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Senior marketing executives of a major international airline are deciding on a strategy to address a crisis situation precipitated by a series of terrorist acts. The company is experiencing the worst downturn ever in its U.S.-U.K. travel business due to media reports and resulting consumer perceptions that Europe is under a "reign of terror." Alternative strategies range from doing nothing to staging an ambitious sales promotion. Major issues include: the role of sales promotion in addressing consumer perceptions of a life-and-death issue (i.e., terrorism), and the implementation and integration of advertising, sales promotion, and public relations efforts within a compressed time frame.

The new general manager of Warner Cable's Medford, Massachusetts complex faces a number of turnaround challenges in 1985, including service deficiencies, customer complaints, high turnover, and low employee morale. By 1988 he has turned the situation around, but some employees and superiors question his turnaround style. Their concerns have broad implications for career systems at Warner. Teaching objectives include the understanding of human resource management tradeoffs in a turnaround situation, and the appropriateness of individual management styles over time as a company improves its productivity and communications.

In 1988, the Du Pont Co. is abruptly confronted with solid scientific evidence that chlorofluorocarbons are destroying the earth's ozone shield. Du Pont, with its Freon brand product line serving markets for foam insulation, electronics solvents, and especially refrigeration, was the world's leading producer of these chemicals. Although no substitutes were currently commercially available, or even proven, Du Pont had to decide what to do. The purpose of the case is to examine how changing science and environmental problems affect competitive conditions and corporate strategy. In particular, the case examines the criteria by which companies formulate policy.

Focuses on the strategic/organizational development of Benetton. Examines the organizational structure which has allowed the company to expand into a world scale company from its small entrepreneurial base. Examines the functional strategies which have allowed a huge firm to succeed in a fashion business. Poses the question as to whether this same organization can be successful in the face of diversification.

General Electric Canada used sociotechnical design techniques to restructure its financial, administrative, facilities, and information technology service from a decentralized, hierarchical organization to a centralized organization composed of self-managing, multi-skilled work teams. The case explores the role of information technology in supporting and enabling the intensive information sharing and communication required by the new organization design.

A series of eight vignette cases designed to be taught in one classroom session. This case describes a potential problem in the way that General Electric has billed the government under a large defense contract. Designed to allow students to discuss what actions top managers and the Department of Defense should take at each step in the proceedings. Sets the stage for the follow-up case, General Electric: Compliance Systems. Facts and Figures on Defense Procurement is intended to be used as supplementary reading in teaching this case.

After General Electric (GE) is indicted in 1985 for defrauding the Department of Defense, Chairman John F. Welch takes dramatic steps to prevent a recurrence. This case documents the new systems and procedures that are put in place to ensure that all GE employees are aware of the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Closes with a discussion of the benefits and costs of Welch's approach. A follow-up to General Electric: Valley Forge (A--H). Facts and Figures on Defense Procurement is intended to be used as supplementary reading in teaching this case.

A hypothetical case in which an assistant treasurer of a supranational bank is asked to determine in which currencies it has been cheaper ex post to borrow. An integral part of the case is a Lotus 1-2-3 worksheet containing monthly data on yen and dollar interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation rates from January 1976 to October 1985. The worksheet with accompanying questions prompts students to study the various parity relationships between the yen and the dollar numerically, graphically, or statistically. Students are challenged to draw inferences concerning the circumstances under which a treasurer should expect to prefer borrowing in one currency rather than others. Requires Case Software diskette (9-289-534).

Merck & Co., Inc. is evaluating a proposed cost-saving investment by its Spanish subsidiary. The case introduces techniques of discounted cash flow valuation analysis in a multicurrency setting. Can be used to teach basic international parity conditions as they relate to the value of operating cash flows.

An auditor is planning the audit of a new client, Acme Hardware. For preparing the audit plan, he becomes aware of the possibility that certain managers might be using accounting flexibility to aid them in qualifying for incentive bonuses based on profitability. The areas are inventory and advertising. The auditor must decide what action, if any, to take.

An account manager of a large bank is reviewing a request for term financing to assist with the repurchase of a minority interest in a large trucking company. The firm is considering a term loan as well as an investment by the venture capital arm of the bank. An equity investment would require agreement on the form of the investment and the price to be paid for any stock issued.

The bank has asked a commercial and industrial mechanical contractor for a forecasted cash budget, income statement and balance sheet. The bank is concerned with whether the company can repay its loan. The case is designed to teach students to incorporate a cash budget into the evaluation of a business that requires bank financing.

The proprietor of a small boat building company plans to expand his operations. First he must decide whether a limited company or partnership would be a better form of organization from the standpoint of taxation and personal liability.

Valley Farms International (VFI) describes some of the problems and issues involved in selling and exporting dairy cattle to a middle-east country. The decision that John Roberts of VFI must make is whether or not to employ the services of a middleman in that country, a practice which is against the law of that country. This case is the first in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner describes some of the problems and issues involved in selling and exporting dairy cattle to a middle-east country. He must decide whether or not to employ the services of a middleman in that country, a practice which is against the law of that country. The case describes John Roberts' decision on the issue in the Valley Farms International (A) case. This is the second in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner continues to export cattle to a middle-eastern country but must decide whether to give in to the demands of an airline crew. They are demanding a cash payment as danger pay in order to take off with the load of cattle, however, this payment is outside the terms of the contract. This case is the third in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

Valley Farms International continues to export cattle to a middle-eastern country. This case describes some of the issues and problems associated with negotiating the contract, transportation and financing arrangements. The decision facing John Roberts in this case is whether to give in to the demands of an airline crew who are demanding a cash payment as danger pay in order to take off with the load of cattle. This payment is outside the terms of the contract. This case describes John Roberts' decision on the issue in Valley Farms International (C). This is the fourth in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner continues to face and solve problems regarding the transportation of exported cattle. The cattle inspectors from the middle-eastern country have been called home and the cattle are on a ship at sea. The inspectors left, however, without signing all the necessary documents, however, the partner has their signatures on some blank forms. Should he use these in order to collect on the letter of credit? This is the fifth case in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The partner continues to export cattle and to face and solve problems regarding transportation. The cattle inspectors from the middle-eastern country have been called home and the cattle are on a ship at sea. The inspectors left without signing all the necessary documents, however, he has their signatures on some blank forms. Should he use these in order to collect on the letter of credit? The case describes John Roberts' decision on the issue in Valley Farms International (E). This is the sixth in a series of cases, Valley Farms International (A) through Valley Farms International (F).

The owner and general manager of the Cedarbrae Volkswagen dealership is concerned about the Kundendienst Index (KI) used by Volkswagen Canada to measure customer satisfaction with new vehicles and service work. The case details Cedarbrae operations and the KI, and focuses on the issues of What is quality of service?, and How do you devise a management control system that reinforces and measures service? From a marketing research perspective, case discussion could center around a technical evaluation of the customer survey process design.