Softbank Corp. is a Japanese business group that controls more than 600 Internet and technology-related companies and other businesses worldwide (see Exhibits C5-1 - C5-4.. The company is headquartered in Tokyo and was started by Masayoshi Son in 1981. Even after the 1999/2000's dot.com downturn, the company ranks as one of the largest distributors of software and technology-related products as well as a provider of Internet-based information in the world. In 2001, Softbank Group is divided into the following segments:
IT-related distribution and c-commerce, financial services, publishing and marketing, Internet infrastructure, technology since, and broadcast media (see Exhibit C5-4.. Because of its massive acquisitions, Softbank is often called the Internet Keiretsu (Lynskey and Yonekura, 2001; Webber 1992.. The company is the largest investor in the Internet, c-commerce, and technology-related areas in the world. Since 1992, Soft- bank has grown into one of the most influential and dynamic players in the Internet and c-commerce industry. Because of Son's unique entrepreneurial style and flamboyant personality, the Western media often called him “The Bill Gates of Japan,” “Cyber-Mogul,” “Master of the internet,” “Japan's Mr. Internet,” etc. Son's entrepreneurial style has become a powerful force in the Internet world. Son started Softbank after receiving his degree in economics from the University of California at Berkeley in 1980. Since 1994, Softbank's shares have been traded on the Tokyo over-the-counter market, in 1998, Softbank's consolidated revenues reached $4.38 billion with a pre-tax profit of $339 million. In 1999, Softbank's market capitalization surpassed $11.5 billion and the company employed 7,000 workers worldwide (refer to Exhibit C5-1; Business
Week, 1999a&b; Financial Times, 1997a-c; The Wall Street Journal, 1996,1999a-c).
In the last ten years, Softbank has sought aggressive global diversification by acquiring high-profile Internet companies and investing millions of dcllars in long-term Internet technologies. In September 1999, Softbank's selected acquisitions and majority share holdings included: Yahoo, Yahoo Japan, E-Trade-Japan, E-Trade Group, Buy.com, Concentric, E-Loan, USWeb, ZDNet, Ziff Davis, ZD Comdex, Kingston Technology, SB Networks, and Japan Digital Broadcasting Services (see Exhibit C5-5.. Soft- bank's venture capital subsidiary (Softbank Technology Ventures) has actively pursued and sought equity-related investments in companies from the areas of digital information technology, Internet communications, network services, and e-commerce.
Softbank's shift in its core-competence and long- term strategies results from a massive growth in the Internet and technology-related markets in the U.S., Japan, and Western Europe. According to industry analysts, Softbank plans to become one of the largest Internet and technology communication companies in the world. Softbank is truly the first-mover company in its product markets. Analysts believe that in the next five years, Softbank will become a major force in the Internet and technology-related and software distribution areas because of increasing demand and growth. On the other hand, Softbank will be impacted by heightened global competition and will be challenged by newcomers in the industry. The case is intended to have students look at Softbank's future market growth and its global strategies within the concept of internationalization and competitive advantage issues.
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