個案總覽

In 2019, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, one of Hong Kong's most popular jewellery chains, had recently adopted blockchain, under the leadership of managing director, to address some of the challenges in the diamond industry. In particular, the company had moved from paper certificates to digital certificates; blockchain also allowed the firm to trace the origin of diamonds, eliminating the problem of blood diamonds. In order to continue as a leader in transforming the diamond industry for the digital age, what other changes should the managing director implement? Should the company emphasize its use of blockchain technology in marketing to end consumers?

Instructor Spreadsheet to accompany product 8B19D015.

Spreadsheet to accompany product 9B19D015.

In 2019, the general manager of the Xiamen branch of Eastern Lotus Bank was facing difficulties overcoming customer-introduced variability, which significantly influenced the efficiency of the bank’s front-office service. She needed to analyze and summarize the different types of customer-introduced variability. Then she had to identify potential strategies that would enable the bank to accommodate this customer-introduced variability while maintaining a high-quality customer service experience. She also needed to decide how to allocate and arrange the limited human resources at the bank efficiently and effectively. To make these decisions, she had to systematically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the front office under both pooled- and separated-resource allocation scenarios. For instance, how long did customers have to wait for services in each different resource allocation scenario? Moreover, how well were the limited human resources (staff) utilized under each scenario?

In 2019, the general manager of the Xiamen branch of Eastern Lotus Bank was facing difficulties overcoming customer-introduced variability, which significantly influenced the efficiency of the bank's front-office service. She needed to analyze and summarize the different types of customer-introduced variability. Then she had to identify potential strategies that would enable the bank to accommodate this customer-introduced variability while maintaining a high-quality customer service experience. She also needed to decide how to allocate and arrange the limited human resources at the bank efficiently and effectively. To make these decisions, she had to systematically evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the front office under both pooled- and separated-resource allocation scenarios. For instance, how long did customers have to wait for services in each different resource allocation scenario? Moreover, how well were the limited human resources (staff) utilized under each scenario?

Student spreadsheet supplement to case W19319

In October 2012, the chief executive officer of Focus Brand Management (Focus), a consulting and advertising company based in mainland China, was preparing to meet with Jiangzhong Pharmaceuticals (Jiangzhong). Focus had been working with Jiangzhong on an annual analysis of brand tracking. Based on that analysis, executives at Jiangzhong believed that it was time to expand their business to the functional food industry. Their first product would be a line of biscuits featuring a core ingredient known as hou tou gu, an ingredient that was considered beneficial to stomach care according to traditional Chinese medicine. For her meeting, Focus’s chief executive officer needed to resolve some key questions about the most appropriate branding, packaging design, advertising and promotion strategy, and the choice of a suitable brand ambassador for this product.

In October 2012, the chief executive officer of Focus Brand Management (Focus), a consulting and advertising company based in mainland China, was preparing to meet with Jiangzhong Pharmaceuticals (Jiangzhong). Focus had been working with Jiangzhong on an annual analysis of brand tracking. Based on that analysis, executives at Jiangzhong believed that it was time to expand their business to the functional food industry. Their first product would be a line of biscuits featuring a core ingredient known as hou tou gu, an ingredient that was considered beneficial to stomach care according to traditional Chinese medicine. For her meeting, Focus's chief executive officer needed to resolve some key questions about the most appropriate branding, packaging design, advertising and promotion strategy, and the choice of a suitable brand ambassador for this product.

In November 2017, a fan of hockey watched his favourite team lose 6-4 against a contending team. After a great start to the season with a record of 6 wins and 1 loss, his favourite team had lost 6 of the last 8 games, dropping their record to 8 wins and 7 losses. The fan knew that the time was approaching for the inevitable discussions with his friends regarding the team's success. Which players should they have signed? Which player should the team trade for? What line combinations would serve the team best? Who was overvalued, and who was undervalued? Knowing that conversations among his friends typically took on a random and unstructured format, the fan planned to provide a more analytical approach to the discussion this year. His research would raise the level of the conversation and help back up his suggestions.

Student spreadsheet for case W18103.

Instructor Spreadsheet to accompany product 8B18E005.

Student spreadsheet for product 9B18E005.

In November 2017, a fan of hockey watched his favourite team lose 6–4 against a contending team. After a great start to the season with a record of 6 wins and 1 loss, his favourite team had lost 6 of the last 8 games, dropping their record to 8 wins and 7 losses. The fan knew that the time was approaching for the inevitable discussions with his friends regarding the team's success. Which players should they have signed? Which player should the team trade for? What line combinations would serve the team best? Who was overvalued, and who was undervalued? Knowing that conversations among his friends typically took on a random and unstructured format, the fan planned to provide a more analytical approach to the discussion this year. His research would raise the level of the conversation and help back up his suggestions.

As a well-established Chinese garment brand, Yangtzekiang Garment Limited (YGM) and its related retail business, YGM Trading Limited, faced the challenges of a labour shortage, stagnant productivity, and the transformation of the traditional garment industry. As China was rapidly developing, Chinese companies were facing new challenges and needed to consider strategies to ensure more sustainable development. In March 2015, the executive chairman of YGM needed to transform the company and develop a sustainable strategy of innovation and transformation that would lead it forward in these new circumstances.

As a well-established Chinese garment brand, Yangtzekiang Garment Limited (YGM) and its related retail business, YGM Trading Limited, faced the challenges of a labour shortage, stagnant productivity, and the transformation of the traditional garment industry. As China was rapidly developing, Chinese companies were facing new challenges and needed to consider strategies to ensure more sustainable development. In March 2015, the executive chairman of YGM needed to transform the company and develop a sustainable strategy of innovation and transformation that would lead it forward in these new circumstances.

COLIN, a producer of garment care products headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, was working with a large U.S. retailer to produce the Bristol, an innovative garment steamer that the retailer wanted to launch for the 2017 U.S. Thanksgiving season. To meet that deadline, COLIN would have one month less than was typically needed to launch a new product. This launch date left COLIN with limited time for research and development, manufacturing, and marketing. Several managers at COLIN met to discuss the project, including how to choose the suppliers, whether to continue with an original equipment manufacturer model or move to an original design manufacturer model, how to ensure the product could be launched on time, and whether to use any of COLIN'S own core technologies. To make their decision, the managers needed to analyze several complicated issues.

In 2016, Hong Kong-based Maxim's Group hired a store manager to run its high-end French bakery, Paper Stone, located in mainland China. The company's aim was to eventually expand Paper Stone to additional cities throughout China. The store manager was preparing to present his vision for Paper Stone to a senior executive from Maxim's Group but needed to determine his position on some key questions: What kind of employees should he hire, and how should he go about managing the employees? What management structure should he recommend? How should he market the Paper Stone brand?

In February 2017, a purchasing manager for General Motors Company (GM) needed to come up with a sourcing proposal to source e-boost modules, which were required to support the enhanced 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Electric Vehicle and the new 2020 Chevrolet Bolt Autonomous Vehicle. GM had four possible international suppliers to choose from. Each supplier had its pros and cons in terms of price, product development capability, and the architectural nature of the braking system. GM wanted to be a disrupter to the autonomous vehicle industry. Its top priorities were public safety and defect-free quality. In order to continue to maintain the market leadership position, GM wanted to retain the intellectual property of the e-boost modules. Which supplier would best meet the needs of the company?

Instructor spreadsheet for product 8B17D006.

Spreadsheet to accompany product 9B17D006.