A very successful luxury hotel in Warsaw, Poland is faced with its first serious competition as new luxury hotels enter the Warsaw market. The case raises the general issue of how to sustain a competitive advantage in an international service business. A variety of strategic and organizational options are available and students must consider which are most appropriate given detailed information about the market.
Focuses on the communications in the period immediately following the March 24, 1989 Alaska oil spill caused by the Exxon Valdez. Includes the text of Exxon Chairman Rawl's "open letter" in an April 3 newspaper advertisment. Addresses the timing and content of corporate communications and actions following crisis.
The division human resources officer must decide whether an older employee should be disciplined for misusing company time and for improperly filling out time cards for his work on government contracts. Intended to focus on the various factors relevant to disciplining employees for violating company policy as expressed in the Code of Ethics.
A jury must decide whether an employee, discharged for misusing company time and filling out false time cards for work on U.S. government contracts, has been wrongfully terminated. Designed to show how the human resource manager's perspective on employee discipline compares with the perspective of U.S. legal doctrine and a group of disinterested jurors. Also permits students to consider the legal status of a company's policy documents, including the Code of Conduct.
The president of one of Martin Marietta's four main operating companies has learned of procurement irregularities in the company he manages. The problems involve U.S. government contracts the company is working on. After getting legal advice from the company's general counsel, the president must decide whether to disclose the irregularities to the U.S. government. Permits students to consider how managers should react if they learn about potential wrong-doing in their companies. Asks students to consider whether a policy of openness and disclosure should be generally favored and how such a policy should be applied.
Provides a thorough overview of the company's 1990 and 1991 reorganizations and the resulting demand for information technology in lower levels of the organization. Closes with a discussion of Frito-Lay's most recent information technology projects, Explorer and Navigator.
An introduction to accounting for liabilities. Both current liabilities and long-term debts are described, and illustrations of bond interest calculations and financial reporting formats are included.
Describes Kodak's decision regarding a manufacturing site for some of its products. Compares several types of products (with different cost structures) and several worldwide locations (with different characteristics). Provides a framework (model) for comparing and evaluating the options. Identifies relevant factors in evaluating manufacturing sourcing decisions and illustrates how the complexities can be addressed and handled effectively.
A new ruling by the Securities and Exchange Commission has provided the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) the opportunity to sell put options on its own shares. IBM's assistant treasurer is considering the merits of selling puts in conjunction with the company's ongoing need to repurchase its own shares to satisfy the needs of its Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP). The strategy under review is to use the income from the sale of the puts to offset the price of the shares repurchased each month for the ESPP. The student must assess the probability of the February 1992 puts being in the money and determine whether the risks of writing puts are sufficiently manageable to permit the writing of puts to become a viable, long-term strategy.
The chief executive of Trusthouse Forte, was preparing to meet with corporate shareholders to discuss both a proposed new corporate image and a new company name. Two key issues needed to be resolved. First, should the Forte brand name be extended across all of the company's businesses or more selectively reserved for particular operations? Second, the development of a strong communications plan would be critical to the success of the proposed changes.
Jim Wells has just developed moo shoes, specially designed shoes for cows that aid in the cure of foot problems. He wishes to market these shoes and is trying to decide price, channel, and promotion issues. Jim has access to a limited amount of investment capital and he must decide whether to proceed with his idea for moo shoes. The case contains sufficient data to calculate the potential market size, breakeven analysis, and profitability.
Staples is dissatisfied with the merchandising of its office furniture. The case reviews the situation, allowing students to consider whether the category should be dropped or changed. Permits consideration of the portfolio of products a positioning implies, and encourages a discussion on merchandising this particular category.
In 1992, the president of MEM (a producer of personal care products, including men's fragrances) considered a redeployment of field sales efforts and changes in sales compensation policies. Any changes, moreover, must consider the context of strategic decisions concerning English Leather, the firm's major product line. The case provides data concerning consumer behavior and attitudes in the product category, as well as information concerning how changes in competition and distribution channels affect the brand.
A frequent flyer for a large international airline encounters typical but recurring service problems. The marketing management of the company explores the use of information technology in understanding and dealing with the issues involved. Concepts of database marketing are introduced in a concrete setting.
An introduction to accounting for current assets: receivables, inventories, and other current assets. Included are discussions of FIFO, LIFO, average cost, and explanation of accounting for manufactured inventories. To be assigned with cases on inventory valuation as an introduction to current assets.
This case describes the introduction and marketing of an extended-life fluorescent bulb to replace incandescent bulbs. With the new bulb selling at retail for $15 to $20, successful marketing of the new bulb will require a major change in buying habits of both consumers and the trade.