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)

Rise of the Machines: HBC’s Salvation or Destruction?
Nate G
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Under pressure from the emergence of automation and e-commerce can HBC embrace the trends which threaten its business to gain a competitive advantage?
In Seoul, the future of transportation is here.
Bismah Rahmat
Last modified on November 17, 2017 at 5:45 pm
How big data and "smart" infrastructure are transforming Seoul's mass transit systems.
US Foods: B2B e-Commerce in Foodservice Distribution
DZhao
Last modified on November 13, 2017 at 8:31 pm
US Foods looks to stay ahead of the curve by creating e-Commerce platform to help its restaurant customers place and track orders digitally
Love it or Hate it: The consequences of Brexit on a supermarket’s supply chain
Helen F.
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:02 pm
"Marmite-gate" highlighted the consequences of Brexit to UK supermarkets, and to the British consumer
From Scan to Analyze – Zebra Technologies’ Journey to become the leader of Enterprise Asset Intelligence
Oswald Cobblepot
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Growth aspirations and strategies for one of the world's foremost enterprise resource management and Internet-of-Things device manufacturers
Can Vertical Farming Keep This Company Around for Another 165 Years?
ThinkVertical
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:47 pm
How vertical farming will change the face of agriculture as we know it, and why agriculture companies should invest now.
Maersk – reinventing the shipping industry using IoT and blockchain
Chi Le
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 2:25 am
How can Maersk, the world's largest shipping company, embrace IoT, blockchain, and autonomous technology, to remain competitive in the digital world?
The Mahindra Group: Driving towards India’s Digital Automotive Age
arpit1911
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Can Mahindra and Mahindra’s new Connected Factory successfully help it cross the chasm of the automotive revolution?
Closing Borders May Create a Wall That Boeing Can’t Fly Over
Eerik Helmick
Posted on November 11, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Can Boeing's global supply chain survive a period characterized by isolationism?
Adidas Speedfactory: Impossible is Nothing with Automation
SV
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:37 pm
With fast fashion, consumer demand and preferences change daily. So far the sports shoe industry, an $80Bn market, has not kept up.
Big Missiles + Big Data = Small(er) Price Tags?
pcoats
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:18 pm
How can big data and a digitized supply chain transform a business? See what happens when Raytheon Company, a $23 billion defense contractor, goes all in on a digital future.
The blockchain mania hits the supply chain. Will it deliver on its promise?
Cesario Martins
Posted on November 11, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Proponents of blockchain call it the next big thing. IBM is taking the lead on the supply chain blockchainization. Is its technology ready to transform the global supply chain?
Bringing Mortgages into the 21st Century
MGiampapa
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Wells Fargo must adopt new technology to maintain leadership in the mortgage market.
Maersk: Cutting Shipping Costs and Increasing Supply Chain Visibility with Blockchain Technology
BT
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 8:20 pm
Maersk is piloting blockchain technology to improve supply chain visibility, transparency, accountability, and cost efficiencies for its global shipping business.
Mars Worries M&M’s May Actually Melt in Your Hand
jackambridge
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:26 pm
Candy Supplier Pledges $1B to Overhaul Global Supply Chain in Initial Effort to Combat Climate Change
Can Macy’s Stay Competitive?
Michael Love
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 12:03 am
Macy’s is a retailer operating under three brands (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Bluemercury) that sells merchandise including apparel, accessories, cosmetics, furnishings, and other consumer goods. Founded in 1858, Macy’s pioneered many marketing practices such as a one-price system for all customers [...]
Airbus’ venture into digital – what appears to be bold may only be scratching the surface
Bettina
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:02 pm
Ever thought the aircraft industry is at its peak and has become somewhat boring? Airbus is trying to prove us wrong. It has started on a path towards digitization by appointing a native Google CTO and creating a Digital Accelerator. [...]
GE Digital: One Size Fits None
AMM
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:27 pm
“The data economy for the industrial world has arrived, and GE is in a unique position to lead it.” – Jeff Immelt [1]
Steel Tariffs: Making America Competitive Again?
destinykate
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:43 pm
BHP, the world’s largest diversified natural resources company, recently celebrated the 50-year anniversary of its relationship with Japan – the two parties have experienced joint benefits as Japan’s industrialization was enabled by a steady inflow of BHP’s iron ore. During [...]
Dark days ahead — SolarCity vs Protectionism
John Nordin
Last modified on November 27, 2017 at 8:47 am
On September 22nd, 2017, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recommended a 35% tariff on imported Chinese solar panels to the president. [1] The final decision on this tariff now rests in Mr. Trump’s hands. [2] The effects of this [...]
Helvetia: a Swiss insurer on time with digitalization
J.M.
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:46 pm
While Fintechs (financial technology companies) have been transforming the banking industry for a decade, traditional insurance companies had, until recently, been protected by a heavy regulation and the complex nature of their products. It is now time for them to [...]
Miami’s (climate change) Models
Sharat Akasapu
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 9:07 pm
What's the impact of climate change on the city of Miami? Will the city even exist in 100 years?
United Launch Alliance: Rocket Without an Engine
Curtis Wong
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:30 pm
The effect of isolationism on the space industry.
Mexico Pushes for a Successful Trilateral NAFTA
ddkakpob
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:36 pm
Mexico Pushes for a Successful Trilateral NAFTA Since the end of the twentieth century, when the trade of goods and services quickly expanded worldwide, Mexico has secured several trade agreements with over 45 countries, the North American Free Trade Agreement [...]
1 … 20 21 22 23 24 … 39