IBM in the 21st Century: The Coming of the Globally Integrated Enterprise

Rosabeth M. Kanter

Case | HBS Case Collection | March 2008 (Revised October 2009)

IBM in the 21st Century: The Coming of the Globally Integrated Enterprise

Abstract

Members of IBM's fifth Integration and Values Team (IVT5) were close to finishing their deliberations. Convened by Sam Palmisano, Chairman and CEO, and sponsored by Jon Iwata, Senior VP of Corporate Communications and Marketing, and John E. Kelly III, Senior VP and Director of Research, the IVT5's focus was on "the global IBMer"—define and develop global leaders; make the "globally integrated enterprise" relevant to all employees through corporate citizenship initiatives reflective of the company's values; and help IBM compete globally by ensuring market access. The scope was all 170 countries in which IBM operated. As leaders who had risen to their positions as systems thinkers committed to innovation, the team knew it was necessary to stand back and look at the big picture—to see how IBM worked now and operate at its best in order to understand the gaps, dilemmas, and opportunities.

Keywords: Global Strategy; Multinational Firms and Management; Innovation and Management; Leadership Development; Management Teams; Organizational Culture; Integration;

Format: Print

20 pages

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Kanter, Rosabeth M. "IBM in the 21st Century: The Coming of the Globally Integrated Enterprise." Harvard Business School Case 308-105, March 2008. (Revised October 2009.)

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IBM in the 21st Century: The Coming of the Globally Integrated Enterprise

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