Flipkart: Winning in India?

The following questions are based on key symptoms (both favorable and unfavorable) of Flipkart and underlying causes that affect key symptoms as they are observed in the case. In addition, there is a general question on solutions that also addresses the causes. Each multiple choice and short answer question number under Key Symptoms corresponds to the same question number under Underlying Causes (e.g., Question 3 under Key Symptoms 1 corresponds to Question 3 under Underlying Causes 1).

Before beginning this exercise, you will need to read the Flipkart case.

This activity is important because, as a manager concerned with making strategic choices, you have to be able to properly assess the internal and external environment impacting the business. The first step is to identify the underlying causes that are driving business results, and then identify the major symptoms that should be considered. The ultimate objective is to make an actionable and reasoned recommendation that the company should pursue to meet their established business objectives.

The goal of this exercise is to determine that you have adequately analyzed the case and determined the underlying causes critical to making a reasoned recommendation about future action.

Read and analyze the case and answer the following questions related to Flipkart.

What do you see as the strategic options for Flipkart going forward? What recommendations would you make to Flipkarts CEO, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, to improve Flipkarts competitive position in the Indian e-commerce industry? (Check all that apply.)

Check All That Apply

expand it business outside of India to Europe and other countries in Asiaexpand it business outside of India to Europe and other countries in Asia

extend its COD payments systemextend its COD payments system

continue to focus on broad differentiation advantagesquality and innovationcontinue to focus on broad differentiation advantagesquality and innovation

capitalize on its home-grown advantage against competitorscapitalize on its home-grown advantage against competitors