Shell plc

One of the world's largest oil companies with revenues of $380 billion (2023), providing a contemporary case of attempted succession - transitioning from fossil fuel-based business model to diversified energy including renewables. Shell spent the 20th century as an integrated oil major.

Shell's attempted energy transition demonstrates the challenges of mature-to-pioneer succession. The company's core capabilities - geology, drilling, refining - don't transfer well to renewables, creating capability gaps and competitive disadvantages. Financial tensions are severe as renewable returns are generally lower than oil historically delivered.