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)

The Disruptor, Disrupted? Nasdaq Wrestles with Blockchain
Sasha Kaletsky
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Blockchain technology has the potential to take over much of Nasdaq's core trading operations. How can it respond?
Digitalization of Zara and Fast Fashion
Megan
Last modified on November 21, 2017 at 12:49 pm
Over the past five to ten years, the retail industry has changed radically. These changes are clearly seen in the fashion industry, with the advent of e-commerce and fast fashion. While Amazon has transformed the e-commerce space and forced apparel [...]
The US Navy’s War Against Climate Change
MS
Last modified on November 13, 2017 at 12:41 am
As climate change threatens to alter the ocean environment, the Navy must strategize for the future.
Lotte at the Whim and Mercy of Chinese Nationalism
Josh
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Is Lotte, Korea's 5th largest conglomerate, at the whim and mercy of China's rising nationalism? What can a private sector company do when an adversarial political conflict arises?
Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo’s Sustainability Mission
TOM2017
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 12:54 pm
PepsiCo understands that its business success is linked to sustainability. Since 2006, it has been on a mission to improve how it interacts with the environment to help combat the effects of climate change through “Performance with Purpose.” But are [...]
There’s no money in the banana stand: Climate change impact on Del Monte’s business
AHL
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:31 am
Climate change is leading to more frequent and serious environmental disasters, which can seriously damage Del Monte’s banana production. What is Del Monte doing to mitigate the risk of supply chain disruption, and what are the implications for their core [...]
Sustainability in Food: How General Mills is Combating Climate Change
HBSTOM17
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 6:59 pm
Failure to Act on Climate Change Will Hurt General Mills’ Top and Bottom Lines
When Big Brown loses its raison d’être – UPS rethinks its strategy in reaction to isolationism
Ravin
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 5:21 pm
The recent increase in isolationism will reduce the global movements of goods – is this an existential threat to UPS? UPS is at a crossroads as it grapples with the impact of isolationism on international trade.
The New Netflix Challenge
Mel Searches
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Netflix has focused on digitization of their part of the digital supply chain but they need to expand into content creation and content consumption to capture more value as competitors enter the market.
Toothpaste courtesy of robots?! Colgate-Palmolive’s digital supply chain
CPG Manufacturing Fan
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:01 pm
CPG companies strive to make supply chains more tech enabled to increase efficiency, improve profits, and better cater to the customer. Colgate-Palmolive is doing it well.
ExxonMobil(ize) on Climate Change?
CC
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Amidst allegations of misleading the public over climate change, questions remain for the role that energy giant ExxonMobil will play in the climate change debate. Responsibilities to the planet aside, climate change will have an impact on ExxonMobil’s supply chain. [...]
Enough Rubber to Meet the Road? Managing the Natural Rubber Supply Chain
SM
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Climate change may contribute to a shortage of natural rubber as global tire demand continues to grow. Will Cooper Tire be able to source a viable rubber alternative?
The power of GIS for UNCHR – visualizing supply chains
Arnold Braunschweiger
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:55 pm
Geographics Information System (GIS) tools can visualise and organise UNHCR's supply chains around the world.
Brexit – Serious Implications for the UK’s National Health Service
Sud
Last modified on November 29, 2017 at 8:07 pm
Brexit presents serious implications on the UK's National Health Service (NHS) staffing and medical supply chains. The NHS needs a clear and decisive plan before it's too late.
Attention Hastings: Millennials are replacing “mom and pop” and machine learning will wipe you out
Cover Your Business
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:47 pm
Digital players like biBerk are delivering commercial insurance coverage directly to small business owners online and threatening to turn the small commercial insurance industry on its head
Ghosts in the power machine
FRenergy
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:15 pm
Digitizing the electricity supply chain opens opportunities... but also vulnerabilities - how are manufacturers responding?
The Impact of Climate Change on U.S. Health: Is Aetna Planning Appropriately?
John
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Aetna and other major healthcare payers should wake up to the rising costs of climate change
Tesla Shoots Itself in Its Blue Suede Shoes
Minecraft
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:07 pm
Green Tesla may have a problem sourcing a blue mineral for EV batteries.
LaCroix-vey! Climate change and the business of (cool) carbonated water
katiedobscha
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 8:31 pm
How will today's coolest carbonated water remain relevant (and operational) in the face of climate change?
Harvard’s Role in Boosting the Innovation Supply Chain
Dave Anderson
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:04 pm
Harvard plays an important role in boosting the innovation supply chain
Facebook: Impact on Small- and Midsize Businesses in Global Digital Economy
Gabe Stacy
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:18 pm
Facebook is among a number of catalysts behind the breakdown of supply chains and the mass digitization of consumer and brand interactions – i.e., traditional supply and demand dynamics. Facebook is a driving force behind this transformation of the supply [...]
Platooning: The Evolution of Trucks in Autonomous Driving Age
Student
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 9:10 pm
Platooning, the concept of driving vehicles a few feet a part of each other, will reduce emissions and fuel consumption going forward, as a way for corporations to address climate change in their operations.
Content Globalization – A Script for Success?
David
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 6:47 pm
Isolationist actions by a foreign government have adverse effects on Netflix's global ambitions.
Bharti Infratel: Telecom Infrastructure in Emerging Markets Has Consequences for the Environment
Sachit
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 9:34 pm
Data networks require infrastructure, which demand massive amounts of power. Unfortunately, in India that has been in the form of diesel rather than renewable energy sources.
1 … 4 5 6 7 8 … 39