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)

A smarter track for baggage handling at Dubai International Airport
Mkeulen
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Dubai International Airport's advanced baggage handling system enables operational excellence and a better guest experience
UNIQLO: Transformation to a Digital Consumer Retail Company
Meg Takada
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:48 pm
To respond quickly to the demanding customer needs, UNIQLO has digitized its supply chain to transform into Digital Consumer Retail Company. Does this change accelerate their growth to surpass its competitors in global fast-fashion market?
Is Après-Ski Becoming the Main Event? The Impact of Climate Change on the Future of Vail Resorts
Anna Resman
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:49 pm
Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, has a particular question on his mind today – Will Vail be able to welcome skiers to its slopes next week? Opening day has already been delayed due to poor snow conditions, and while [...]
The Pinnacle of Urgency: Pinnacle Foods’ Efforts at Addressing Climate Change
Lily
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Pinnacle Foods reaches 85% of American households. But its brands' raw materials - agricultural products - are at risk due to climate change. What is the company doing to address this existential threat?
Throwing Away Billions
Just in Time
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:02 pm
As population and income levels continue to rise in developing nations, what are the risks and opportunities that come with increased consumption and industrialization?
Concha y Toro: Sustainability Pioneer and Further Challenges
Gregorio Eguiguren
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:45 pm
As the leading wine producer in Latin America and the fifth largest winery worldwide in terms of volume traded, Viña Concha y Toro (CyT) is certainly exposed to the climatic phenomena, which can impact its vineyard’s production yields, further affecting [...]
Raksul, Japanese Uber for Printing
S. Nakamoto
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 11:00 pm
While everyone thinks printing business is dying, Raksuk, a Japanese startup thinks differently.
No Longer One Single Shade: Sephora and the Beauty Industry
at2019
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:45 pm
The face of beauty is changing with increased customization- will traditional retailers keep up?
The Disruptor: the Costco of the Internet
kahanye
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:43 pm
Increasingly, e-commerce companies compete on faster – and usually free – shipping for consumers. Despite the use of advanced technology, even Amazon, the dominant market player with large scale, lost billions of dollars on shipping. How can other e-commerce operators [...]
Combating Digital Darwinism: Four Eyes on Augmented Reality
EE
Last modified on November 28, 2017 at 12:47 am
This is a time of digital Darwinism — an era where technology and society are evolving faster than businesses can naturally adapt. Can DHL a leading global logistics company rise up to the challenge to remain competitive?
Associated British Foods: Mmmmm…Brexit
Dan Waldron
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:26 pm
Impact of trade isolationism on Associated British Foods
Changing the Sole of Adidas: Stepping into the Future with a Digital Supply Chain
Dan
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 6:01 pm
Move over, Zara and H&M, there’s a new name in fast-fashion: Adidas. Through bold moves including 3D printed shoes produced in the US and the EU, as well as aggressive changes to its supply chain, Adidas is aiming to become [...]
Reliance on Robots and Automation in the Hospitality Industry: An Oxymoron?
CR
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:26 am
From robot concierges to in-room VR to hyper-personalization of rewards, digitization and advanced analytics have huge potential to improve the experience for customers of hospitality companies such as Marriott International. However, is the increased use of advanced analytics at odds [...]
Arctic shipping: A new way to capitalize on climate change?
ChiCon17
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:42 pm
What will it take for Maersk to navigate the next great frozen frontier?
Getting personal: What digitization and customization mean for Nike’s supply chain
charlottemacdonald
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:08 pm
How is one of the world’s largest consumer organizations reacting to a new reality where they have to deliver customers customized products faster than they ever have before, without letting costs spin out of control?
Amazon – In Prime position for the last mile
Bepo25
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:31 pm
The last mile is the key step in each supply chain. Developing and testing new technologies, Amazon is at the forefront of digital innovation with technologies that will change how customers will order and receive deliveries in the future
Digitalizing the supply of household appliances in Turkey: Arcelik
BAO
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 9:36 pm
How will Turkey's leading household appliance manufacturer adjust its supply chain to meet the high expectations of the new omnichannel customers? Digitalizing its supply chain is the path forward for Arcelik...
The Illegal Drug Trade: Leveraging Digitalization and Blockchain to Prevent Counterfeiting of Pharmaceuticals
ibhullar
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:26 pm
The Pharmaceutical industry has been plagued by the realities of counterfeit medicines being introduced into their complex supply chains for decades. With increasing threats to patient lives and brand credibility, companies are looking for innovative solutions. The rise of digitalization, [...]
Optimizing the Health Care Supply Chain
HJ Kim
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:17 pm
The healthcare supply chain needs to be optimized. How can companies utilize big data to reduce costs for those involved?
“Everyday low cost”: How Walmart is combating food waste digitally
Viroopa Volla
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:11 pm
One-third of global food is wasted every year, equating to $1 trillion in annual food waste. Can Walmart, the world’s largest grocer, lead the charge in food waste reduction using the latest digitization techniques?
Is insurance against natural catastrophes sustainable?
Henrique Oliveira
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:55 pm
How to cope with unpredictability caused by climate change?
Facebook: Bringing the world closer together in the age of isolationism.
Bold Strokes
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:42 pm
In the age of isolationism and deglobalization how will businesses in developed markets, such as Facebook, which have benefited in the past from immigrant and offshore labor, adapt to the increasing pressure imposed by governments and an increasingly restless and [...]
Delphi’s supply pain: moral and business responsibility in the age of isolationism
AMM_127
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Delphi, along with other auto industry players and the communities in which they operate, is being threatened by isolationist movements throughout the world (e.g., Brexit, NAFTA renegotiation/termination)
Blue Diamond Growers: The effect of climate change on the almond industry
ES
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 11:37 pm
For Blue Diamond Growers, almond demand is growing and acreage is increasing; however, supply is being threatened by climate change, specifically droughts in the California region.
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