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Case
| HBS Case Collection
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2011
Cree, Inc.: Which Bright Future?
by
David J. Collis and Mary Furey
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Abstract
When global warming concerns caused governments around the world to ban the incandescent light bulb, many manufacturers began scrambling to produce products to fill the gap. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, already on the market, seemed the obvious replacement. But light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were attracting attention as a more efficient alternative in lighting, steadily working their way up the value chain from winky blinky applications into the now flourishing backlighting market. Into this changing market entered Cree, Inc., a North Carolina-based LED chip and component manufacturer. This case explores whether Cree should pursue the LED monitor and television backlighting markets, or abandon them to focus on the potential "greenfield" market in general lighting.
Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions;
Market Entry and Exit;
Competitive Strategy;
Corporate Strategy;
Technology Adoption;
Electronics Industry;
Green Technology Industry;
Manufacturing Industry;
North Carolina;