Ipad Case Study

Case name: IS THE IPAD A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY



Section 1:   Describe the background of the case.

After several years of design and research, Apple is going to release a new product of tablet computer, iPad, which includes various of advanced hardware and software. Comparing with similar goods, iPad will strongly have disruptive impact on publishing and media industries for its UNUSUAL market concept and supports. Taking a variety factors into consideration, iPad is ready to banging the market.

Section 2: Respond to the questions at the end of the case.

  1. According to Porter’s theory, there are five forces in industrial organizational economics including threat of new competition, threat of substitute products, bargaining power of customers, bargaining power of suppliers, and intensity of competitive rivalry.

Entry of competitors: Different from other industries, there are no new entrants but some existing strong competitors: Mobile companies such as Samsung, electronics companies such as Asus and software companies such as Google.

Threat of substitutes:   Several kinds of substitutes which are similar and have most functionality as iPad are available such as TouchPad, Laptop and ASUS Nexus 7.

Bargaining power of buyers: There are three groups of potential customers of iPad: loyal customers of Apple, newly growing consumers and consumer attracted by detailed content.

Bargaining power of suppliers:   Apple is now having great advantage in supplier for it has a contract with network carriers and it has advanced electronics components.

Rivalry among the existing players: There are lots of competitive rivalries in such market and some potential competitors such as Samsung, HTC, Asus and Google.

  2. IPad is as a disruptive technology for its new technologies and design concept that will bring new change in various fields. As a tablet, iPad is now plating a same or similar role   as laptops or even desktops while it is unique because...