The case focuses on Amanda Tremblay, a recent MBA with a technical background who was recruited by Citrine Software Solutions (CSS). CSS, based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, develops, implements, and supports software-as-a-service (SaaS) products for human resource management and associated business processes. Soon after joining, Tremblay distinguishes herself through her work on a project that analyzed the possibility of accessing a lower-priced market segment through product standardization, and another study exploring opportunities in Southeast Asia by establishing an initial position in Vietnam. Tremblay is then sent to Hanoi to launch a Vietnamese subsidiary and implement the product and pricing strategies as recommended in her study. By offering basic software free of costly customization and by selling it on a "pay-per-product-feature" subscription basis, CSS expects to be more competitive in this price-sensitive market. Tremblay's mentor in top management makes it clear that if this experiment succeeds, CSS intends to use this market-entry approach in other Southeast Asian countries. As Tremblay builds an organization and begins operations, a series of tests emerges that threatens to derail her efforts. When she tries to respond to these challenges, she must also navigate the cultural differences she encounters both as a woman in a male-dominated society and as a Canadian operating in Vietnam. This is a general management case suitable for use in undergraduate, MBA, and executive courses in strategy, leadership, organization behavior, operations, and international business.
Barber Cardiosystems, based in Melbourne, Australia, designs and manufactures therapeutic devices used for treatment of coronary conditions. Over four decades, it has grown to be among the top 200 medical device companies in the world. It competes against much larger companies through a continuous effort to control costs and increase productivity. It does so by aligning operational and human resource practices, particularly employee incentives, with its strategy. Concerns arise in the face of increased competition about whether the company can continue to reduce costs and maintain its margins while keeping both its generous bonus scheme and commitment to guaranteed employment. The company's executive team must decide how to respond. This case is suitable for use in undergraduate, MBA, and executive courses in organizational behavior, leadership, and strategic management. It is especially useful in a module on strategic alignment or organizational design.
Yushan Bicycles, one of Taiwan's leading bicycle manufacturers, is pursuing an international expansion strategy by increasing demand for its range of traditional and electric bicycles and by shifting its product mix toward higher-margin models sold through specialty bicycle retail shops. However, the manager of its new Australian subsidiary has taken a different approach that focuses on selling lower-priced models through large sporting-goods retailers. The manager's strategy has yielded disappointing financial results so far, and he and company executives disagree on the cause and next steps. The Yushan case was specifically developed for international management and international business courses, but it can also be used in competitive strategy, corporate strategy, and general management programs. It is especially useful for analyzing situations in which issues of strategy, organization, and management converge.
Evergreen Natural Markets is a successful food retailer located in the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. Having grown through acquisition, it has a reputation for improving the companies it purchases while retaining previous management. This strategy has succeeded due to the Evergreen formula of community knowledge, common core values, carefully developed control measures, and consistent operating principles. In April 2012, Evergreen makes its first purchase outside its home territory: a seven-store natural foods chain in Las Vegas, Nevada. CEO Kathleen Norton wonders whether the model will remain effective outside the Evergreen base or if this newest acquisition will seriously test her leadership skills and, in particular, her ability to swiftly convert the new chains' managers, employees, and systems to the Evergreen way.
The Morrison Company develops and manufactures radio frequency identification tags (RFID) known as "smart labels" for the retail and pharmaceutical industries. RFID technology is a fast-growing and increasingly competitive industry. Sales have risen dramatically over the past year and production levels have had to increase to meet monthly and quarterly shipping targets. However, the increase has exacerbated existing manufacturing problems and has led to increased shipping delays and inadequate inventory on hand. In addition, sales to pharmaceutical companies are increasing while sales to retail companies are much lower than forecast. The newly hired director of operations must address the short-term problems quickly and devise a long-term solution for improving the company's operational capabilities.
Banc One Corp., an innovative and financially successful super-regional bank holding company, has a track record of upgrading performance of acquisitions while retaining previous management--doing better with the same people. In June 1989 Banc One made its first acquisition out of its home base region by purchasing McCorp's insolvent Bridge Bank in Texas, with assets almost half that of the entire Banc One system. Banc One is now much larger and operating on new territory at a time when its decentralized operating philosophy is already strained by growth and innovation. Chairman John B. McCoy, who describes himself as "chief personnel officer," has been active as a general manager in developing and upgrading people through a variety of means. What should he do to meet the performance challenges of the future?