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  • April 2018
  • Case
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Hawk Electronics, Inc.

By: Richard G. Hamermesh and John J. Lafkas
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:9
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Abstract

Hawk Electronics ("Hawk") presents the problems that a company can encounter when its divisions have distinct strategies, especially when one division has been favored at another's expense. It also highlights how such problems can reflect cognitive biases, which influence resource allocation decisions by senior executives. Further, the case challenges students to develop an action plan for Hawk's CEO. The case begins with excerpts from a letter that Jorge Martinez, the president of Hawk's Peripheral Division and a member of Hawk's Board of Directors, has written to Sarah Chan, Hawk's CEO. Martinez is concerned about the resources that Chan has funneled away from his division to fund outside ventures. Martinez feels that this pattern of resource allocation, and the consequences ensuing from it, make his division unable to compete. He also believes Chan's decisions threaten Hawk's long-term viability. Chan needs to respond to the issues raised in Martinez's letter, but she believes her decisions have been largely correct.

Keywords

Business Divisions; Resource Allocation; Strategy; Innovation and Management

Citation

Hamermesh, Richard G., and John J. Lafkas. "Hawk Electronics, Inc." Harvard Business School Brief Case 918-521, April 2018.
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About The Author

Richard G. Hamermesh

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Related Work

    • April 2018
    • Faculty Research

    Hawk Electronics, Inc. (Brief Case)

    By: Richard G. Hamermesh and John J. Lafkas
Related Work
  • Hawk Electronics, Inc. (Brief Case) By: Richard G. Hamermesh and John J. Lafkas
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