Kodak: A Lesson in Innovation and Disruption

In the 1990s, Kodak, a leader in photography, faced a digital revolution. Despite early innovations in digital imaging, Kodak failed to adapt, focusing on film. Don Strickland's secret digital camera project was discovered, but Kodak's leadership was skeptical. Strickland left for Apple, where he launched the Apple QuickTake 100, the first consumer digital camera. Kodak's strategic missteps, including a failed investment in China, led to its decline as digital photography surged.

What was Kodak's position in the photography industry at the start of the 1990s?

• A new entrant

• A niche player

• A struggling company

• A dominant force

What was the main challenge faced by Don Strickland in developing a digital camera at Kodak?

• Lack of technical expertise

• Resistance from executives

• Insufficient funding

• Competition from other companies

What was the reaction of Kodak executives to the digital camera project in Japan?

• They were indifferent

• They were enthusiastic

• They were supportive

• They were skeptical

What was Kodak's initial reaction to the invention of the digital camera in 1975?

• They launched it in the market

• They immediately embraced it

• They filed a patent but did nothing

• They sold the technology to another company

What was the main reason Kodak failed to capitalize on its digital camera invention?

• Patent issues

• Fear of cannibalizing film sales

• Technical difficulties

• Lack of market demand

What was a key difference in the questions asked by Apple compared to Kodak?

• Apple focused on market size

• Apple focused on solving big problems

• Apple focused on cost reduction

• Apple focused on traditional photography

What was Kodak's strategy to prolong the use of film?

• Investing in digital cameras

• Developing hybrid technologies

• Focusing on instant photography

• Partnering with other film companies

What was Kodak's assumption about the developing markets like China?

• They would not be interested in photography

• They would start with digital

• They would start with film

• They would leapfrog to digital

What was the outcome of Kodak's $1 billion investment in China?

• It dominated the Chinese market

• It led to a partnership with Apple

• It was a hopelessly optimistic move

• It was a huge success

What was the strategic focus of Kodak's 'silver halide strategy'?

• Prolonging the use of film

• Expanding into new markets

• Reducing production costs

• Embracing digital technology