Scott Rozic, CEO of start-up Verge Software, has just told his board that he is taking the company in a totally new direction, moving from enterprise knowledge management software to Internet direct marketing. This case covers the start-up of the business, and Rozic's mentoring by a key angel investor. It leaves open the question of whether this decision is wise or whether Rozic should go back to the enterprise business, now that venture capital funding preferences have shifted once again.
Introduces students to the data centers where IT infrastructure is increasingly physically housed. These centralized hosting facilities represent in the information age the equivalent of power utilities in the industrial age. Students are introduced to issues of physical and Internet security, infrastructure management, and service provider partner selection.
Focuses on a decision by the European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti about U.S.-based Microsoft Corp. Sun has complained to the commission that Microsoft has installed components in its desktop operating system that only "talk" to Microsoft operating systems for servers. Sun has further complained that Microsoft released information about its operating systems to some partners but not to Sun. The commission has issued a formal complaint, but Monti's decision is still pending at the time of the case. As background for this decision, the case contains information about the U.S. antitrust case against Microsoft, U.S. and European competition laws, and how European lawmakers have dealt with interconnections among IT components in the past.
Traces Monsanto's efforts to become a global biotech powerhouse under Shapiro's leadership. Examines how his crusade to save the world through genetic modification foundered.
This technical note, which presents an overview of the global water and food supply problem at the turn of the 21st century, is a good starting point for a discussion of the environmental and agricultural crises that exist throughout the world, and covers some of the potential solutions to these crises.
Describes the sources of Legend's surge to dominance of the Chinese computer market and the subsequent split of distribution and manufacturing into Digital China and Legend Computing.
An introduction to the concept of exchange rates, simple analytics regarding currency appreciation and devaluation, and real and nominal exchange rates. Concludes with a series of examples that illustrate how shifts in exchange rates and inflation can affect firms' competitiveness.
Describes a supply chain with very quick (i.e., two week) response times and allows students to explore how such short response times are achieved. Allows students to explore why other supply chains, with much longer response times, might not be able to replicate this performance.
Quest Foods International is one of the world's largest manufacturers of fragrances, flavors, and textures for the food, beverage, and consumer products industries. Quest Foods' regional vice president is in the process of implementing a business process reengineering project for the company. His current efforts focus on developing an information technology-based customer relationship management (CRM) system that he believes could give the company a sustainable competitive advantage with customers in the region and throughout the world. His ultimate goal is to bring Quest to the next phase of e-business. Despite high ambitions, his initiatives are making little headway. Internal opposition to change is significant and some key customers are growing concerned that Quest's CRM plans might miss the mark. Faced with considerable time and resource pressures, he is wondering how to set priorities and where to focus his energies.
Focuses on efforts to combat corruption. Approaches include international laws, international agreements, efforts by international development organizations, and private efforts by firms and nongovernmental organizations.
A high-ranking district administrator in India, upon taking office, is informed that his predecessor agreed to acquire a plot of land for a local jail. When he learns that the landowner is the wife of an influential local politician, he becomes suspicious and decides to inspect the property himself. Located in the middle of a forest, completely inaccessible to transport, and far from police headquarters, it becomes clear that the land acquisition is designed only to make someone rich at the district's expense. Meanwhile, the real needs of the district-to provide safe drinking water, prevent malaria, improve literacy, invest in employment programs, and wean local youth away from secessionist militancy-are slighted. The administrator decides to stall the acquisition, even while realizing that the effort may put his career, and his programs to help the district, at risk. The case recounts his escalating tactics, from bureaucratic trickery to deliberate deceit and destruction of a government document. It provides a vehicle for discussing the ethical duties of public officials confronted with systemic corruption-and possible strategies for dealing with it. HKS Case Number 1615.0
Cisco's CFO Larry Carter explains how the company has made real-time accounting a reality. The key, he says, lies more in the process than the technology.
In the 1990s, companies improved their business performance by speeding up their operations. Now comes the second generation of speed--and this time, the focus is on accelerated strategy making.
The California electricity market is a mess, no doubt about it. But these five lessons may help executives shield their companies from the kind of power shortages that California businesses are suffering.
Lori Andrews, a professor of science, technology, and law, discusses the legal and ethical issues surrounding genomics. She explains what executives need to know about handling sensitive genetic information and technologies.