Decision making in creating the world's first smartphone

Abstract

Subject area Entrepreneurship, Technology management and new product development. Study level/applicability This class is useable for an EMBA or MBA audience, especially for modules relating to entrepreneurship, technology management and new product development. Case overview Mr Khaw Kheng Joo was a pioneer in Singapore's high–technology manufacturing industry. In the mid–1990s, Khaw was given the difficult task of establishing a presence for Hewlett–Packard (HP) in the handheld Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) market. However, he believed that the PDA was not the game–changing technology for consumers. Using his knowledge of the Bell Curve and years of entrepreneurial experience, Khaw sought to combine PDA functionalities with the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology, effectively creating a new generation of mobile device fondly known today as the “smartphone”. The journey towards the finished product was met with several obstacles and barriers. Many colleagues were uncertain of the future market and had difficulty agreeing on which features to focus on. However, through his determination, expertise and decision making in uncertainty, Khaw guided his team to eventually launch the impressive HP Jornada 928, the world's first smartphone, and heralded a new generation of mobile devices. Expected learning outcomes This case is designed to be useable in teaching three key knowledge disciplines: Decision–making biases and heuristics in entrepreneurs and innovators. Technology diffusion of new technology. Managing market uncertainty. Supplementary materials Teaching notes.