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)

Nike Tries to Outrun Nationalism
Anonymous 8
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:06 pm
Nike is in a precarious position as global superpowers fight over free trade agreements. Can Nike and its global supply chain successfully confront the rise of nationalism?
Smaller Engines Fuel Future Growth
Saved by the Bellhorn
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 10:58 am
Cessna is plotting an industry transformation with its large-cabin, long-range business jet. With smaller engines that promote increased fuel-efficiency and decreased pollution, the Citation Hemisphere will appeal to business travelers that increasingly demand environmental improvements.
Uniqlo: Bridging the physical world of apparel with the digital world
Gregory B. Uffer
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 8:18 pm
Uniqlo plans to achieve aggressive sales targets by using digital tech to improve their supply chain and provide superior customer service.
Volkswagen’ s New Electric Strategy
Levent Sarioglu
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:52 pm
Volkswagen announced its new strategy for electric mobility. Knowing electric is not always clean, the company has decisions to make regarding its battery supply chain.
Diesel Gate: Is VW ready to take on yet another emission challenge?
Lige
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:49 pm
With a damaged reputation from its Diesel emission scandal, can Volkswagen achieve its aspirations in electric car production?
Mars: The supply of chocolate is melting away
JJ
Last modified on November 26, 2017 at 8:21 pm
Less chocolate: The global supply of chocolate is in danger. Cacao trees, responsible for the delicious chocolate we all love, require very specific conditions to prosper. As such, Chocolate is largely grown in areas within ~10 degrees of the equator.[i] [...]
The impact of 3D printing on innovation and supply chain logistics at Medtronic
$$$=Culture
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:39 pm
3D printing or "additive manufacturing" is positioned to revolutionize the face of medical device manufacturing and could be a great opportunity or a significant disruptive threat, depending on how they respond.
On Trucking Automation: How the Technological Road Forward Could Leave Millions Behind
Graham Sinars
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 4:31 pm
On a Thursday morning in late October 2016, an 18-wheel freight delivery truck made the 120-mile journey along I-25 from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, hauling over 50,000 cans of Budweiser beer with it. This routine delivery would be an [...]
The Republic of Maldives is Sinking
JDW
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:23 pm
Rising sea levels threaten the existence of the low lying country of the Maldives
Race to the Last-Mile: Challenges to Wal-Mart E-Commerce Deliveries
Juan Torres
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:55 pm
The last mile in the journey from warehousing to home delivery is by far the most expensive one. Wal-Mart is trying to unlock the last-mile riddle using a variety of approaches. Can they succeed where others are failing?
Climate Change is Mugging Your Coffee
Coffee 2050
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 12:44 am
How Starbucks is striving to save coffee by whatever beans necessary.
Clouds on the horizon? Nestle, climate change, and the future of bottled water.
ABuck
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:13 pm
As climate change increases droughts near Nestle's water resources, how can they respond to ensure a future for the bottled water industry?
For AT&T, It’s (DirecTV) Now Or Never
Alexandra van Arkel
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:23 pm
AT&T can control the supply chain by owning programming (Time Warner) and distribution (DirecTV) but should not sacrifice one for the other to gain DOJ approval.
Admitting cybercriminals to hospital through the front door
Josephine-vL
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 3:31 pm
Quantum decryption will soon arrive to compromise the reliability of standard cybersecurity practices - just as the British National Health Service is working to make its most sensitive data digitally accessible.
Kellogg Changes so the Climate Won’t
Grant Williams
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:42 pm
Kellogg is adapting its global supply chain to adapt to and mediate its contribution to climate change.
Patheon’s Path to Growth: Economic Nationalism and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Gabrielle
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:27 pm
Increasing pressure for domestic pharmaceutical production could require a shift away from overseas manufacturing. This creates an opportunity for contract manufacturing organizations like Patheon to provide domestic production services.
The Bees are Dying!
Jonathan
Last modified on November 17, 2017 at 7:51 am
The bees are dying! As avocado prices soar, can Chipotle make guacamole cheap again?
Iran Air: Sanctions and Sanction Relief
Reza Jones
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:19 pm
Managing against US sanctions is a supremely difficult task, requiring political rather than commercial skills. For the last three decades, sanctions have blocked Iran Air from obtaining new aircrafts and spare parts. On the cusp of finally obtaining modern aircrafts, [...]
Mercy: Delivering better quality healthcare at a lower cost
sakshi
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:55 pm
How Mercy has leveraged its supply chain to provide better, more cost-effective healthcare
Jumping through hoops: Cirque du Soleil in an era of isolationism
Kimia Talebian
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Cirque du Soleil, a live entertainment provider well-known for its acrobatic touring and resident shows, has over 4,000 employees, including 1,300 artists from more than 50 different countries. This diverse set of employees has traveled to over 400 cities in [...]
Digitalizing the cement supply chain – A way to succeed in a highly commoditized and competitive industry?
AG
Last modified on November 30, 2017 at 3:48 pm
In a highly commoditized and competitive industry such as the cement space in Latin America, digitalizing the supply chain can become a lever to boost profitability and build a sustainable competitive edge.
Waste in Agricultural Supply Chains: Is Meal-Kit Delivery the Solution?
JR
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:48 pm
In the face of climate change and consequential increased consumer focus on sustainability, meal-kit delivery startup, Blue Apron, is focused on fighting food waste, but can the company do more to gain an advantage over competitors?
Increased Competition from the Digitalization of Healthcare Delivery
justinmidwest
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:55 pm
Today, EMRs generated from connected ultrasound machines can give instant visibility into customer demand for expert review and enable a physician in San Francisco to be sourced as-needed to review New York City patients.  [2] In the age of a [...]
Walmart in the Face of Isolationism
PolkaDots
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:43 pm
How can Walmart best position itself to withstand de-globalization trends and government-led shifts toward isolationism?
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