Publications
Publications
- June 2010
- HBS Case Collection
Digital Link (A)
Abstract
The Digital Link (A) and (B) cases present the struggles of a small public technology company to get and maintain analyst and investor attention during the "dot-com boom" of the 1990's. The case can be used in MBA or Executive Education classes. The (A) case takes place at a turning point for Digital Link. After 5 years as a public company, the executive team is considering taking the company private. The case outlines the history of the company up to this point, and the decision they are facing. This allows for a very natural discussion of three key questions: (1) How did they get to this point? In particular, why is it so challenging for Digital Link to keep analyst coverage and institutional investor interest? (2) Are they correct in believing that a lack of attention is such a big problem? Why? and (3) What should they do now? This discussion allows students to examine and gain understanding of the importance of analyst and investor attention for a public firm, the challenges of getting and keeping it, and the ways in which a company can address it.
Keywords
Citation
Shanthikumar, Devin M. "Digital Link (A)." Harvard Business School Case 110-093, June 2010.