Chapter 15, Problem 11CR

Summary Introduction

Case Summary:

A top to bottom decision flow hierarchy works fine for Apple, a very creative company. However, the same hierarchy cannot be expected to work for all the creative companies. There are some organizations where innovations were ruined by the hierarchy.

Characters in the case:

Steve Jobs of Apple Company is an important person in this case. Apple, Hewlett-Packard, Nichia are some of the companies discussed in the case.

Adequate Information:

Electronic displays that are used in many of the Hewlett-Packard’s instruments and Nichia’s LED bright lighting technology were all innovations that were rejected by hierarchy but these innovations were highly successful.

To determine:

The reason for Apple to be creative in spite of having a hierarchical structure while the same has not been possible for other companies