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This case considers the transition at the head of British Airways (BA) from Lord Marshall, key architect of BA's spectacular restructuring and revitalisation in the 1980s, to his chosen successor Robert Ayling. In an increasingly deregulated market, Ayling's challenge is to sustain BA's position of leadership in the airline industry. He pursues an ambitious strategic alliance, a massive cost cutting drive and initiates a controversial change of corporate identity. Although the stock market initially approves of most of his strategy, he runs into trouble on the industrial relations front. A cabin crew strike in the summer of 1997 hits employee morale and triggers a sustained dive in the airline's share price. For all Ayling's efforts over the following three years, he does not manage to redress the slump and his eventual removal does not come as much of a surprise. What is surprising is the insistence by BA's chairman that Ayling had set the right strategy, but was the wrong person to implement it. The case explores what went wrong.

The global insurance industry is in the process of dramatic transformation. Whereas reinsurance has historically been highly globalized, life and nonlife insurance have traditionally been confined to national markets by legal, tax and regulatory regimes. With some of the major national markets often heavily saturated, major insurance groups have looked aggressively outside their home countries for growth, usually though acquisitions. At the same time, the way insurance has been made available to customers is undergoing significant change, not least through the Internet, even as competition for the insurance industry comes from the capital markets, asset management firms and banks. The industry is in a stage of competitive turmoil, and few pretend to forecast to it will all turn out. This case deals with two of the leading continental European players in the global insurance industry, which has made major acquisitions in the UK, the US and elsewhere in an attempt to be among the most competitive and profitable firms in their industry. The way they are going about this, however, is very different. This case requires students to assess the strategies of AEGON N.V. and Groupe AXA from the perspective of both positioning and execution, and come to a judgment which of them has the greater promise in terms of shareholder value.

The case describes the turnaround process of one of the worst car assembly plants in the world to a showcase plant ready to produce the new Baby Jaguar. It focuses on managerial, people and organizational issues. A companion case describes the product, process and supply chain changes in more detail.

The case describes how Sylvia Davey, HP, handles the product returns for the printer division. It discusses product returns from a holistic business perspective starting with what affects consumer returns and how to influence this. It then discusses the reverse logistics and remanufacturing issues. Finally, it looks into how to create markets for the ""as good as new"" remanufactured products.

The case describes a complete, radical three-dimensional concurrent engineering design of the system for the Baby Jaguar production at Halewood (UK). It shows how product, supply chain and process design are integrated to provide a lean solution. A companion case focuses on the managerial, people and organisational issues of the change process.

The case examines Adidas' program to improve overseas labor practices, and their handling of the threat of protests at the Euro 2000 football championship. The case is interdisciplinary and incorporates aspects of marketing, organizational behavior, and microeconomics.

The case describes the creation and development of a joint venture (ATG) in China between a Japanese (Teikoku Piston Ring Co Ltd), a European (T&N plc) and a Chinese State-Owned Enterprise (SOE, APR) company. The JV is set up fast to benefit from central government tax breaks. However, moving into China and turning the SOE into a profitable concern presents some unforeseen challenges over and above the usual ones of a demotivated workforce and run-down machinery. The case follows the problems that emerge within ATG, notably those concerning quality, disappointing sales and lack of marketing expertise. There are also serious managerial differences that arise between the two MNC managers at the top who have different views on key investment issues. In addition the workers resent the new strict regime introduced by the Japanese General Manager and are suspicious of ATG's new profit agenda. Despite these problems ATG is profitable within a year

The case continues the story of the ATG joint venture described in case A. It charts the human resource and organisational changes that take place, and the resolution of various problems linked to the way the joint venture was set up, and the conflicting cultural differences between the partners. As a result, ATG emerges as a success, with expanding production and sales that make it number one in the Chinese piston ring market.

The case was written to illustrate the importance of business process design as a basis for competition in the textile industry. The case illustrates the impressive performance of Zara, the new fashion player from Spain, which has innovated in process design so as to deliver new collections in its stores with a lead-time of 5 to 7 days. The more traditional approach in textile retailing is illustrated here by Marks & Spencer (M&S), the well-known UK retailer. Notwithstanding M&S¿s current problems, the case does not fall into an overly simple comparison between a young, innovative competitor and an aging glory.

