The case examines the development of the float glass process at Pilkington in the mid-1950s. Pilkington has pursued the development of a radically new process for flat glass production, but has experienced serious problems at each stage of development. The senior management must now decide whether to scale up to commercial production. A rewritten version of an earlier case.
Describes the first major joint venture between a U.S. and Vietnam rice company with reqard to the world rice trade. What are the opportunities and what are the challenges?
This case describes the situation Pierre Godfroid encountered when he took over as Sabena's CEO in 1991. At that time, Sabena was in crisis facing imminent bankruptcy. On the strength of a restructuring plan, developed by Godfroid and his staff, the Belgian government had agreed to bail out the airline in return for assurances that this would be the last time government assistance would be requested. Godfroid's task was to transform the company into a viable private enterprise. The case provides the opportunity to evaluate the viability of Godfroid's strategy and more generally to explore strategy formulation in a global industry. More importantly, it sets the stage for a sequence of follow-up cases (994M04, 994M05, 994M06, 994M07, 994M08) dealing with the implementation of the strategy. (A 43-minute video, broken into segments to coincide with the case series, can be purchased with the case, video 794M03.)
This case, the first in a six-part series, describes the situation Pierre Godfroid encountered when he took over as Sabena’s CEO in 1991. At that time, Sabena was in crisis, facing imminent bankruptcy. On the strength of a restructuring plan developed by Godfroid and his staff, the Belgian government had agreed to bail out the airline in return for assurances that this would be the last time government assistance would be requested. Godfroid’s task was to transform the company into a viable private enterprise. The case provides the opportunity to evaluate the viability of Godfroid’s strategy and more generally to explore strategy formulation in a global industry. More importantly, it sets the stage for a sequence of follow-up cases (9A94M004, 9A94M005, 9A94M006, 9A94M007, 9A94M008) dealing with the implementation of the strategy. (Sabena Belgian World Airlines - Video which is broken into segments to coincide with the case series, can be purchased with the case.)
This case is the first supplement to Sabena Belgian World Airlines (A). It outlines the strategic changes implemented by Pierre Godfroid, Sabena’s CEO, and introduces Erik Weytjens, a recent graduate of an MBA program. This case outlines Weytjens’s first assignment to solve a major logistics problem in the dishwashing department. The case, along with the follow-on series of cases, provides the opportunity to: 1) make decisions and take action under realistic constraints of limited information, time, and credibility; and 2) reflect on how the pattern of actions supports or undermines strategy.
This case is a supplement to Sabena Belgian World Airlines (A). Set in autumn of 1992, it deals with the aftermath of Sabena’s first lay-offs, when aggressive workers tried to get their colleagues to join a strike. Background information is provided in case 9A94M003 and 9A94M004; subsequent related cases are 9A94M006, 9A94M007, and 9A94M008.
This case is a supplement to Sabena Belgian World Airlines (A). It deals with the backlash Weytjens faced when he demoted a sous-chef for violating company standards. Background information is provided in cases 9A94M003 and 9A94M004; subsequent related cases are 9A94M005, 9A94M007, and 9A94M008.
This case is a supplement to Sabena Belgian World Airlines (A). It describes Weytjens’s meeting with an aggressive union leader. Background information is provided in cases 9A94M003 and 9A94M004; subsequent related cases are 9A94M005, 9A94M006, and 9A94M008.
This case is a supplement to Sabena Belgian World Airlines (A). Dealing with Weytjens’s efforts to increase productivity in the spring of 1993, it offers the unique opportunity to reflect on how managers sustain their energy and commitment in the face of adversity. Background information is provided in cases 9A94M003 and 9A94M004; other related cases are 9A94M005, 9A94M006, and 9A94M007.
In early 1994, Dow Corning Corp. debates whether to participate in a proposed $4.2 billion product liability settlement. Specifically, the firm must decide whether to contribute $2 billion to end a class action suit filed by women suffering from connective tissue diseases, autoimmune disorders, and other medical conditions, allegedly as a result of defective silicone breast implants. Although denying any impropriety, Dow Corning stands accused of intentionally withholding information on health risks associated with its implants over several decades.
TourAmerica is negotiating a master contract with Voyager Inn International (Bethesda) for hotel rooms during the 1995 tourist season. Issues under consideration include number of rooms during peak, mid-, and off-periods, room rates, breakfast prices, and the cost of ancillary services. While the hotel manager is evaluated on the basis of several criteria, including adjusted daily rates, occupancy rates, and food and beverage profitability, and is also provided with a utility scheme to facilitate trade-offs among the criteria, TourAmerica uses an effective cost per registrant (adjusted for intangibles). These two approaches provide an opportunity to contrast measurement schemes and to justify the use of utility functions. This case is a role-play exercise and must be used in conjunction with "Voyager Inn International" (UV0357).
Voyager Inn International (Bethesda) is negotiating a master contract with TourAmerica, an international tour operator, for hotel rooms during the 1995 tourist season. Issues under consideration include number of rooms during peak, mid-, and off-periods; room rates; breakfast prices; and the cost of ancillary services. The hotel manager is evaluated on the basis of several criteria, including adjusted daily rates, occupancy rates, and food and beverage profitability. To facilitate trade-offs among the various criteria, the manager articulates a utility scheme. This case is a role-play exercise, and must be used in conjunction with "TourAmerica" (UV0679). Reporting forms for the evaluation of alternative contracts are provided with each case.
In 1987, Dennis Hightower, was recruited from outside for a newly created position as head of Disney Consumer Products European operations. Hightower has to win initial acceptance of entrenched country managers, integrate the company's diverse subsidiaries closer together, and revitalize European operations.
Describes the actions taken by Dennis Hightower as president of Disney Consumer Products in Europe and the Middle East from 1988 to 1994. Focuses on how he has established a regional office and knit local operations closer together, the benefits that the process has generated, but also the tensions it has created within the organization. The case ends with Hightower contemplating whether he should be changing directions, given the emerging strategic and organizational challenges.
Presents the capital cash flow method for valuing risky cash flows. In this method cash flows are calculated to include the benefits of interest tax shields. In a capital structure, with just ordinary debt and common equity, capital cash flows equal the flows available to equity--net income plus depreciation less capital expenditure and the change in working capital--plus the cash interest paid to bondholders. The interest tax shields decrease taxable income and thereby increase cash flows. Since the interest tax shields are included in the cash flows, a before-tax interest rate that corresponds to the riskiness of the assets is appropriate to value the capital cash flows.