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)

EasyJet entering the battle of maintenance digitalization
Marc D
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:05 pm
EasyJet is currently embracing maintenance digitalization by acquiring as much data as possible and sharing it with its entire supply chain: death wish or wise move?
Feeding the world one ugly potato at at time!
EF
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 5:38 pm
How one grocer revolutionized their food supply chain to save money and feed the hungry.
Northern Sea Lanes: Melting Arctic Ice Creates Supply Chain Opportunity
dillonkasmer
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Builders and operators of icebreakers stand to gain as international shipping firms increasingly utilize Arctic shipping routes in the face of global warming.
Sustainable Servers: How HPE’s Supply Chain is Combating Climate Change
Austin Pulsipher
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 8:02 pm
Hewlett Packard Enterprise's aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emission starts with its suppliers
Digital Pork: Bringing Blockchain to Wal-Mart China’s Supply Chain
Boston379
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:03 pm
How can Wal-Mart China improve its food supply chain with the blockchain?
Could a Srirachapocalype be on the Horizon?
hak
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:56 pm
The negative effects of climate change on jalapeno production in California could lead to a global shortage of Sriracha.
General Motors: Cars that kill the planet, or cars that kill you?
JasonChang
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:06 am
General Motors (“GM”) has committed to a lower-carbon future, making all its 350 facilities 100% powered by renewable energy by 2050 and released an eight-point plan to do so. However, this will most likely force the GM to make a [...]
JD.com: Building the Smart Logistic System for the Future
Bill Wang
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 6:41 pm
How will the second largest e-commerce player in China digitalize the logistic system to thrive in the future?
Kansas City Southern Railroad Blues
Cycle Time
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Kansas City Southern deals with making America great again and the NAFTA renegotiation process.
The Global Supply Chain of Capital: How JPMorgan Chase Will Cope with the Rise of Isolationism
FinGuy
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:30 pm
Restrictive trade policies and associated limitations on capital flows will inhibit the ability of banks, such as JPMorgan Chase, to effectively provide capital, make financial markets, and facilitate commerce within and across national boundaries.
Tyson Foods: Can One of the World’s Largest Food Companies Break a Destructive Cycle?
Jared White
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 8:53 am
Tyson Foods' supply chain is under pressure - are they doing enough to control costs and drive innovation?
McDonald’s: can fast food be sustainable and profitable?
Eliza
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 12:09 am
With animal agriculture increasingly recognised as the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, will McDonald's make meaningful changes to its supply chain and business model?
No Longer One Single Shade: Sephora and the Beauty Industry
at2019
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:45 pm
The face of beauty is changing with increased customization- will traditional retailers keep up?
“America First” Leaves Bombardier Aerospace Scrambling for Help
Rob S
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 6:28 pm
Following a 300% tariff hike on the C-Series aircraft, Bombardier entered a joint venture by giving a majority stake in the program to Airbus for free. Their combined supply chain poses a threat to Boeing in the single-aisle market.
Isolationism, the Antithesis of Innovation
Justin Timecommentary
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Isolationism & global health: an artificial zero-sum game that no one can win
Tariffs on Photovoltaic Panels could accelerate efforts to unravel previous EPA administration measures to curb emissions.
user2020
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Solar tariffs will increase CO2 emissions.
Dark Skies Ahead for US Solar Panel Installation Industry?
Seth
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Tariff proposal on President Trump’s desk puts future of US solar panel industry in jeopardy
Burden of Arabia
Samson
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 3:09 pm
With low oil prices and continued technological shifts towards renewable energy on the horizon, Saudi Aramco confronts a monumental struggle to evolve into more than an Oil Company
A trillion-dollar industry is reinventing itself; Damco is leading the way
Zeya
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 12:09 am
The trillion-dollar freight forwarding industry is undergoing the most drastic operational changes it’s ever seen as a result of digitalization.
C.H. Robinson: Responding to Uber Freight
ganeshraj
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:31 pm
C.H. Robinson is the largest freight brokerage business in the United States. How will they respond to the 'Uber-ification' of the trucking industry?
Closing Borders May Create a Wall That Boeing Can’t Fly Over
Eerik Helmick
Posted on November 11, 2017 at 3:58 pm
Can Boeing's global supply chain survive a period characterized by isolationism?
Military Technology, Conflict Minerals, and the Risks of International Segmentation
Damir Ljuboja
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 12:50 pm
How a defense technology giant is bearing the weight of political, legal, and ethical pressures to cleanse its global supply chain.
Nike: Will Investing in New Technologies Help Reverse its Recent Poor Performance?
Kai Tan
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Technology is causing tectonic shifts in the sneaker manufacturing industry. In a period of declining sales and earnings, Nike has to transform its supply chain to stay relevant.
Deloitte’s Blockchain Blues: Will New Technology Render Financial Auditing Obsolete?
Boaty McBoatface
Last modified on November 16, 2017 at 1:25 am
Disruptive innovation may force the firm to go short on people and long on technology.
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