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Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-391-171
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc in 1990 (A)
Case
-
Reference no. 9-391-171
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Elizabeth O. Teisberg (University of Virginia)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1991
Version: 22 June 1993
Length: 21 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Managing uncertainty; Corporate strategy; Capital investments; Risk management; Computers
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Abstract

Describes McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.'s competitive position in 1990. McCaw is the largest cellular phone service company in the United States. It faces challenges of technological change and formulating strategy in an industry with a highly uncertain future. Focuses on a strategic investment in one of two new technologies for switches. Raises the general question of how one chooses among two uncertain technologies. The tension arises from potential first-mover advantages, from network effects of the currently available technology, and the promise of a superior technology soon to be available.
Location:
United States
Industry:
Wired telecommunications carriers
Size:
USD500 million revenues
Other setting(s):
1990
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 5-792-016
McCaw Cellular Communications Inc in 1990
Teaching note
-
Reference no. 5-792-016
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Elizabeth Olmsted Teisberg (Harvard Business School)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Published in: 1992
Length: 19 pages
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-308-S58
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc in 1990 (A)
Case
-
Reference no. 9-308-S58
Spanish language
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Elizabeth Olmsted Teisberg (Harvard Business School)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1991
Version: 22 June 1993
Revision date: 11-Apr-2019
Length: 25 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Capital investments; Managing uncertainty; Risk management; Corporate strategy; Competition; Investments
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-700-034
Compact case
The Cellular Telephone Industry in 1999
Supplement
-
Reference no. 9-700-034
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: A McGahan (California Management Review)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Published in: 1999
Length: 3 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Capital investments; Communications industry; Corporate strategy; High technology products; Risk management; Uncertainty
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-793-050
Compact case
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc (B)
Supplement
-
Reference no. 9-793-050
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Stefano Rossi (Assist Consulting); Chris Shumway (Harvard Business School); Elizabeth O. Teisberg (University of Virginia)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1993
Version: 25 June 1993
Length: 4 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Managing uncertainty; Corporate strategy; Capital investments; Risk management; Computers
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-793-052
Compact case
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc (D)
Supplement
-
Reference no. 9-793-052
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Stefano Rossi (Assist Consulting); Chris Shumway (Harvard Business School); Elizabeth O. Teisberg (University of Virginia)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1993
Version: 29 May 1993
Length: 3 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Managing uncertainty; Corporate strategy; Capital investments; Risk management; Computers
View full details

About

Abstract

Describes McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.'s competitive position in 1990. McCaw is the largest cellular phone service company in the United States. It faces challenges of technological change and formulating strategy in an industry with a highly uncertain future. Focuses on a strategic investment in one of two new technologies for switches. Raises the general question of how one chooses among two uncertain technologies. The tension arises from potential first-mover advantages, from network effects of the currently available technology, and the promise of a superior technology soon to be available.

Settings

Location:
United States
Industry:
Wired telecommunications carriers
Size:
USD500 million revenues
Other setting(s):
1990

Related

Thumbnail image for product with reference number 5-792-016
McCaw Cellular Communications Inc in 1990
Teaching note
-
Reference no. 5-792-016
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Elizabeth Olmsted Teisberg (Harvard Business School)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Published in: 1992
Length: 19 pages
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-308-S58
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc in 1990 (A)
Case
-
Reference no. 9-308-S58
Spanish language
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Elizabeth Olmsted Teisberg (Harvard Business School)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1991
Version: 22 June 1993
Revision date: 11-Apr-2019
Length: 25 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Capital investments; Managing uncertainty; Risk management; Corporate strategy; Competition; Investments
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-700-034
Compact case
The Cellular Telephone Industry in 1999
Supplement
-
Reference no. 9-700-034
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: A McGahan (California Management Review)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Published in: 1999
Length: 3 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Capital investments; Communications industry; Corporate strategy; High technology products; Risk management; Uncertainty
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-793-050
Compact case
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc (B)
Supplement
-
Reference no. 9-793-050
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Stefano Rossi (Assist Consulting); Chris Shumway (Harvard Business School); Elizabeth O. Teisberg (University of Virginia)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1993
Version: 25 June 1993
Length: 4 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Managing uncertainty; Corporate strategy; Capital investments; Risk management; Computers
View full details
Thumbnail image for product with reference number 9-793-052
Compact case
McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc (D)
Supplement
-
Reference no. 9-793-052
Subject category: Strategy and General Management
Authors: Stefano Rossi (Assist Consulting); Chris Shumway (Harvard Business School); Elizabeth O. Teisberg (University of Virginia)
Published by: Harvard Business Publishing
Originally published in: 1993
Version: 29 May 1993
Length: 3 pages
Data source: Published sources
Topics: Managing uncertainty; Corporate strategy; Capital investments; Risk management; Computers
View full details