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RESEARCH REPORT

ON
A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOUR OF
MICROSOFT AND INFOSYS

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION


SESSION – 2023-2025

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF


Prof. SHUSMA

Submitted By
MD ABID ALI 23GSOB2011043
MD AZHARUDDIN 23GSOB2011196
MD MATIUR RAHMAN 23GSOB2011042
MOHIT KUMAR 23GSOB2010581
NAINA MISHRA 23GSOB2010711
TABLE OF CONTENT

S No. TABLE OF CONTENT

1) Acknowledgement

2) Company Profile

3) Objective

4) Scope Of Study

5) Organisation Structure of Microsoft

6) Organisation Structure of Infosys

7) Swot Analysis of Microsoft

8) Swot Analysis of Infosys

9) Recommendation

10) Conclusion

11) Bibliography

12) Plagirisum
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge here to all who have been instrumental in preparation of my


project.
I acknowledge my gratitude to my parents whose support, dedication and
honest efforts have given me an immense help in doing this project.
I take opportunity to thanks to Prof. Sushma Professor of Galgotias University,
for motivating, encouraging, guiding and supporting at every step and sparing
their valuable time for us.
Last but not the least I record my sincere to all beloved and respectable
persons who helped me and could find any separate mention.

MD ABID ALI
MD AZHARUDDIN
MD MATIUR RAHMAN
MOHIT KUMAR
NAINA MISHRA
Date:
COMPANY PROFILE

MICROSOFT
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology
corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft's best-known
software products are the Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft
365 suite of productivity applications, and the Edge web browser. Its flagship
hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft
Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 14 in
the 2022 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by
total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2022.
It is considered one of the Big Five American information
technology companies, alongside Alphabet (parent company
of Google), Amazon, Apple, and Meta (parent company of Facebook).

Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975, to develop
and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. It rose to dominate the personal
computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed
by Windows. The company's 1986 initial public offering (IPO) and subsequent
rise in its share price created three billionaires and an estimated
12,000 millionaires among Microsoft employees. Since the 1990s, it has
increasingly diversified from the operating system market and has made
several corporate acquisitions, the largest being the acquisition of Activision
Blizzard for $68.7 billion in October 2023, followed by its acquisition
of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in December 2016, and its acquisition of Skype
Technologies for $8.5 billion in May 2011.

As of 2015, Microsoft is market-dominant in the IBM PC compatible operating


system market and the office software suite market, although it has lost the
majority of the overall operating system market to Android. The company also
produces a wide range of other consumer and enterprise software for
desktops, laptops, tabs, gadgets, and servers, including Internet
search (with Bing), the digital services market (through MSN), mixed
reality (HoloLens), cloud computing (Azure), and software development (Visual
Studio).

Steve Ballmer replaced Gates as CEO in 2000 and later envisioned a "devices
and services" strategy. This unfolded with Microsoft acquiring Danger Inc. in
2008, entering the personal computer production market for the first time in
June 2012 with the launch of the Microsoft Surface line of tablet computers,
and later forming Microsoft Mobile through the acquisition of Nokia's devices
and services division. Since Satya Nadella took over as CEO in 2014, the
company has scaled back on hardware and instead focused on cloud
computing, a move that helped the company's shares reach their highest value
since December 1999. Under Nadella's direction, the company has also heavily
expanded its gaming business to support the Xbox brand, establishing
the Microsoft Gaming division in 2022, dedicated to operating Xbox in addition
to its three subsidiaries (publishers). Microsoft Gaming is the third-largest
gaming company in the world by revenue as of 2023.

Earlier dethroned by Apple in 2010, in 2018, Microsoft reclaimed its position as


the most valuable publicly traded company in the world. In April 2019,
Microsoft reached a trillion-dollar market cap, becoming the third U.S. public
company to be valued at over $1 trillion after Apple and Amazon, respectively.
As of 2023, Microsoft has the third-highest global brand valuation.

Microsoft has been criticized for its monopolistic practices and the company's
software has been criticized for problems with ease of use, robustness,
and security.
INFOSYS
Infosys Limited is an Indian multinational information technology company
that provides business consulting, information
technology and outsourcing services. The company was founded in Pune and is
headquartered in Bangalore. Infosys is the second-largest Indian IT company,
after Tata Consultancy Services, by 2020 revenue figures.

On 24 August 2021, Infosys became the fourth Indian company to


reach US$100 billion in market capitalization. It is one of the top Big Tech
(India) companies.

Infosys was founded by seven engineers in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Its initial
capital was $250. It was registered as Infosys Consultants Private Limited on 2
July 1981. In 1983, it relocated to Bangalore, Karnataka.

