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)

Impact of Isolationism on Manufacturing Strategy of Ford Motor Company
Amanda
Posted on November 11, 2017 at 9:34 pm
The isolationism, particularly the new policies from Trump administration, creates much uncertainty for Ford to plan for its future manufacturing footprints and to decide where to invest now. How should the company balance building a good relationship with administration and [...]
Too warm for the fleece: Patagonia’s quest for relevance amidst climate change
a_p
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:19 pm
Patagonia, HBS fleeces, and climate change - fashion at an environmental cost.
Maintaining Stolt Tank Container’s Competitive Advantage In The Digital Age
Dr. Seuss
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:57 pm
The tank container industry has struggled with sluggish demand and increased competition. How can Stolt Tank Containers position its digital ecosystem at the center of service for their customers?
Printing [War]Toys: Military’s Use of 3-D Printing to Improve Supply Chain
Alvaro Rodriguez
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:22 pm
3-D Printing has the potential to significantly impact the military's supply chain: it can significantly reduce their costs, lead times, and inventory levels. Some even say that as the technology improves, it will disrupt the Military-Industrial complex.
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 [...]
The Effects of Climate Change on Cargill’s Supply Chain
HBS Rules
Posted on November 4, 2017 at 10:43 pm
As some of the physical effects of climate change worsen, particularly changes to weather and water patterns, the food and beverage industry is uniquely exposed to these risks.[1] Cargill Inc., one of the largest food and agricultural companies worldwide, has [...]
UPS Aims to Deliver Last Mile Efficiencies by Drone
MJP
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 10:46 pm
While much has been made about Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery program, the world’s largest parcel delivery company is not sitting by idly. A UPS initiative is outfitting its iconic brown trucks with drone systems but technological and regulatory hurdles [...]
Whole Foods Market: Feeling a Bit… Under the Weather?
Marissa
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:18 pm
Climate change will continue to wreak global mayhem on the food industry supply chain—can Whole Foods sustain its upmarket ways in the face of this new era?
Warehouse automation and digitalization in the Indian consumer packaged goods industry
Steven McJobs
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:12 pm
How should consumer packaged goods companies in developing countries such as India digitalize and automate their supply chains to stay competitive?
Digitalizing the art trade: Sotheby’s became friends with eBay, but can it warm up to blockchain?
Daniel
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 11:00 pm
In recent years, Sotheby's successfully adopted to digitalization, shifting many of its auctions to online marketplaces. Nowadays, however, Blockchain technology is threatening to dramatically disrupt the $60 billion art market and to diminish Sotheby's role in the supply chain of [...]
Is Diageo feeling blue about Johnnie Walker’s future? Declines in grain yields could threaten the world’s largest spirit producer’s supply chain
Sam
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 6:45 pm
Anticipating risk to its agricultural raw materials, Diageo has taken steps to ensure the sustainability of its supply chain. Have they done enough?
Made-To-Order: Can Zara Make the Shift to True Mass Customization?
aapl
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Arguably the original “fast fashion” retailer, Zara has been lauded for its products’ speed-to-market and in many respects, is an exemplar of the digitalized, vertically-integrated supply chain. However, with customers increasingly demanding one-of-a-kind, bespoke products, Zara must begin to invest [...]
Twump and de gweat China hunt: Will Energizer’s pink bunny be caught in the cross-hairs?
Maximus Decimus Meridius
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:10 pm
A brief examination of recent trends in American trade policy through the lens of a domestic consumable battery manufacturer
Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Digital Education.
FCP
Posted on November 9, 2017 at 1:42 pm
MIT is teaching the education industry how to modernize its distribution model.
Will Brexit spring a leak in AstraZeneca’s talent pool?
Colton Fisher
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 6:41 pm
As drug pricing policies dominate pharmaceutical headlines, the threat of economic nationalism looms even larger over AstraZeneca’s R&D pipeline.
Made in America? Ford Motor Company’s Battles with Isolationism
Jeff Keller
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 9:34 pm
A look at the impact of nationalist and isolationist movements on Ford's capital investment decisions.
Making Hay: How Drought in California is Affecting Chinese Dairy Farmers and What the Chinese Government is doing about it
Joey McLaughlin
Last modified on December 1, 2017 at 6:25 pm
Drought in California is threatening Chinese dairy farmers. What is the Chinese Government doing about it?
L’Oréal: A Gorgeous Supply Chain Makeover
Darrin Rahn
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 8:45 pm
L’Oréal, the world's largest cosmetics company, is a global leader in operational innovation and digitalization to serve their ever-evolving fashion customers worldwide.
Will Climate Change Your Wine? How Rising Temperatures May Impact Vineyards.
M
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:17 pm
As climate changes, the wine industry must as well.
No more Champagne?
Jonathan Alle
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 10:35 pm
Climate change is disturbing the Champagne industry. What is Champagne producer Taittinger doing to adapt to this new environment? Is it enough?
When the oldest industry collides with the newest trend
ILoveTom
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:00 pm
Cement, one of the key material used in construction, has gone through serial changes of chemical composition and manufacturing process. Now, with the new era of industry 4.0 and digitization, what will happen to the traditional cement manufacturers?
Coca-Cola’s Newest Competitor: Water Supply
Justin Ernest
Posted on November 10, 2017 at 7:57 pm
Climate change is having a significant effect on water scarcity, especially in developing nations. Food and Beverage multinationals such as Coca-Cola are striving to increase water efficiency and water replenishment in these nations - all without taking a major hit [...]
That’s all Folks: Warner Bros in China
Acton Bell
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
Is the Curtain Falling on Hollywood's Chinese Dream?
Royal Roadblocks: Toyota’s Fight for Auto Primacy In the Age of Isolationism
Jide A.
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:00 pm
The specter of Brexit has upended the U.K. automotive manufacturing industry. How will Toyota UK fare?
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