Nearly a year ago, we reported a story about looking internally for a new president who would eventually succeed current CEO, Sir Howard Stringer. Though not much came out of these reports, they once again surfaced earlier this month, with more fuel, after Sony reported a $1 billion annual loss. It’s been no secret that Sony’s had trouble being profitable the last decade while rivals have surpassed the company in market shares and revenue. In fact, since Sir Howard Stringer took control of Sony in 2005, Sony has fallen more than 60 percent, while rival Samsung has nearly doubled its share.

However, as I’ve pointed out before, its hard to assume that things might have played different if someone else was at the helm of the electronic giant. For all we know, the company could have even been worse off. So is it time for Sony to find a new CEO, or is the company finally lining its ducks in a row? The company is currently finishing a deal that would have them buy out the remaining shares of their Ericsson partnership, thus bringing all smartphone ventures in-house. Sony has also begun a restructuring their television business with Sir Howard Stringer saying that their currently developing a revolutionary television in order to take on the likes of Apple. When the Wall Street Journal brought up the topic of his resignation during an event at New York, the Sony CEO was very clear about his intensions with the company, stating that:

 “No. I am not leaving this job. It depends on what the board says and all the rest of it, but no, I am fighting. I am up for this fight,” 

Discuss:

Do you think Sony’s current problems truly stem from Sir Howard Stringer or is there a larger culprit in the works?

[Via Reuters]