ZEFER, a young Internet professional service firm, is considering its expansion options. Organic growth versus growth by acquisition is a central theme. The firm's financing strategy will be determined by its business strategy.
One month after "going live" with a new information system, Rich-Con Steel is in crisis. The new system was intended to give the company basic visibility and control over its business processes, but instead, visibility and control appear to have evaporated. Marty Sawyer, Rich-Con's president, must decide what action to take.
This case illustrates Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing of America's (MMMA) responses to allegations of sexual harassment in 1996 at its Normal, Illinois, facility. The majority of the case focuses on major events that took place between 1992 and spring 1996, culminating in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation and class-action suit, which at the time was estimated to be the most expensive suit ever filed. The decision-maker in the case is Lynn Martin, former U. S. Secretary of Labor, who had been hired by Mitsubishi to help the organization take corrective action. Exhibits include a brief history on sexual harassment law and a description of the EEOC. This case works well with MBA and executive audiences to address how to restore credibility and reputation following a scandal. It also highlights the challenges that an outside consultant faces when hired to make policy recommendations aimed at image restoration.
The management of Neiman Marcus, a highly successful luxury goods retailer, is considering ways to grow the business and continue to return in excess of 15% on capital. Among the options on the table is a jewelry store concept called The Galleries.
Lisa Frankenberg, co-founder of the Prague Post, is faced with several business and professional decisions. The English-language paper she founded is under pressure from competition and a Czech Republic recession. She must decide how to return the paper to profitability. Similarly, Frankenberg must decide whether to come back to the United States to start a consulting job.
The last in a five-part series about Bell Atlantic Corp.'s technology-in-education partnership with the Union City, New Jersey school system. Reviews the various outcomes of the partnership called Project Explore, from the perspective of Bell Atlantic managers and students, teachers, parents, and administrators in the Union City school system. Also describes efforts to replicate or expand the project. Video 9-399-501 is a short version of the case series and may be used in conjunction with it.
It is argued that professionals pledge fiduciary responsibility towards their clients to minimize the occurrence of conflicts of interest, which are socially inefficient. Professional associations are formed to ensure that in their practices, professionals live by their professional pledges.
Jack Welch and the Corporate Executive Council of General Electric are faced with a decision about whether and how to implement a six-sigma quality-improvement effort in the context of many other initiatives already undertaken at GE in recent years.
Apax, a private equity firm, has an opportunity to invest in a travel-related print-materials distribution business in Germany. Infox is typical of many buyout opportunities. One of the founders seeks to exit the business, and recently hired managers will have to assume an increased level of responsibility. To make its investment decision, Apax has to value the company and secure debt financing. In this context Apax has to assess not only the growth opportunities for Infox but also whether remaining management is up to the job.
Designed for use with "Room for Dessert" to show the changes between creating the initial business plans and starting to serve customers. Conforti and Moore have to both manage the business and deliver service to customers on a day-to-day basis in the initial location of what will, they hope, be a chain.
The fourth in a five-part series about Bell Atlantic Corp.'s technology-in-education partnership with the Union City, New Jersey school system. Describes Bell Atlantic's planning, implementing, supporting, and assessing elements of the partnership, with special attention to the issues involved in making the partnership succeed and meeting the technology objectives of both partners. Video 9-399-501 is a short version of the case series and may be used in conjunction with it.
Absolute Sensors is a new spin-off from a scientific consulting firm. Collins and his team must address issues such as: what market(s) to target, how and from whom to raise money, and to what extent they should engage in manufacturing their products.
The accounting construct known as Economic Value Added (EVA) has met with growing interest, and is described by some as the real key to creating wealth. The main argument proposed in favor of EVA over ROA is that the former will encourage managers to undertake desirable investments that the latter would discourage. But EVA, like any numbers derived from a firm's accounting system, can be affected by the methods used in determining operating income and asset values. A series of examples illustrate how accounting method choice can heavily influence reported EVA, and that alleged distortions caused by a particular accounting procedure may make matters worse rather than better.
Seneca is a three-party negotiation-mediation simulation. The context is a product failure crisis in a manufacturing company with highly autonomous units. The heads of two divisions are in a dispute over who has responsibility for failures in a key product. The head of a third division is attempting to mediate a resolution to the dispute. Unlike many mediation simulations, the mediator has both independent interests and some power to influence outcomes. Two versions of the mediator role are available. In Seneca Systems (A), the mediator can make a financial contribution to solving the problem and hence has bargaining power. In Seneca Systems (B), the mediator has some coercive power in the form of influence with the CEO and could impose a solution if the parties are unable to resolve the dispute themselves. The core teaching issues concern the tradeoffs inherent in having vested interests and power as a mediator.
Seneca is a three-party negotiation-mediation simulation. The context is a product failure crisis in a manufacturing company with highly autonomous units. The heads of two divisions are in a dispute over who has responsibility for failures in a key product. The head of a third division is attempting to mediate a resolution to the dispute. Unlike many mediation simulations, the mediator has both independent interests and some power to influence outcomes. Two versions of the mediator role are available. In Seneca Systems (A), the mediator can make a financial contribution to solving the problem and hence has bargaining power. In Seneca Systems (B), the mediator has some coercive power in the form of influence with the CEO and could impose a solution if the parties are unable to resolve the dispute themselves. The core teaching issues concern the tradeoffs inherent in having vested interests and power as a mediator.