Identify and discuss two modes of entry that have been used by Fitbit when entering foreign markets and explain the reasons behind their international strategy
Identify and discuss two modes of entry that have been used by Fitbit when entering foreign markets and explain the reasons behind their international strategy
Identify and discuss two modes of entry that have been used by Fitbit when entering foreign markets and explain the reasons behind their international strategy
Q 4. Identify and discuss two modes of entry that have been used by Fitbit when entering foreign markets and explain the reasons behind their international strategy. Answer this question in 400 words
Case study attached, Part 1 & Part 2, Part 3 is written down
Part3 case study:
security at risk. 7 Research and Development The fast-paced competitiveness of consumer technology innovation demanded a steady stream of new products. Only through sustained, high-level investment in research and development to fund product design and innovation could companies such as Fitbit, Apple, and Samsung sustain consumer interest and support. In 2017, Fitbit reported that 58% of its employees were involved in research and development, a somewhat high percentage, yet necessary, given that ordinary users only wore a Fitbit for an average of 6 months before losing interest, so that Fitbit needed to add functionality in order to survive. The company also placed itself in the middle of the digital health revolution, 25 and needed to innovate in relation specifically to that revolution to continue to succeed. Many new opportunities: new medical devices, health data collection, platforms for interoperability for other medical devices, were important innovative challenges for Fitbit. Fitbit recognized that the more medical devices and medical data the company captured, the more its market share would grow. Many opportunities and distinctions drove research and design for Fitbit. In 2017, the company was selected as the first wearable device to be used by the National Institutes of Health’s “All of US” precision medicine research program; by United Healthcare and Dexcom as the wearable device provider for its Type 2 diabetes pilot program; by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina’s Medicare Advantage plan; and by United Healthcare’s Motion program. 26 Fitbit was also chosen to participate in the FDA’s new digital health software precertification pilot program. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) selected nine companies, including Fitbit, from over 100 companies based on company size and risk profile of the products, to participate in a pilot program called the New Digital Health Software Precertification Pilot Program to create an inclusive and efficient regulatory path for software as a medical device. 27 The program initiated a radical change for certifying medical devices and products by taking companies through a pre-clearing process. The FDA’s goal was to establish the means to evaluate software development and to do so, the participating companies needed to provide access to the methods they used to develop, test, and maintain their products and data collection. Also, in Q1 2018, Fitbit reported that 18,000 developers joined its Fitbit developer community, creating a synergy between the company and that community, and insights into the needs of the market and potential new acquisitions of intellectual property. Challenges Facing Fitbit From 2008–2016, Fitbit was the leader in the wearable activity tracker market. However, in 2017, the market began significantly shifting toward smart watches that not only traced fitness but had other important functionality. The biggest challenge facing Fitbit was sustaining interest in its products given that the average consumer used a Fitbit for about 6 months then lost interest suggesting that Fitbit needed to add functionality in order to keep the consumer interested in its product. 8 In addition, as of early 2018, Fitbit did not have its own stores or distribution channels, and while the brand was well-known in the US, the company understood that global expansion would require significant investment in marketing. At the same time it was becoming harder for Fitbit to keep its competitive advantage in the face continual reports of the Apple Watch’s lead position in the smart watch market, with 17.7M unit sold. Xiaomi was second with 15.7M. Fitbit shipped 15.5M units in 2017, down from 22.5M units in 2016. 28 However, Fitbit remained the wearables activity tracker market leader, benefitting from its first mover advantage and integrated system that fit seamlessly into people’s lives. The company’s ability to develop partnerships that created brand awareness, visibility, and accessibility also helped it reach new market segments. Contemplating its future, Fitbit faced three major challenges: intense competition from smartwatches; increasing its relevance and integration into the health care market; and keeping consumers interested in wearing the tracker for more than 6 months. The company had its work cut out for it going forward.
Definition Definition Arrangement between two or more people whereby they agree to manage business operations and share its profits and losses in an agreed ratio. The agreement drafted and signed by the partners of the firm is termed as a partnership deed and contains various important clauses agreed between the partners such as profit/loss sharing, interest on capital, remuneration allocation of each partner, and drawings of a partner.
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