HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeStrategyback to Research & KnowledgeMatternet–Swiss Post: Drone-based healthcare delivery (A)back to Strategy

Case Study

Matternet–Swiss Post: Drone-based healthcare delivery (A)

By Howard H. Yu and Marc Chauvet

10 pages

September 2020

Order this case study

Reference: IMD-7-2157

Startup Matternet entered in 2017 the market of drone-based delivery of medical samples in Switzerland, via an investment from Swiss Post. Following two consecutive incidents in 2019 during which the drones fell mid-air to the ground, Matternet was caught between its growth imperative and its investor’s increasing concern regarding its public image and the safety of the technology. Regulatory evolutions in the USA and a partnership with logistics behemoth UPS allowed the company to shift most of its operations to the USA in 2019

Learning Objective

Case A is to introduce a number of innovation tools and approaches to participants. More specifically, it describes how a large established companies can embrace various “start-up” methodologies in their quest to disrupt their corresponding sectors ahead of time.

Keywords

Strategy, Management, Innovation, Drone, Disruptive Innovation, Logistics Services, Business Model, Service Delivery, Entrepreneurship, Investor Relations, Medical Services, Start-up

Settings

Poste Suisse, Matternet, Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation, Logistics and Supply Chain, Shipping
2017-2020

Type

Field Research

Available Languages

English

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

This case study is part of a series

Keep reading

Article

Taking political risk out of the equation - David Bach

With half the world going to the polls this year, how do businesses manage political risk? IMD’s David Bach suggests businesses must look beyond th...

Where Mario Draghi’s €800bn industrial strategy for Europe falls short

The former Italian premier and ECB president’s call for massive EU investment is a wake-up call to Europe’s economic stagnation. But can the contin...

Embedding responsible innovation in corporate strategy

Innovation is a core element in the business toolbox. A new framework is helping corporate leaders integrate social sustainability in their innovat...

Innovation Sustainability Strategy

By Bala Mulloth, Jill Kickul and Tatiana Iakovleva

in I by IMD

9 September 2024

Article

Generational wealth: Embracing "Lotus" model for family business succession

There is a Chinese saying that wealth does not last beyond three generations, and the reality is that sustaining family businesses is a significant...

Family Business Strategy Organizational Design

By Marleen Dieleman

in The Edge Malaysia

5 September 2024

Video

Embracing circularity - Long-term profitability

Julia Binder and Manuel Braun delve into why a circular approach to business can help build more resilience and boost profitability.

Strategy

By Julia Binder and Manuel Braun

in I by IMD

Article

Abstract thinking: how artworks can sharpen decision-making

Peter Lorange explains how artworks support his decision-making process and can also help new businesses thrive.

Decision Making Strategy

By Peter Lorange

in I by IMD

Article

How a new approach to demand planning can redefine success

Demand Planning Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are frequently criticized for being too complex or irrelevant. However, an emerging approach is g...

Strategy Supply Chain

By Ralf W. Seifert, Richard Markoff and Matthew Spooner

in I by IMD

5 August 2024

Article

Navigating global and local strategies: FUCHS’ journey in China and what other businesses can learn about their approach

FUCHS SE's journey in China shows how its FUCHS2025 strategy balances global ambitions with local agility, leveraging local expertise for global in...

Strategy Agility Digital

By Rouven Acquaviva

in I by IMD

2 August 2024

Article

Long-term orientation, family-intensive governance arrangements, and firm performance: An institutional economics perspective

In this study, we examine the effect of cultural long-term orientation on the likelihood of adopting more family-intensive governance arrangements ...

Family Business Performance Management Strategy

By Michele Pinelli, Francesco Debellis and Alfredo De Massis

in Small Business Economics

August 2024, vol. 63, pp. 731-754, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-024-00877-4

Article

NIO Customer Experience - Resetting the standard

Never heard of NIO? Those who haven't are set to become few and far between, as the electric vehicle (EV) maker continues its fast and furious rise...

Innovation Leadership Strategy

By Stéphane J. G. Girod, Rui Meng and Hui Zhang

in I by IMD

26 July 2024

Embedding responsible innovation in corporate strategy

By Bala Mulloth Jill Kickul and Tatiana Iakovleva
in I by IMD 9 September 2024

Summary

Innovation is a core element in the business toolbox. A new framework is helping corporate leaders integrate social sustainability in their innovat...

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Sustainability

Strategy

Browse all topics

Generational wealth: Embracing "Lotus" model for family business succession

By Marleen Dieleman
in The Edge Malaysia 5 September 2024

Summary

There is a Chinese saying that wealth does not last beyond three generations, and the reality is that sustaining family businesses is a significant...

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Family Business

Strategy

Organizational Design

Browse all topics

Navigating global and local strategies: FUCHS’ journey in China and what other businesses can learn about their approach

By Rouven Acquaviva
in I by IMD 2 August 2024

Summary

FUCHS SE's journey in China shows how its FUCHS2025 strategy balances global ambitions with local agility, leveraging local expertise for global in...

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Strategy

Agility

Digital

Browse all topics

Long-term orientation, family-intensive governance arrangements, and firm performance: An institutional economics perspective

By Michele Pinelli Francesco Debellis and Alfredo De Massis
in Small Business Economics August 2024, vol. 63, pp. 731-754, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-024-00877-4

Summary

In this study, we examine the effect of cultural long-term orientation on the likelihood of adopting more family-intensive governance arrangements ...

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Family Business

Performance Management

Strategy

Browse all topics

NIO Customer Experience - Resetting the standard

By Stéphane J. G. Girod Rui Meng and Hui Zhang
in I by IMD 26 July 2024

Summary

Never heard of NIO? Those who haven't are set to become few and far between, as the electric vehicle (EV) maker continues its fast and furious rise...

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Leadership

Strategy

Browse all topics