Presents two brief vignettes about female employees who object to gender discrimination in their work environment. In one case, the manager of a convenience store removes "adult" magazines from the store's shelves because she sees them as damaging to women. In the other, a group of female employees of the Stroh Brewery Co. charge that the company's advertising creates an overall atmosphere of hostility to women. Designed to help students understand the scope of management's responsibility for dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace and the challenge of exercising that responsibility in the face of moral and legal rights of free expression. May be used with Note on the Law of Sexual Harassment.
This two-part exercise is used to introduce the strategy process. In Part I, a slightly injured gold prospector must decide which route to take to file a claim. The route through the valley is safer but may take too long. The other (over mountains) is riskier, and a storm is brewing. Part II has the prospector sprain an ankle, so he or she must rely on an uneducated, drinking trapper friend either to help get out (which may take too long) or to file the claim on the prospector's behalf (alone). This exercise requires students to assess the external environment and their own capabilities to select a strategy. Then they must lead and motivate another, less committed person to help implement it.
ChemBright is a small start-up company that manufactures private-label household chemicals. The company sells its products to grocery chains in the New England area. Its strategy is based on a significant logistics-based cost advantage. The primary case decisions are 1) how the company should respond to a price war initiated by a strong competitor, and 2) how the company can continue to exploit its logistics advantages as it pursues different growth alternatives. Acts as an effective introduction to logistics, and, in particular, to the fact that logistics is not a purely tactical function, but can be used as a powerful competitive weapon.
Describes the major challenges facing Ralph Larsen, CEO of Johnson & Johnson since 1989, as he strives to maintain the company's decentralized management structure and at the same time keep the company competitive in the 1990s.
The newly privatized Chilean telephone company, Compania de Telefonos de Chile (CTC) must raise substantial new funds externally in order to finance its expansion program. This task is complicated by Chile's small, illiquid capital markets and the skeptical view of Latin American borrowers held by investors outside of the region. CTC's chief financial officer must determine if listing American Depository Receipts (ADRs) on the New York Stock Exchange is a viable financing option for the company.
The Walt Disney Co. theme parks historically have thrived on the basis of a formula stressing excellent customer service and a magnificent physical environment. The formula has proven successful in Japan, as well as the United States. With the controversial opening of Euro Disney in France, however, there has become reason to doubt the international appeal of the formula. The case documents issues involved with Euro Disney. Examines the transferability of a successful service concept across international boundaries.
This case is an up-close look at the management of a large mining and smelting alliance in Australia. One partner is American, the other Australian. Although it is an equally owned venture, the Australians are the lead partners, but they are not doing a very good job. The Americans are frustrated by this, but uncertain as to how to influence their partner. The Americans also have been frustrated in their attempts to introduce a new technology to the mine and expand it. The case is an excellent vehicle for exploring the issue of management control and influence in joint ventures. Does having a lead partner make sense? What should be the role of each company vis-a-vis operating issues? Strategic issues?
Logitech was one of three companies that dominated the global market for pointing devices for computers. While Logitech had captured a large share of the Original Equipment Manufacturer mouse market, Microsoft was the clear leader in terms of industry standards and dollar share of the retail market. KYE, with a strong presence in Europe, was poised to compete aggressively in North America. Faced with the intensifying competition and eroding margin, Logitech was considering the introduction of an innovative line of ergonomic mice, which promised to change the competitive dynamics of the industry.
A two-year bank employee is at a decision point in her career. She must assess whether or not the actions and recommendations of the Task Force on the Advancement of Women in the bank will be successful in managing change. Specifically, she is concerned with the glass ceiling - the barriers to the advancement of women - and the process used by the bank to eliminate the barriers. (A sequel to this case, The Bank of Montreal - The Task Force on the Advancement of Women in the Bank (B) is available.)
A project team manager faces the issues of managing employee's expectations and minimizing the resistance to change while implementing an automated Job Vacancy Notification System (JVNS) at the bank. The JVNS was proposed by the Task Force on the Advancement of Women to promote equal access to job information to all employees. This is a continuation of The Bank of Montreal - The Task Force on the Advancement of Women in the Bank (A).
This note provides a review of three different models of consumers' advertising response processes, and discusses the implications of these models for advertisers. It also describes the advertising agency's model or grid and its role in marketing communication planning. The model is known as AIDA, standing for getting Attention, developing Interest, building Desire, and finally getting Action.
Describes the purpose, preparation, and uses of the statement of cash flows. Intended as an introduction to the statement. Illustrates and explains the differences and similarities between direct cash flow statements, indirect cash flow statements, and funds flow statements.
A two-party, integrative, negotiation exercise involving several pre-specified issues to be resolved. Each party is given a pre-specified scoring system in monetary units. Side payments, within limits are possible. Face-to-face negotiations take place with no restrictive time limit. The negotiation is between Riverside Lumber Co., who is allegedly polluting the Blue River, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
One year after opening a gift shop, a young entrepreneur reviews his results. This exercise requires students to record the business transactions and necessary adjusting entries for the year, and prepare an income statement and balance sheet. This is an introductory transaction analysis case for an introductory finance course.