Secondary Case Studies

These three case studies look at aspects of the Rolls-Royce business and how it expands and develops its activities through acquisition plans, knowledge of it's place in a competitive world and partnerships with other organisations. The case studies were produced by the Times and was part of a series investigating the "Times 100" organisations.

Expanding a business through skillful acquisition 

Rolls-Royce is convinced that the best way to be successful is to be a leading player in the markets in which it operates. The company has a business with a proven marine pedigree that can trace its roots back to 1849. However, in the modern globally integrated highly competitive market place, it is essential to be the main force in marine solutions by:

• providing the widest range of marine products
• providing a unique systems capability, including market leading environmental solutions, that sets Rolls-Royce aside from the competition

Acquisitions case study:

• Expanding in the marine market through acquisition
• Identifying the new opportunity
• The force in marine solutions
• Rolls-Royce's marine market
• The importance of building a differential through green credentials
• Conclusion and glossary of keywords

Competing within a changing world 

In response to changes within its business environment, Rolls-Royce has developed its orientation from that of engineering to become more business and service focused. The organisation has had to become much more proactive, dealing with new ideas to create more services and customer focus.

Competition case study:

• Rolls-Royce plc
• The changing context
• Improving service
• Analysing the external environment
• Summary of Five Forces analysis
• Conclusion and glossary of keywords

The power of partnerships 

There is a strong link between risk, opportunity and reward. In recent years, the notion of managing risk has enabled organisations such as Rolls-Royce to respond to opportunities in partnership with its suppliers, so that both have been involved in strategic decisions and the sharing of rewards. It has provided the means for Rolls-Royce to respond to changes in its operating environment and massively increase its market share.

Partnerships case study:

• Rolls-Royce plc
• Civil aerospace market
• The opportunity
• Risk and revenue sharing partners
• Long-term relationships
• Success for the Trent 500
• Summary and exercises