Case Study

Singapore Airlines (C): Managing a strategic paradox

5 pages
December 2013
Reference: IMD-3-2416

The C case takes a broader geographical view, while focusing on Singapore Airlines’ strategic differentiation. The airline, while being widely considered as the standard bearer in terms of quality and customer service, has been able to achieve some of the lowest cost structures in the industry, surpassing even some LCCs. To meet this seeming paradox while minimizing trade-offs, Singapore Airlines draws the line between things that are valued by the customer, where procedural and cultural ingenuity are promoted, and things that have no effect on the traveler, where cost efficiency is sought.

Learning Objective

To investigate how, why and where SIA manages its cost/service trade-offs. To identify the key internal characteristics that allow Singapore Airlines to consistently beat its rivals in terms of customer service and profitability.

Keywords
Airline, Aviation, World, Travel, Differentiation, Cost Efficiency, Strategy, Services, Activity System, General Management
Settings
Asia, India
Singapore Airlines, Travel and Leisure, Airlines and Aviation
2007-2013
Type
Published Sources
Copyright
© 2013
Available Languages
English
Related material
Teaching note
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This case study is part of a series
  • Singapore Airlines (A): The India decision
  • Singapore Airlines (A): The India decision (Abridged)
  • Singapore Airlines (B): Strategic positioning in the Indian airline industry
  • Singapore Airlines (C): Managing a strategic paradox
  • Singapore Airlines (D): The sustainability question
This case study is part of a series
  • Singapore Airlines (A): The India decision
  • Singapore Airlines (A): The India decision (Abridged)
  • Singapore Airlines (B): Strategic positioning in the Indian airline industry
  • Singapore Airlines (C): Managing a strategic paradox
  • Singapore Airlines (D): The sustainability question
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Singapore Airlines (A): The India decision
By Daina Mazutis John R. Weeks Ivy Buche and Luis Vivanco
Case reference: IMD-3-2414 ©2013
Summary
The Indian aviation market, having experienced high growth rates that were expected to continue through 2016, was opened to foreign investment in 2...
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-3-2414
Copyright ©2013
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Singapore Airlines
Industry Travel and Leisure, Airlines and Aviation
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Singapore Airlines (A): The India decision (Abridged)
By Daina Mazutis John R. Weeks Ivy Buche and Luis Vivanco
Case reference: IMD-7-1615 ©2014
Summary
The case highlights the key features of the domestic Indian aviation industry in terms of its growth potential and contrasts this with the operatio...
Reference IMD-7-1615
Copyright ©2014
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Singapore Airlines
Industry Travel and Leisure, Airlines and Aviation
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Singapore Airlines (B): Strategic positioning in the Indian airline industry
By Daina Mazutis John R. Weeks Ivy Buche and Luis Vivanco
Case reference: IMD-3-2415 ©2013
Summary
Singapore Airlines creates a partnership with India’s Tata Group to create a full-service airline to serve the Indian market. The market is served ...
Reference IMD-3-2415
Copyright ©2013
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Singapore Airlines
Industry Travel and Leisure, Airlines and Aviation
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Singapore Airlines (C): Managing a strategic paradox
By Daina Mazutis John R. Weeks Ivy Buche and Luis Vivanco
Case reference: IMD-3-2416 ©2013
Summary
The C case takes a broader geographical view, while focusing on Singapore Airlines' strategic differentiation. The airline, while being widely cons...
Reference IMD-3-2416
Copyright ©2013
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Singapore Airlines
Industry Travel and Leisure, Airlines and Aviation
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Singapore Airlines (D): The sustainability question
By Daina Mazutis and Ivy Buche
Case reference: IMD-3-2418 ©2014
Summary
Case D looks at the sustainability challenges in the airline industry, given that aviation emissions have more than doubled in the last 20 years an...
Reference IMD-3-2418
Copyright ©2014
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Singapore Airlines
Industry Travel and Leisure, Airlines and Aviation
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications