Leadership MBA Lessons in Microsoft Restructure?: MBA News

By Pavel Kantorek Updated Apr 30, 2016

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Microsoft Leadership Reshuffle: A Case Study for MBA Leadership?

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The announcement of the Microsoft leadership reshuffle late last week has brought mixed reactions from the business school world, with some calling it the possible saviour for the technology giant, while others say it leaves a lot to be desired. Whatever the outcome, it's likely that Microsoft's story will be used for case studies in leadership MBA classes over the coming years.

Though the announcement on Thursday represents a huge organizational change in the way the company operates as it looks to strengthen its market position in the midst of competitors including Apple, Google, Amazon, and a wealth of others, in short, under Steve Ballmer the company opted to unify the Microsoft leadership under a 'One Microsoft' label, opposed to a more divisional leadership structure previously.

“It’s a needed centralization of operating systems, some centralization of some of these other groups,” MIT Sloan School of Management Professor Michael Cusumano told the Seattle Times' technology columnist Brier Dudley.

Microsoft Leadership Reshuffle: A Case Study for MBA Leadership?

Cusumano, who holds the title of Sloan Management Review Distinguished Professor of Management, teaches courses on The Software Business and Digital Platforms as well as Advanced Strategic Management at MIT Sloan.

“But the big question [is] about Steve Ballmer — does he have the vision to see the future before the future happens, or can he make the future happen — those questions are not answered by this reorganization at all,” Cusumano explains.

Also speaking to the Seatlle Times on the Microsoft leadership shake-up, a Harvard Business School professor explains that the changes should help to speed up processes within the company, better arming it for future success.

“I see it as a pivot in which related things are coming together, so as a result the speed of the organization should be increased,” said Harvard Business School professor Marco Iansiti.

Marco Iansiti is the David Sarnoff Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, and is a faculty member in the technology and operations management unit. He has taught a variety of executive education and MBA courses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and operations, and as the Seattle Times points out, has co-authored a book called 'One Strategy' with former Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky.

The outcome of Microsoft's leadership shake-up will only be known for sure many months down the line. However, whether it's a positive or negative for the company, it's likely that with such an iconic brand restructuring itself as it aims to tackle future challenges and competition, leadership MBA classes will be analysing the restructuring for years to come.

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Written by

Pavel Kantorek

Mansoor is a contributor to and former editor of TopMBA.com. He is a higher and business education specialist, who has been published in media outlets around the world. He studied English literature at BA and MA level and has a background in consumer journalism.