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)

Striding forward: Nike’s quest to reinvent its supply chain
Anonymous
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Can Nike succeed in its mission to mass-produce customized shoes?
Ford: Fusion Across Borders
alberto.elizondo
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:38 pm
Ford should continue manufacturing cars in Mexico--despite Trump's insistence to stop--in order to remain cost-competitive and relevant.
Climate Change and the Fashion Industry – How Patagonia is is Fighting Back
WS
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:20 pm
The fashion industry is a major contributor to climate change. Patagonia is slowly but surely taking steps to mitigate the issues and create a more sustainable fashion company.
Brexit in full swing – How Nissan UK is forced to `re-think´ its Pan-European automotive supply chain
TOM2017
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:52 pm
In light of highly uncertain Brexit negotiations, the export focus and multi-national supply chain of Nissan UK’s Sunderland plant pose a complex challenge to Nissan’s C-suite.
Selling Chinese Aircraft in a Protectionist US Climate
Patrick Kissling
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 3:30 pm
How should a brand new Chinese aircraft manufacturer go about entering the US market?
A Hot Serving of Empty Promises? Dunkin’ Brands, the Enduring Foam Cups, and Sustainable Coffee
Kirkland sparkling water
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Dunkin’ Brands had made many commitments to address the impacts of climate change in its supply chain. Is this hot air in an empty cup, or a real push for sustainable coffee?
Starship Technologies: Last-Mile Delivery at the Ground Level
Brandon R.
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:47 pm
U.K. based startup, Starship Technologies (Starship), is tackling last-mile delivery for retailers.
Nissan: Supply Chain Uncertainty in the Age of Brexit
S. Banks
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:02 pm
How will the U.K.’s second-largest automaker remain competitive?
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: How BlackRock is Winning the War on Technology
E
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:21 pm
How do you stay ahead of your competitors when you manage more money than the GDP of China, Japan or the United Kingdom?
Save Emissions. Live Better. – Walmart’s Gigaton Gauntlet
Katharine Gallogly
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 8:06 pm
Walmart wants to get a billion tons of emissions out of its supply chain by 2030. How can it work with suppliers on a voluntary basis to do so?
The Beef with Beef
Lisa
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:52 pm
Is "sustainable beef" an oxymoron? The world's largest beef producer claims they're working on it - but will it be enough?
Digitization of Walmart
Abhishek Nanda
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Walmart is digitizing its entire supply chain as it moves to an omni-channel strategy, wherein it provides an integrated shopping experience across online and offline channels, and looks to compete against Amazon. As Walmart makes this shift, it is leveraging technology [...]
Guinness and Brexit: What’s it all A-stout?
KTR
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:27 pm
While many UK companies are scrambling to prepare for the consequences of Brexit, a few have benefitted. This list includes Diageo, the spirits behemoth that manufactures popular beverages including Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Bailey’s. Because the bulk of the [...]
Daimler Trucks: Print Spare Parts Today, Print Trucks Tomorrow
Chloe Cao
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 12:04 am
Daimler Trucks rolled out on-demand 3D-printed spare parts service as a first step towards its long-term ambition to print trucks in the full-scale manufacturing process. What are the benefits and risks of 3D printing?
The Department Store Dilemma: Nordstrom Invests in New Store Concept
C.S.
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Investing in the integration of retail and online channels.
Local Content Policies: What is the Impact on Construction Firms?
timw
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:14 pm
Local content requires companies to use local suppliers and employees - how does this affect a EPC firm, and what should they do about this issue?
Would your favorite wine still be around in 2050?
hj2189
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 5:23 pm
How can Jackson Family Wines and other wineries around the world adapt to climate change?
UnitedHealth: Losing Ground to New Entrants
Faraz Ka
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:54 pm
UnitedHealth group struggles to defend its core business from the new digital startups like Oscar Health and Bright Health
Can an Artificial Intelligence Deliver Real Results?
Eugene Vaios
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 7:42 pm
The digitalization of healthcare has added greater complexity and costs, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center believes artificial intelligence may be the solution.
Is Brexit Restructuring the World’s Largest Specialist Car Sector for the Better? The Case of McLaren Automotive
Tabatha
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:15 pm
McLaren Automative is one of the UK's specialist car manufacturers. Its supply chain will have to be altered in order to adjust to a post-Brexit environment.
Big Missiles + Big Data = Small(er) Price Tags?
pcoats
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:18 pm
How can big data and a digitized supply chain transform a business? See what happens when Raytheon Company, a $23 billion defense contractor, goes all in on a digital future.
Syngenta: feeding future generations?
Maria
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 4:13 pm
One of the largest agrochemicals businesses wants to address one of the toughest challenges in our generation: feeding the growing world population in a sustainable way.
Time, Tide and… Massive Capital Expenditures, Wait for No One
Scott
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:06 pm
The US Navy takes serious action to adapt to sea level rise.
Outsourcery: Will Infosys lose its magic?
peteriatkins
Last modified on November 9, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Outsourcer, Infosys, is under threat from both Trump and Technology. What wizardry can save the company's future?
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