Conflict and Communication on Project Aerial (Spanish version)
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Reference: HBS-210S18
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Number of pages: 11
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Geographic Setting: Illinois;United States
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Publication Date: Apr 11, 2008
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Source: HBSP (USA)
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Type of Document: Case
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Industry Setting: Computers & electronics
When students have the English-language PDF of this Brief Case in a coursepack, they will also have the option to purchase an audio version. TerraCog, a successful privately held high-tech firm that develops GPS (global positioning system) and similar products for consumer markets, has recently been caught off-guard by a competitor's new product that makes novel use of satellite imagery. When TerraCog pursues development of a directly competing product, dubbed Aerial, the projected costs threaten to scuttle the project. The key unit managers gather in a pair of contentious meetings that feature anger, blame, and bewilderment, but produce no effective conclusion. At the end of the case it falls to Emma Richardson, a newly-promoted executive vice-president, to push the group toward a go/no-go decision.