個案總覽

There are few industries in which the effects of technological innovation be seen as clearly as they can in the healthcare industry. Developments in devices, services and networks are in turn creating even more opportunities and innovation. This case looks specifically at developments in Artificial Intelligence technologies, and the impact these might have on the treatment of certain diseases. With a particular focus on the treatment of diabetes, the case looks at the market potential of such innovations and the challenges the industry might expect to encounter going forward.

Our Daily Bread was a small boutique bakery, producing a variety of daily and specialty breads. The company had excess capacity and was considering several options to increase revenues by entering the wholesale bread production business. The case allows students to perform process analysis in a multi-product setting with seasonal demand and evaluate the impact on capacity--as well as the profitability of--potential wholesale orders. The case also enables analysis of the option to purchase new equipment.

The case examines a decision concerning whether or not to close a municipal landfill. Economic, ethical and environmental issues are relevant to the decision. The case includes a spreadsheet for students to use to calculate a break-even analysis.

Spreadsheet supplement for case INS830.

The case considers the problem of diversifying Chile's economy, in particular its export industries, away from primary products and toward manufacturing. Starting with a recent debate around Chile's failure to attract a major investment by Intel to build a factory for the Pentium III, the case reviews Chile's economic performance in the last quarter-century, devoting particular attention to the following issues: (a) Whether the Chilean economy's heavy reliance on copper and other primary or first-transformation products ought to be a source of concern to policymakers (b) To what extent FDI could contribute to the economy's diversification, and (c) How recent policy debates around the need (or absence thereof) for a government-led ""development strategy"" tie in with traditional political debates in Latin America.

In the late 1990s, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, under heavy pressure to find ways to relieve developing countries of large volumes of accumulated public debt, devise a way they believe offers a way to link such debt relief with their long-term goal of decreasing world poverty. Aid allowing for reduction in debt would be linked to the development of a so-called Poverty Reduction Strategy Plan (PRSP), a blueprint for how nations would use the financial resources freed by debt relief both to increase economic growth and to decrease the number of persons in poverty. This case focuses on the development of such a plan in the West African country of Mauritania, a predominantly desert nation twice the size of France with a population of just 2.6 million. Specifically, the case describes the challenges faced by the government team charged with development of the PRSP as it grapples with a mandate that the plan be developed through a process of thorough public participation. Only recently democratic, and with a long history of military rule and ethnic and racial conflict, Mauritania posed difficult challenges for those seeking to involve the public. Although a wave of non-government organizations had developed in the 1990s, not all were considered either representative or legitimate. HKS Case Number 1623.0

The power shortages and blackouts of late 2000 and early 2001 drew international attention to the electricity deregulation regime adopted four years earlier by the state of California. This case provides a definitive account of the nature of that deregulation, as well as the process through which it was developed and the options considered as it was crafted. It focuses on the choices California made as it put in place a system that would divide the electricity generation, transmission and retail distribution systems that had, historically, been integrated. The case describes how California regulators and elected officials sought to maintain the operating and coordination efficiencies associated with the existing vertically- and horizontally-integrated system while allowing a competitive market to flourish. Because it stops short of describing what exactly seemed to go wrong when the power crisis hit California, the case demands discussion and analysis of the unintended consequences of the deregulation regime chosen-including the decision to fix retail prices during a transition period. It provides detailed descriptions of the role of a key new institution, the "independent system operator" and the role California chose for it to play in facilitating power transactions. HKS Case Number 1633.0

The power shortages and blackouts of late 2000 and early 2001 drew international attention to the electricity deregulation regime adopted four years earlier by the state of California. This case provides a definitive account of the nature of that deregulation, as well as the process through which it was developed and the options considered as it was crafted. It focuses on the choices California made as it put in place a system that would divide the electricity generation, transmission and retail distribution systems that had, historically, been integrated. The case describes how California regulators and elected officials sought to maintain the operating and coordination efficiencies associated with the existing vertically- and horizontally-integrated system while allowing a competitive market to flourish. Because it stops short of describing what exactly seemed to go wrong when the power crisis hit California, the case demands discussion and analysis of the unintended consequences of the deregulation regime chosen-including the decision to fix retail prices during a transition period. It provides detailed descriptions of the role of a key new institution, the "independent system operator" and the role California chose for it to play in facilitating power transactions. HKS Case Number 1632.0

