On June 9, 1986, General Electric Co. acquired the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) for $6.8 billion, setting a record for the largest non-oil merger in US history. GE wanted RCA for its defense-related businesses and for its solid domestic sales of consumer goods, an area where GE was faltering. But the "jewel in the crown" was the RCA-owned television network, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). GE was delighted with its new NBC subsidiary, which the media press had christened the "Cinderella network" for its recovery from a profound slump to become the most successful of the nation's three networks. The network's news division, however, was different. It had rarely balanced a budget and was losing at least $50 million a year. From the standpoint of GE--a company which had successfully boosted revenues by ruthlessly cutting expenses and personnel--NBC News needed simply to cut costs. This case describes the process GE underwent to make NBC a profitable venture. HKS Case Number 939.0.

In June of 1988, Lee Greenspoon and Michael Bellman, two students at The University of Western Ontario, were excited about a new business proposal. After months of research they were anxious to launch their own bean bag chair to the university student market. Many decisions including product type, price and promotion strategy needed, would have to be made quickly if they were to be ready to sell bean bags by September 1988.

Lisa's Waterbed Emporium Inc. is a mini case requiring completion of an income statement, statement of retained earnings and a balance sheet. The case tests the students' knowledge of these three statements as well as the individual accounts.

The manager of human resources wonders what disciplinary actions he should recommend to the vice-president of human resources in a case of assault. He learns that a maintenance technician assaulted a fellow technician and the situation is complicated by the fact that the assailant is a mentally challenged employee. The conflict arose as the result of a misunderstanding. Subsequently, the assailant's actions stunned his co-workers as well as the human resources manager.

The human resources manager and the department supervisor interview the individuals involved in the incident described in Johnson & Johnson Company (A). The human resources manager's recommendations are presented.

The president and the general manager have to make some quick decisions about how to deal with the media after an advertisement has offended the black community and caused angry complaints of racism. The company also wants to develop plans to avoid similar problems in the future.

Aer Lingus, the Irish international airline, is proposing to buy ATS, a small but rapidly growing robotics firm. Negotiations have been protracted and earn out is professed. The owner appears to be getting cold feet. Should Aer Lingus continue? This is the first in a three case series titled, Aer Lingus - ATS (A), Aer Lingus - ATS (B1) and Aer Lingus - ATS (B2) addressing minority shareholders who are also key managers. (A 12-minute video, Aer Lingus - ATS (A) - Video can be purchased with this case.)

The CEO of IPL Inc., was reassessing his company's policy regarding involvement in custom-molded plastic products. A leader in the Canadian injection molded plastics industry, IPL had traditionally relied on proprietary products rather than the manufacturing-on-order of custom products for other firms. However, since 1984 IPL had been supplying custom-molded auto parts for the Ford Motor Company and had recently been offered a contract to manufacture a large volume of additional parts for them. Having only one month to respond to Ford's offer, the CEO was concerned about how he should proceed.

The president of Mr. Jax is faced with a strategy and resource related decision. The company has pursued a product diversification strategy during the past several years, but the Free Trade environment would best suit a strategy of expansion into the U.S. market. Unfortunately, limited resources require the president to make some choices regarding a future strategy for Mr. Jax.

An auditor is planning the audit of a new client, Acme Hardware. For preparing the audit plan, he becomes aware of the possibility that certain managers might be using accounting flexibility to aid them in qualifying for incentive bonuses based on profitability. The areas are inventory and advertising. The auditor must decide what action, if any, to take.

An account manager of a large bank is reviewing a request for term financing to assist with the repurchase of a minority interest in a large trucking company. The firm is considering a term loan as well as an investment by the venture capital arm of the bank. An equity investment would require agreement on the form of the investment and the price to be paid for any stock issued.

The bank has asked a commercial and industrial mechanical contractor for a forecasted cash budget, income statement and balance sheet. The bank is concerned with whether the company can repay its loan. The case is designed to teach students to incorporate a cash budget into the evaluation of a business that requires bank financing.

The proprietor of a small boat building company plans to expand his operations. First he must decide whether a limited company or partnership would be a better form of organization from the standpoint of taxation and personal liability.

Valley Farms International (VFI) describes some of the problems and issues involved in selling and exporting dairy cattle to a middle-east country. The decision that John Roberts of VFI must make is whether or not to employ the services of a middleman in that country, a practice which is against the law of that country. This case is the first in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner describes some of the problems and issues involved in selling and exporting dairy cattle to a middle-east country. He must decide whether or not to employ the services of a middleman in that country, a practice which is against the law of that country. The case describes John Roberts' decision on the issue in the Valley Farms International (A) case. This is the second in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner continues to export cattle to a middle-eastern country but must decide whether to give in to the demands of an airline crew. They are demanding a cash payment as danger pay in order to take off with the load of cattle, however, this payment is outside the terms of the contract. This case is the third in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

Valley Farms International continues to export cattle to a middle-eastern country. This case describes some of the issues and problems associated with negotiating the contract, transportation and financing arrangements. The decision facing John Roberts in this case is whether to give in to the demands of an airline crew who are demanding a cash payment as danger pay in order to take off with the load of cattle. This payment is outside the terms of the contract. This case describes John Roberts' decision on the issue in Valley Farms International (C). This is the fourth in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner continues to face and solve problems regarding the transportation of exported cattle. The cattle inspectors from the middle-eastern country have been called home and the cattle are on a ship at sea. The inspectors left, however, without signing all the necessary documents, however, the partner has their signatures on some blank forms. Should he use these in order to collect on the letter of credit? This is the fifth case in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner continues to export cattle and to face and solve problems regarding transportation. The cattle inspectors from the middle-eastern country have been called home and the cattle are on a ship at sea. The inspectors left without signing all the necessary documents, however, he has their signatures on some blank forms. Should he use these in order to collect on the letter of credit? The case describes John Roberts' decision on the issue in Valley Farms International (E). This is the sixth in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The owner and general manager of the Cedarbrae Volkswagen dealership is concerned about the Kundendienst Index (KI) used by Volkswagen Canada to measure customer satisfaction with new vehicles and service work. The case details Cedarbrae operations and the KI, and focuses on the issues of What is quality of service?, and How do you devise a management control system that reinforces and measures service? From a marketing research perspective, case discussion could center around a technical evaluation of the customer survey process design.