IBM Watson Case Study

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Recommended: Background of the IBM

IBM Watson is a highly debated technology in the computing industry. According to Wagle (2013), Watson is a supercomputer, which was developed by IBM. The accepted definition of a supercomputer is a computer that is at the high end of processing capability. (Wagle K, 2013). IBM Watson combines together a set of transformational technologies to drive optimised outcomes. The research and development involved with IBM Watson is aiming at creating a super computer that can understand human speech. As described in appendix 1, firstly Watson understands the human speech and natural language. Secoundly, Watson generates and evaluates hypothesis for better outcomes. Lastly, Watson has the ability to adapt and learn from user responses and selections. …show more content…

This means that IBM has to be very careful with their strategy on protecting these patents. Thus, IBM has licenced their patents to create a revenue through the licencing fees. According to IP Magazine, 2012 IBM earned over $1 billion in licensing fees from its patents. This strategy has created a large amount of extra revenue, which has enabled IBM to invest more money in to areas such as research and development. Moreover, Watson innovation, protected by patents is driving new product value, new market, and new choices for the public, and new jobs, which all contributes to IBM’s product, service and IP licensing returns. (Intellectual Property IBM, 2014). These strategies that IBM use to protect its innovations are very effective and can be sure to protect their inventions in the future.
The ways in which IBM’s organization culture encourages innovative behavior from staff
In the early 19th century, employees at IBM introduced a song known as Ever Onward, to help lift the culture and spirit within the organisation. This song demonstrates the energy and spirituality the executives at IBM wanted to incorporate in the IBM organisation. The lyrics of the beginning of the song were as stated below, however you can find the full song at IBM.com. (IBM Rally Song, Ever Onward, n.d.):
There 's a thrill in store for …show more content…

Organisational culture can be defined as, “the values and behaviours that contribute to the unique social and psychological environment of an organisation.” (Business dictionary, 2015, p. 1). The organisations culture also includes the experiences, expectations, values and expectations that holds an organisation together. In relation to IBM’s culture, Thomas J. Watson played a big role in the successful cultural heritage breathed at IBM today. Watson introduced “THINK,” as IBM’s slogan and it did not have any particular meaning. Watson believed that when people would see “THINK,” they would find out what he really meant. IBM’s “THINK,” entered the popular cultural world, usually known as being humorous. Although “THINK,” was the seed of IBM’s culture, the company introduced and developed a formal set of beliefs, which were expected to guide employees and their behavior. According to IBM’s article “a culture of think (n.d),” these beliefs

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