In the wake of the fraud conspiracy convictions of its former executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, the name Enron will likely long be synonymous with corporate corruption. But how did it rise, to the point of being the sixth highest-value US orporation, before its precipitous 2001 fall? This case provides a glimpse of a key element of Enron in action, as well as illuminating the complex process of foreign direct investment in a developing economy. The case focuses specifically on the Enron Development Corporation, that arm of the complex web of Enron subsidiaries which sought to build and operate power facilities around the world, including Argentina, Guatemala, the Philippines, Colombia and China. HKS Case Number 1618.1

In the wake of the fraud conspiracy convictions of its former executives Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Skilling, the name Enron will likely long be synonymous with corporate corruption. But how did it rise, to the point of being the sixth highest-value US orporation, before its precipitous 2001 fall? This case provides a glimpse of a key element of Enron in action, as well as illuminating the complex process of foreign direct investment in a developing economy. The case focuses specifically on the Enron Development Corporation, that arm of the complex web of Enron subsidiaries which sought to build and operate power facilities around the world, including Argentina, Guatemala, the Philippines, Colombia and China. This case follows the protracted proposal and negotiations process that characterized Enron Development's effort to build a gas-powered electricity generation plant in India, specificaly in the state of Maharashtra. It is fundamentally a case about the political economy of Maharashtra, and India generally, the period immediately following the beginning of post-socialist economic liberalization in the early 1990s.The case series is meant as a vehicle for discussion both about the specific utility proposal and the structure of a potential deal between Enron and Maharashtra, and as the basis for discussion of the politics of infrastructure development, particularly in a developing country setting. It can also be used as a vehicle for a negotiations exercise or discussion of negotiations theory. HKS Case Number 1618.0

Competitive cost analysis, a method for analyzing the cost structure of two competing companies, represents a strategic application of cost modeling. The first note in this three-part series on competitive cost analysis identified the basic conceptual framework and principles for developing accurate and comprehensive cost models with four categories of cost drivers -- design, facility, geography, and execution. The framework coupled with cost-modeling techniques can help the operations analyst/consultant achieve the quantitative rigor required to ensure solid operations decisions at the strategic and tactical level. This note provides a general discussion of four specific tools that will further assist in analyzing cost drivers for competitive analysis. These techniques include teardown analysis, public data sources, scale curve and utilization curve. The final note in this three-part series will provide step-by-step guidance on estimating scale curves and calculating utilization impact.

An understanding of the factors that drive the microeconomics of a business provides the insight needed for strategic and tactical improvements in operational effectiveness. Competitive-cost analysis, a method for analyzing the cost structure of a company, represents a strategic application of cost modeling. The first note in this three-part series (UV3521) identifies the basic framework and principles for developing accurate and comprehensive cost models. The second note (UV3558) discusses specific techniques that will further assist in analyzing cost drivers for competitive analysis. This final note provides detailed guidance on calculating scale curves and utilization effects.

In 1991 Peru undertook perhaps the most radical tax administration reform in the developing world as President Fujimori created the National Tax Administration Superintendency (SUNAT): a semi-autonomous revenue authority charged with putting the country's fiscal house in order. The reform met with initial success as it increased revenues and reduced evasion, though SUNAT's strategy came to be questioned by the same government that created it. In particular, the powerful ministry of finance raised doubts about the wisdom of SUNAT's autonomy and advocated taking a second look at the reform model. At the same time, corporate taxpayers, as well as the informal sector, vigorously joined the debate. This public sector reform, hailed as an important achievement in tax administration, raises serious questions about the reform of the state in developing countries by revisiting the old, fine line between politics and administration. HKS Case Number 1596.1