The company changed its name to Infosys Technologies Private Limited in April
1992 and to Infosys Technologies Limited when it became a public limited
company in June 1992. It was renamed Infosys Limited in June 2011.[11]

An initial public offering (IPO) was floated in February 1993 with an offer price
of ₹95 (equivalent to ₹690 or US$8.60 in 2023) per share against a book value
of ₹20 (equivalent to ₹150 or US$1.80 in 2023) per share. The IPO was
undersubscribed but it was "bailed out" by US investment bank Morgan
Stanley, which picked up a 13% equity stake at the offer price. Its shares were
listed in June 1993 with trading opening at ₹145 (equivalent to ₹1,100 or
US$13 in 2023) per share.

Infosys shares were listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange in 1999 as American
depositary receipts (ADR). It became the first Indian company to be listed on
Nasdaq. The share price surged to ₹8,100 (equivalent to ₹35,000 or US$440 in
2023) by 1999, making it the costliest share on the market at the time. At that
time, Infosys was among the 20 biggest companies by market capitalization on
the Nasdaq. The ADR listing was shifted from Nasdaq to NYSE Euronext to give
European investors better access to the company's shares.
OBJECTIVE

The main objective of Organizational Behaviour is to understand the human

interactions in an organization, find what is driving it, and influence it to get

better results in attaining business goals.

The organizations in which people work affect their thoughts, feelings, and

actions. These thoughts, feelings, and actions, in turn, affect the organization

itself.

Organizational behaviour studies the mechanisms governing these interactions,

seeking to identify and foster behaviours conducive to the survival and

effectiveness of the organization.

Organization behaviour’s objective is to set up an organizational culture, hire

the best people and create meaningful connections among them, resolve

conflicts, develop the qualities of the employees, and establish a firm and clear

leadership chain.

We have identified 8 objectives of organizational behaviour;

• Job Satisfaction

• Finding the Right People

• Organizational Culture
• Leadership and Conflict Resolution

• Understanding the Employees Better

• Understand how to Develop Good Leadership

• Develop a Good Team

• Higher Productivity

Understanding organizational behaviour can shed light on the factors that can

foster or hamper job satisfaction, such as physical settings, organizational

rewards, and punishments, or work-group characteristics.

Job satisfaction, in turn, can foster higher productivity and reduced turnover

while providing more leverage for the recruitment of top talent.


SCOPE OF STUDY

Proper understanding of organizational behaviour can result in many positive


effects on the organization and its employees. It also studies how people
behave in and around the workplace. However, when we talk about the scope
of organizational behaviour, it extends to only three significant concepts.
The three concepts are given below.
I. Individual Behaviour
II. Inter-Individual Behaviour
III. Group Behaviour

1) Individual Behaviour
As the name itself suggests, an individual is studied from the personality,
motivation, interests, and attitudes of an organization. Various interaction
sessions and one-to-one are conducted to understand and study the individual
and make a perception about them.
2) Inter-Individual Behaviour
Now, the inter-individual concept is when communication happens among the
employees. Inter-individuals represent persons with their social group,
subordinates, or senior employees in the workplace. It helps understand
leadership styles and qualities and helps resolve conflicts quickly if any arise in
the group dynamics.
Here the study of the formation of an organization is done. The areas looked
into can be the structure of the organization, effectiveness in the organization,
etc. The efforts made by a group to achieve the objectives or goals of an
organization are what group behaviour is all about. The behaviour of everyone
who is a part of the group is considered.
3) Group Behaviour
Group behaviour defines the way individuals are influenced by the thoughts,
feelings, and behaviours of others in a group. Groups can also influence
people's social behaviour to fit in a particular group. This is known as group
conformity.

Organization Structure

MICROSOFT

In the course of time, the Microsoft Corporation structure changed several times.
However, mostly, these changes were not significant. Currently, the organizational
structure of Microsoft is divided into two main divisions which are managed by the
CEO, namely, the Business Functions and the Engineering Groups (“Facts about
Microsoft,” 2017). Thus, the Business Functions group is divided into nine
subgroups:

Business Development Group (the development of business partnerships).

• Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs (the company’s legal work, patent
licensing, public policy, intellectual property, government affairs, corporate
philanthropy, social responsibility, and corporate governance).
• Corporate Strategy & Planning (the planning and execution of initiatives,
and the development of engineering and business strategies).
• Finance Group (the allocation of finances).
• HR Group (the selection and allocation of the workforce).
• Global Sales, Marketing, and Operations (running worldwide operations,
and developing the initiatives in emerging and developed markets).
• Marketing Group (the development of global marketing and consumer
business strategies).
• LinkedIn (the development of LinkedIn).
• Worldwide Commercial Business (the development of the global
commercial business including public sector, enterprise, small and middle-
market, partner and developer, and services) (“Facts about Microsoft,”
2017).

The Engineering Groups division comprises four subgroups:

Cloud and Enterprise Engineering (the production of Microsoft Azure, Microsoft


Visual Studio, and Microsoft Dynamics).

• Office Product (the production of applications from the Microsoft Office


family).
• Windows and Devices (the production of core Windows products).
• Technology and Research (the development of Bing and Microsoft
Research) (“Facts about Microsoft,” 2017).

