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PDF Copy of Yahoo! Inc. Case Analysis (Manuscript) 2-10 BSA (OM-TQM) - Tolentino, Karen
PDF Copy of Yahoo! Inc. Case Analysis (Manuscript) 2-10 BSA (OM-TQM) - Tolentino, Karen
PDF Copy of Yahoo! Inc. Case Analysis (Manuscript) 2-10 BSA (OM-TQM) - Tolentino, Karen
Yahoo! Inc.
(BUMA 20093)
Submitted by:
Tolentino, Karen J.
BSA 2 – 10
Submitted to:
Yahoo! initially relied on its own search engine technology to power its search
results. However, in 2009, it entered into a partnership with Microsoft, and Yahoo! Search
was powered by Bing, Microsoft's search engine. This partnership aimed to compete with
the dominant search engine, Google.
Foundation and Early Years (1994-1996): Yahoo! was founded by Jerry Yang
and David Filo in January 1994 while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University.
Originally named "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," it started as a
directory of websites organized in a hierarchical manner. As the directory grew, it
transformed into a web portal, and the company was officially incorporated as Yahoo! Inc.
in March 1995.
power Yahoo! Search. This move aimed to challenge Google's dominance in the search
engine market. Yahoo! went through several CEO changes during this period, including
Carol Bartz (2009-2011) and Scott Thompson (2012), as the company faced increasing
competition and financial challenges.
(SITUATION ANALYSIS)
Porter’s Forces
Yahoo! has experienced a decline in its market share and influence over the years.
It has faced difficulties in maintaining its user base, particularly in areas like search and
email services. The declining market share has diminished Yahoo!'s competitive position
and market power, reducing its ability to compete effectively.
The availability of alternative services and platforms can increase the bargaining
power of buyers. In Yahoo!'s case, there are numerous competitors in various areas, such
as search engines (Google, Bing), email services (Gmail, Outlook), and news portals
(CNN, BBC). Users have the option to switch to alternative platforms if they find better
features, performance, or pricing.
Yahoo! historically had a large user base and was one of the most visited websites.
A significant user base can give buyers more bargaining power, as their collective
influence can impact the company's reputation and revenue. However, it's worth noting
that Yahoo!'s user base has diminished over the years, and its influence has decreased
as well.
Threat of Substitutes
One of Yahoo!'s primary services is its search engine. The dominant substitute in
this area is Google, which has a significant market share and is known for its search
capabilities. Other search engines like Bing and Microsoft Edge also provide alternatives
to Yahoo! Search. Users can easily switch to these substitutes if they find them to be
more efficient, accurate, or feature-rich.
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Yahoo! offers various online services and apps, including weather, finance, and
sports. Substitute services and apps provided by other companies can fulfill similar needs,
often with their own unique features and advantages. Users may switch to substitutes
that offer a better user experience, more accurate information, or additional
functionalities.
Yahoo! Mail is also one of the main offerings from Yahoo!. There are numerous
substitute email services available, such as Gmail, Outlook (formerly Hotmail), and other
webmail providers. Users may switch to these alternatives based on factors like features,
user interface, storage capacity, and integration with other services.
Yahoo! has a long history and an established brand presence, particularly in the
early years of the internet. Its brand recognition and user base can act as a barrier to new
entrants, as it may be challenging for new players to gain the same level of trust,
reputation, and user loyalty.
The technological landscape is always changing, and new innovations have the
potential to displace established firms. While this offers an opportunity for new entrants,
it may also provide a challenge if they find it difficult to stay up with changing trends and
technologies. Yahoo! has struggled to keep up with the rapid changes in consumer
preferences and technical advancements, which could present openings for swift new
competitors.to substitutes. Overall, the threat of substitute products is assessed as
medium.
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Yahoo! relies on suppliers for its technology infrastructure, including servers, data
centers, networking equipment, and software. The bargaining power of these suppliers
may be influenced by factors such as the availability of alternative suppliers, the
uniqueness of the technology or infrastructure, and the overall demand for their products.
Yahoo! may engage various service providers and outsourcing partners for
functions like customer support, data analysis, and technical operations. The bargaining
power of these suppliers can be influenced by factors such as the availability of alternative
service providers, the quality of their services, and the cost-effectiveness of outsourcing
arrangements.
PESTLE
Political Factors
Economic Factors
b. Labor Market Conditions: The demand and supply of labor determine the
wage rates and supply of skilled workforce. Yahoo Inc. must study and predict the
labor market conditions to understand how it can attract talented workers and
leverage their skills to improve business performance.
Sociocultural Factors
b. Social Media Influence: The popularity of social media and its influence on
news consumption and online interactions can impact Yahoo! Inc.'s position as a
provider of news, content, and communication services.
e. Privacy and Data Protection: Concerns about data security, online privacy,
and the collection and use of personal information can impact user trust and
influence their willingness to use Yahoo! Inc.'s services.
