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SECTION C
Answer the following question.
5. The Board of Directors at B-Pharma are now exploring the other two strategic options:
Option 1: Market development in Europe
Likely overall cost: $100 million.
To gain productive capacity and a network of distribution channels in Europe, B-Pharma could enter
this market through hostile takeover of several European companies. The businesses could be bought
cheaply.
However, to achieve synergies, some obstacles must be overcome:
• the plants available for acquisition need modernizing. As a result they could benefit from factories
latest total quality management (TQM) methods
• European workers expect empowerment and are likely to resist any attempts at restructuring
• European workers are concerned about B-Pharma’s reputation after hearing about the animal
testing scandal.
Option 3: Diversification of the product portfolio
Likely overall cost: $120 million.
Some directors think that the company could be seen as more ethical if they made products to improve
animal welfare. B-Pharma could produce a range of drugs for animals to be sold to vets. This huge
and growing market around the world is very competitive and for B-Pharma has several risks. This
market is completely new to B-Pharma so a joint venture with an experienced Japanese company has
been suggested. B-Pharma is considering a new brand name.
The two options are summarized on the decision tree below:
Probability Forecast revenue
Option 1 Successful 0.9 $220m
$100m Not successful 0.1 $30m
Predicted
Option
outcome
Successful 0.3 $800m 1 $101m
Option 3
3 ??
$120m Not successful 0.7 $40m
(This question continues on the following page)
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(Question 5 continued)
Using quantitative and qualitative data from the case study and the additional stimulus
above, recommend which option 1 or 3 is best for achieving B-Pharma’s objective of
growth.
You will find it useful to calculate the predicted outcome for Option 3 in the above
decision tree. [20 marks]