This organizational structure has its advantages. First, heads of Engineering Groups
report directly to the CEO (currently Satya Nadella) and explain the possible
implications regarding the development of a new product and the innovation
potential. Second, the elimination of bureaucracy and the increase of businesses’
flexibility that allows quickly adapting to changes in the market.

The six key elements of this organizational structure are:

• A short chain of command.


• A wide span of control.
• Centralization.
• High specialization.
• Formal structure.
• Rigid departmentalization (“Facts about Microsoft,” 2017).
Organizational Culture

The original Microsoft organizational culture laid in 1975 by the founders of the
corporation, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, considered innovative at that time and was
focused on the performance. Since that time, Microsoft organizational culture has
undergone certain changes, and now, it includes the following three key features:

• Openness (all the company’s employees have opportunities to express their


opinions).
• Value for innovation (the integration of innovation and creativity).
• Diversity and inclusion (the creation of an environment that helps the
company capitalize on the inclusion of solutions and ideas and the diversity
of the people in order to meet the customer’s needs) (Dudovskiy, 2017).

Motivation Programs

Microsoft Corporation also has certain motivation programs that provide benefits
for the employees and serve as an incentive for them to work more productive
(Kapur, 2014). First, in terms of healthcare benefits, the employees receive
comprehensive healthcare coverage. Second, regarding family issues, the
company provides maternity leave, adoption fee assistance, discounts on child-
care services, and paid time off for new parents. Third, in terms of investing, the
employees have an opportunity to buy Microsoft shares at a discount.
Also, Microsoft Employee Financial Education Program provides information that
helps the employees make reasonable decisions and develop their financial
portfolio. Fourth, Microsoft provides a philanthropy program; namely, they match
the money contributed to various charities and educational institutions. In
addition, nearly $20 is donated per hour to the organizations that the employees
support. Fifth, concerning learning and development, Microsoft provides tuition
assistance for graduate and undergraduate coursework, places a great emphasis
on career development, and encourages constant learning to develop skills of its
employees (Kapur, 2014).

Decision Making and Communication Systems

Microsoft’s decision making and communication systems do not much differ from
that of other similar organizations. The process of making decisions begins with
the CEO and other executive officers who develop the strategy of the company
and set goals and directions. Then, the task of the heads of the departments is to
apply these goals to their areas of responsibility. The task of managers is to explain
these goals to the employees so that they start working on their achievement. The
communication system is mainly formal; therefore, the tasks are assigned
gradually from top to bottom, and the employees communicate mostly with their
direct superiors (Smithson, 2017).

Thus, Microsoft’s decision-making process consists of the following steps:

• Setting a direction and the development of the overall strategy of the


company.
• Identifying problems and obstacles.
• Finding solutions and alternatives.
• Implementing the chosen strategy.
• Evaluating the outcomes (Smithson, 2017).
Additionally, the company’s decision-making process comprises the following
aspects:

• The design of goods and services.


• Quality management.
• Process and capacity design.
• Location strategy.
• Layout design and strategy.
• Human resources and job design.
• Supply chain management.
• Inventory management.
• Scheduling.
• Maintenance (Smithson, 2017).

Leadership Style and Employees Satisfaction

The leadership style of all three of Microsoft’s CEOs is different. The current CEO,
Satya Nadella, was appointed to the position in 2014. His first decision was to
make a major reinvention and restructuring of the company. He was determined
to refocus Microsoft’s mobile-based attempts and expand many of the company’s
services to be offered on other platforms such as Mac and Linux. Maintaining close
cooperation with Apple is one of Nadella’s main strategies (Weinberger, 2016).

As for the internal affairs of the company, Nadella, compared to the previous CEO
Steve Ballmer, places more focus on the employees and wants them to see him as
a human being first and only then as their chief. This very feature is the reason for
the employees’ satisfaction and their positive attitude towards the CEO. As a
result, according to the survey, the CEO approval rating changed from 51% in 2013
to 88% in 2016 (Weinberger, 2016).
Challenges and Opportunities

Currently, Microsoft, like any other company, faces many challenges. Its main
challenge is to adapt to the rapidly changing environment where the consumers
hope for free operating systems, and where the PC has given way to the mobile
devices such as tablets and smartphones (“Facts about Microsoft,” 2017).

Thus, the first challenge for Microsoft is to continue working and improving
Windows 10, so that it corresponds to all current customers’ needs. The second
challenge is the development of Windows Phone which is not easy considering the
intense pressure from Android and iOS. Hence, there is another problem that
Microsoft faces, which is declining PC sales. One more challenge for Microsoft is to
improve Microsoft Band so that it could compete with Apple Watch.

Despite all these problems and challenges, Microsoft, being one of the world’s
biggest technology corporations, has many opportunities to find solutions for its
problems and overcome the current obstacles (Sheridan, 2016).

Recommendations for Improvements

The main recommendation for Microsoft to improve considering its current


challenges is to focus on building technologies for the future, as the world is
changing very fast, and if they do not keep up with it, they will not succeed
(Sheridan, 2016). Thus, the following recommendations should be appropriate for
the company’s current situation:

• The development of Windows Phone.


