阿尔法工场研究院·2025-06-15 11:39Core Viewpoint - The article reflects on the transformation of Alibaba from a mission-driven company focused on societal impact to one that prioritizes KPIs, salaries, and stock options, raising concerns about the sustainability of its original mission and vision [1][6][7]. Group 1: Historical Success Factors - Alibaba's success was attributed to four main factors: the era's trends, Jack Ma's vision, strong values, and institutional support [13]. - The economic growth from 1999 to 2024 saw GDP increase from $1 trillion to $18 trillion, creating vast opportunities [14]. - The internet user base grew from 8.9 million in 1999 to nearly 1 billion by 2020, facilitating the rise of mobile internet and numerous applications [15]. - Strategic decisions such as the establishment of Taobao, Alipay, and Alibaba Cloud were pivotal in capturing market opportunities [17][18]. Group 2: Signs of Decline - Since 2017, Alibaba has shown signs of fatigue, with internet user growth rates declining to single digits and strategic acquisitions largely failing [20][22]. - Notable failed acquisitions include Koubei, Ele.me, and Lazada, which did not yield the expected market impact [22][28][29]. - Internal innovation has been scarce since 2015, with successful new ventures primarily linked to existing e-commerce operations [32]. Group 3: Internal Issues - There is a consensus among employees about increasing internal issues since 2017, categorized into three areas: people, finance, and operations [35]. - The company has seen a rise in external hires who may not align with Alibaba's culture, leading to short-term thinking and a lack of historical context [37][38]. - Performance metrics have become overly focused on short-term results, undermining long-term strategic thinking [42]. Group 4: Cultural Erosion - The company's core values have weakened, with a shift from customer-first to boss-first mentality, impacting teamwork and collaboration [62][64]. - The culture of embracing change has led to strategic ambiguity and a lack of continuity in business direction [68][69]. - Trust and integrity have diminished, with a rise in unethical practices becoming normalized within the organization [72][73]. Group 5: Recommendations for Improvement - The company should restore its core values and implement transparent performance evaluations to foster a healthier organizational culture [97]. - HR needs to refocus on employee support and cultural integrity rather than solely on performance metrics [81][86]. - A reduction in redundant roles and business lines is necessary to streamline operations and enhance efficiency [98].