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)

Sunrun: Confronting Solar Panel Import Tariffs
Mike
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:55 am
How should Sunrun respond to the impending threat of steep tariffs on imported solar panels?
Can blockchain help solve the problem of counterfeit drugs?
Michelle
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 2:03 pm
Counterfeit drugs adversely impact both consumers and pharmaceutical companies. Can blockchain help solve this problem?
Digitization in healthcare supply-chain is high-stakes; these are patient lives
TOM
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 10:25 pm
When it comes to the healthcare industry, an efficient supply chain is critical to saving patient lives. Hospitals need the right products at the right time.
Department store woes? Nordstrom responds with digital supply chain innovation
JC
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 2:51 pm
To seize new opportunities and respond to industry-wide threats, Nordstrom is investing in the digitalization of its supply chain
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 [...]
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
DHL Uses Big Data to Optimize Last-Mile Delivery
Shiyou Liu
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:48 pm
How big data creates tremendous value in the last mile delivery for both customers and DHL.
Amazon: Winds of change
DCS
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 11:19 pm
Amazon, the online retail giant, reaffirms its commitment to Sustainability, and advances on its goal of using 100% renewable energy on its Amazon Web Services business.
L.L.BEAN: DIGITALIZING AND THRIVING
alesso
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
The impact of supply chain digitalization on L.L.Bean’s apparel business.
Let’s Get Digital, Digital!
kmh19
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:54 pm
Can Mattel adapt to the digital age?
What MNC’s are beginning to understand about doing business in Africa
Jay-K
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Despite making marginally positive contributions to African economies, MNC’s have historically followed the trend of our colonial masters but are now beginning to feel the pinch…
Big Nightmare for the Big Easy: The Effect of Climate Change on the Port of New Orleans
Anonymous_HBS
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:29 pm
Rising sea levels and more frequent and severe storms resulting from climate change are threatening the integrity and existence of our nation's coastal land and infrastructure - and the Port of New Orleans is no exception.
Ralph Lauren’s Way Forward: A Move Toward Demand-Driven Supply Chain
SG
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 11:41 pm
Ralph Lauren takes steps to stay relevant in the digital era by enhancing its supply chain efficiency.
Supply Chain as Source of Competitive Advantage
Moonshot
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:46 pm
Digitalization of the Supply Chain: The future is now.
Hubble Contacts in an Era of Isolationism
John Monagle
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Hubble Contacts is a fast-growing startup company that sells contact lenses as a subscription offering. Will its reliance on a manufacturer in Taiwan affect its growth prospects during the Trump Administration?
Navigating the Storm: SEACOR and the Jones Act
Kirk Benson
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 9:12 pm
A regulation that has long protected the U.S. maritime industry faces scrutiny in the aftermath of the catastrophic Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Can U.S. shippers win the debate in Congress and withstand the fallout?
Nestle: Greening the Supply Chain
stl_mba19
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Nestle has positioned itself as a global leader in combatting climate change. Will consumers buy it?
From Hype to Reality: How IoT (Internet of Things) is Transforming Pharma
Ryan Liu
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 5:10 pm
How the "Internet of Things" is impacting the pharma industry
The titan of sports industry joining forces with Amazon
TK
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 7:58 pm
Would you get into bed with Amazon? That is a question that many brands have been obsessing about over lately. This June, Nike has decided to give it a try and run a pilot offering select products on Amazon.com.
Will RFID Revolutionize Retail (at last)?
EHM
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Levi Strauss & Co. is increasing its investment in RFID technology to revolutionize its supply chain with nearly 100% inventory visibility [7].
Clever Ed Tech: Breaking Down Barriers
Tommy F
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 12:13 am
How has the company Clever managed to digitize the ed tech supply chain and become the largest ed tech ecosystem? Can they continue lead the segment or will they be overtaken by larger firms like Amazon and Google?
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 [...]
Staying Ahead of the Curve: How Nordstrom’s Supply Chain Evolves with Consumer Behavior
M. O'hara
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:32 pm
Can Nordstrom respond to consumer demand for more options more quickly, while still managing their inventory costs?
The Axis of Change: Navigating the Digitalization of India’s Banking Industry Value Chain
Akshay
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:54 pm
The digitalization of India’s banking industry supply chain, powered by multiple technological breakthroughs and government-backed initiatives, has spawned disruptive new business models and forced incumbents to reimagine their end-to-end business processes and value propositions. How is Axis Bank (“Axis”) – [...]
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