LearnOBots: navigating through uncharted waters

Case overview / Abstract

Founded in early 2014, LearnOBots was a young social enterprise spearheaded by Shamyl Bin Mansoor and Faisal Laghari. The venture aimed to provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-based, tech supported experiential learning to young kids, which would eventually help improve the educational standards in the country. This case presents the complex dilemma of an enterprise, which achieved market traction to its novel business idea but soon faced changing competitive dynamics that posed a challenge to the uncontested blue ocean strategy that the venture attempted to create. The case is a rich description of the idiosyncrasies that an innovative startup faces in emerging markets context. It gives an insight on the balancing act that social enterprises need to achieve between their business goals and social impact aspirations.

Learning outcomes

In the light of the case and the accompanying case questions, the students should understand the theoretical underpinnings of the Blue ocean strategy. Application and critical evaluation of analytical frameworks associated with the blue ocean strategy. Role of political, socio-cultural and technological factors undermining the success of any endeavor aimed at bringing about innovation in education in Pakistan. The critical balance that social enterprises need to develop between their commercial and social impact goals.

Case Areas

Blue Ocean Strategy, Business Goals, Emerging Market, Entrepreneurship, Innovation in Education, Market Competition, New Service Launch, Social Aspirations, Social Enterprise

Case Level

Undergraduate

Industry

Information Technology and Telecom Sector

Disciplines

Community-Based Learning | Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | Technology and Innovation | Work, Economy and Organizations

Geography

Islamabad, Pakistan

Teaching Notes

Yes

Faculty / School

Faculty of Business Administration (FBA)

Department

Department of Marketing

Was this content written or created while at IBA?

Yes

Source

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies

Length

16 pages

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Taimoor, S. (2020), "LearnOBots: navigating through uncharted waters", Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies, Vol. 10 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/EEMCS-04-2020-0106

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