Engineering Management Case Studies

Samsung Electronics, a South Korean tech giant, is one of the world’s leading smartphone manufacturers. In August 2016, it launched the Galaxy Note 7, a flagship model praised for its sleek design, cutting-edge features, and powerful battery life. The device was positioned to compete directly with Apple’s iPhone 7, and early sales were promising. However, within weeks of release, reports of Note 7 units catching fire or exploding began surfacing globally. The issue rapidly escalated into a crisis, leading to injuries, travel restrictions, and eventually a total product recall. The incident not only cost Samsung billions in losses but also raised serious questions about the company’s quality control, product design process, and crisis response strategies. Timeline of Events August 2016 – Launch of Galaxy Note 7 Samsung unveiled the Note 7 to strong reviews and robust pre-orders. The device featured a large-capacity lithium-ion battery intended to deliver high performance in a sleek f...