This note discusses Herbert Simon's notion of bounded rationality: how managers may sometimes make suboptimal choices because of their limited ability to access or process information.
The third-generation leader of CFR Pharmaceuticals had been successful in executing a strategy of consolidating pharmaceutical firms across Latin America. As part of the company’s expansion strategy, the CEO explored opportunities to develop multiple sources of growth and expand CFR Pharmaceutical’s footprint in emerging markets; to do this, he found a company in South Africa, Adcock Ingram, to acquire. The combined company would offer CFR product synergy and diversification, improved manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a unique emerging market footprint in 23 countries. In the process of making an offer of approximately US$1.2 billion to acquire the company, the CEO faced increased interest in Adcock from other potential acquirers. He also encountered a series of difficulties when an Adcock shareholder resisted the acquisition, but CFR maintained the consistent support of the Adcock Ingram board.
The owner of Tesco Cranes Engineers Pvt. Ltd. was considering the impact of various issues that had led to the closure of the company’s sub-assembly plant in December 2012. Despite his efforts, he had not been able to stop workers from joining a regional trade union in July 2012. Immediately after joining the trade union, workers had slowed down production and gone on strike. Later, the plant had been closed by the owner. The company had suffered a production decline as a consequence of the strike and the subsequent plant closure. In view of these unexpected events, the owner was facing a dilemma. On one hand, he was wondering whether he should take proactive action to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the other two Tesco Cranes Engineers Pvt. Ltd. plants in the future. On the other hand, he was questioning whether it had been ethical of him to close the sub-assembly plant; he knew that this decision had left all of those workers unemployed and helpless, with most of them doing menial work or returning to their villages.
In 2004, Tata Communications (TCL) was trying to act on its strategic intent to become a globally connected network provider. It had two alternatives: build or buy. The build option would provide TCL with a chance to develop its own network under its own terms. The possible acquisition of the Tyco Global Network (TGN), however, provided a unique opportunity for TCL to establish this global position quickly. As one of the largest global networks at the time of the case, the TGN was a limited asset. The acquisition of the TGN would catapult TCL into being a top player in global Internet connectivity. Even though the acquisition price was low, the associated liabilities and risks could make this a substantially expensive acquisition for TCL. Should TCL negotiate with Tyco? If yes, what would be an acceptable position to proceed with the deal? How should TCL plan for the mitigation of risks and uncertainties? If not, what would be the consequences of losing the TGN opportunity, particularly if a competitor acquired it?<br><br>See also supplement 9B14M138.
Pahalwan’s was a chain of four outlets that offered sweets, snack food and fast food in Jammu, India. It had a major presence in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and was delivering products to other parts of India, such as Delhi. However, local, national and international food retailers had entered the market, increasing the competition. Changing consumer preferences had also started affecting the company. Pahalwan’s did not believe in advertising its products and focused little energy on branding activities. Thus, there was a need to plan for an innovative and cost-effective communication strategy to boost its sales. Pahalwan’s also needed to think about new products and new markets to stay in business.
In May 2011, the managing partner of the Modern Agricultural Farm in rural Pakistan was reviewing the set of performance reports for the previous month sent by the farm accountant. These reports had been designed by a management analysis and research consultant to convert the farm system to that used by the head office of the Alamgir Group of businesses, of which the farm was a part. There were two concerns: how to handle the fluctuations in the farm's monthly cash flow and how to plan the right combination of plantings and crops to ensure a profit. A computer-based accounting software program had been purchased to help expedite accounting and reporting, and an annual master budget plan had been established to control operations. Given the special risks faced in agriculture where the portfolio of crops was dependent on uncontrollable factors, such as the weather, the managing director wondered how he could develop a workable budget for the coming year.Student spreadsheet 7B13B025 with data is available.
Diversey, a leading global brand in the business-to-business cleaning industry, had entered the Indian market positioned as a total cleaning solution provider to institutional customers. It differentiated itself from the competition with its end-to-end solutions, superior products and service levels, research and development capabilities and value-based pricing. While it had some success in India, it felt that there was a huge untapped opportunity for growth. However, a developing country like India posed several challenges due to its social and cultural differences (e.g., local unorganized competition, customer price sensitivity, complex distribution channels, etc.) versus developed countries. The case provides an opportunity for students to apply a number of conceptual tools (i.e. Porter's 5 forces analysis, 4C analysis, SWOT analysis, value- chain analysis and the stakeholder power/interest matrix) to analyze the current strategy and identify the best alternatives for Diversey to move forward with its growth objectives.
Asclepius Consulting is one of the many small software companies in India that have aspirations to become product companies as opposed to being services companies. Asclepius Consulting deals in hospital management information systems and has a product and service offering that is competitive and well received by customers. However, due to lack of capital, the company has been unable to invest in a sales force, and this has created a problem of reach. It is currently selling through a combination of resellers (external parties contracted to sell the software) and an inside sales force. Now, one of its three co-founders, whose expertise is in business process restructuring and business planning and strategy, is looking at revisiting the sales and marketing model in this complex marketplace.
