...IntMk-CStud-4.qxd 26/05/2005 14:05 Page 563 section 4 case studies cases 4.1 Wal-Mart’s German Misadventure 4.2 Handl Tyrol: Market Selection and Coverage Decisions of a Medium-sized Austrian Enterprise 4.3 Blair Water Purifiers to India 4.4 A Tale of Two Tipples 4.5 Kellogg’s Indian Experience 4.6 Strategic Alliances in the Global Airline Industry: from Bilateral Agreements to Integrated Networks 4.7 GN Netcom in China 4.8 IKEA: Entering Russia 4.9 The ‘David Beckham’ Brand 563 571 574 583 586 590 594 599 604 case 4.1 Wal-Mart’s German Misadventure I don’t think that Wal-Mart did their homework as well as they should have. Germany is Europe’s most pricesensitive market. Wal-Mart underestimated the competition, the culture, the legislative environment. — Steve Gotham, retail analyst, Verdict Retail Consulting, October 20021 We screwed up in Germany. Our biggest mistake was putting our name up before we had the service and low prices. People were disappointed. — John Menzer, head of Wal-Mart International December 20012 ‘Don’t look now:’ low prices all year round! With thanks to Walmart 563 IntMk-CStud-4.qxd 26/05/2005 14:06 Page 564 section 6 case studies section 4 German blues For the world’s largest retailing company, Wal-Mart, Inc., the German market was proving difficult to crack. By 2003, even after five years of having entered Germany, Wal-Mart was making losses. Though Wal-Mart did not reveal these figures, analysts estimated...
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...expectation that his presence would be acknowledged. She was both perfect and untouchable, a browneyed angel dressed in resplendent white, while he was older, world-weary and wanting. She had almost passed him when his downcast eyes caught sight of one of her slippers — a slipper that hesitated just in front of him. His heart beat a furious tattoo as he waited, breathless. A soft and gentle voice broke into his remembrances as she spoke to him kindly. His startled eyes flew to hers. For years and years he’d longed for this moment, dreamed of it even, but never had he imagined encountering her in such a serendipitous fashion. And never had he dared hope he would be greeted so sweetly. Caught off balance, he mumbled his pleasantries and allowed himself the indulgence of a smile — a smile that was returned to him tenfold by his muse. His heart swelled within him as the love he held for her multiplied and burned like an inferno in his chest. Alas, their conversation was all too brief before she declared that she must depart. He bowed before her as she swept by, and then straightened to stare at her retreating form. His joy at their reunion was tempered by an emergent...
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...Journal of Information Technology Teaching Cases (2012) 2, 79–86 & 2012 JITTC Palgrave Macmillan All rights reserved 2043-8869/12 palgrave-journals.com/jittc/ Teaching case Understanding the process of backsourcing: two cases of process and product backsourcing in Europe Julia Kotlarsky1, Lars Bognar2 1 2 Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, UK; Google Ireland Ltd., Dublin, Ireland Correspondence: J Kotlarsky, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UK. Tel: þ 44 121 2043116; E-mail: j.kotlarsky@aston.ac.uk Abstract Backsourcing, defined generally as bringing services outsourced to a third party back inhouse, is now a growing phenomenon. The decision to backsource has several significant implications for an organization, as it requires the organization to manage organizational change, reintegrate knowledge, and develop new capabilities and competences. Taking into account there is very limited empirical evidence of how to successfully accomplish the backsourcing process, two case studies included in this teaching case offer additional insight into the process of backsourcing. To prepare students for case analysis, this teaching case starts by describing the backsourcing phenomenon, followed by an overview of the backsourcing trend, and includes a brief review of the relevant literature that mainly focuses on backsourcing decisions and touches on critical success factors for implementing a backsourcing initiative. This is...
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...Mayohis case was develos endorsements, sought © 2010 Presidenarvard Business Scopied, or otherwise ONY J. MAYONOHRIAMAH MENDHROATHAN CROMWE eikh Mc.” ver the coursee Island into thn torn by confliis Highness Si from a sleeomic promisenes, a UAE-baa trilogy ofations, develodle East, Shetaining safetymost expensivout difficultieitions sufferewth was rapided. To prodammed had to kground o onal Develop n January 4, 2aeed Al Makt hin the UAE regations from the red in the rest of tslamic scholar. Te. The feminine e_______________ o, Professor Nitin Nped from publisheurces of primary dant and Fellows of Hchool Publishing, Boreproduced, poste ELL Mohamm of just a few dhe Singapore ofict. And it’s allSheikh Mohapy little coas.a He is the foased airline sman-made iopment, andeikh Mohamy for millionsve hotel, andes. While huned and somed, infrastructuduce economo balance his of UAE and pment 2006, Sheikhtoum, becam gion, it is properegion will abbrethis case. The wThe feminine equequivalent is “bin_______________ Nohria, Umaimah Md sources. HBS casata, or illustrationsHarvard College. Toston, MA 02163, oed, or transmitted, w med an decades, [Dubaf the Middle Eal the vision of oammed bin Rstal village inounder, part-serving over aislands, andlogistics. Dmmed pursues of annual tod the largestndreds of thoe local Emiraure was weakmic, social, anrole as a busi d Dubai Mohammede the Emir (ru r to refer to royeviate the title toword “Sheikh”...
