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)

Fuel Sustainability at Alaska Airlines: Good for the environment and good for business?
Lauren Bosco
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Over the last few years Alaska Airlines has become the most profitable airline in the United States while simultaneously topping the charts in fuel sustainability and other environmental initiatives. Is what’s good for the environment what’s best for the bottom [...]
Digitalization in the Israeli electricity sector: will the Israeli citizens join the smart metering revolution?
Anat
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:21 pm
Many governments promote the rollout of smart electricity grids. A smart metering rollout will bring many benefits to the Israeli economy. Although a smart metering project execution started in 2014, it is unclear when a nationwide rollout be carry out.
From Taobao.com to Hema Supermarket, Alibaba’s Digitalized Food Supply Chain
W
Last modified on December 1, 2017 at 11:17 pm
This essay talks about how digitalization affects Alibaba's supply chain design and introduces the challenges and opportunities of its new Hema Supermarket.
Will Cash Always Be King? What Does It Mean for ATMs?
Pranay
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:05 pm
The use of cash is being challenged by digital substitutes and there are directional trends towards a “cashless” economy. This digitization trend in the monetary value chain threatens the existence of ATMs, disrupting ATM hardware manufacturers like NCR.
Tackling ground transport losses from ports to landlocked countries
Dietmar
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:26 pm
How SGS is solving the problem of loss of imported goods during ground transportation from ports to landlocked countries.
Hunting in the Zoo: How Boeing’s plead for protectionism handed Airbus a spectacular opportunity to strike back
Tigran Petrosian
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:34 pm
After a complaint from Boeing, the Department of Commerce imposed a 300% import tariff on Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier’s brand-new C-Series aircraft, effectively shutting them out of the U.S. market. Bombardier’s response? To partner up with Airbus and produce the [...]
Maersk’s Shipping Lane in the Fight Against Global Warming
Viper
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Global warming presents an unique set of challenges and opportunities for Maersk, the world's largest shipping line.
Walmart and Block Chain: It Takes Two to Mango
Isabelle Roberts
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 11:37 pm
Walmart is one of the largest retailers in the world with one of the most complex global supply chains. How are they using blockchain to revolutionize their ability to track food and drive value across multiple dimensions?
What Walmart Wants for Christmas: A Digital Supply Chain Makeover
Arthur Dief
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:02 pm
Walmart will need to consider creative digitalization solutions to improve its supply chain and maintain its dominance in retail over its competitors.
Pie in the Sky: can Africa help UPS in the Game of Drones?
angieslist
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:42 pm
UPS invested in last mile drone delivery and innovative partnerships in Rwanda and Tanzania, but is that enough to leapfrog Amazon and Google? Or will they remain a fast follower?
Cutting out Cotton: Can Nike do it?
James Shaw
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 10:26 pm
Nike must position itself to rely less on cotton as temperatures rise and droughts become more frequent.
Tesla Motors: Beneficially Changing Our Climate?
S.R. Fitzgerald
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:31 pm
Will Tesla change our climate for the better, or will climate change disrupt their supply chain first?
Facebook wants to bring the world together – but isolationism could tear it apart
MY
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 9:33 pm
Amid a tense global climate, countries are increasingly enacting "data localization" laws. Will Facebook respond to Russia's latest request by investing in local data centers?
Blockchain for Shipping -Is it Really Revolutionary?-
Toshi
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 3:56 pm
The world largest container shipping company has launched a blockchain project in 2017. Is it really revolutionary or is it just another old transaction system?
Whole Foods Market: Feeling a Bit… Under the Weather?
Marissa
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Climate change will continue to wreak global mayhem on the food industry supply chain—can Whole Foods sustain its upmarket ways in the face of this new era?
Sustainable Servers: How HPE’s Supply Chain is Combating Climate Change
Austin Pulsipher
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Hewlett Packard Enterprise's aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emission starts with its suppliers
When Scaling Alone No Longer Scales: Maersk’s Digital Transformation Journey
RVD
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:41 pm
While Maersk and others in the shipping and logistics industry historically have maintained profits through scaling ship size and market consolidation, new challenges require them to embrace digitalization of the supply chain in order to survive.
Let’s Talk Turkey: Cargill’s Blockchain Supply Chain of The Future
Justin Blumenthal
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:58 pm
Blockchain digital supply chains can help global food companies like Cargill build consumer trust and drive operational efficiency. This seems like a no-brainer, but the devil will be in the details. How will Cargill implement blockchain to disrupt how food [...]
Amazon’s Last-Mile Delivery is Reaching New Heights
Vanessa Conforti
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 3:29 pm
Digital technology is transforming Amazon’s supply chain through Amazon Prime Air, an initiative to develop a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to digitize and automate its last-mile delivery process.
Brexit’s Nuclear Isolationism Threatens UK Cancer Patients
Anna Ponting
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Withdrawing from the little-known Euratom Treaty jeopardizes the NHS's supply of medical radioisotopes -- a quintessential case of "you don't know what you've got until it's gone."
Let’s Get Digital, Digital!
kmh19
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:54 pm
Can Mattel adapt to the digital age?
How climate change put Ferrero in a unique position
FD
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Spurred by climate change critics and sourcing difficulties, Ferrero built a unique advantage when it comes to raw material sourcing, and is ready to take it to the next level.
Too warm for the fleece: Patagonia’s quest for relevance amidst climate change
a_p
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Patagonia, HBS fleeces, and climate change - fashion at an environmental cost.
Ford: Building a Cleaner Fleet of Vehicles
AS
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:44 pm
Ford is making bold moves to improve vehicle fuel economy in the face of environmental regulations.
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