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)

Campbell’s Climate Challenge: Preserving An Iconic American Food Brand
Rob Thomas
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:44 pm
As a major user of water and agricultural products, Campbell's is significantly threatened by climate change on its supply chain. How is it addressing these problems and what should it do in the future?
The Global Supply Chain of Capital: How JPMorgan Chase Will Cope with the Rise of Isolationism
FinGuy
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:30 pm
Restrictive trade policies and associated limitations on capital flows will inhibit the ability of banks, such as JPMorgan Chase, to effectively provide capital, make financial markets, and facilitate commerce within and across national boundaries.
Shell: “printing” your oil
Konstantin
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 4:24 pm
How technological innovations such as 3D printing can help oil and gas industry to adapt to a new low oil price environment
REI: A Beacon for Sustainable Business
Tiffany S
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:13 pm
For many intrepid outdoor explorers, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) is the go-to place for buying quality, performance clothing and equipment. But does a business with passion for the outdoors really walk the walk, taking into consideration climate change as it [...]
HATSUN Agro – Milking the IoT opportunity in Indian Dairy
Nidhi
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Over 4 decades, Hatsun Agro, India’s largest private dairy, has succeeded by building an intricate supply chain to the highly scattered Indian market. But as milk prices continue to fall globally, and consumer becomes increasingly demanding, will it be enough?
Cold chain innovation: DHL fights to stay relevant in a digitized industry
Katie G
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:16 pm
Can DHL use digital innovation to take advantage of the $13.4bn market opportunity in pharmaceutical cold chain logistics?
Ambitious Sustainability Goals at Coca-Cola
kenyahunt
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 12:55 am
Coca-Cola's commitment to ambitious sustainability goals drive them to improve.
Brexit vs. Tesco: Will Britain’s Largest Grocer Stand the Ultimate Test?
Charlie Weinberg
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Brexit has shaken up the entire UK retail industry – how will incumbent management teams cope with the vastly different competitive dynamics?
The “ABC’s” of Drug Traceability – How Digitalizing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Can Enhance Compliance and Financial Performance
DPF2019
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:21 pm
New legislation mandates that drugs be traceable at the unit level as they move through the pharmaceutical supply chain. AmerisourceBergen Corporation - a private label pharmaceutical manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, and 3PL provider - is on the right track by prioritizing [...]
CitizenM: The digitalized hotel supply chain
B_SDLR
Last modified on November 26, 2017 at 9:45 pm
A 210-room hotel required in New York? No problem, we can ship that to you: Digitalization of the real estate and lodging supply chain in the form of modular construction is allowing companies such as CitizenM to react more quickly [...]
EasyJet entering the battle of maintenance digitalization
Marc D
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:05 pm
EasyJet is currently embracing maintenance digitalization by acquiring as much data as possible and sharing it with its entire supply chain: death wish or wise move?
Planes Can’t Soar in Soaring Temperatures
ar13
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 1:02 pm
Emirates is now faced with the realities of aviation in an increasingly hotter environment. With skyrocketing temperatures in the city, Emirates must find a way to mitigate the challenges of flying in higher temperatures and adopt a comprehensive environmental sustainability [...]
A Whole New World: The Digital Evolution of Disney
Matt
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Facing an exodus of subscribers and a decline in ratings for its sports programming, Disney has been forced to re-think its content distribution model. Can Disney pull off the magic trick?
Allianz: Underwriting a Sustainable Future
RC Tom 313
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Aligning Allianz's operational strategy with its vision for a sustainable future
Save Emissions. Live Better. – Walmart’s Gigaton Gauntlet
Katharine Gallogly
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Walmart wants to get a billion tons of emissions out of its supply chain by 2030. How can it work with suppliers on a voluntary basis to do so?
Is Happy Hour Over? The Impact of Climate Change on E & J Gallo Winery
SB
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:51 pm
Should vineyards be 'wine-ing' about climate change?
Starbucks global supply chain and climate change
Julio S
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:46 pm
As global temperatures warm, Starbucks must help coffee growers adapt
Strawberries in January: Can NAFTA renegotiations challenge Driscoll’s supply chain?
Sara
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Americans enjoy berries year-round in large part due to Driscoll’s presence in Mexico. How will this change if NAFTA renegotiations lead to an increase in Mexican import prices?
Digitization: Amazon’s competitive advantage?
cay
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:21 pm
How will digitization affect Amazon's e-commerce website + logistics operations? Where and how can Amazon earn even more $?
The Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs has Revolutionized the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Ashley Shipley
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:56 pm
In response to government mandates attacking the drug counterfeit epidemic, Pfizer has digitized its supply chain and is realizing significant efficiency improvements.
Can Nike use 3D-printing to sustainably mass customize its offer to consumers?
Michael Jordan
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:42 pm
As pressure to achieve efficiencies while improving product quality is on the rise, Nike is exploring whether 3D-printing can be the answer to manufacture the products that best support athletes' performances
How the leading Latin American airline affects and is affected by climate change
M
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:23 pm
The aviation industry contributed to 2% of manmade CO2 emissions in 2016. LATAM Airlines, the leading Latin American airline company, plays a key role and should have significant responsability on how this situation could evolve.
What MNC’s are beginning to understand about doing business in Africa
Jay-K
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Despite making marginally positive contributions to African economies, MNC’s have historically followed the trend of our colonial masters but are now beginning to feel the pinch…
Digitization at Pfizer
Nina
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:39 pm
What Pfizer is doing to digitize its supply chain.
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