In 1991 Peru undertook perhaps the most radical tax administration reform in the developing world as President Fujimori created the National Tax Administration Superintendency (SUNAT): a semi-autonomous revenue authority charged with putting the country's fiscal house in order. The reform met with initial success as it increased revenues and reduced evasion, though SUNAT's strategy came to be questioned by the same government that created it. In particular, the powerful ministry of finance raised doubts about the wisdom of SUNAT's autonomy and advocated taking a second look at the reform model. At the same time, corporate taxpayers, as well as the informal sector, vigorously joined the debate. This public sector reform, hailed as an important achievement in tax administration, raises serious questions about the reform of the state in developing countries by revisiting the old, fine line between politics and administration. HKS Case Number 1596.0

When the employees of a Kmart distribution center in Greensboro, North Carolina vote to unionize, they encounter difficulty in negotiating a contract with their employer, which viewed wages and working conditions as in keeping with regional conditions. Ultimately, members of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers decide that they must enlist public opinion as a means to pressure management. This series of cases describes the tactics they employ-tactics which at first alienate local opinion but which are adjusted in ways that prove effective. The case describes, in particular, the decision to recruit local religious leaders, whose support proves crucial. HKS Case Number 1604.0

When the employees of a Kmart distribution center in Greensboro, North Carolina vote to unionize, they encounter difficulty in negotiating a contract with their employer, which viewed wages and working conditions as in keeping with regional conditions. Ultimately, members of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers decide that they must enlist public opinion as a means to pressure management. This series of cases (see also 1604.0) describes the tactics they employ-tactics which at first alienate local opinion but which are adjusted in ways that prove effective. The case describes, in particular, the decision to recruit local religious leaders, whose support proves crucial. The case is meant to support discussion of organizing tactics and strategy. Alternatively, it can be used to discuss labor economics, as a vehicle to examine the substance of the Kmart employees' complaints and the counter-arguments mounted by company management.

The case describes the internationally known Singapore initiative to implement electronically deducted charges for road use, varying by route, type of vehicle, and time of day. The case highlights the widespread public acceptance of the relatively elaborate and novel pricing regime, following an extensive public information and consultation campaign conducted by Singapore's Land Transport Authority. Useful for those interested in successful public consultation. HKS Case Number 1520.0

The case describes the internationally known Singapore initiative to implement electronically deducted charges for road use, varying by route, type of vehicle, and time of day. The case highlights the widespread public acceptance of the relatively elaborate and novel pricing regime, following an extensive public information and consultation campaign conducted by Singapore's Land Transport Authority. Useful for those interested in successful public consultation. HKS Case Number 1520.0

When a reform-minded economist joins Romania's Ministry of Agriculture, she expects to help move her nation toward market-based changes that will increase the production of food by reducing subsidies and tariffs. Instead, General Secretary Cristina Esanu, formerly with the World Bank, quickly confronts a dilemma. The terms of the release of a new round of World Bank assistance to Romania make new aid contingent on Romania's "progress" toward lower tariffs, generally considered to be protecting inefficient producers from outside competition. Esanu quickly learns that powerful political interests make further tariff reductions, in particular, very difficult to achieve. When the World Bank makes clear that it will ask that at least a symbolic five percent tariff reduction be implemented in order for Romania to receive new assistance, Esanu is asked by her superior--the Agriculture Minister--to take on a task about which she is deeply ambivalent: writing a memo to convince the World Bank that tariffs should not be reduced. The case raises questions about how a public official can, and whether she should, compromise principles and pragmatic political considerations. HKS Case Number 1507.0

This case demonstrates how the international capital markets were used to obtain financing for the expansion of limited access highways in Mexico. Structured as a Rule 144A transaction, the offering securitized the future Mexican Peso-denominated toll revenues of two toll roads to support US dollar denominated securities. From the sponsor's point of view, the deal provided a means to remove indebtedness from its balance sheet while retaining control of the assets. Investors purchased high-yield securities supported by two toll roads with an operating history (and no construction risk). The drastic devaluation of the peso in December 1994 more than doubled the liability in US dollars and offers an opportunity to consider the ability of the Trust to continue to support the notes. This case allows students to focus on the financing of private infrastructure investments through the capital markets. It is designed to teach students about the risks that are customary in cross-border project financing arrangements, where lenders have limited or no recourse to the project sponsors. By looking at the financing structure devised for this transaction, students can see how specific provisions trap revenues in the Trust and protect the interests of investors. HKS Case Number 1485.0