In 1997, MIT freshman Scott Kruger died from alcohol poisoning after a ritual fraternity ceremony. His death sparked national controversy over the responsibility of universities for their students. For his parents, though, the pain was personal and almost solely directed at the leadership of MIT. In such an emotionally charged situation, it is remarkable that the lawyers on both sides came to a settlement.

Canadian Tire is a large retailer of automotive, hardware, and houseware products. As part of the company's marketing strategy, the executive director of corporate affairs is reviewing four social marketing programs and must decide which program the company will adopt. She must analyze each of the social marketing programs and assess how the program will contribute to the company's competitive position. She also needs to convince the company's independent associate dealers to adopt and implement the chosen program.

Steve Papa, CEO of Endeca Technologies, must decide among two term sheets raising the same amount of badly needed money for his young software company. One deal is led by insiders and, is offered at a lower price. It continues a board that has worked very well and shares a common vision. It also is likely to involve a very important potential customer. The second offer comes from a group with which Papa does not have history. Although it carries a higher price, it will change the board structure and also requires that the closing be delayed a week, from September 7, 2001, to September 14. The company has cash only into October so, if anything goes wrong, Papa is unlikely to be able to arrange alternate financing. Discusses which option he should accept.

Bo Feng, cofounder and principal in Chengwei Ventures, one of the first sovereign venture capital firms in China, is trying to decide on the proper business model for hdt, the product of a merger between two portfolio companies. This case discusses the best way for the new company, which designs Web sites and provides customer relationship management and ad-serving software, to prosper in China's changing market.

Supplements the (A) case.

Discusses the recent history of the commercial real estate financial market (pre-1990s-2001). Looks at the shift to more conventional capital markets for commercial real estate debt.

H-E-B is a $9 billion grocery chain located in Southwest Texas. This case focuses on H-E-B's private label strategy, a product category that accounts for 19% of H-E-B's sales and one that earns gross margins 50% higher than national brands. A leader in its markets, H-E-B is faced with increasing competition, especially from Wal-Mart, which has aggressively entered the Texas markets with a series of "supercenters." Although the case specifically focuses on H-E-B's Own Brands (private label), it more broadly raises important strategic questions regarding H-E-B's ability to compete effectively in this new market environment. Includes color exhibits.

Describes the evolution of a start-up venture in the pathology lab segment of the clinical lab business. U.S. Labs tries a series of business models before running out of cash. The company is in dire need of financing, as its venture capital backers are refusing to put up more capital and its bank is calling its loan. Discusses how the CEO is willing to put up his own funding and still believes in the company's future.

Describes an Israeli joint venture company, created to convert military technology to civilian uses. Also documents the explosive growth of the Israeli high-technology sector in the 1990s.

Thierry Porte, president of Morgan Stanley Japan, had spent the brisk November day in Tokyo with Eric Best, Morgan Stanley's head of scenario planning, outlining the exercise that all of the managing directors in Japan would participate in shortly. Japan remained mired in a recession and frustratingly unresponsive to attempts to stimulate economic activity. The U.S.-led worldwide economic slowdown, partly triggered by the post-September 2001 war against terrorism, complicated the situation and contributed to tough times within the investment banking industry. Porte had been at the helm of the Tokyo office since 1995 and had grown it to a revenue base of $1.2 billion and 1,500 employees--a point where it made a healthy contribution to the firm's bottom line and was its second target non-U.S. office (after London). He contemplated whether this was the time to invest further in Japan, to maintain course, or to actively steer resources out of Japan. Includes color exhibits.

Todd Haimes is the artistic director of the Roundabout, a nonprofit theatre. He must decide if he is willing to accept a large sponsorship from American Airlines and, in doing so, allow the airline to the name the Roundabout's new Broadway theatre. In making this decision, he must consider the perspective of multiple constituencies, including other senior managers, the board, customers, donors, and the press. He also needs to assess the financial alternatives that exist to American Airlines' sponsorship and assess their attractiveness for the Roundabout and the organization's various constituencies. Also provides the opportunity to explore the perspective of American Airlines and its choice to sponsor the Roundabout Theatre. Like the Roundabout, American must also weigh the potential costs and benefits before going ahead with the sponsorship.