Does Tata Possess a Distinctive Competency?

The Tata Group, based in India, comprises operating companies in seven business sectors: materials, engineering, information technology and communications, energy, services, consumer products, and chemicals. Since its founding in the nineteenth century, the Group has aligned business opportunities with nation building. This approach remains ingrained into the Group’s ethos even today.

The Tata Group is India’s largest conglomerate, with 2011 revenues of $83.3 billion. Its 31 publicly listed companies and various private companies export products and services to over 85 countries and have operations in over 80 countries.

After two decades of dynamic leadership, Ratan N. Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, retired in December 2012 from India’s largest business conglomerate. Chosen last year to succeed Mr. Tata, Cyrus Mistry, the deputy chairman, will be the first non-Tata family member to be chairman, leaving questions about the continued successful expansion of the global empire.

Research the development of the Tata Group and its major global subsidiaries. Then, answer these prompts:

1. Describe the Tata Group’s major subsidiaries and their relative global industry competitiveness.
2. How has Tata combined product and geographic diversification?
3. What role have alliances and acquisitions played in Tata’s strategy to attack U.S. markets starting in 2013?
4. Given Tata Group’s approach to growth and internationalization, how should Tata’s IBS drive future growth as such a large conglomerate?

Suggested Resources:
2012 Tata Group Brochure; Tata Management Train Center

Commentary may include New York Times Page, WSJ, Reuters, or Financial Times

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