International Management III Case 7: Softbank Corporation: Internet and Web-Related Acquisitions, Market Expansion and Global Strategy in 2001/2002

Question 1: What are your views of Softbank's recent internet-related diversification and its technology-based acquisitions? In order to sustain their competitiveness, the enterprises usually conduct industrial reformation. For dispersing the risk of the enterprise, expanding their business scope and growth, or solving the perplexities in operation, the enterprises usually adopt diversified strategy. While operating, many aspects should be considered. Although diversification may make the enterprises grow, apply internal resources efficiently, reduce risks and increase more economic …

…economy improves in 2001-2002. In addition, Softbank plans to consolidate its position in Japan's online industry in virtually every sector-education, e-commerce, retailing, banking, finance, insurance and bond markets, distribution, and broadcasting. In the present circumstances, Softbank is one of the main Internet companies in the world. It will be interesting to see if it can hold its position as the world Internet Company or whether it will just be run over by another Softbank-type company.