The case discusses supply chain risk management: how to leverage the structure of a supply network to assess its resilience, focusing on the consequences of disruption rather than the causes, as is traditionally done.

The case first describes the evolution of Cisco Systems of San Jose, California, from a narrowly-focused routing and switching equipment vendor, with a highly effective competitive strategy, into a diversified networking and IT giant.

The case deals with the battle between the two 4G wireless technologies, LTE, which has broad support in the telecommunications industry, and WiMax, sponsored by a consortium headed by Intel. It describes how Intel successfully spearheaded the introduction of WiFi to launch its Centrino processor and how it sought to repeat the same strategy with WiMax to launch the Centrino 2.

This case focuses on the topic of strategy making at GI. The case write-up includes information about GI, AT T, the cable telecommunications industry, Ed Breen, the strategy making process at GI, and the Kiawah Meeting that the management team held in 1998.

Development project selection is a key link between company strategy and the development of new products. Project selection is an integral part of the overall product development process and should be done systematically. The case presents a company where project selection is divorced from strategy and performed ad hoc.

The case presents the restructuring and renewal undertaken by the company between 1984 through 1994 as it transforms itself from the US monopolistic provider of telecommunications to a leading global competitor in the fast developing infocom industry (a merger of the telecommunications, information, and entertainment markets).