
Product details

Subject category:
Strategy and General Management
Published by:
RSM Case Development Centre
(2016)
Length:
18 pages
Data source:
Generalised experience
Abstract
While Alibaba's growth from an apartment-sized company in 1999 to a company with the largest IPO value in American history in 2014 can only be high-velocity, founder Jack Ma's taste for speed is relentless. Since early 2012 Alibaba Group has shifted gears and moved from organic growth and partnerships to high-speed growth by M&As in complementary technology fields. It has been expanding in finance, healthcare, travel and even movie making. Is it necessary for Alibaba to expand so aggressively? Is this seemingly 'reckless' expansion really a lack of focus? What growth strategies work well for companies in emerging economies? How to compare the relative advantages of the different growth models - organic, collaboration and M&A? How does the business environment influence possible growth strategies - growing by diversification or focus on the core business? What are the key challenges for such high-speed growth? How do M&As lead to value creation for Alibaba?
Topics
Growth strategy; Alibaba; Diversification; Co-evolution; M&A; Venture capital; Overseas investment; BATAccess this item
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