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)

“Unpacking the Effects of Brexit on one of Europe’s Largest Paper & Packaging Businesses: The Smurfit Kappa Group.”
Darius
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Brexit's impact on UK manufacturing is so significant that it is even impacting one of the most basic and commoditized industries; pulp & paper. Learn more about one of the biggest paper & packaging players - the Smurfit Kappa Group [...]
Super Mario, Zelda, and a Broken Supply Chain
Mark Leahey
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:54 pm
On March 3, 2017, Nintendo released Switch, an innovative video game system that provided both mobile and living-room gaming access [1]. Video: Nintendo Switch [2] Only weeks after the release, Switch was out of stock at most retailers [3].  Nintendo cited [...]
Acciona Energy: Saving the world, a risky affair?
Charis
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
At the forefront of global efforts against climate change, Acciona Energy must not turn a blind eye to its own resilience to the intensifying effects of global warming.
Goodbye To The Big Screen, Hello Everything Else – How Much Is Too Much?
hedychen
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:53 pm
How can traditional Hollywood studios compete in a new, digital world, and where do movie theaters fit in?
CitizenM: The digitalized hotel supply chain
B_SDLR
Last modified on November 26, 2017 at 9:45 pm
A 210-room hotel required in New York? No problem, we can ship that to you: Digitalization of the real estate and lodging supply chain in the form of modular construction is allowing companies such as CitizenM to react more quickly [...]
Adding Heat to Global Warming with Tabasco
June
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:06 am
Also known as Cajun Ketchup, Tabasco's recognizable bottle has been a staple in kitchens world wide. Most are not aware, however, that this brand is manufactured and produced in only one location in the world. As global agriculture and trade [...]
Melting Chocolate – Climate Change and the Cacao Bean Supply Chain for Lindt & Sprüngli
AT
Last modified on December 5, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Exploring how a global chocolate manafacturer, Lindt, will adapt to climate change threatening its cacao bean supply
Blue Bottle Coffee: Riding the “Third Wave”
TOMFALL2017
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:13 pm
Blue Bottle Coffee, backed by Nestle, now has the opportunity, resources, and--arguably--responsibility to walk the talk of environmental sustainability.
US Isolationism Takes Flight to Ground Bombardier
Judy Payen
Last modified on December 9, 2017 at 1:23 am
The USA, keen to enact an “aggressive defence of US trade remedies laws”, attacks Canadian aerospace firm Bombardier – landing a direct blow to both of its closest allies.
Equifax – lessons to be learned about online security
Peter Koneris
Last modified on December 1, 2017 at 10:56 pm
Equifax security breach- a few lessons that we can learn about online security
Ford Motor Company Faces Steel & Aluminum Supply Price Headwinds
DM
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:23 pm
The recent Chinese curtailment of steel and aluminum production has created a $1.2 billion pricing headwind for the Ford Motor Company that threatens to lower profitability for years to come.
The Digitalization of the Australian Healthcare system
Mazen
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:39 pm
This post summarizes the implementation of Electronic Medical Reports across Australia's Healthcare system and the role played by the Australian Digital Health Agency.
The post-Brexit hangover: One big headache for Diageo
mbergin
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:39 pm
Days before the Brexit vote, Ivan Menezes, CEO of Diageo, one of the largest producers and exporters of alcohol in the world, urged his UK employees to vote to ‘stay’ in the EU. Diageo couldn’t risk the uncertainty of losing [...]
Climate Change is Mugging Your Coffee
Coffee 2050
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 12:44 am
How Starbucks is striving to save coffee by whatever beans necessary.
Digitalisation at Nordea – Time to Cash Out?
Simon Pellas
Posted on November 3, 2017 at 5:50 pm
The digital payments revolution is challenging traditional banks to remain relevant to their customers.
Uniqlo: Uniquely Capable of Beating Zara?
Kiara Kaminski
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 5:39 pm
In the face of “fast fashion” competitors, how should Uniqlo, a brand known for basics and fabric innovation, evolve its operations?
Water Usage in Onshore Oil and Gas: Pioneer Natural Resources Leading the Way
Richard Richardson
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 12:26 am
Pioneer Natural Resources: Leading the Way in Onshore Oil and Gas Water Use Responsibility
Meat Production Meets Digitization at Tyson Foods
James
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 9:32 pm
This post delves into the role that supply chain digitization and software innovation will play in the meat production industry, specifically at Tyson Foods.
Adidas is clicking “print” on your next pair of shoes
Emily
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 2:53 pm
Want a new pair of personalized kicks by tomorrow? Adidas is sprinting to the printers.
After Brexit, Barclays Should Exit
rsi
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:21 pm
With the likelihood of a favorable Brexit negotiation dimming, Barclays would be wise to leave London ASAP.
Striving to quench the world’s thirst for beer, sustainably.
Astatine
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:16 pm
With water scarcity worsening, ABInBev still uses more than 32 liters of water for every 1 liter of beer it produces. Is the company doing enough to mitigate the risk of increased water scarcity caused by climate change?
Ciao Metal Molly, I’ll Have Pizza al Taglio, Per Favore
Hannah M.
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:03 pm
Food producers, such as pizza-maker Prodal of Italy, are embracing digitalization to keep pace with evolving consumer preferences.
Supply chain risk management: Cargill’s war against climate change
Maha Malik
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:37 pm
The United States' largest private company and the global food giant, Cargill, is currently in the process of implementing a climate change mitigation and adaptation plan as part of its long-term risk management strategy.
Maersk – reinventing the shipping industry using IoT and blockchain
Chi Le
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 2:25 am
How can Maersk, the world's largest shipping company, embrace IoT, blockchain, and autonomous technology, to remain competitive in the digital world?
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