ment are highlighted. An appendix lists the performance measurement statistics from Compaq, IBM, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Apple and Gateway2000.
For each year between 1991 through 1996, the personal computer industry growth figures were 20% or higher for worldwide shipments (Brush 1). With the erosion of trade barriers, developments in communications systems and the emergence of profitable markets, the worldwide market offers one of the most lucrative personal computer (PC) marketplaces. The global market surpassed $150 billion in 1996, a 22% growth increase with unit shipment growth of 18% equating to 71 million machines (though some report this number as high as 80) in an installed base of more than 228 million (Woods 27-15).
Currently, Compaq, IBM, Dell and Hewlett-Packard are the top four leaders in worldwide market share. Two interesting developments have occurred with respect to the top five worldwide vendors. One of the usual top five, Apple Computer, Inc., is missing from the list. A new addition to the list is Dell, one of the two major direct sell companies along with Gateway2000:
WORLDWIDE PC MARKET SHARE (% units shipped)
There are many international trends that bode well for U. S. PC manufacturers. While foreign competition is increasing, the U. S. computer industry is still the international leader with strengths represented in the areas of research design, software development, marketing and customer support. U. S. PC shipments accounted for 38.4% of worldwide shipments in 1996 and remains similar to 1992 levels, but U. S. shipments grew 78% in the same time period with worldwide shipments rising 90% (Graham-Hackett 12). To ward off the threat of foreign competition, especially from Asia, the U. S. computer industry has continued to heavily invest overseas, reaching a high of $22.6 billion in 1995 (Woods 27-4). Asia also represents the largest U. S. importer of computer equipment. Internationa...