The purpose of this research is to develop a case history of the Hewlett Packard Company. The case history is presented in the following discussions: (1) company history; (2) the company's strengths and weaknesses; (3) corporate strategy; (4) corporate objectives; (5) managerial (top) assessment; (6) the company's position within the industry; and (7) an assessment of the company's social responsibility.
COMPANY HISTORY
William Hewlett and David Packard started their business in David Packard's garage in 1938, in Palo Alto, California (Moskowitz, Katz, & Levering, 1982). Their first product was a new type of audio oscillator, which is a device used in the measuring of sound waves (Moskowitz, Katz, & Levering, 1982). The initial order for the product was placed by Walt Disney Studios.
During the Second World War, the company received a government contract to build microwave signal generators for use in anti radar devices. The earnings and experience derived from its war work placed the company in a good position to take advantage of the opportunities which were opened up by the development of the post war electronics business (Moskowitz, Katz, & Levering, 1982).
The company grew through both new product introductions, and acquisitions. It was their introduction of the hand held scientific calculator in 1972, however, that propelled the company to the forefront in consumer electronics (Moskowitz, Katz, & Levering, 1982).
As of early 1989, the company is a major designer and manufacturer of precision electronics products and systems, which are used for both measurement and computation (Niemond, 1989a). The company's major product categories are (1) design, measurement, and manufacturing equipment; (2) computers and computer systems; (3) electronic calculators; and (4) medical electronic equipment and instrumentation (Niemond, 1989a).
STRENGTHS ...