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Case Study

Platforms everywhere: GE vs. Haier (Mini case)

By Knut Bjarne Haanaes, Lisa Simone Duke and Øystein D. Fjeldstad

4 pages

May 2020

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Reference: IMD-7-2201

This case contrasts GE with Haier. GE was a pioneer of platforms and services from the 1980s onwards. Yet in 2011 when it turned to leverage the digital age through developing a platform called Predix, it did not succeed. In contrast, the case looks at Haier, which grew from a single refrigerator factory to a global white goods and electronics company which has successfully leveraged digital transformation and has used platforms to develop into a strong ecosystem player, actually buying GE’s applicance business.

Learning Objective

This case is part of a mini-case series “Reshaping Industries – Embracing the New Normal Mini Case Series“. Learning objectives focus on business models and how these can threaten or become threatened quickly with the rise in technology.
In this case, how GE tried and failed to digitally transform through its platform Predix. In contrast, how Haier successfully digitally transformed by leveraging platforms to get closer to customers and respond very fast.

Keywords

Strategy, Platform, Business Model, Platform Strategy, Competition, Digital Transformation

Settings

World/global
General Electric, Haier
1980 to 2020

Type

Published Sources

Available Languages

English

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This case study is part of a series

Connecting the world: From AT&T to Zoom (Mini case)
From the Model T to the Tesla Y to “what” now? (Mini case)
Platforms everywhere: GE vs. Haier (Mini case)
Wachtell vs. Watson: The future of professional services (Mini case)

This case study is part of a series

Connecting the world: From AT&T to Zoom (Mini case)
From the Model T to the Tesla Y to “what” now? (Mini case)
Platforms everywhere: GE vs. Haier (Mini case)
Wachtell vs. Watson: The future of professional services (Mini case)

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Case reference: IMD-2663 ©2025

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Reference IMD-2663

Organization Medacta Group

Industry Healthcare, Medical Device

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