MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

MIST 614 – Spring 2024 - Session Case Questions

Session 2: Swimming in the Virtual Community Pool

1. What is the nature of competition in this industry? Now that the New York
Times has notices, how long before competitors react?
2. Does Frind have a solid, sustainable business model for PlentyofFish (in
other words, was he good or lucky, or both)?
3. What is the best model going forward?
4. What information technology should he invest in for the site?

Session 3: The Entrepreneurs at Twitter: Building a Brand

1. What are Twitter’s advantages and challenges given its chosen technology
(i.e. its open source platform and the 140-character limit on messages)?
2. What are the benefits and challenges for corporations looking to use
Twitter internally and externally?
3. Can Twitter ever earn profits? If so, how can it capitalize on its popularity,
and should it put those plans into action?

Session 4: Macy’s Department Store Repositioning

1. Apply Michael Porter’s Forces on the traditional Macy’s. Which internal factors
could affect the success of the company’s strategy?
2. What is the impact of eBusiness technologies on the Porter’s Forces?
3. Now we are in 2011, what is your prediction for the future of Macy’s? Where do
you think the company will be in 10 years if it continues with the strategy
outlined in the case? Explain the reasons?

Session 5: Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google

1. Define the contested boundaries among the four business models.

2. For each contested boundary you defined in question 1, analyze how
online businesses are built on top of other online businesses?

Session 6: Alibaba’s DingTalk – Designing a Digital Platform

1. What were the Critical Success Factors for DingTalk?

2. What were DingTalk’s competitive advantages?
3. What were the challenges faced DingTalk during its evolvement?