Corporate Strategy Case Study

Master Card in 2005

OR

Abstract:

MasterCard, the world’s second largest credit card association announced plans for its IPO by early 2006. It faced stiff competition from the market leader Visa and other rivals. The IPO was announced at a time when various lawsuits filed by its rivals and its merchants were ongoing. Also the US credit card industry was going through a wave of consolidation

The case describes the industry structure of the credit cards, the present organisation structure of MasterCard and the proposed one after the IPO. The case also describes the competitive landscape of the industry and the critical factors affecting it. The core of the case is the proposed IPO of MasterCard which is looked upon by analysts as a move by MasterCard to regain its dominance, insulate itself against the lawsuits and evolve with a new organisation structure

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To understand how card credit industry operates
• To understand survival strategies
• To understand brand management
• To debate issue related to corporate governance

Keywords : MasterCard; Visa; Initial Public Offering (IPO); credit cards; Corporate Strategies Case Study; competition; industry structure; consolidation; financial institutions; restructuring; organisation structure; debit cards, corporate governance, electronic payment systems; credit card history; Discover