Publications

November 1998 (Revised November 2001)
Case

BMW AG: The Digital Auto Project (B)

By: Stefan H. Thomke and Ashok Nimgade

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Auto Industry

November 1998 (Revised February 1999)
Case

Microsoft Office: Finding the Suite Spot

By: Stefan H. Thomke and Steven Sinofsky

Describes a key decision-making process within Microsoft's Office products division. At a time when the PC software business has a great deal of uncertainty, Microsoft's management has to make a key decision regarding the future of software suites. A strengthening of... View Details

Keywords: Decisions; Applications and Software; Strategic Planning; Organizational Design; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Product Development; Managerial Roles; Growth and Development Strategy; Risk and Uncertainty; Goals and Objectives; Digital Platforms; Innovation and Management; Computer Industry; Information Technology Industry

November 1998 (Revised November 2001)
Case

BMW AG: The Digital Car Project (A)

By: Stefan H. Thomke and Ashok Nimgade

Describes how the German automotive firm BMW is trying to reduce its development time by half with the aid of computer-aided technologies. To leverage these technologies fully in the very competitive automotive industry, BMW is faced with the challenge of changing its... View Details

Keywords: Change; Competency and Skills; Management; Time Management; Product Positioning; Product Development; Business Processes; Performance; Problems and Challenges; Technology; Auto Industry

October 1998 (Revised August 2001)
Teaching Note

Intel Corporation: 1968-1997 TN

By: Gary P. Pisano

Teaching Note for (9-797-137). View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Market Entry and Exit; Competitive Advantage; Forecasting and Prediction; Semiconductor Industry

1998
Chapter

Configuring a Supply Chain to Reduce the Cost of Demand Uncertainty

By: J. H. Hammond, Marshall L. Fisher, Walter Obermeyer and A. Raman

Keywords: Supply Chain Management; Cost Management; Demand and Consumers; Risk Management; Risk and Uncertainty

1998
Chapter

Reengineering Channel Reordering Processes to Improve Total Supply-Chain Performance

By: J. Hammond and Theodore H. Clark

Keywords: Supply Chain Management; Performance Improvement; Distribution Channels; Management Practices and Processes

1998
Chapter

The Changing Economics of Problem-Solving: Some Implications for Innovation and Competitiveness

By: S. Thomke

Keywords: Problems and Challenges; Economics; Innovation and Invention; Competition

October 1998 (Revised December 1998)
Case

CompUSA The Computer Superstore

By: Ananth Raman and Anna Sheen McClelland

Examines the CompUSA organization, focusing especially on the operations and the company culture. Highlights the economics of PC retailing and the importance of a responsive supply chain for their product category. The description of company culture emphasizes the role... View Details

Keywords: Supply Chain; Organizational Culture; