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)

Convoy Poised to Win the Startup Trucking Race
Josh Hoffman-Senn
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:36 pm
Convoy, the digital trucking service that matches shipments with carriers, can win the startup trucking race. But first it must help shippers use fragmented streams of IoT data that will result from truck sharing.
On-demand Drone at Farm Friend: Digitalization in Agriculture Takes Off
Li C
Last modified on November 26, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Uberization is taking place in the agricultural space. A Chinese startup Farm Friend is bringing on the revolution.
Disclosing Carbon Disclosure Data is Chevron’s Way Forward in Mitigating Environmental Risk
Caleb Gayle
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:53 pm
Chevron and countless other companies are providing environmental interest groups, international government organizations, and civil society with data for improved decision making for reducing the risk companies pose to the environment.
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 [...]
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?
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 [...]
Building a Digital Supply Chain in the Building Industry
JMC
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:11 pm
While the construction industry has historically consisted of a very inefficient supply chain, some multifamily builders are embracing digitalization to take their operations to the next level.
Isolationism’s impact on the global supply and demand of Harvard Business School’s students
Jim Holden
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Isolationist policies are reducing business school applications from students outside of the US, and dropping the number of graduates who accept positions abroad. How can Harvard Business School retain its prestige in a world where the greatest business opportunities lie [...]
Making Post Offices Relevant again: Aramex
Oosman
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:42 pm
Aramex is using technology to enable post offices to compete with global courier giants, but is the approach feasible and sustainable?
Blockchain and Burgers
jgrchild
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:05 pm
Digitalization has led to the availability of extraordinary amounts of data but how should companies, like Wendy’s, be utilizing this data to strengthen its customer promise? 
The Future of adidas
GA
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:54 pm
Are robots the solution to adidas' need for speed?
Digital Mayhem at the Gate – Is Allstate in Good Hands?
Ragnar
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:33 pm
How is the 85-year old, largest publicly held property and casualty insurer in the US preparing for digital disruption in insurance?
The Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs has Revolutionized the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Ashley Shipley
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:56 pm
In response to government mandates attacking the drug counterfeit epidemic, Pfizer has digitized its supply chain and is realizing significant efficiency improvements.
All Digital at ALDI: Fast Times in Supermarket Tech
Point A to Point B
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:28 pm
ALDI, a leader in the global grocery industry, finds itself in the crosshairs of the steady march of digital innovation. Can it transform its supply chain to succeed in a digital-first world?
Is ADM Ready to Feed a Warmer World?
Oliver Weisser
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 11:34 pm
If ADM wants to retain its position as a leader in agribusiness it will need to face climate change head-on. Climate change will exert unprecedented stress on its highly complex supply chain and the time to act is now.
Jaguar Land Rover’s Billion-Pound Brexit Problem
Sam Peterson
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:07 pm
UK's largest automaker could see profits halved by import and export tariffs in post-Brexit Europe.
Disrupting the education supply chain – can digitalization overhaul the K-12 factory?
Azeez Gupta
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 11:00 pm
Digitalization is flipping education on its head after more than 200 years.
Telemedicine as a Partner in Care Delivery
AJ
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:23 pm
Telemedicine is a technology that can change the face of how we deliver care, but how can Partners weather the storm and ensure it stays ahead of the curve? Should they even bother facing the threat of digitization?
JD.com – Smart Warehousing For The Future
yoyo0808
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 9:43 pm
As the express delivery market grows rapidly, JD.com is investing in smart logistics capabilities to meet demand.
RFIDs, bar codes and health care costs
Japees Kohli
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:06 pm
A nonprofit hospital system is digitalizing its supply chain to lower cost and improve operational efficiency.
R.I.P.(A) – Can Sierra Nevada lead the charge to give us cool craft IPA in a hotter world?
Fritz vG
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:45 pm
How kegsistential is the threat? When brewing is your business, change in the supply of hops and water is bad news. The last five years have seen a ~250% increase in the number of US craft breweries [1], whose success [...]
STUCK IN AUTOPILOT: SOUTHWEST AIRLINE’S PEDESTRIAN APPROACH TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Briana
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:36 pm
Southwest's tunnel vision approach to climate change leaves its business exposed to today's climate conditions
Apple combats with Protectionism in India
Anuj Shah
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:56 pm
Learn more about how Apple combats the protectionist laws in India to fight for growing its market share in the world's second-largest smartphone market.
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?
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