• The improvement of Windows and Office and placing more focus on their
adjustment to the mobile platform.
• The improvement of Microsoft Band.
• The development of the Windows Store, so that it could compete with
Apple App Store and Google Play.
• The improvement of Cortana, the Windows’ voice assistant (Sheridan,
2016).

INFOSYS

Leadership:

As you climb up the hierarchy, you need to exhibit different roles in order to
achieve a common goal of your project. Different leadership styles and approaches
can be observed throughout Infosys which change with each project and team.
Largely the whole organization follows the Empowerment style of leadership, but
when there are critical projects in hand and during time crunch situations; leaders
use more directive and autocratic approach.

The best thing practiced in Infosys is they never fire low performers; instead they
coach such employees and make them undergo training and other learning to
uplift their performance at individual level and on the organization level as whole
thereby transforming the individual. Finacle is the Banking Product of Infosys
where with the advance in technology, there is a lot of scope for innovation and
creativity. People are encouraged to express their ideas and are supported to
materialize them through democratic way.

Another leadership style practiced is Transactional. Employees are rewarded on


Individual level as well as team level. Before the advent of downfall of Infosys,
employees were rewarded in cash but now they are rewarded in kind (Enhances
Performance Measurement). Few of the Performance Awards are: Gem Award,
On the Spot Award, Star Award, Individual Contributor, etc. Most importantly, all
leaders follow "Leadership by Example" style. Invariably leaders set an example for
their followers.

Culture:

Even though Infosys demonstrates diverse yet unique culture with respect to
geographic locations, demography, behaviour of employees, psychology of
employees etc. it shows a uniform work culture of C-LIFE.

Though Infosys follows a common Business Language, English, there are times
when employees talk in their mother tongue or local language even during
informal business communications. To handle the cultural diversity, Infosys has a
different list of regional holidays for different locations. During festive
celebrations, all Infosys employees irrespective of their background are welcomed
whole heartedly into the local culture.

Infosys appreciates Open-Door culture, where any employee can approach any
other employee with no regards to the level of the other employee. Employees
are addressed on First Name basis and there is no room for "Sir-Madam" even if
the person addressed is at senior level. Overall each Infoscion is believes in the
culture of harmony and love for each other.

Group Dynamics/Team Building initiatives:


In four years of my experience in Infosys, I have been a part of a large team
comprising of 23 people, a small team of 5 people and led a team of 4 people. A
common observation in larger team is that not all people participate in the team
meetings but the same people while working in a smaller team do contribute.
Most often the favourite of the manager gets his way through the meeting or the
task in the project while others need to merely follow the team.

When I joined Infosys, Team Building initiatives were taken care of by the
management or HR. Finacle used to fund every Finacalite (Employees belonging to
Finacle Department) for their quarterly Project Parties. Managers used to get
some Project funds. But as the health of Infosys started deteriorating, these
activities were stopped as a measure of cost-cutting. Today these activities are
handled by employees at the project or floor level, Floor is where my development
team for Finacle e-Banking sits and develops e- Banking software. This team is
then divided as per the project and once the project gets completed, the team is
dissolved and another team is formed for another project.

On floor level, we organize our team engagement activities like Cubical


Decoration, Traditional day, Celebration of different festivals, few games and
competitions like Housie, Painting Competition etc. Periodically we have team
parties and outings which truly enhance the team bonding. Celebration of
Birthdays and Anniversaries, bidding Farewells to team mates also helps in
lightening the stressful atmosphere.

Banking, Customer Relationship Management, E-Banking etc. Also, there are some
Intra Development Centre events where different Units compete with each other.
Then there are some Inter Development Centre competitions happening across
the year. All such initiatives big or small help maintain the enthusiasm of
employees and also help employees to get along with each other, meet new
people and rejuvenate themselves.
Innovation/Creativity initiatives:

As said earlier, Infosys appreciates talent and innovative ideas. During training my
batch had participated in Finacle Innovation Challenge and emerged as winners.
The idea incepted during the competition was further analysed and polished and
gave rise to the concept of Mobile Money. First successful implementation of
Mobile Money is Airtel Money.

Change Management initiatives:

Infosys being a very large organization is very Process-Oriented. Any suggestion for
change is welcome and if found fruitful undergoes huge amount of processing and
then is Implement. This lag makes the changes pretty rigid in nature or eventually
the change takes place after the situation demanding the change has passed.

