[10th May 2000 – 8:30 am, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts]
The spring air carried the scent of blooming magnolias across the quad as students hurried along the brick pathways, their arms clutched with blue books, calculators, and last-minute study guides. Finals week had descended upon the campus like a familiar storm—predictable but still caused chaos in its wake. Groups of undergraduate freshmen who were experiencing this for the first time huddled together on benches, frantically quizzing each other, regretting that they had procrastinated until the eleventh hour.
"What's the difference between fiscal and monetary policy again?" one economics major asked his study partner, who responded with an uncertain shrug.
"Dude, if you don't know that by now, we're both screwed," came the reply, followed by nervous laughter that didn't quite mask the underlying panic.
Near the steps of Widener Library, a cluster of pre-med students compared notes on organic chemistry, their voices rising in animated debate over molecular structures and reaction mechanisms. Their stress was palpable as their futures hung in the balance of these next few hours, and everyone knew it. Xavier, dressed in a navy polo and matching chino pants, walked at a more measured pace, stretching lightly to release his muscles from his morning workouts.
He was a creature of routine and rigorously stuck to it, which is why he had finished the needed studying to pass by January comfortably. Still, he continued to study every third day, supplementing his knowledge for the simple fact that it was part of his routine. The Exam in International Business Strategy was the last he had to sit and would determine his grade, but it felt more like a formality to him.
The rhythmic voice of Pac blasted through the Soni headphones on his ears connected to his MP3 player as he passed through Johnston Gate. He instantly spotted some of his basketball teammates gathered near the steps of University Hall, going through their study notes.
Darnell spotted him first and called out, "Yo, X! You ready for this?"
"Do you even need to ask when I've been tutoring you?" Xavier replied with a slight smile, adjusting his collar. "Fine, whatever, let's just get this over with. Ben will fail anyway with his T. rex brain," He retorted, slinging an arm around X as he dragged him up the steps.
Ignoring the freshman who shouted curses behind their back, they headed toward Aldrich Hall, where their Exam would be held. The morning sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the quad as it breathed life back into the buildings. Students streamed past them in both directions, some heading to their own exams, others having already finished.
The expressions on those leaving were a mix of relief and dread, marking the end of an academic chapter. The building came into view, its red brick facade and white columns embodying the history on display in the architecture alone.
"Alright, I'll see you later, bro. Try not to fail, I'd be too embarrassed to tell people I tutored you." Xavier said, slapping Darnell on the back before climbing the steps, passing through the heavy wooden doors into the cool interior.
The hallway's energy immediately shifted to a mix of nervousness and desperation as students found their assigned examination rooms. He walked toward Professor Martinez, the head invigilator of his Exam, who stood outside Room 105, checking names off a list as students filed past. She looked up as Xavier approached, adjusting the rim of her glasses. "Mr James, good morning. I trust you have prepared adequately?"
"Yes, Professor. Thank you for everything this semester. It's been a pleasure." He responded with a smile, removing his headphones, wrapping the wiring around the MP3 player, and placing it in the designated lock box next to the professor.
She smiled slightly. "You've been an exceptional student, Xavier. I was sorry to hear about your Fathers passing." Xavier nodded at her words as he walked into the exam hall, following the instructions of the invigilators strewn strategically around the room.
The examination room was arranged in rows of individual desks spaced appropriately apart, each equipped with a blue book and basic supplies. On the left wall, letters from A to Z marked each row, with numbers from 1 to 10, and so on, indicating the seating numbers on the back wall.
Xavier checked his name on the extensive list on the front wall and found his assigned seat near the middle of the room. Surrounded by his MBA cohort and some literature majors who were also sitting their exams. As he settled into his chair, Xavier caught fragments of whispered conversations around him.
~~~
At 8:45 am, a professor carrying a stack of examination packets walked in, wearing a serious expression as if he were carrying code to the Enigma. He whispered a few words to Professor Martinez before handing out the exam papers to the invigilators. As swiftly as he came, he also left without a word to the students, who were now receiving their papers, facedown.
"Good morning, everyone," Professor Martinezshe began, her voice carrying clearly across the room. "This is your final examination for International Business Strategy and for literature majors. Business students, you have three hours to complete the case analysis. My literature students, you have 2 hours."
She paused for a moment, letting her words sink in as she waited for those whispering to quieten down. "The packet being handed out contains your question sheet. You may not ask us questions. If you need to use the bathroom, raise your hands quietly. If caught talking during the Exam, you will be warned only once."
"If you finish half an hour before your finishing mark, you may raise your hand and one of our invigilators will receive your paper from you and guide you out. If you're past the half-hour mark, you will have to wait. Oh, and A piece of advice: don't cheat, it's too much paperwork for me. You all know the drill, as you have been sitting exams all week. Lastly, good luck, the Exam is now in session," she announced as she tapped a button activating a large clock that counted down from three hours as another invigilator did the same for the literature majors.
At 9 am sharp, the Exam officially began as the students wasted no time turning over their question paper. On the front, they filled out their personal information, including names, student number, and date. Xavier flipped to the first page after completing his personal details, his eyes immediately drawn to the case study header:
"Global Digital Expansion Strategy: A Case Study Analysis." The packet contained a comprehensive business scenario spanning four pages of dense text, financial charts, and market data about a major internet portal company's international expansion from 1995 to early 2000. The case detailed how this company had pursued aggressive international growth through a combination of acquisitions, partnerships, and organic expansion across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
Charts showed revenue streams from banner advertising, directory services, and emerging e-commerce partnerships, while also highlighting the substantial costs of localising content and services across markets. Xavier leaned back in his chair, surveying the examination room as his mind began organising the strategic frameworks he'd need. He had read this report before, well a similar one with his father who would have him analyse companies they had invested in.
His father was a genius at this, able to read a company's future with 85% accuracy in the next three years with a casual ten-minute overview. Xavier needed more time due to his lack of experience, but once he did, he was just as accurate as his old man. It was their analysis that allowed them to recognise the inevitable fall of the dot-com sometime this year, and the reason he had been swift to withdraw his involvement and sell his stake in the fund.
Taking a short breath, he took in the thick atmosphere where the only sound was that of a pen scraping against paper. To his left, a literature student with short auburn hair was already deep into her essay, fountain pen gliding across the blue book. Stretching his fingers and cracking his neck, he immediately got to work.
Question 1 (40 points): Analyze the company's international expansion strategy from 1995-2000. Evaluate the effectiveness of their localisation approach versus pursuing a standardised global platform. What are the long-term strategic implications of their chosen approach?
Question 2 (35 points): Given the recent volatility in technology markets, assess the sustainability of this business model in international markets. How should internet-based companies adapt their global strategies to navigate economic uncertainty?
Question 3 (25 points): Project the evolution of global digital commerce over the next decade. What strategic opportunities and challenges will internet companies face as global connectivity expands?
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To Be Continued...