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)

Udacity and the evolving supply chain for highly technical labor
Chris Rudnicki
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:48 pm
Udacity recognized an inefficiency in the supply chain for highly technical labor. Can it be the upstream supplier of talent that 21st-century firms need to stay competitive?
“I wouldn’t trust them to build a canoe”: Building the Australian Navy
PT
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:07 pm
The rise of isolationism is putting pressure on the Australian Government to construct new Navy warships and submarines domestically. But can the Government really give a US$89B contract to an organization the Defence Minister has previously said he "wouldn't trust [...]
Primark: Hitting the Mark on Addressing Climate Change
scolby
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 7:47 pm
Climate change is forcing fast fashion retailers like Primark to confront the environmental implications of their supply chain.
Siemens’ choice on Brexit Island
Kieron Stopforth
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union threatens its clean energy plans. Siemens, the largest UK wind turbine manufacturer, faces a difficult decision: to what extent should it de-link its European and UK wind supply chains?
Rise of the Machines: HBC’s Salvation or Destruction?
Nate G
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Under pressure from the emergence of automation and e-commerce can HBC embrace the trends which threaten its business to gain a competitive advantage?
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch: The impact of US-China international trade relations on the Georgia chicken industry
MZ Hammer
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 6:06 pm
Earlier this year, Yuxi city seized 19 tons of smuggled chicken feet[1], a popular dish or snack in China. China was the largest US export market for chicken and chicken parts in the late 2000’s and the demand has since [...]
The Digitization of Beauty at L’Oréal
MRA
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:39 pm
Technology is a new way for consumers to experience beauty - but how far can digital innovation disrupt the beauty industry?
The Future of Logistics at DHL: 3D Printing to Disrupt
HBS2019
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:39 pm
3D printing is forcing logistics companies, including DHL, to rethink their service offerings.
Amazon Dominating Competition with Tech-Driven Supply Chain
Aaron
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:09 pm
Analyzes how Amazon is winning the e-commerce battle in the US by having the most tech-enabled supply chain of all US retail companies.
Humans vs. machines – who will manage the factory of the future?
Pascal Kriesche
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:04 pm
“Industry 4.0 is the vital question of Germany’s manufacturing industry” [1] states Joe Kaeser, CEO of Siemens AG, Europe’s largest industrial manufacturing company. Siemens’ Amberg plant became playground and showcase for the factory of the future. What will be the long-term implications?
Never mind the calories, how much CO2 is in your meal?
Jonathon McCarthy
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:45 pm
The global fishing fleet is under enormous pressure to rectify unsustainable fishing practices but with over 1% of global oil consumption are they doing enough on climate?
There’s No Place Like Home: Deutsche Bank’s Return to Germany
TOM Challenge 33
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 12:46 pm
How isolation in the form of Brexit influenced the company’s decision to relocate its UK operations to Frankfurt
A Digitally-Enabled Supply Chain in Bloom
JH
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:35 pm
How digitalization is eliminating waste and breathing new life into the cut-flower supply chain
TAG Heuer: A Swiss Brand Ahead of its Time?
T
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:13 am
How a brand rooted in tradition is redefining its image to take on its greatest threat yet; the Apple Watch.
How Adidas is Utilizing Industry 4.0 to Reduce Time to Market
Sarah Bullard
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:03 am
Adidas is introducing 'Speedfactories' enabled by Additive Manufacturing to shorten its supply chain process and time to market.
Black Box Personalization and Fragmentation of the Facebook News Supply
mark_z
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 5:31 pm
As Facebook has improved their news content supply chain via sophisticated machine learning recommendation algorithms, they have enabled an internet where we are rarely subjected to contradictory viewpoints.
Impact of News Digitalization on Democracies
JN
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:32 pm
Technology platforms have digitized the media supply chain leading to proliferation of news. But can they manage what they have created?
Saving Winter Wonderland?
Jenny F
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:48 pm
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening… Every holiday season, millions of avid skiers and snowboarders eagerly await the start of their favorite winter pastime.  As ski resorts prepare for opening weekend, the anticipation for the thrill of laying the first [...]
Hawaiian Electric’s Supply-Chain Transition to 100% Renewables
EMC
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:39 pm
How will Hawaiian Electric Industries, the largest utility in Hawaii, achieve the state's goal of 100% renewable generation by 2045 while continuing to deliver reliable and affordable service to its customers?
At home in a hotel: Mass customization at Marriott
nthondavadi
Last modified on November 12, 2017 at 5:55 pm
Supply chain digitization offers Marriott an opportunity to deliver customized experiences and deepen guest relationships. Is the investment worth it?
Checking Out Should Feel Like You’re Stealing
Mel Zoerb
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:04 pm
Amazon Go is changing the omnichannel landscape
Hanging Gardens of Healthcare or Tower of Babel?
Kevin Werner
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 4:32 pm
A young U.K. startup by the name of Babylon Health is capitalizing on the existing capacity of mobile phones as a medium to connect patients with general practitioners.  Their mission is to put “accessible and affordable health service in the [...]
RE/MAX: How to Stay Relevant in the Age of Digitization
Anonymous123
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:49 pm
Real Estate Agents believe they deserve a percentage of your home's value, but why? Is their value really tied to the value of your home?
Just-In-Time…. Pothole Repair?!
NS_SectionG
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 7:19 pm
The rise of new digital tools is transforming how Philadelphia and other government entities across the country deliver products and services to constituents. But can the public sector keep up in the age of Amazon?
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