Few changes which impacted the overall organization were:

• Reorganization: Few verticals of Infosys were clubbed and made one


vertical. Also, due to heavy attrition, employees were moved from one Unit
to another without considering the skill set of employees and their
aspirations. This may have simplified the management tasks but had an
adverse effect on the mind-set of employees.
• Competency Development Plan: A very complicated process was
introduced for an employee to be eligible for promotion (Moving up the Job
Level) or progression (Movement within the Job Band). This forced people
to take up biannual certifications and take up extra activities which the
employee may not be willing to. Some of these certifications were useful for
the career progression of the employee, but some were absolutely
irrelevant.
• Competitive Relative Rating: Employees are evaluated on the Performance
and compared with that of their peers before rating them. When the
introduction of this policy they also changed the organization structure by
adding few additional job band or titles. As a result few employees got
demoted and this led to demotivation of employees. Also, comparing
employees based on other's performance led to unhealthy competition and
following unethical means to climb up the ladder.
• Employee Security: With the current risky environment for women
especially after the incidences of gang rapes, all female employees are
asked to leave the campus only if accompanied by either a friend/colleague
or by security personnel. After 2 episodes of successful suicide attempts
from jumping from Multi-level Parking Lots, as a precautionary measure,
Infosys has put up grills on all their Parking lots thereby preventing any such
incidents. They have also forbidden access to the terrace/ roof- top of their
buildings.
• Employee Happiness: Recent change that has taken place is by making
people leave offices by 8 PM. Since employees cannot be directly forced,
Infosys has ensured that the last bus from all the locations will leave at 7.55
PM. Another motive behind this is cost-cutting: by ensuring that very few
employees are left in office (except for the employees working in shift) they
are saving on their resources.

Change is inevitable but how the changes are introduced and what impact it has
on others is what makes the change valuable. There are official forums in Infosys
where changes can be suggested or any change implemented can be commented
upon. Every change is communicated through official mails, town halls, and
through Infosys internal
Politics & Conflict Management:

With an employee strength of 1.6 Lakhs and counting and employees coming from
diversified background politics and conflicts are bound to happen. Even though
there are committees which ensure that the functioning or organization should be
smooth, fair and transparent there are some incidents which still occur.

Committees like GRB (Grievance Redress Body), HEAR (Hearing Employees and
Resolving), Anti-Sexual Harassment Initiatives (ASHI) etc. are available all
throughout the tenure of an employee to help them. But sometimes these
committees fail to address the political issues as just like the courts, these
committees to work on the basis of proofs. Also, at times politics played by
employees especially by Senior Management go unnoticed; deliberately or by
mistake rather by ignorance.

Recently a lot of unethical behaviour on small is observed amongst the employees


and it goes unnoticed as employees hide behind their superiors or some use their
powers to conceal these activities. Employees on the recipient of this behaviour
either quit their jobs or try to raise their voices and fight for rights. Some pass,
some fail but in the end all learn the harsh lessons taught by the corporates. There
are few who just let go of what happens either with selfish motive of promotion or
they choose to be indifferent.
SWOT ANALYSIS

MICROSOFT

Microsoft is the undisputed global market leader in software technology,


specifically in cloud computing. It’s the world’s largest developer of Windows
OS and the leading cloud player. It offers commercial cloud services through
Azure, Office 365, and Dynamics 365. In 2022, daily users of its remote work
solution, Microsoft Teams, doubled from 145 million users in 2021 to 270
million in 2022.

2. World’s largest company:

Microsoft ranks 2nd largest company globally, with a market value of $2.46
trillion as of Oct 2023.

3. Vast market reach:

Microsoft operates in more than 190 countries worldwide. After launching the
promoted version of Windows 10, it reached one billion monthly active
users before being succeeded by Windows 11 in 2021.

4. Constant growth:

The latest earning results of Microsoft demonstrate its strong growth in the
cloud business. The company reported year-over-year revenue growth of
17.96% to $198.3 billion in fiscal year 2022 and a 19.26% year-over-year
growth in operating income to $83.4 billion in the same period. [2]

5. Addition of newer SKUs (Stock Keeping Units):


Microsoft has recently added newer SKUs to its brand portfolio. This includes
Microsoft 365, combining Office 365 and Windows 10. Its M365 is a multi-
billion dollar business.

6. Reputed Brand with superior customer loyalty:

Microsoft had 1.2 billion Office users and 345 million Office 365 commercial
customers in 2022. It undoubtedly has the most extraordinary loyal customer
base. Customers trust the brand and remain loyal to it.

7. Huge Market Capitalization:

With $2.46 trillion of market capitalization, Microsoft is one of the biggest hi-
tech companies on the planet. Microsoft was ranked the 2nd largest company
in 2023 based on market value and was the 4th most valuable brand in the
world in 2023. [3]

8. Effective Adverting platform:

With its strong and effective marketing strategies, Microsoft has influenced
people worldwide. Its emotive advertisement aired in July 2015 with the title
‘The future starts now’ touched many worldwide.

WEAKNESS

1. Overexposure to the PC market:

PC shipments are often subjected to frequent falls due to vendors’ rising prices
and currency fluctuations. It has landed Microsoft in a vulnerable position.

2. Cybercrime theft:

The increasing cybercrime cases have left Microsoft in a vulnerable state.


Hackers have reportedly attacked the cybersecurity of the Windows Operating
System several times.
3. Lacking innovation:

Microsoft needs to grow its hardware product sales, such as surface pro
computers and phones. It needs to catch up in innovation and advanced
technology, whereas Apple, Google, and Amazon are quickly blazing trails.

