Competitive Analysis
Sony
Financial Status and History
Revenue growth same as industry average
Likelihood of Entry or Retaliation
The first digital cameras for consumer use were the Apple QuickTake 100 (February 17th, 1994) and the Kodak DC40 (March 28th, 1995). Sony entered the imaging market with their first digital camera, the CyberShot Digital Still Camera in 1996.
In April of 2001, Kodak announced its first digital photo printer.
In August of 2001, Sony announced its first digital photo printer (was smaller and more lightweight than Kodak's).
Sony is in a different industry than Kodak. Sony belongs to the Audio/Video Equipment Industry where Eastman Kodak is in the Photography Industry. Sony, however does manufacture photographical tools. Based on the two companies' history, Kodak will likely continue to have a larger selection of electronic photography products, but Sony will continue to develop similar products, often "improved" versions of Kodak's original products.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bldigitalcamera.htm by Mary Bellis
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0108/01082107sonydppmp1.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0104/01042301kodakcamerasys.asp
Management Profile
Nobuyuki Idei - Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer
Strong background in international marketing
Degree in Politics and Economics
Leading Sony into the digital age and developing Sony's brand image
Kunitake Ando ? Presient
Engineered Sony's re-entry into the personal computer market (VAIO)
University of Tokyo School of Economics
Worked for Sony's A/V Products a ...