Bus304: Microsoft Case Study

This Microsoft case study is the primary "deliverable" for a semester-long project that helps you to develop and demonstrate a number of skills. In this case study, you will need to write the history of Microsoft as a business and its current biggest issue, its bad public image.

Current Problem: Bad Public Image

You must focus on a specific problem your organization faces. For you, it will be Microsoft's lack of product/service innovation. Describe the problem in telling detail. Provide specific reasons explaining why the problem matters. Describe, who is affected, and how. Identify who controls the decisions affecting the problem. Include information any historical or structurally relevant details. Identify any different perspectives about the problem. Present the facts thoroughly and objectively, citing your sources with APA-style in-text references. Explicitly identify any assumptions you are making unsupported by research.

• How is it affected?: A strong brand image can create credibility and customer loyalty for your company. When a brand is known for delivering what it promises, customers will begin to trust it. This can increase customer retention and how often they return.
• Describe the problem in detail and include any historical or structurally relevant details: Microsoft has a bad reputation due to multiple avenues.......
  • Vendor Lock-In
  • Copyright Enforcement
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Lawsuits
  • Acquisitions
  • Litigation
  • Labor Practices
  • Blacklisting of Journalists
  • Homophobia Controversies.
• Who is affected?: The local economy, society, customers, employees, and ultimately Microsoft as an organization
• Provide specific reasons why the problem matters to society and employees: unethical, lack of confidence, distrust, loss of employees, and intensified rivalry.
• Describe the risk factors: If Microsoft doesn't change its public image, it will have operations failure, sales decline, competitive landscape, intensified rivalry, products, operations & technology failure, sales, marketing, declined finances, leads to a lack of customer interest, and ultimately company failure.
• Identify who controls the decisions affecting the problem.
• Identify any different perspectives about the problem you should acknowledge.
• What assumptions are you making?

Possible Sources:

• https://www.channelnews.com.au/big-bad-microsoft-sammed-again-over-unethical-practices/#:~:text=The%20tactics%20used%20by%20Microsoft,Windows%20Update%20dialogue%20boxes%20functioned.
• https://www.myriadassociates.ie/news/2020/how-a-lack-of-innovation-can-damage-your-business/
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonyewing/2020/11/29/dangerous-and-hidden-microsoft-feature-could-destroy-your-career-and-your-business/?sh=7ffe78544cb9
• https://microsoft.fandom.com/wiki/Criticism_of_Microsoft
• https://harbert.auburn.edu/binaries/documents/center-for-ethical-organizational-cultures/cases/microsoft.pdf
• https://ethical.net/ethical/microsoft-alternatives/