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...subsequently became the fastest video game in history to top $1 billion in North American sales. The game concept focuses around a plastic guitar-shaped controller. Players press colored buttons along the guitar neck to match a series of dots that scroll down the TV in time with music from a famous rock tune, such as the Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” and Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” Players score points based on their accuracy. In November 2007, Harmonix released Rock Band, adding drums, vocals, and bass guitar options to the game. Rock Band has sold over 3.5 million units with a $169 price tag (most video games retail at $50 to $60). In 2006, Harmonix’s founders sold the company to Viacom for $175 million, maintaining their operational autonomy while providing them greater budgets for product development and licensing music for their games. Harmonix’s success, however, did not come overnight. The company was originally founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy in 1995, focused around some demo software they had created in grad school and a company vision of providing a way for people without much musical training or talent to experience the joy of playing and creating music. The founders believed that if people had the opportunity to create their own music, they would jump at the chance. Their software, which they eventually dubbed The Axe, provided basic music composition tutorials and allowed participants to use a joystick to improvise solos along to popular music tracks...
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...subsequently became the fastest video game in history to top $1 billion in North American sales. The game concept focuses around a plastic guitar-shaped controller. Players press colored buttons along the guitar neck to match a series of dots that scroll down the TV in time with music from a famous rock tune, such as the Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated” and Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water.” Players score points based on their accuracy. In November 2007, Harmonix released Rock Band, adding drums, vocals, and bass guitar options to the game. Rock Band has sold over 3.5 million units with a $169 price tag (most video games retail at $50 to $60). In 2006, Harmonix’s founders sold the company to Viacom for $175 million, maintaining their operational autonomy while providing them greater budgets for product development and licensing music for their games. Harmonix’s success, however, did not come overnight. The company was originally founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy in 1995, focused around some demo software they had created in grad school and a company vision of providing a way for people without much musical training or talent to experience the joy of playing and creating music. The founders believed that if people had the opportunity to create their own music, they would jump at the chance. Their software, which they eventually dubbed The Axe, provided basic music composition tutorials and allowed participants to use a joystick to improvise solos along to popular music tracks...
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...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY McDonald’s is a quick service restaurant founded in 1955 by Ray Kroc. From its early days of serving burgers, McDonald’s has grown into a global household brand. McDonald’s now has restaurants in over 100 countries and has become the 9th most powerful global brand according to Interbrand. McDonald’s aims to be “customers’ favorite place and way to eat and drink.” However, as the fast food industry has progressed, McDonald’s has lost its identity as that favorite place and is no longer at the cutting edge of the industry. McDonald’s makes every effort to localize its offerings to the consumer segments it appeals to around the world, catering to local tastes and flavors. The company also tries to segment by income level and cater to consumers on varying budgets with its Dollar Menu, premium items, and extra value meals. McDonald’s does not differentiate itself in any one category of fast food, with competitors dominating in taste in other categories, but it does stand out for its variety and convenience. Due to the fact that McDonald’s does not provide the best fare in any given category, it has relied heavily on positive advertising and messaging that targets emotions. McDonald’s messaging focuses on building the brand and highlighting the emotion of happiness. This can be seen in commercials and the long-time slogan of “I’m Lovin’ It,” for example. In order to understand what the brand truly means to consumers, our group conducted a number...
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...PDA-size Summary 1 GOOD COST MANAGEMENT The Unsung Hero Cheaper and Better Managing and Cutting Costs – Intelligently 2 COST LEADERSHIP A Challenging Base Case Indiv idual Accountability Persistence A Continuous Improv ement Culture Short Timef rames Feedback Loops Strategic Skepticism Top Team: Finance Top Team: Human Resources Role Models Toolkit – Cost Leadership 3 TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS Understanding Cost Dy namics Management Accounts and Metrics Bang f or Buck Slice and Dice Understanding Natural Cost Trends Cash Cost Not P&L Cost Best Practice (and Lev el Play ing Fields) Competitiv e Analy sis Toolkit – Techniques and Tactics 4 PEOPLE Why Is People Cost So Problematic? Hiring Pay ing Technology and Productiv ity Firing Managing the Av erage Perf ormer Minimizing the Core Organization Toolkit – People 5 SUPPLIERS Who Manages Supplier Costs? Understand the Balance of Power Consolidate to Fewer Better Suppliers Negotiate Intelligently Don’t Get Locked In Manage Total Cost of Ownership Get Tough on the Costs of Serv ices Toolkit – Suppliers 6 COST CUTTING CASE STUDY Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 7 WIRED AND GLOBAL The Internet Globalization Toolkit – Wired and Global 8 LATERAL THINKING Indirect Cost Generators Let the Customers Do the Work Cost into Rev enue Toolkit – Lateral Thinking 9 COST MANAGEMENT AS STRATEGY Deliv ering Value v ia Acquisitions Underpinning...
