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)

Supply Chain Sustainability at Intel
BC
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 10:14 pm
"Climate change is no longer some far-off problem; it is happening here, it is happening now." -Barack Obama Intel believes climate change presents a serious threat and is working to address this concern in the short, medium and long term.
Can Blue Apron Compete Against Digital Giant Amazon?
Sonia Elavia
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 11:12 pm
If Blue Apron can innovate their supply chain and go fully digital, they might have a fighting shot against Amazon's meal kit delivery service.
Unlocking access to medicine in developing countries through digitization
LB
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:03 pm
Novartis is a digital pioneer in developed countries, but has struggled to increase patient access in developing countries. How can Novartis use digital technologies as a catalyst to redesign fragmented distribution systems?
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...
Will Inditex be alive in 10 years?
Javier Pasquín
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 7:58 pm
"Like it or not, digitization is here". Zara is renowned for its ability to master the design and management of the supply chain. Is Zara going to be able to leverage the digital tools to increase its competitive advantage?
Wal-Mart: Doing Right by the Planet?
Lily F.
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:44 am
Retail giant Wal-Mart sets bold goals to lower carbon emissions in its supply chain, but needs to go further to achieve ambitious targets
Ford’s Future in Great Britain Post-Brexit
Tom Anderson
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:54 pm
Ford faces numerous challenges in managing its European and UK supply chain post-Brexit.
The next Google – should iRobot sell you a $0 Roomba?
Amar Parrin
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:13 am
Data maps: the next battle in 'smart' homes
AM4U: Adidas Made For You
Ketty Lie
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:02 pm
Analyzing Adidas Speedfactory and its implication as it redefines supply chain.
Preparing General Motors for the Effects of Isolationism and Trade Disruptions
TSP
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:00 pm
Discussion of preparing GM for trade disruptions and supply chain challenges.
The Climate Change Concern for PepsiCo
Nick Simmons
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:11 pm
The Climate Change Concern for PepsiCo  Climate change will have a negative impact on PepsiCo’s value chain in two large ways: the impact of higher temperatures and flooding on agricultural yield and a dwindling fresh water supply. First, climate change [...]
Cerner and Interoperability
AE75
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 11:00 pm
Interoperability's impact on EMR vendors like Cerner in healthcare.
Driving into the Unknown: Ford Motor Company and NAFTA
Ben
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Potential changes to NAFTA could threaten Ford's supply chain
CSeries Queries: Boeing Takes on Airbus/Bombardier
Christopher Kissel
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:49 am
In response to Boeing's complaint that Bombardier sold 75 of its CS100 aircraft to Delta Airlines at a price well below cost, the U.S. Department of Commerce added a 300% import tariff to the aircraft. In addition to appealing the [...]
Should I Stay or Should I Go Now: Ford’s Quest for an Optimal Tax-Efficient Global Supply Chain
larosed
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:36 pm
How will multinationals with complex global supply chains like Ford adapt to a world with increased political volatility and nationalism?
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.
Arsenal Football Club: The Accidental Victim?
Eric Blair
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:58 pm
Can Arsenal Preserve Its Human Capital In The Aftermath of Brexit?
From Automation to Blockchain: Digitization at UPS
Reagan
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 3:43 pm
UPS has always been a leader with digitization in the supply chain. Can they further this trend with the same technology behind the infamous Bitcoin cryptocurrency?
7-Eleven in China: How Should Chinese’ Choice of Convenience Store Respond to Digitalization?
Philip Xiao
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 4:29 pm
Given the digitalization wave and intensified competitions from e-commerce players, Chinese’ Choice of Convenience Store —— 7-Eleven is reevaluating its strategy and relevant implications on supply chain.
Bringing Mortgages into the 21st Century
MGiampapa
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:21 pm
Wells Fargo must adopt new technology to maintain leadership in the mortgage market.
Amazon Business meets healthcare – digital encroachment of hospital network supply chains
TOM4
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 10:43 pm
Supply chain offerings to hospital networks by medical distributors have been helped and hurt by digitization. For distributors like Owens and Minor, Amazon Business is here to hurt.
Race to the Last-Mile: Challenges to Wal-Mart E-Commerce Deliveries
Juan Torres
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:55 pm
The last mile in the journey from warehousing to home delivery is by far the most expensive one. Wal-Mart is trying to unlock the last-mile riddle using a variety of approaches. Can they succeed where others are failing?
Beware the Trump Trade: Why Trump’s Attack on NAFTA is a Call to Arms for General Motors.
Shooter McGavin
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Donald Trump has publicly called for significant changes to NAFTA and for the auto industry to shift operations away from Mexico and into the United States. This would greatly disrupt General Motors, its employees, and its shareholders.
Supplier Scorecards: Walmart’s Push for a Cleaner Supply Chain
TS
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:17 pm
From Stores to Supply Chain: Broadening its Sustainability Efforts Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, has successfully introduced innovative and scalable, low-cost sustainability initiatives across its 11,695 stores. It was among the first retailers to make sustainable products available at little [...]
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