IBM and Siemens: Revitalizing the Rolm Division (A)

Ashish   Nanda; Antonio  Davila; Georgia  Levenson

Case | HBS Case Collection | January 1997 (Revised November 1997)

IBM and Siemens: Revitalizing the Rolm Division (A)

by Ashish Nanda, Antonio Davila and Georgia Levenson

Abstract

The case opens with a discussion of the evolution of the private branch exchange industry in the 1970s and 1980s. It follows the path of Rolm from an independent company to an IBM acquisition and its problem as an IBM division. Then describes Siemens' growing interest in the U.S. PBX market. At the end IBM and Siemens are negotiating over Rolm's future.

Keywords: Communication Technology; Restructuring; Joint Ventures; Negotiation Participants; Business Divisions; Problems and Challenges; Acquisition; Telecommunications Industry;

Format: Print

8 pages

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Citation:

Nanda, Ashish, Antonio Davila, and Georgia Levenson. "IBM and Siemens: Revitalizing the Rolm Division (A)." Harvard Business School Case 397-058, January 1997. (Revised November 1997.)

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IBM and Siemens: Revitalizing the Rolm Division (A)

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IBM and Siemens: Revitalizing the Rolm Division (A)

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