"Make the Rules...Or Follow the Leader"

"Make the Rules...Or Follow the Leader"

"Make the Rules...Or Follow the Leader"

"Your choices are: either disrupt the market and make the rules, or follow the leader and obey his rules."

That's how Robert T. Murphy, President of BAE Systems-Technology Solutions Sector, explains his company’s success in the hyper-competitive defense services industry.

He spoke to a large audience in Resnik Lecture Hall on November 19 as part of the Whiting-Turner Business and Entrepreneurial Lecture Series. He cited several disruptions which changed major markets in the United States, signaling the launch of new companies and the weakening of others:

  • Apple disrupts IBM and the computer business by introducing the PC
  • Wal-Mart disrupts retailing and sends K-Mart spiraling
  • Digital technology disrupts the film business, and Kodak struggles to adapt

Murphy detailed his company’s work in electronic subsystems, integration and information solutions, presented his evaluation of defense budget realities, and stressed the importance of strategies to disrupt the encroachment of defense platform providers and others in his company’s business areas.

November 11, 2004


Prev   Next

Current Headlines

Gebhardt Named 2025-26 MWC ARCS Scholar

UMD Researchers Develop Self-Adaptive Electrolyte for Fast Charging High-Energy Batteries

MATRIX Lab Hires Assistant Director for Research Development

Reliability Engineering PhD Candidate Sami Wismer wins PSA 2025 Best Student Paper Award

State of Affairs: UMD Team Assesses Energy Efficiency of Maryland’s Capital

TPTPR Conference Showcased Cutting-Edge Research on Eco-Friendly Refrigerants

Fischell Institute Hosts Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary

Rudolph Awarded Women in Defense Scholarship

News Resources

Return to Newsroom

Search News

Archived News

Events Resources

Events Calendar