個案總覽

Taiwan's United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), one of the world's leading semiconductor foundries, has grown dramatically in 16 years. UMC pursued a strategy of vertical disintegration as part of the chairman's vision of turning UMC into a pure-play foundry. This case discusses the major technological and competitive forces affecting the industry and looks at UMC's restructuring through the eyes of the chairman. The case provides enough detail to engage the class in a discussion of the merits of UMC's vertical disintegration strategy and the possible pitfalls of this approach going forward.

The Mexico-U.S. border environmental situation is outlined in this note which provides background information on the region. The nature and extent of the pollution problem and a brief overview of the current system of environmental regulation and enforcement in Mexico and under the North American Free Trade Agreement is also reviewed. The note also provides two caselets of companies operating in the border region. The principle objective of this note is to familiarize students with some of the major debates surrounding the relationship between globalization (expansion of international trade and investment) and the natural environment. It offers the chance for students to learn about the Mexican-U.S. border situation and to consider both the causes of and possible solutions to the serious and complex pollution problem in the region.

The managing director and founder of Bangkok-based Siam Canadian Foods Co., Ltd., was considering the emerging business opportunities in neighboring Burma (also known as Myanmar). Although relatively undeveloped compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, Burma had been experiencing increasing levels of foreign investment activity in recent years. Siam, who had considered entering Burma in the past but declined, needed to determine if the time was now appropriate for the company to enter the market.