
which the phones did not reach the rural areas where the demand
was growing.
Nokia was quick to react, and revamped its product,
distribution, and promotional strategies. It introduced several
new products specific to the Chinese market, which included
models with predictive text input in Chinese, lunar calendar,
handsets using a stylus to write Chinese, English dictionary,
China specific wallpapers, phones with multiple address books,
etc. The changes brought out in the distribution system included
decentralizing the distribution operations, increasing the
number of regional distributors, hiring third party
representatives, opening sales offices all across the country,
and direct distribution of products to retail outlets. Several
China-specific promotional campaigns were also launched. Nokia
also made several investments in technology in the country.
All these efforts had a positive impact on Nokia's fortunes in
China and by 2005 it had emerged as the leading handset
manufacturer in the country. China also emerged as Nokia's
largest market by the end of the year. Nokia's strong run
continued in the country, and it sold over 70 million handsets
in China in 2007. By the end of 2008, though Nokia was doing
well in the market, it also faced challenges in the form of new
competitors like Tianyu and the changes being brought about in
the Chinese telecom sector.
Issues:
» Analyze how Nokia became a market leader in the Chinese mobile handset market.
» Study and analyze Nokia's operational strategies in China.
» Gain insights into changes that Nokia brought in its strategy to capture the
market, particularly with respect to its distribution and product design.
» Examine the challenges faced by Nokia in China and explore strategies that the
company can adopt.
Contents:
Keywords:
Operations management, International Operations,
Globalization, Business environment, Distribution, Production, Product design,
Promotional strategies, Joint ventures, Provincial distributors, TD-SCDMA, NCool,
Nokia, China
Nokia's Chinese Operations
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