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The quality control group has implemented several countermeasures, and the results have been monitored and reported. A final examination is necessary to assess whether this type of problem is likely to recur, and where further improvement can be made in the company's quality systems. This case is designed to be used in conjunction with the (A) case, 998D001 and the (B) case, 998D002.

Jim Sharpe, president of Extrusion Technology, describes the first five years at the aluminum extrusion company he purchased. He begins with day one as he introduced himself to the employees in 1987 and assured them of the company's continuity. Over the next two years, his efforts to make the company profitable included cost cutting, decertifying the union, and developing relationships with suppliers. Sharpe learned from mistakes in forecasting aluminum inventory and purchasing capital equipment for a new product line whose market never developed. At the end of five years, Extrusion Technology was profitable and well poised for growth.

Supplement to (9-384-115), (9-382-073), and (9-382-065).

Updates Apple Computer--1992.

Updates the case.

Addendum to case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Eight days after CSX announced it was going to buy Consolidated Rail (Conrail) for $88.65 per share, Norfolk Southern made a hostile $100 per share bid for Conrail. Over the next several months, the potential acquirers upped their bids while exchanging criticism in the popular press, prompting analysts to call this one of the nastiest takeover battles of the 1990s. The case is set in January 1997, just before Conrail shareholders are scheduled to vote on the proposed deal with CSX. It analyzes the trend toward consolidation in the U.S. railroad industry, the bidding war for Conrail, and the various provisions in Pennsylvania's anti-takeover laws, which restrict the market for corporate control. It also explores the strategic and financial implications of a bidding war and challenges the assumption that failure to acquire is a zero net present value endeavor. Finally, it examines the nature of and economic basis for regulating the market for corporate control.

Supplements the (A) case.

Discusses Amazon.com's newest and biggest challenge: The threat of Barnes & Noble's entrance into the on-line bookselling industry with its new site--barnesandnoble.com.

Supplements the (A) case.

The new president of Black & Decker-Eastern Hemisphere, is convinced that he needs to significantly increase the number and quality of managers in the region. One tool available to him is the US-designed Appraisal Development Plan (ADP). After weighing the options, he decided to move forward full speed on the introduction of the ADP, despite concerns over huge cultural hurdles. Shortly thereafter the Manager of Human Resources resigned to take a promotion with a Japanese consumer electronics company in Singapore. Utilizing a senior Human Resource professional transferred from the head office, ADP is implemented. One year later, it was clear that the Management Advisory Committee still faced the challenge of developing the next generation of leaders in the Eastern hemisphere.

Because of several factors, the employee decided that the raise offered by her company's director of operations was inadequate (see Maria Mancini - Expatriate Compensation (A), case 9A98G007). She had not had an answer to her carefully worded fax, nor to subsequent calls made by her from Hong Kong. Advised by the director's assistant to contact the Human Resources Director, she met personally with him while she was in Italy two weeks later. He surprised her by readily agreeing to her request for a larger raise, but despite this, she had received neither the confirmation letter nor the pay increase. Her work visa renewal requiring a formal contract was due soon and she was concerned about what to do.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Describes the decision made in response to the (A) case as well as subsequent developments.