Class 3 Infosys, the rules of the game, and the general manager
Case: Infosys Consulting in 2006
Readings:
Tallman and Fladmoe-Lindquist “Internationalization, Globalization, and Capability-Based Strategy” (attached as PDF)
Local Institutions and Global Strategy (HBS)
Playing the differences: The AAA Triangle (HBS)
Globalizing the Management Model (HBS)
Presentation:
Steve Pratt, the CEO of Infosys Consulting has asked you to help him asses Infosys’s current approach to international management a proposal to make sure that his company will “get the right people to do the right things” (page 18 of case). Be prepared to present (5-7minutes) in class your evaluation of Steve’s approach to international management. Please send your presentation the Sunday before class.
Questions for your presentation:
What AAA Strategy is Infosys using? How “global” is the industry (i.e. is it a simple global, complex global or multidomestic industry) and explain why? How well does the AAA strategy chosen by Infosys Consulting fit the industry? What are the Corporate Architectural Capabilities available for Infosys Consulting?
Use the questions below to help develop your ideas for the presentation. You do not have to answer them one by one in your presentation, unless you think that will make for the best presentation.
Questions:
1. In Raj Joshi’s words, one of the goals of the leadership team of Infosys Consulting was to “change the rules of the game.” What are the “rules of the game” in the industry currently and how is Infosys Consulting trying to change them?
2. How important are client relationships and institutional knowledge in the consulting industry? How would you assess Infosys Consulting’s capabilities in these two areas? Where did these capabilities come from?
3. How “global” is this industry? Where does the competition take place and where and how is “value” for the customer really generated?
4. Which of the AAA strategies is Infosys using in its business model?
5. How would you assess the relationship between Infosys Technologies (the HQ in India) and Infosys Consulting (the subsidiary in the US)? What are the corporate architectural capabilities available for Infosys consulting?
6. How well is Steve, the “dream team” and Infosys Consulting performing?