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...their net profits for a Mineral Development Fund to be used for development and rehabilitation of project-affected people in the tribal areas of the country * For the non-coal companies, amount will be equivalent to the royalty they pay * Appointed a regulatory body for overseeing the functioning of the mining sector and measures to tackle illegal mining | Maoist problem in West Bengal | * In Jangalmahal region of West Bengal * Maoists: Operations by security forces and peace talks cannot go together. | Yasin Malik's arrest sparks protests | * After police detained JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik for taking out a rally against the death sentence awarded to Afzal Guru | Court allows export of unused endosulfan | * SC has allowed the export of unused stock of endosulfan. * But the ban on use and production of the pesticide will continue | FDI in beekeeping | * GOI allowed 100 per cent FDI in beekeeping, also known as ‘apiculture' under automatic route * Other areas in which the permission has already been given: * Plantation * Horticulture * Seeds * Cultivation of vegetables and mushrooms * Animal husbandry * Pisciculture * Aquaculture | 2 | | Neelima's application for visa rejected | * American Consulate in Mumbai rejected Magsaysay award winner Neelima Mishra's application for a visa for visiting Chicago | BJP hits out at land transfer pact with Dhaka | * Agreement was signed during the recent visit of PM to Dhaka | ...
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...equity Notes to the accounts Operating and financial statistics Fleet table Principal investments Glossary Subsidiary undertakings 16 17 18 19 20 21 79 80 81 82 83 British Airways Plc Officers and professional advisers Directors Sir Martin Broughton Alison Reed Keith Williams Nick Swift Andrew Crawley Frank van der Post Enrique Dupuy de Lôme Ken Smart Gavin Patterson Garrett Copeland Julia Simpson Secretary Kulbinder Dosanjh (Chairman) (Deputy Chairman) (Chief Executive Officer) (Chief Financial Officer) Registered office Waterside PO Box 365 Harmondsworth UB7 0GB Parent company International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. Calle Velázquez 130 Madrid, 28006 Spain Independent auditors Ernst & Young LLP 1 More London Place London SE1 2AF 1 British Airways Plc Business review and Directors’ report The Directors present their annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2012. Business review British Airways (‘BA’ or ‘the Group’) is the UK’s largest international scheduled airline and one of the world’s leading global premium airlines. The Group’s principal place of business is London with significant presence at Heathrow, Gatwick and London...
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...Land and Climate Area (sq. mi.): 2,988,902 Area (sq. km.): 7,741,220 Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It is just smaller than Brazil and about four-and-a-half times the size of the U.S. state of Alaska. Australia is the only country that occupies a complete continent. It is also the driest inhabited continent in the world. About one-third of its land is desert and another third is composed of poor-quality land. A long chain of mountains, the Great Dividing Range, runs along the Pacific coast. Fertile farmland lies east of the Great Dividing Range, in the southwestern corner of Western Australia, and in the island state of Tasmania. Cattle stations (ranches) reach the edge of the barren interior desert. The famed Australian Outback is an undefined region that encompasses all remote, undeveloped areas. The Outback is seen as a mystical heartland or frontier—a symbol of Australia's strength and independence—where the climate is hot, life is hard, and people are tough, independent, and few. CultureGramsTMWorld Edition 2015 | Commonwealth of Australia | BACKGROUND include the emu, cockatoo, and kookaburra. Australia's snakes are among the most venomous in the world. BACKGROUND include the emu, cockatoo, and kookaburra. Australia's snakes are among the most venomous in the world. Among Australia's natural wonders is the Great Barrier Reef, a system of coral reefs that extends more than 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers) near Australia's northeast coast...
