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Explores the implementation of a cutting-edge knowledge management system in a midsize, specialty chemical company. The initiative, begun in the early 1990s, has received several awards for its efforts. In early 1999, the company is experiencing severe price pressures in all of its key markets and has had to transfer its entire system to a new platform.

Supplements the (A) case.

This case follows the A case (UVA-BP-0253) by three years, chronicling the indigestion Dollar General (DG) suffers after the acquisition of the Eagle Store chain. The DG organization, originally held together by a strong sense of "rural American" values, deteriorates because of (1) dramatically different cultures (Dollar General vs. Eagle); (2) massive internal theft, which spreads from Eagle throughout the Dollar General organization; and (3) an irreparable rift between Cal Turner Jr., the president, and his brother Steve, the COO. The stock price has plummeted from 29 to 12. How can Cal Jr. regain control of his company and turn it around?

This case traces the history of a successful discount retailer, with a clearly developed low-cost strategy, from its founding to a major decision point, where the president must decide whether to acquire a Florida-based chain of 206 stores with a very different product mix. The basic issue is not so much whether the price is a good one but whether the acquisition fits the company's strategy and whether the president should put his personnel through another acquisition only months after completing another large acquisition. If he decides to move forward with the acquisition, how should it be managed?

Concerns the 1975 strike of the pressmen against the Washington Post. Illustrates the importance of past practices of both unions and management and collective bargaining. Also illustrates implementation problems associated with new technologies as well as problems associated with managing a newspaper during a strike. The decision point is in the tenth week of the strike when pressure from a variety of sources is increasing.

Supplements the (A) case.