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This introductory case considers the very sudden and large drop in market value of Oracle Systems' equity associated with two announcements in 1990. These announcements cause investors to revise their expectations about the future growth of Oracle Systems, perhaps the most rapidly growing U.S. corporation in the 1980s. The tasks for the student are to evaluate both the import of the announcements and the company's financial health. The case provides a first exercise in financial statement analysis and lays the foundation for two important financial themes: the concept of financial health and the financial economic definition of value and its determinants. The case also presents an interesting profile of an aggressive chief executive officer and suggests some potential unintended financial consequences of extreme aggressiveness.

In October 1990, the Boeing Company announced that it was launching a new aircraft model, the 777. The fanfare praised the technological superiority of the product and the fact that it filled a gap in Boeing's product line. The task for students is to evaluate the 777 against a financial standard, the investors' required returns. Gives internal rates of return (IRRs) for the 777 project under base-case and alternative forecasts. The students must estimate a weighted-average cost of capital (WACC) for Boeing's commercial aircraft business segment in order to evaluate these IRRs. As a result of this analysis, students identify the "key value drivers" and distinguish, on a qualitative basis, the key gambles Boeing is making.

This crossfunctional case in economics and finance highlights the concerns about protection of intellectual property rights as well as competition from traditional retailers in Shanghai's prime shopping venue. It begins with the history that led to Xiangyang Market's development, and concludes with a description of the future of the market. Located at the center of the shopping district in the trendy former French concession in Shanghai, the market is considered a shopper's paradise by many foreign visitors. This open-air bazaar is known for the incredible deals on quality knockoffs of designer products. The case includes an account of the shopping experience of two American tourists, giving details of their discoveries and bargaining sessions in the market.

This case requires a decision on the possible consolidation of three Midwest business-travel centers. Significant cost savings in service representatives can be achieved by combining the front-end (booking) operations. The sensitivity of cost to service-productivity levels and customer waiting time is also explored. This case and related materials can be used as part of the Workforce Planning Module.

Teaches the evolution of the corporate strategy of Sharp Corp., Japan. Sharp Corp., a second-tier assembler of TV sets and home appliances, gradually and consistently improved performance by developing expertise in electronic device technologies such as specialized ICs and LCDs and used these technologies to develop innovative end products. As a result, the company was regarded as a world leader in opto-electronics and was becoming a premier comprehensive electronics company. Teaching Objectives: Explores how the company identified, developed, and leveraged its lay technologies. Also discusses how the company coordinated across multiple businesses, and its organizational capabilities.

Provides an overview of the first-year required course in Human Resource Management. It argues that commitment, coordination, and competence are critical organizational outcomes and that skills in organizational diagnosis, design, and change are central to obtaining these outcomes.

Presents a conceptual framework for understanding the general management task, and given this framework, explores the challenges growth presents.

Explores the various transitions in approach and style that are required to cope with the challenges of growth.

Cases Empirical Chemicals (A) and (B) consider the capital-investment decisions to be made by executives of this large chemicals firm in January 1992. The A case presents a go/no-go project evaluation regarding improvements to a polypropylene production plant. The B case reviews the same project, but from one level higher, where the executive faces an either/or investment decision between two mutually exclusive projects. The objective of the two cases is to expose students to a wide range of capital-budgeting issues.

Cases Empirical Chemicals (A) and (B) consider the capital-investment decisions to be made by executives of this large chemicals firm in January 1992. The A case presents a go/no-go project evaluation regarding improvements to a polypropylene production plant. The B case reviews the same project, but from one level higher, where the executive faces an either/or investment decision between two mutually exclusive projects. The objective of the two cases is to expose students to a wide range of capital-budgeting issues.

This case presents four exercises designed to introduce students to applications of option pricing and decision-tree analysis to real corporate investment problems. Two of the four problems involve decision trees and two involve option pricing. Students should be familiar with basic option pricing theory (Black-Scholes and/or the Binomial Model) before being assigned these exercises.

Provides guidance for the preparation of teaching notes. Sets forth the rationale for teaching notes, what they should contain and why, and how they can be prepared. Based on the experiences of Harvard Business School faculty.

Spreadsheet Supplement for case 293095

This case considers the unusual terms under which Rhone-Poulenc, the large French chemicals producer, acquired the U.S.-based Rorer Group, Inc., in August 1990. Set a year later, in August 1991, the case reviews the terms of the merger and the experience of the new entity in its first year, and invites the student to evaluate the "contingent value right" (CVR) issued by Rhone-Poulenc in the merger.

Describes a model for thinking about the hiring and selection process.

Introduces the concepts of responsibility centers and performance measurement. Expense centers, financial responsibilities such as profit centers, and investment centers are introduced, defined, and illustrated with simple examples.

This case introduces the statement of cash flow through three examples of multi-year statements of cash flows from three unidentified companies.

Spreadsheet Supplement for case 279069

A small manufacturer needs additional financing for expansion and production improvements. A bond issue would provide needed funds, and a zero-coupon bond would delay payments until funds provided by operations were available. Present value tables are included.