Technological Factors
b. Mobile Technology and Mobile Internet: The company had to adapt its
services and platforms to be mobile-friendly and offer mobile apps to cater to users
accessing the internet through mobile devices.
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c. User Experience and Interface Design: Yahoo! has had to invest in interface
design, usability testing, and user research to enhance its platforms, services, and
apps. The company has focused on providing responsive and user-friendly
interfaces to meet evolving user expectations and maintain competitiveness.
Legal Factors
b. Intellectual Property Rights: Yahoo! Inc. must protect its own intellectual
property, such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and respecting the
intellectual property rights of others is crucial to avoid legal disputes and maintain
a competitive advantage.
e. Employment and Labor Laws: Yahoo! Inc. must adhere to employment and
labor laws, including those related to wages, working hours, employee benefits,
discrimination, and workplace safety.
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Environment Factors
b. Climate Change and Energy Consumption: Yahoo! Inc. may face pressure
to reduce its energy consumption, transition to renewable energy sources, and
implement energy-efficient practices in its data centers and operations.
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Main Objective
To provide a wide range of online products and services that catered to users'
needs, including search, email, news, finance, sports, entertainment, and more.
Core Values
Yahoo! Inc. has outlined six Core values that drive the company forward. These
are namely (Yahoo Values, 2004).
c. Customer Fixation: The Company is always looking to maintain the trust of the
customers and respond to the customers’ needs and try to exceed them.
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d. Teamwork: The Company believes in and tries to encourage the best of the
ideas from the entire organization and to foster collaboration and yet maintain
individual accountability.
e. Community: The Company seeks to serve both communities globally and the
Internet Community as a whole in general.
f. Fun: The Company also possesses a sense of humor and believes that the
same is essential to the success of the company and also does appreciate and
celebrate their achievement.
The initial signs of market decline for Yahoo! Inc. as a dominant player in the market
can be traced back to the early 2000s up to the present and most of the data were
collected from the market share, financial performance, user engagement, failed
acquisitions, and eventual acquisition recorded by Verizon Communications.
Statement of Problem
Problem Statement:
Yahoo! Inc., once a dominant player in the internet industry, has been continuously
facing significant challenges in maintaining its market position, and financial performance
of the company in the face of increasing competition and changing consumer preferences
in the digital industry. For years it has been cutting off its workforce due to the decline in
its financial performance, in hopes of restoring and restructuring its company. However,
workforce cuts can have long-term implications for innovation and growth. This hinders
the company's ability to innovate, develop new products or services, and stay competitive
in the market.
Research Question:
How can Yahoo! Inc. divert its Workforce Cut Strategy into a more efficient way to avoid
any future market declines?
• Market Decline: Yahoo! Inc.'s market share in various segments, such as search
engines and online advertising, has significantly declined over the years.
According to StatCounter, Yahoo's search engine market share decreased from
around 12% in 2010 to 1.11% in 2023, while Google's market share continued to
dominate.
• Cost Control: Yahoo! implemented workforce cuts as part of its cost-saving
measures to align its resources with the evolving market dynamics and improve
overall financial performance.
• Business Restructuring: Yahoo! underwent several strategic restructuring efforts
aimed at focusing on its core business and streamlining operations.
• Mergers & Acquisitions: Yahoo! engaged in various mergers and acquisitions
throughout its history, which often resulted in overlapping roles and redundant
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Strengths
3. Large User Base: Yahoo! Inc. has a significant user base, with millions of users
worldwide accessing its various platforms and services.
Weaknesses
1. Declining Market Share: Yahoo! Inc. has faced challenges in maintaining its
market share, particularly in the search engine and email sectors, where
competitors like Google and Microsoft have dominated.
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Opportunities
1. Mobile and App Market Growth: The increasing usage of mobile devices
presents opportunities for Yahoo! Inc. to leverage its products and services in the
mobile and app market, targeting a growing user base.
2. Data-driven Advertising: Yahoo! Inc. can capitalize on its user data and
analytics capabilities to offer targeted and personalized advertising solutions,
catering to the growing demand for data-driven advertising.
Threats
significant impact on the company's revenue and profitability. This risk emphasizes
the need for ongoing monitoring and adaptability to mitigate market-related
challenges.
• Encourage a culture of innovation and diversification within Yahoo!:
Conclusion or Recommendation
This case shows that cutting off people in operations will not ensure the marketable
success and progress of a company but rather their expertise and commitment ensures
that the organization can adapt, optimize operations, and maintain a motivated and skilled
workforce, even in challenging market conditions. And, by proactively designing jobs that
meet the evolving needs of the market, organizations can position themselves for long-
term success and sustainability.