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...Rules A STRATEGIC GUIDE TO THE NETWORK ECONOMY Carl Shapiro Hal R. Varian HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PRESS BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS Copyright © 1999 Carl Shapiro and Hai R. Varian All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 03 02 01 00 99 5 Library of Congres§ Cataloging-in-Publication Data Shapiro, Carl. Information rules : a strategic guide to the network economy / Carl Shapiro and Hal R. Varian. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-87584-863-X (alk. paper) 1. Information technology—Economic aspects. 2. Information society. I. Varian, Hal R. II. Title. HC79.I55S53 1998 658.4'038—dc21 98-24923 GIF The paper used in this publication meets the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.49-1984. To Dawn, Eva, and Ben To Carol and Chris Contents Preface ix l The Information Economy 2 Pricing Information 19 3 Versioning Information 53 4 Rights Management 83 5 Recognizing Lock-In 103 6 Managing Lock-In 135 7 173 Networks and Positive Feedback 8 Cooperation and Compatibility 9 Waging a Standards War 10 Information Policy 227 261 297 viii I Contents Further Reading 319 Notes 327 Bibliography 329 Index 335 About the Authors 351 Preface Luck led us to write this book. Each of us became economists because we wanted to apply our analytical training to better...
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...Information Rules A STRATEGIC GUIDE TO THE NETWORK ECONOMY Carl Shapiro Hal R. Varian HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PRESS BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS Copyright © 1999 Carl Shapiro and Hai R. Varian All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America 03 02 01 00 99 5 Library of Congres§ Cataloging-in-Publication Data Shapiro, Carl. Information rules : a strategic guide to the network economy / Carl Shapiro and Hal R. Varian. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-87584-863-X (alk. paper) 1. Information technology—Economic aspects. 2. Information society. I. Varian, Hal R. II. Title. HC79.I55S53 1998 658.4'038—dc21 98-24923 GIF The paper used in this publication meets the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.49-1984. To Dawn, Eva, and Ben To Carol and Chris Contents Preface ix l The Information Economy 2 Pricing Information 19 3 Versioning Information 53 4 Rights Management 83 5 Recognizing Lock-In 103 6 Managing Lock-In 135 7 Networks and Positive Feedback 173 8 Cooperation and Compatibility 227 9 Waging a Standards War 261 297 10 Information Policy viii I Contents Further Reading 319 Notes 327 Bibliography 329 Index 335 About the Authors 351 Preface Luck led us to write this book. Each of us became economists because we wanted to apply our analytical training to better understand...
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...An Integrated Approach to Strategy Running Case Featuring Wal-Mart Wal-Mart’s Competitive Advantage (Chapter 1) ● Working Conditions at Wal-Mart (Chapter 2) ● Wal-Mart’s Bargaining Power over Suppliers (Chapter 3) ● Human Resource Strategy and Productivity at Wal-Mart (Chapter 4) ● How Wal-Mart Became a Cost Leader (Chapter 5) ● Wal-Mart’s Global Expansion (Chapter 6) ● WalMart Internally Ventures a New Kind of Retail Store (Chapter 8) ● Sam Walton’s Approach to Implementing Wal-Mart’s Strategy (Chapter 9) Strategy in Action Features A Strategic Shift at Microsoft (Chapter 1) ● The Agency Problem at Tyco (Chapter 2) ● Circumventing Entry Barriers into the Soft Drink Industry (Chapter 3) ● Learning Effects in Cardiac Surgery (Chapter 4) ● How to Make Money in the Vacuum Tube Business (Chapter 5) ● The Evolution of Strategy at Procter & Gamble (Chapter 6) ● Diversification at 3M: Leveraging Technology (Chapter 7) ● News Corp’s Successful Acquisition Strategy (Chapter 8) ● How to Flatten and Decentralize Structure (Chapter 9) Practicing Strategic Management Application-based activities intended to get your students thinking beyond the book. Small-Group Exercises Short experiential exercises that ask students to coordinate and collaborate on group work focused on an aspect of strategic management. Exploring the Web Internet exercises that require students to explore company websites and answer chapter-related questions. Designing a Planning System (Chapter 1) Evaluating...
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...i Вторая страница обложки ii Cambridge Practice Tests for IELTS 1 Vanessa Jakeman Clare McDowell C AMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS iii PUBLISHED BY THF PRESS SYNDICATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE The Pitt Building Trumpington Street Cambridge CB2 1RP United Kingdom CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, United Kingdom 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA 10 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, Melbourne 3166, Australia © Cambridge University Press 1996 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1996 Third printing 1997 Printed in the United Kingdom at the University Press, Cambridge ISBN 0 521 49767 1 Self-Study Student`s Book ISBN 0 521 49766 3 Set of 2 cassettes Copyright The law allows a reader to make a single copy of part of a book for purposes of private study. It does not allow the copying of entire books or the making of multiple copies of extracts. Written permission for any such copying must always be obtained from the publisher in advance. iv Contents Acknowledgements iv Introduction 1 Practice Test 1 12 Practice Test 2 34 Practice Test 3 54 Practice Test 4 75 General Training Reading and Writing Modules Tapescripts Answer keys 94 107 130 ...
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