Publications

May 2004 (Revised September 2004)
Background Note

Outsourcing IT: The Global Landscape in 2004

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Brian DeLacey

Profiles the history and context of outsourcing, with particular focus on information technology. View Details

Keywords: Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Information Technology

March 2004 (Revised July 2004)
Case

UCB: Managing Information for Globalization and Innovation (A) (Abridged)

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Brian DeLacey

A medium-size European manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and chemicals faces a number of information strategy issues. The case focuses on the issues of coordinating international IT activities and day-to-day operations as well as balancing the company's IT applications... View Details

Keywords: Innovation and Invention; Information Technology; Operations; System; Corporate Strategy; Investment Portfolio; Globalization; Pharmaceutical Industry; Information Technology Industry; Brussels

November 2003 (Revised December 2003)
Case

Enabling Business Strategy with IT at the World Bank

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Brian DeLacey

World Bank IT provides services (communications, applications, video conferencing, knowledge sharing, distance learning, information sharing, client commerce, crisis management, etc.) on a global basis to the poorest countries in the globe via satellites. This case... View Details

Keywords: Information Infrastructure; Globalized Economies and Regions; Information Technology; Global Strategy; Business Strategy; Banks and Banking; Banking Industry

September 2003 (Revised December 2003)
Case

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Valerie Massoni

Focuses on the current IT applications portfolio and plans for the world's second largest cruise line. An IT-intensive organization, it forces students to think through how IT resources should be allocated in this dynamic environment and what kind of management system... View Details

Keywords: Management Systems; Resource Allocation; Planning; Situation or Environment; Information Technology; Air Transportation Industry

June 2003 (Revised December 2003)
Case

Cathay Pacific: Doing More with Less

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Fred Young

This case explores the various aspects of information technology that can be outsourced. Cathay Pacific outsourced a significant part of its vital operations from Hong Kong to Sydney, Australia. View Details

Keywords: Information Technology; Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Globalization; Globalized Firms and Management; Information Technology Industry; Hong Kong; Sydney

April 2003 (Revised September 2003)
Case

Harold Morton and the Rivendell Board (A)

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Ingrid Vargas

Describes the thoughts of a new trustee prior to his first trustees meeting. View Details

Keywords: Nonprofit Organizations; Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards

December 2001
Case

SinoSecurities.com

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Fred Young

Describes a complex software project that has run into difficulties. Students must decide whether to press forward, stop the project, or reconfigure it. Illustrates many of the similarities to challenges facing U.S. and Chinese companies in this difficult arena. View Details

Keywords: Information Technology; Applications and Software; Decisions; Problems and Challenges; Financial Services Industry; China; United States

July 2000
Supplement

Merrill Lynch - John L. (Launny) Steffens

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Melissa Dailey

August 1997 (Revised June 1999)
Case

Providian Trust: Tradition and Technology (A)

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Melissa Dailey

A major trust company attempts to implement a major software system while simultaneously reengineering business processes. Providian Trust, a previously non-IT intensive organization, must completely reposition its management of technology to deal with IT's new... View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Financial Institutions; Business Processes; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Information Technology; Applications and Software; Financial Services Industry

February 1974 (Revised November 1977)
Case

Perkins Engines (A)

By: F. Warren McFarlan and John Raticheck

Keywords: Industrial Products Industry

April 1993 (Revised June 1993)
Supplement

General Dynamics and Computer Sciences Corporation: Outsourcing the IS Function (D)

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Katherine Seger

Designed to be handed out after discussion of the (C) case. View Details

Keywords: Job Cuts and Outsourcing

April 1991 (Revised September 1991)
Case

Royal Trust

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Krista McQuade

January 1991
Teaching Note

CIBA Vision Canada--1990, Teaching Note

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Jiro Kokuryo

Keywords: Canada

September 2006 (Revised August 2007)
Background Note

The History of Credit Agencies in the United States

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Tracy Manty

Provides a brief background on the history of credit agencies in the United States. Focuses on the mature process of data collection on an American consumer and how credit agencies share the information to determine proper credit risk and worthiness of a consumer. The... View Details

Keywords: Credit; United States

May 2005
Supplement

Otis Elevator: An Interview with Ari Bousbib (video)

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Brian DeLacey

CEO Ari Bousbib talks about how IT is transforming Otis and the practical challenges they are overcoming. Visibly demonstrates what appropriate CEO involvement is in an IT-enabled business transformation. View Details

Keywords: Management Teams; Information Technology; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leading Change; Construction Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Consumer Products Industry