4. Lacking market leadership in the Internet browser segment:

While Google, and Safari have been gaining market share in the Internet
browser segment, Microsoft is losing the market in Microsoft IE & Edge, based
on the 2023’s most popular web browsers report.

5. Unsuccessful acquisitions:

Microsoft’s fewer acquisitions like WebTV, LinkExchange, Massive, and Danger


resulted in failures and divestitures. Such unprofitable investments are the
biggest weaknesses of Microsoft.

6. Unfair business practices:

In Europe, Slack Technologies filed a complaint against Microsoft on the


grounds of anti-competitive practices. In the US, a federal appeals court is
hearing an appeal by Improved Search LLC, which can revive a lawsuit against
Microsoft for infringing on a search engine technology patent. [5]

7. Microsoft Launches Emergency VPN Bug Fixes for Windows Server:

In the latest patch, Microsoft launched important OOB (out-of-band) patch


fixes for its servers. The patch was launched as a result of the complications
that surfaced due to the latest Windows updates earlier this month.

According to Microsoft, the emergency update will help eliminate many of the
bugs, optimize VPN connectivity, fixes for Windows Server Domain Controllers,
and much more. Users can download the latest out-of-band patch from
Microsoft’s update catalog, and some of the updates can also be automatically
downloaded via optional Windows updates.
OPPORTUNITIES

1. Cloud infrastructure business growth:

Its cloud-based services have gained immense growth and success in recent
years. Thus, there’s an opportunity for Microsoft to expand its cloud
business. Microsoft launched Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare to cater to the
needs of healthcare organizations post pandemic and helped organizations
reimagine healthcare. It also reported a 2% market share growth from 21% to
23% from Q3 2022 to Q4 2022 in the cloud infrastructure market. On the
contrary, the market share of Amazon went down from 34% to 33%, while that
of Google remained constant at 11%.

2. Innovation and Artificial Intelligence:

Microsoft has a massive opportunity in many innovative areas, like AI and


game technology. Investing in these areas can give an upper hand to Microsoft.

3. Partnerships and Acquisitions:

Microsoft can focus on entering into new strategic alliances and partnerships.
It will enable the company to gain a high market share. Acquiring major hi-tech
firms will also be a profitable opportunity for Microsoft. Microsoft won a five-
year deal in April 2020 to supply Coca-Cola’s business software.

4. Smartphone industry:

The fast-growing market of smartphones and tablets offers an excellent


opportunity for Microsoft. It can capitalize on the rising demand for these
products.

5. Cost leadership strategy:

Microsoft can gain the opportunity of increasing its sales and revenue
by offering its products at low prices. It may also prevent hackers from using its
software illegally.

6. Remote work solutions:

Recent events have increased the demand for solutions that enable people to
work from home or remotely from anywhere across the world. Microsoft’s
remote work solution, known as Microsoft Teams, is already a leader in the
sector and has 280 million daily active users. Currently, Teams is available in
181 countries in 48 languages and can be exploited further for long-term
growth.

7. Newly Designed Windows 11 Task Manager:

Microsoft announced that it’s working on developing a new Windows 11 task


manager – specifically for its inbox applications. The new interface will help
make the inbox apps appear more aesthetically and functionally optimal for
the Windows 11 operating system.

8. Video Games Industry:

Microsoft’s Xbox gaming division has been preparing to compete with Sony
and its Playstation platform. Recently, Microsoft acquired “Activision Blizzard”
for a whopping $69 billion, despite facing opposition from antitrust regulators
and rivals. This acquisition marks the largest deal in the gaming industry.
Activision Blizzard is well-known for its popular games such as Call of Duty,
World of Warcraft, Candy Crush, and more.
Previously, Microsoft had acquired Bethesda Softworks, the maker of Fallout,
Doom, and other games for $7.5 billion. With these acquisitions, Microsoft has
significantly improved its strategic position in the gaming industry.
INFOSYS

STRENGTH

The following are the strengths of Infosys:

1. Strong Brand Reputation:


Infosys enjoys a robust brand reputation and is recognized globally as a leading
provider of IT services and consulting. One of the key contributors to Infosys’
strong brand reputation is its unwavering commitment to quality. The
company places great emphasis on delivering excellence in every aspect of its
operations.

Also, the company has cultivated a culture of integrity, transparency, and


corporate governance, which has earned the respect of clients, investors, and
industry peers alike. Infosys’ strong brand reputation has earned the trust and
loyalty of clients, resulting in long-term relationships and competitive
advantage.

2. Strong Client Base:


Infosys serves a diverse client base spanning various industries, including
finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and more. One of the primary
drivers of Infosys’ solid client base is its unwavering commitment to
understanding and fulfilling client needs.

Infosys recognizes that each organization has unique challenges and


aspirations, and it invests significant effort in comprehending its specific
requirements. This diversification of its client portfolio not only mitigates risks
associated with industry-specific fluctuations, but also allows Infosys to
leverage its expertise in various domains.

