gital signal processors are one of the vital components in digital electronics such as digital cellular phones, camcorders, VCR’s, modems and even automobiles. The company is also the world’s leading maker of analog chips. (Hoovers, 2000) These DSP’s and analog chips are considered to be the semiconductors of the Internet age. This company has set a corporate vision to “become a premier electronics company providing world leadership in digital solutions for the networked society”. TI plans to accomplish corporate goals by producing products and technologies that set the company and their customers apart from the competition, by competing in high-growth markets and by providing consistently good financial performance. (Texas Instruments Homepage, 2000) Texas Instruments Inc. is divided into three divisions. The first of these is the semiconductor business. This division accounts for 84% of 1999 revenues. The next largest division is the Materials & Controls division, which accounts for 11% of revenues. This business sells electrical and electronic controls, connectors and sensors into commercial and industrial markets. The third and smallest division is the Educational & Productivity Solutions division that represents 5% of revenues. This division is a leading supplier of education and graphing calculators selling primarily through retailers and to educational institutions. (Standard & Poor’s, March 2000) Combined these divisions employ over 38,000 people. Competing in numerous markets brings about a large number of strong competitors. These competitors include AMD, Analog Devices, Atmel, Broadcom, Canon, Casio Computer, Conexant Systems, DSP Group, Fairchild Semiconductor, Genesis Microchip, Hitachi, IBM, Infineon Technologies, Integrated Device Technology, Intel, LSI Logic, Lucent, Maxim Integrated Products, Motorola, Nam Tai, National Semiconductor, NEC, Sharp, STMicroelectronics an...
