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)

Do You Know Where Your Papers Have Been? 3M Does.
N. Lang
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:25 pm
Companies of all shapes and sizes throughout every industry are beginning to adopt Supply Chain Digitization practices. How has 3M, a 100-year-old industrial goods company embraced supply chain digitization and more importantly, how will the company continue to innovate with [...]
Starbucks global supply chain and climate change
Julio S
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:46 pm
As global temperatures warm, Starbucks must help coffee growers adapt
Tackling ground transport losses from ports to landlocked countries
Dietmar
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 9:26 pm
How SGS is solving the problem of loss of imported goods during ground transportation from ports to landlocked countries.
Can Ocado Weather the Disruption of the Grocery Industry?
EN
Last modified on November 11, 2017 at 9:42 pm
Ocado has invested in a supply chain that is years ahead of its competitors', but will these investments pay off in time to help the company weather the disruption of the grocery industry?
The Bees are Dying!
Jonathan
Last modified on November 17, 2017 at 7:51 am
The bees are dying! As avocado prices soar, can Chipotle make guacamole cheap again?
“Delivering Happiness” – Serving Customers Without a Storefront
Nicholas Ongkowijaya
Posted on November 12, 2017 at 12:23 am
Digitalization of food delivery through the emergence of food-delivery platforms enables small business owners to operate without a physical store. As the popularity of these services continue to grow, how should restaurants adapt to stay competitive?
Tata – Leading the way in dealing with Steel’s black sheep?
Nico K
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:34 pm
Who should take the lead advancing the response to climate change in the heavily polluting industry? Should it be community focused Tata Steel, who will risk pricing themselves out of a commoditised market, or majority producers China, who have not [...]
Will the New Electronic Tags Eliminate Food Waste in Japan?
Satoshi
Posted on November 14, 2017 at 6:03 pm
In April 2017, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry declared a plan to introduce electronic tags to all products sold in major convenience stores in Japan by 2025. Will the electronic tags revolutionize supply chain management in the convenience [...]
Optoro: How Supply Chain Digitization is Helping Retailers Recoup Millions through Reverse Logistics
George Barsness
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 6:15 pm
Digitization of information has created greater efficiency in many parts of the supply chain. Optoro, a reverse logistics company founded in 2010, has created a digital supply chain platform that aims to help retailers recoup millions of dollars by optimizing [...]
JD.com: Pioneer of “Last-mile” Autonomous Delivery in China
Maple
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:33 pm
With the recent debut of a driverless robot delivering packages on campus of Renmin University of China, JD.com, China’s second largest e-commerce company has reveiled its ambitions of developing a large autonomous delivery networks in China. Will JD.com be able [...]
Digitalizing the cement supply chain – A way to succeed in a highly commoditized and competitive industry?
AG
Last modified on November 30, 2017 at 3:48 pm
In a highly commoditized and competitive industry such as the cement space in Latin America, digitalizing the supply chain can become a lever to boost profitability and build a sustainable competitive edge.
Rio Tinto – Digging into the Data and Autonomous Vehicle Technologies
Andrew DeSantola
Last modified on December 1, 2017 at 8:51 pm
Leading mining companies like Rio Tinto are developing and deploying autonomous haulage technologies in-house and using big data to make smarter real-time decisions at the rock face. What are some of the opportunities and challenges presented by these advances?
#MexicoStrong – Global Automotive Supply Chain Resilient on NAFTA Negotiations
Arturo Lopez
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:57 pm
On the evening of Sept. 19, the hashtag #FuerzaMexico (#MexicoStrong) took off across the internet after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Central Mexico. Mexicans raced to the scene of disaster and lined up to help incessantly for the next few [...]
Is Alibaba’s Smart Logistic Platform Sufficient?
Lili
Last modified on November 14, 2017 at 4:40 pm
With increasing demand for logistics in China and fierce competition coming from JD, is Alibaba's asset-light smart platform model positioning itself well for long-term success?
No More Chocolate For You: Global Warming and Cacao Trees
MW
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 6:56 pm
How Global Warming will likely force us to give up our favorite treat.
Tesla and the environmental impact of lithium-ion batteries
MWS
Posted on November 13, 2017 at 4:51 pm
Tesla is one of the most important companies addressing climate change with their core products -- their fleet of cars and their suite of clean energy technologies. The environmental impact of the massive boom in lithium-ion battery production should be [...]
Enough Rubber to Meet the Road? Managing the Natural Rubber Supply Chain
SM
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Climate change may contribute to a shortage of natural rubber as global tire demand continues to grow. Will Cooper Tire be able to source a viable rubber alternative?
Fuel Sustainability at Alaska Airlines: Good for the environment and good for business?
Lauren Bosco
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Over the last few years Alaska Airlines has become the most profitable airline in the United States while simultaneously topping the charts in fuel sustainability and other environmental initiatives. Is what’s good for the environment what’s best for the bottom [...]
Is Amazon Prime Driving Unrealistic Customer Expectations?
Kimberly
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 9:58 pm
Speed and low prices are driving recent eccomerce retail strategies - but is Amazon setting them up for failure in the future with their Amazon Prime program?
Can Egypt Weather the Next Round of High Wheat Prices?
Eric Justin
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 10:16 pm
Back in 2011, Egypt was rocked by social protests partially caused by climate change-related weather patterns effecting the global wheat market. Has Egypt prepared for the likelihood of a return of high and volatile wheat prices?
This season, LVMH is wearing green
DJ
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 10:42 pm
The luxury multi-national is sporting sustainability, and their products depend on it.
The blockchain mania hits the supply chain. Will it deliver on its promise?
Cesario Martins
Posted on November 11, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Proponents of blockchain call it the next big thing. IBM is taking the lead on the supply chain blockchainization. Is its technology ready to transform the global supply chain?
Jaguar Land Rover: A Bumpy Ride post-Brexit
Pria Bakhshi
Posted on November 15, 2017 at 7:13 pm
Is Jaguar Land Rover, the UK's largest auto manufacturer, heading for a car crash? Jaguar's integrated supply chain is set to face massive disruption as uncertainty reigns over Britain's relationship with the EU.
Rural Renewal: Will Amazon help or hurt Whole Food’s progress in promoting local food systems?
Melissa B
Last modified on November 15, 2017 at 8:17 am
Local food producers have played a key role in economic development across rural areas in the US. Whole Foods built a model that scaled this ecosystem and provided access to eager consumers. How will Amazon’s acquisition affect the local-first philosophy [...]
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