The owner/operator of Spruce Lawn Farms, a cash crop farm located near London, Ontario, was thinking of expanding his operation to include identity-preserved soybeans and a grain dryer. The farm had been in operation for 12 years and consisted of 650 acres of owned land with plans to increase this through renting neighbouring fields to 2,000 acres by 2015. Current crops included genetically modified winter wheat, corn and soybeans, but given the growing backlash against genetically modified foods in Europe and Asia, he was considering adding certified identity-preserved soybeans as well. His back-of-the-envelope calculations seemed to indicate that the venture would pay off. However, when he approached his financial institution for a loan, they were concerned about how the new venture would change the farm's financial structure.
Today's society is characterized by a rapid state of change, and technological innovation plays a significant part in that. So how should one approach ethics at the technological frontier? This technical note discusses the challenges of our modern, highly innovative world; the muddled ethical lines this advancement can produce; and considerations to make and conversations to have around these new norms.
Ethics, in addition to being about principles and consequences, is about character: the individual traits and qualities that define what kind of person someone is and who they hope to become. This technical note poses a series of questions to help readers produce a vision of their character that can be shaped as they grow and progress as individuals and leaders.
Waze successfully developed a free smartphone mapping application that gave consumers turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic data. This digital map compiled driver-generated data from Waze's community of users to relay constantly updated information on conditions such as traffic accidents, speeding-camera locations, and construction zones. By October 2012, Waze had captured 10 percent of the U.S. iOS mapping market and had grown to serve over 28 million users, with an expectation of reaching 100 million "Wazers" by 2015. Noam Bardin, Waze's CEO, recognized the company's emergence as a leader in its space and understood that a fresh capital injection would be needed to lead it through the next stage of development. Waze's previous fundraising attempts had been fraught with challenges. In October 2009, just one day before Bardin anticipated accepting a Series B term sheet, Google released Google Maps Navigation. Investors felt Waze would eventually be pushed out of the market by what would now be considered the industry's 800-pound gorilla and rescinded their offers for funding. But now, in 2012, Waze's strong market position enabled Bardin to negotiate with potential investors from a position of strength. In December 2012, Bardin secured a $100 million Series D round of financing at a $700 million pre-money valuation. Prior to finalizing the terms of the agreement, however, the CEO hesitated. With the draft term sheet before him, Bardin thought, "Have I exhaustively evaluated all of the changes that might ensue by taking this money?"
The case provides an overview and history of women in venture capital. The case examines the lack of funding that female entrepreneurs have had in the past. The case focuses on 4 women at venture capital firms: Sharon Wienbar (Scale VP), Joyce Chung (Garage Technology Venture Partners), Patricia Nakache (Trinity Ventures), and Rebecca Lynn (Canvas Venture).
This practice stands in stark contrast to the kind of NGO corporate governance that is prescribed by the Hong Kong government ("HKG"). Since the HKG launched its subvention approach to NGOs in Hong Kong in 2002, it has attempted to establish a code of practices for corporate governance in NGOs that are under its subvention. The code of practices advocates that NGO boards of directors should focus on areas that would ensure NGOs' legal and regulatory compliance, sound financial management, performance monitoring, and transparency. In addition, the best practice of having a diverse set of independent board members with different backgrounds and professionalism is encouraged. As one of the HKG's subvented NGOs, HKBU received 55% of its expenditure from the HKG subvention and grants in 2011-2012. As an organization that receives government funding and grants, that is, a subvented organization, HKBU is subject to the governance and audit system and framework imposed by the government. To a great extent, this governance and audit approach and framework is derived from the business sector's corporate governance practices. However, as a self-help organization for people with visual impairment, HKBU presents a compelling case for why these control and monitoring roles and practices of NGO boards should not necessarily be universally applicable to all subvented organizations in Hong Kong. Despite the HKG's guidance on the compliance and monitoring function of NGO corporate governance, HKBU sees its board, that is, the executive committee, and the Union's operation staff work closely as a unified team to achieve the NGO's missions and to facilitate fundraising. Against the backdrop of the HKG's governance advocacy, what roles and duties do HKBU's EC and its members fulfill? What are the results? And most importantly, why did HKBU adopt such practices?
Sales of CleanSpritz all-purpose cleaning spray have been steadily declining for the past five years, and management believes the decline correlates to a growing environmental concern among U.S. consumers. CleanSpritz's management is considering several options to address the environmental concerns in hopes of reversing the decline in revenue: re-launching the current product; adding a new product that includes stronger concentrate in a recyclable pouch; adding a new stronger concentrate in a dissolvable packet; or keeping the business status-quo. Students must present their recommendations for the most effective strategy, keeping in mind the potential risks of each alternative. Students learn to demonstrate the importance of packaging in the marketing mix, analyze the costs and benefits of being a first mover, and learn about the decision-making process for a product extension that represents a creative attempt to rejuvenate a mature brand. This case can be used in courses on marketing management, product management or new product development, or marketing and social responsibility.