RC TOM Challenge 2017

November 15, 2017

Read The Full Prompt

The TOM Challenge provides an opportunity for students to learn more about supply chain management by exploring how organizations are grappling with some megatrends: climate change, digitalization, and the growing influence of isolationist political movements on international trade policies.  These 700-800 word essays should address four questions:

  1. Why is (or should) your particular aspect of one of these megatrends be of concern to the management of the organization you have selected?
  2. What is the organization’s management doing to address this concern in the short term (the next two years) and the medium term (3–10 years out)?
  3. What other steps do you recommend the organization’s management take to address this concern in the short and medium terms?
  4. What are one or two important open questions related to this concern in the context of the organization you selected that you are unsure about, which merit comments from your classmates?

When posting your essay to Open Knowledge, be sure to enter “Climate change”, “Digitalization”, or “Isolationism” in the Topics field.

More details on research, sourcing, deadlines, and other matters are provided in the RC TOM Challenge: 2017 note.  For assistance with the Open Knowledge platform during business hours (9:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F), email openknowledge@hbs.edu. A short video with instructions on how to post an essay to this platform is available at https://goo.gl/yyXK2H.

Submitted (924)

UPS: Innovating or not?
The boy who lived
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:45 pm
UPS is taking steps to digitize it's freight business, but is it letting the small parcel business fall through its fingers?
L.L.BEAN: DIGITALIZING AND THRIVING
alesso
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
The impact of supply chain digitalization on L.L.Bean’s apparel business.
Should Ford Lead the Defense of Globalization?
Tom Richardson
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:08 pm
Can Ford defend Globalization and international trade in the face of rising American isolationism?
From Automation to Blockchain: Digitization at UPS
Reagan
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 3:43 pm
UPS has always been a leader with digitization in the supply chain. Can they further this trend with the same technology behind the infamous Bitcoin cryptocurrency?
The future of meat at Tyson
Sir Cranberry
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 5:58 pm
Analysis of Tyson Foods' efforts to mitigate the environmental impact of its meat supply chain
Zipline: drones that can save lives and revolutionize supply chains
Jane Doe
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 7:33 pm
Zipline designs, manufactures, and uses its drones to transform medicine delivery to the last mile. Its digitized supply chain is saving time and money while improving healthcare in Rwanda. (Word count: 799)
Hewlett Packard Enterprise – an Unexpected Leader in the fight Against Climate Change
BrettonWoods1
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:05 am
Hewlett Packard Enterprise has made reducing greenhouse gas emissions a top-3 element of the mission for its supply chain and established a first of its kind supply-chain specific emissions reduction target. This memo dives into why HPE is emerging as [...]
Warehouse automation and digitalization in the Indian consumer packaged goods industry
Steven McJobs
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:12 pm
How should consumer packaged goods companies in developing countries such as India digitalize and automate their supply chains to stay competitive?
The Digitalization of the Australian Healthcare system
Mazen
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:39 pm
This post summarizes the implementation of Electronic Medical Reports across Australia's Healthcare system and the role played by the Australian Digital Health Agency.
Pharma Supply Chain: Source or Savior of the Opioid Crisis in America?
Bo
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:24 pm
A digitized supply chain in pharma has unfortunately failed to mitigate the growing opioid crisis in America. Can it and will it?
Patagonia’s Mission Against Climate Change
Karen C.
Last modified on November 7, 2017 at 9:47 pm
Beloved by nature enthusiasts and urban dwellers alike, Patagonia is an outdoor clothing and gear designer founded in the early 1970’s. Since its inception, Patagonia has a legacy of environmental and social responsibility that has been codified in its mission [...]
Will Climate Change Your Wine? How Rising Temperatures May Impact Vineyards.
M
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:17 pm
As climate changes, the wine industry must as well.
The Department Store Dilemma: Nordstrom Invests in New Store Concept
C.S.
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Investing in the integration of retail and online channels.
The Uberization of Uber: Rebounding from a Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Year
alisonboreh
Last modified on November 8, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Can Uber fight financial risks and competitive forces with (even more) digitalization?
Digitization in healthcare supply-chain is high-stakes; these are patient lives
TOM
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 10:25 pm
When it comes to the healthcare industry, an efficient supply chain is critical to saving patient lives. Hospitals need the right products at the right time.
BP: Blockchain Petroleum?
A. Judge
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:06 pm
British Petroleum (BP) is currently developing blockchain technology that will enable efficiencies in the oil and gas supply chain.
Packaging Digitization – Sundial Seeks Greater Visibility into a Product’s Journey
Matthew Hanson
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 1:21 pm
The next connected device to enter homes will be upgraded packing for personal care products, better enabling companies to understand their consumers' habits. Sundial should take advantage of this.
Royal Dutch Shell: From Hydrocarbons to Electrons
Kristina
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 3:57 pm
The future is electric Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are here to stay. A significant reduction in lithium-ion battery prices, increasing commitment from automakers to prioritize BEVs and supportive legislation are fueling a rapid growth in BEV customer acceptance. By 2040, [...]
Coca-Cola Using Carbonation to Drive a Nation towards Climate Change
Belle
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:43 pm
Could The Coca-Cola Company have a first mover advantage on hedging climate change regulation in its strategic approaches to analyze, measure, and reduce its carbon footprint throughout their value chain?
Alibaba: New Leader of Food Safety in China?
ZW
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Alibaba, e-commerce giant based in China. Food safety, one of the biggest threat to Chinese consumers. What happens when the two comes together with digitalization?
Uber: Paving the Way for Self-driving Trucks
Alejandro
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 5:59 pm
How Uber is disrupting trucking with autonomous vehicles and what additional advancements can we expect in the future.
A Perfect Fit: 3D Printing Custom Medical Devices
Marissa
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 7:18 am
3D printing is poised to revolutionize supply chains in life sciences. Medical device and pharma giants are preparing to leverage this new technology to deliver customized medical implants with localized, just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing.
YPF: Securing the supply chain for developing Vaca Muerta
Tomas
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:00 pm
While Vaca Muerta formation provides a unique opportunity for Argentinean national oil company YPF, limitations to access international supply could become a major headache.
To go or not Tesco? Brexit’s Potential Impact on the UK Food Industry.
amanda_conrad
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Earlier this year, Tesco was the company online users most associated with Brexit. How can Tesco adapt to the uncertainty of Brexit and what changes should they make now to survive in a post-Brexit reality?
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