Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and the Management of Microsoft

Case Studies | Case Study in Business, Management, Operations, Strategy, Case Study

ICMR HOME | Case Studies Collection

To download Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and the Management of Microsoft case study (Case Code: BSTA114) click on the button below, and select the case from the list of available cases:

Buy With PayPal

» Business Strategy Case Studies
» Case Studies Collection
» Business Strategy Short Case Studies
» View Detailed Pricing Info
» How To Order This Case
» Business Case Studies
» Area Specific Case Studies
» Industry Wise Case Studies
» Company Wise Case Studies

Custom Search

Please note:

This case study was compiled from published sources, and is intended to be used as a basis for class discussion. It is not intended to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation. Nor is it a primary information source.

Chat with us

Please leave your feedback

Case Details:			Price:
Case Code	:	BSTA114	Electronic Format: Rs. 300; Courier (within India):Rs. 25 Extra Themes -
Case Length	:	11 Pages
Period	:	1990 - 2004
Organization	:	Microsoft Corporation
Pub Date	:	2005
Teaching Note	:	Not Available
Countries	:	USA
Industry	:	Software

Abstract:

Microsoft the world's largest computer software company is currently at a crossroads. Growth has slowed down while the competitive environment is changing. The company's new operating system, Longhorn has been delayed and the Linux threat is intensifying. A new Microsoft seems to be evolving under the joint leadership of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. In Microsoft's early years, Gates believed in centralising as much of the decision making as possible. With the organisation becoming large and unwieldy, Gates has made Ballmer in charge of operations. Gates himself has decided to concentrate on the technology aspect of the business. Ballmer has overhauled the company's image, reorganised the business and redesigned its human resource policies.

After some initial hiccups, Gates and Ballmer seem to be complementing each other and working well together. The case discusses Microsoft under the leadership of Gates and Ballmer and how the transition is taking place.

Keywords:

Microsoft, Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Global software industry, Anti-trust proceedings, Gates' management style, Think Week, Internal tidal wave, Trustworthy computing, Redefining roles, Managing human resources at Microsoft, Recruitment criteria at Microsoft

Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and the Management of Microsoft - Next Page>>