3. Technological Expertise:
Infosys possesses deep technical expertise across a wide range of domains,
including software development, cloud computing, data analytics, artificial
intelligence, and cybersecurity. One of the key factors behind Infosys’
technological expertise lies in its talented and skilled workforce.

The company has assembled a team of experienced professionals who possess


a comprehensive understanding of diverse domains. Also, Infosys’
technological expertise is not limited to theoretical knowledge.

The company has a proven track record of successfully implementing large-


scale IT projects across various industries. By combining technical expertise
with industry knowledge, Infosys can deliver customized solutions that address
specific pain points and drive meaningful business outcomes.

4. Global Delivery Model:


The Global Delivery Model of Infosys encompasses a range of delivery options,
including onsite, offsite, nearshore, and offshore delivery. It is built upon a
strong foundation of global presence and local expertise.

With operations in over 46 countries and delivery centers strategically located


around the world, Infosys has established a vast network that enables it to tap
into local talent pools, gain insights into regional markets, and effectively meet
the diverse needs of its clients.

One of the key benefits of Infosys’ Global Delivery Model is its ability to
leverage local talent and expertise. By establishing delivery centers in different
countries, Infosys can tap into a diverse pool of skilled professionals who
possess in-depth knowledge of local markets, regulations, and cultural
nuances.

5. Strategic Partnerships:
Strategic partnerships lie at the heart of Infosys’ approach to fostering
innovation and expanding its service offerings. The company actively seeks
collaborations with leading technology providers, industry-specific experts,
academic institutions, and research organizations.
By joining forces with these entities, Infosys gains access to cutting-edge
technologies, emerging trends, and industry insights that help shape its
strategic direction and enhance its capabilities.

Also, strategic partnerships open doors to new business opportunities and


markets for Infosys. Collaborations with industry leaders, such as Google,
Amazon, IBM, etc., provide access to their extensive client networks, allowing
Infosys to expand its reach and penetrate new sectors.

Infosys Weaknesses
The following are the weaknesses of Infosys’ business model:

1. Overdependence on Specific Geographies:


Overdependence on specific geographical regions represents a notable
weakness that poses challenges to Infosys and limits its growth potential. One
of the key weaknesses stemming from overdependence on specific
geographies is the heightened vulnerability to geopolitical, economic, and
regulatory risks.

Infosys primarily operates in regions such as North America and Europe, which
contribute a significant portion of its revenue. While these regions offer
immense market opportunities and have been historically favorable for IT
services, they are also susceptible to fluctuations in political landscapes,
economic downturns, and changes in regulatory policies.

2. Overreliance on Key Clients:


Although Infosys has a solid client base, its overreliance on some key client
leaves it vulnerable to client-specific risks. When a substantial portion of
revenue is derived from a limited number of clients, Infosys becomes heavily
dependent on the success and stability of those clients’ businesses.

Any adverse events, financial challenges, or changes in the clients’ strategic


priorities could significantly impact Infosys’ financial performance and overall
business stability. Another consequence of overreliance on key clients is the
potential loss of bargaining power. When a client holds significant leverage due
to their substantial contribution to Infosys’ revenue, they may exert pressure
on pricing, contract terms, or service requirements.

3. Attrition and Talent Retention:


In the fiercely competitive landscape of the IT services and consulting industry,
attracting and retaining top talent is crucial for sustained growth, innovation,
and client satisfaction. However, attrition, or the rate at which employees
leave a company, is a pressing concern for Infosys.

The highly skilled and specialized nature of the IT industry means that talented
professionals are constantly sought after by competitors, both within the
industry and beyond. This intense competition for talent creates a risk for
Infosys, as the loss of skilled employees can lead to knowledge gaps, project
disruptions, and increased costs associated with recruitment and training.

4. Regulatory Compliance:
One of the primary challenges for Infosys regarding regulatory compliance is
the complexity and diversity of regulations across different geographies. As a
multinational corporation operating in various countries, Infosys must navigate
a multitude of legal frameworks, industry-specific regulations, data protection
requirements, and labor laws.

Adhering to these regulations while ensuring consistency across different


regions can be a daunting task. Failure to comply with relevant regulations can
result in legal consequences, financial penalties, and damage to the company’s
reputation. Additionally, as technology plays a vital role in Infosys’ operations,
compliance with data protection and privacy regulations becomes crucial.

5. Integration Challenges with Acquisitions:


The primary integration challenge faced by Infosys relates to cultural
alignment. Each company has its own unique culture, values, and ways of
doing business. When Infosys acquires a new organization, the clash of
cultures can create friction and impede the smooth integration of operations.

Differences in work styles, decision-making processes, communication norms,


and organizational hierarchies can pose challenges in aligning the acquired
company with Infosys’ established practices and values.

