Discussion

Read the article about the downfall of Toshiba (https://qz.com/968747/it-took-toshiba-70-years-to-reach-its-peak-and-just-a-decade-to-fall-into-an-abyss/).

Discuss the issues with the management of innovation that led to the company's downfall.

What could they have done differently? 

PROFESSOR'S GUIDANCE FOR THIS WEEK'S LE:

As  the article describes, in the 1980s and the 1990s, Japanese  technological expertise dominated the market. Toshiba  (and a number of  other Japanese companies) was one of the major Japanese electronics  conglomerates that defined technological excellence for decades. Sadly,  Toshiba finds itself in serious trouble as to be split into three  entities (https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/11/12/business/corporate-business/toshiba-three-way-split/).

The  focus of your LE is to discuss, in quite simple terms, how Toshiba got  into the current difficulty they are in (its corporate culture, decision  making process, investment strategy, etc.). Ignoring the element of  luck, what could they have done better or is what happened inevitable?