Acer, Inc.

Acer is undergoing two major transitions at the time of this case: from a small, entrepreneurially-run company to a large professionally-run one; and from a largely domestic company to a multinational one. After a decade of phenomenal growth, it is now facing a major slowdown in business and has to decide whether to have its first lay-off. In addition, it is contemplating how to manage and motivate an increasingly dispersed and multicultural workforce.