Managing the “fiber market rollercoaster”

: strategic adaptation during the 4G to 5G transition

Abstract

Rapid changes in demand during the 4G to 5G transition reshaped the global optical-fiber value chain, triggering oversupply, price collapses, and sharp regional asymmetries. This dissertation investigates how “HCV” (an anonymized global producer of high-purity synthetic quartz glass preforms) navigated the 2014 - 2023 “fiber market rollercoaster” and rebuilt competitiveness after the downturn. The extensive research review includes the frameworks of crisis and crisis management, the PESTEL analysis as well as established theories of core rigidies and dynamic capabilities in order to build a solid base for examining the case. Methodologically, the case study was developed from semi-structured executive interviews enhanced with internal and external secondary sources. Viewed through Barreto’s dynamic capabilities lens, the case shows a firm strengthening its problem-solving potential across four fronts: sensing shifts in markets and risk, making timely choices, keeping decisions market-oriented, and deliberately changing its resource base. By institutionalizing these pillars HCV reprioritized cash and customers, upgraded processes, and reconfigured assets. The organization converted disruption into renewed competitiveness, with faster execution, lower unit costs, and a more resilient revenue mix. The dissertation concludes with teaching notes that integrate the research note and the case, enabling instructors to guide discussion on crisis, strategic adaptation and dynamic capabilities.

Date of Award	16 Oct 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Nuno Cardeal (Supervisor)