Failure to effectively address cultural integration can result in employee


dissatisfaction, decreased productivity, and even talent attrition, diminishing
the potential benefits of the acquisition.
Infosys Opportunities
The following are the opportunities available for Infosys in the IT industry:

1. Digital Transformation Services:


The increasing demand for digital transformation presents a significant growth
opportunity for Infosys. Digital transformation entails leveraging advanced
technologies, data analytics, automation, and cloud computing to reimagine
business processes, enhance customer experiences, and drive operational
efficiency.

Organizations worldwide are realizing the immense benefits of digital


transformation, such as improved agility, optimized operations, enhanced
decision-making, and increased revenue opportunities. This presents Infosys
with a vast and lucrative market for its expertise and services.

2. Expansion into New Markets:


Expansion into new markets presents a promising opportunity for Infosys,
enabling it to tap into untapped customer segments, diversify its revenue
streams, and strengthen its position as a global player. One of the key
advantages of expansion into new markets is the potential for revenue growth.

Another benefit of entering new markets is the opportunity to leverage local


talent and resources. Furthermore, expanding into new markets allows Infosys
to diversify its service offerings and cater to a broader range of industries and
sectors.

3. Emerging Technologies:
The advent of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning,
blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented reality (AR) has unlocked
immense potential for organizations across various sectors. These technologies
offer new ways to optimize processes, improve customer experiences, enable
data-driven decision-making, and unlock new revenue streams.

Infosys, with its technological expertise and industry knowledge, is well-


positioned to leverage these emerging technologies and provide cutting-edge
solutions to its clients. By investing in research and development and forging
strategic partnerships, Infosys can capitalize on the potential of these
technologies to create new revenue streams.
4. Expansions and Acquisitions:
One of the key advantages of expansions and acquisitions is the ability to
quickly enter new markets and expand the customer base. Infosys can leverage
its strong financial position and global brand recognition to identify strategic
opportunities for geographic expansion.

By establishing a physical presence in new regions, Infosys can tap into local
markets, forge relationships with local businesses, and gain a deep
understanding of the specific needs and dynamics of those markets.

This enables Infosys to tailor its services, build trust with local clients, and
unlock new revenue streams. Through these methods, Infosys can drive
innovation, create value for its clients, and achieve sustainable long-term
success.

5. Upskilling and Reskilling:


As disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning,
blockchain, and cloud computing reshape industries, organizations must
ensure that their workforce possesses the necessary skills to leverage these
advancements. Infosys can seize this opportunity by investing in
comprehensive upskilling and reskilling programs that equip its employees
with the knowledge and competencies needed to thrive in the digital era.

By upskilling its workforce, Infosys can build a talent pool proficient in cutting-
edge technologies and industry best practices. Reskilling, on the other hand,
offers the opportunity to pivot employee skill sets to align with emerging
business requirements.
RECOMMENDATION

MICROSOFT

To remain the leading software provider, Microsoft needs to work on its weak
aspects and embrace opportunities. A few recommendations are given below
in this regard:

Upgrade its software and bring innovation. Microsoft must take radical steps
to embrace the future of innovation

Continue enhancing its brand reputation through effective marketing tools.

Update its internet browser market and take initiatives to increase the market
share in this segment.

Build more competitive advantages to compete with technology rivals like


Google and Apple.

Increase partnerships, strategic alliances, and acquisitions to strengthen its


market standing.

Resolve cybersecurity issues and address global cyber thefts by advancing its
security network systems.

Decrease the prices to reduce the illegal use of its software systems.

Diversify its business to enhance potential growth and market share.


INFOSYS

Infosys’ strong brand reputation, extensive global presence, and robust


delivery capabilities position it as a leader in the IT services and consulting
industry. The company’s ability to leverage emerging technologies, foster
innovation, and adapt to changing customer demands provides a solid
foundation for future growth.

However, it must also address the challenges of intense competition, rapid


technological changes, data security and privacy concerns, geopolitical and
economic uncertainties, and intellectual property protection.

By capitalizing on its strengths, seizing opportunities, and proactively


addressing these threats, Infosys can navigate the dynamic business landscape,
maintain its competitive edge, and continue delivering value to its clients and
stakeholders.
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, in this chapter we have reviewed major individual differences


that affect employee attitudes and behaviours. Our values and personality
explain our preferences and the situations we feel comfortable with.
Personality may influence our behaviour, but the importance of the context in
which behaviour occurs should not be neglected. Many organizations use
personality tests in employee selection, but the use of such tests is
controversial because of problems such as faking and low predictive value of
personality for job performance. Perception is how we interpret our
environment. It is a major influence over our behaviour, but many systematic
biases colour our perception and lead to misunderstandings.

This chapter is designed to familiarize you with the concept of organizational


behaviour. We have covered methods organizations might use to address
issues related to the way people behave at work. In addition, you should now
be familiar with the large number of factors, both within an individual and
within the environment, that may influence a person's behaviours and
attitudes. In the coming years, society is likely to see a major shift in the way
organization function, resulting from rapid technological advances, social
awareness, and cultural blending. OB studies hope to enhance an
organization's ability to cope with these issues and create an environment that
is mutually beneficial to the company as well as its employees.

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