Case Analysis Of Merck & Co.

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External Environment Analysis Economy Merck & Co. has to be aware of the economy as with any industry. Within the recession, more and more were looking towards generic substitutes. This can at times not be a problem with patents. However, once a patent is up, a competitor who develops generic versions of Merck’s products becomes a low-cost competitor. However, during the recession from 2008 – 2009, Merck didn’t see any drop in sales. Actually, they were able to keep a continual increase in sales and net income. Socio-Culture Merck has not had to worry about much socio-culture shifts. As long as people need prescription drugs, they will have a consumer. There has been a slight shift in some who are wanting more natural remedies. However, …show more content…

They are missing out on opportunities that exist externally. It is time for the mindset of the company to evolve and understand that not all great ideas will be developed internally. In order to jump back to being the leading pharmaceutical company, they will have to open their doors to external pharmaceutical innovation. Stakeholder Identification A decision on whether or not an open innovation strategy is implement effects several stakeholders. First of all, it effects the stakeholders who are shareholders. Shareholders could be missing out on increased profits because the culture and organization of the company has become stubborn. Researchers who work at Merck are also stakeholders who are affected by this decision. They could possible lose jobs if Merck does employ an open innovation strategy and finds it more successful than its current innovation strategy. However, it could also develop more for them to work with and create more success. Varying ideas may be brought which works well with current ideas set in motion my Merck researchers. With the help of external ideas, they may be able to improve or create new …show more content…

It will allow more opportunities for the Merck & Co. to innovate from. Not all great ideas are being generated within Merck and this strategy will allow us access to those other great ideas. Open innovation will help Merck jump back in the lead of developing the larger number of new pharmaceutical drugs. They have already dipped their toe in with the “reverse-merger” with Schering-Plough which was great way to introduce the idea to the organization and culture within Merck. This course of action is the most ethical because it allows the company to maintain its core strategy of differentiation. It will also help continue the reputation of being innovative by supplying more ideas to work with within the R&D department. It will create more possible drug choices for consumers and profits for the company to enjoy, especially shareholders. An external idea could help produce the next Nobel Prize for the R&D

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