Microchip Technology Inc. was started in 1989. The strategic focus of the company shifted to embedded microcontrollers after 1990. The case describes the demand- and supply- sides of the microcontroller market and examines Microchip's decision to position well inside the technology frontier.

Western-Union held a monopoly in long distance telegraphy in the US. In 1879 Western Union chose to forgo an opportunity to take control of the telephone, thereby sealing its own demise. Declining to pursue telephony was a calculated business decision. How can such a monumental failure be explained?

iMotors was an online used car retailer. Its business model reconfigured the industry value chain and allowed it to create significant new value for consumers. The case highlights the tension between value creation and value appropriation, limits to growth and the importance of establishing legitimacy in creating new categories.

iMotors was an online used car retailer. Its business model reconfigured the industry value chain and allowed it to create significant new value for consumers. The case highlights the tension between value creation and value appropriation, limits to growth and the importance of establishing legitimacy in creating new categories.