HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeBusiness to Businessback to Research & KnowledgeMidea: The digital transformation of a home appliances giantback to Business to Business

Case Study

Midea: The digital transformation of a home appliances giant

By Mark J. Greeven, Yunfei Feng and Wei Wei

12 pages

January 2023

Order this case study

Reference: IMD-7-2425

Over the past decade, Asian companies have been launching accelerated and wide-ranging digital transformation initiatives. This has enabled some of them to become leading national and even international players, as well as digital pioneers in their respective industries. This case examines the successful digital transformation undertaken by the Chinese company Midea, one of the world’s leading home appliance manufacturers. By digitally transforming the company, Midea improved its financial performance and reshaped its business on a wider scale. While many cases that address digital transformation focus on the early phases of the process, Midea’s case illustrates a successfully completed digital business transformation. This allows participants to have an overview of the entire digital transformation journey and see what the potential outcomes might be.

Learning Objective

Participants will discuss the factors that enabled Midea’s rapid digital business transformation, and learn

The “three stages” model of digital transformation

The value of the digital infrastructure, i.e. the “middle office”

The success factors for digital business transformation

Keywords

Business to Business, Digital Transformation, Disruption, General Management, Strategy, Technology, Chinese Corporation, China, Digital

Settings

Asia, China
Midea, Consumer Goods, Home Appliances
1968-2022

Type

Published Sources

Available Languages

English

Related material

Teaching note

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Keep reading

Article

Nailing multicultural leadership

Jan, a seasoned VP, faces the challenge of leading a critical summit in Singapore post-acquisition. Amid cultural complexities, she seeks guidance to unite diverse stakeholders and drive successful integration.

Coaching Corporate Governance Global Business Organizational Change Strategy

By Robyn Wilson

in I by IMD

Article

Phishing attacks are evolving. Here’s how to resist them

Improvements in technology have made deepfakes — fraudulent audio, video, and images — easier than ever to create. As a result, 2024 has seen a nearly 60% surge in phishing attacks. These attacks hijack our perceptions and our ability to distingui...

Digital Cybersecurity Technology Management

By Öykü Işık and Ankita Goswami

in HBR.org

29 October 2024

Article

Three lessons the west can learn from China’s economic approach to AI

AI is already everywhere, ready to change the way we work and play, how we learn and how we are looked after. From hospitality to healthcare, entertainment to education, AI is transforming the world as we know it. But it’s developing at a differen...

Economics Artificial Intelligence China

By Jialu Shan

in The Conversation

29 October 2024

Article

I launched the AI safety clock. Here’s what it tells us about existential risks

f uncontrolled artificial general intelligence—or “God-like” AI—is looming on the horizon, we are now about halfway there. Every day, the clock ticks closer to a potential doomsday scenario. That’s why I introduced the AI Safety Clock last month. ...

Artificial Intelligence Technology Management Disruption

By Michael R. Wade

in Time

13 October 2024

Article

Strategy Stack: an integrated approach to decision-making

The ways popular frameworks are used fall short in today’s rapidly changing environment. Here is a new way to make better-informed strategic choices.

Change Management Competitiveness Decision Making Innovation Strategy

By Albrecht Enders, Ajay K. Kohli, Andreas König and Arnaud Chevallier

in I by IMD

Case Study

Bossard’s AI strategy for proven productivity (Cartoon case)

Bossard, a Swiss company founded in 1731, has successfully transitioned from a product-centric approach to one that offers services and solutions. It has achieved significant revenue growth despite economic challenges. Its brand promise, “proven p...

Artificial Intelligence Business Transformation Strategy

By Stefan Michel

Case Study

The AI paradox: Will generative AI enhance or destroy the business model of 99designs.com? (Cartoon case)

99designs.com is a global platform connecting freelance designers with potential clients. The case study examines the potential impact of generative AI on 99designs’ business model. The platform uses a crowdsourcing approach that invites designers...

Strategy Business to Business Digital Disruption

By Stefan Michel