Case Studies: Information Technology
Mattel, Inc: The Lead Paint Recall
M. Eric Johnson
Length: 19 pages
Publication date: 2010
Case#: 6-0033
Supply chains face many risks, from material flow disruption and quality failures to information security. In some cases those risk come from suppliers in other cases they come from downstream partners. For example, in 2010, Toyota faced global criticism over its handling of a recall related to sticking accelerator pedals. Likewise, in 2007 product safety problems led many toy makers to recall products during the holiday season. Mattel, the world’s largest toymaker with years of experience working in China, found itself in the middle of very negative global publicity. This case inquires as to what went so wrong?
Topics: Information Technology, Supply Chain
Industry: Toys/Video Games
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Information Risk Analysis at Jefford’s
Hans Brechbühl, Chris Dunning
Length: 8 pages
Publication date: 2008
Case#: 6-0029
Jefford's faces several information security threats and must decide which risks to mitigate and at what cost. Headquartered in the U.S., Jefford's, a fictitious Fortune 500 company, is growing rapidly with much of the expansion coming in emerging markets. They face numerous risk management decisions, including how to mitigate problems with stolen/lost laptops, malware, fraudulent website transactions and protection of personally identifiable employee data. This case can serve as a good basis for a discussion on information security and risk management approaches. In Part B, the case provides detailed data on which to do a cost/benefit analysis, and with the help of the teaching note, creates a robust Monte Carlo simulation using Excel and Crystal Ball or similar software.
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Topics: Information Technology, Product Development, Services
Industry: Electronic Controls
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NetHope: Collaborating for the Future of Relief and Development
Benjamin Farmer T'07, M. Eric Johnson
Length: 20 pages
Publication date: 2007
Case#: 6-0026
Most disasters occur in developing countries, often in remote areas lacking infrastructure, such as roads, reliable power grids, and telephony. As such, international relief agencies desperately need effective information communication technology. NetHope's mission was to collaboratively address technology challenges facing relief agencies, and to build shared infrastructure to enable humanitarian supply chains. This case examines the challenges newly appointed NetHope CEO Bill Brindley faced as he worked to build the collaboration and trust needed to take NetHope to the next level.
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Topics: Information Technology, Supply Chain
Industry: Humanitarian Relief
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Woolworths “Chips” Away at Inventory Shrinkage through RFID Initiative
Michael Gozycki, M. Eric Johnson, Hau Lee
Length: 11 pages (plus appendices)
Publication date: 2004
Case#: 6-0020
As a continuing development of our expertise in RFID (and in that sense a follow-on to the hit Quad case - see case # 6-0015), this case offers an opportunity to analyze the decision-making of a retail chain, Woolworths in England, as they consider implementation of a tracking system to cover their distribution network.
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Topics: Information Technology, Supply Chain
Industry: Retail
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PERI
Hans Brechbühl, (with Yiorgos Bakamitsos)
Length: 10 pages (plus appendices)
Publication date: 2003
Case#: 6-0019
he international market leader in an increasingly important product and service segment of the construction industry, PERI faced key decisions on updating and automating key processes. This case offers the opportunity for in-depth discussion on where a bricks-and-mortar company should place its IT bets for the future.
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Topics: Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing, Services, Supply Chain
Industry: Construction
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Cisco Systems (A): Evolution to e-Business
Philip Anderson, Vijay Govindarajan, Chris Trimble, Katrina Veerman T'01
Length: 25 pages
Publication date: 2001
Case#: 1-0001
Cisco Systems prides itself as an "end-to-end networking company." The phrase describes not only their product line but the way they run their business. They created many of the e-business practices that later became cornerstones of the software packages used throughout industry to make businesses more efficient. This case reviews their accomplishments and their method.
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Topics: Information Technology, Innovation, Product Development, Services
Industry: Network Hardware
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Cisco Systems (B): Maintaining an Edge in e-Business
Philip Anderson, Vijay Govindarajan, Chris Trimble, Katrina Veerman T'01
Length: 6 pages
Publication date: 2001
Case#: 1-0002
As of March 2001, Cisco Systems enjoys a reputation as the most sophisticated e-business in the world. For its executives, the question of how to maintain this leadership position is paramount. Funding mechanisms, organizational models, and measures of successful innovation are just some of the issues that become increasingly complex as Cisco grows.
Topics: Information Technology, Innovation, Product Development
Industry: Network Hardware
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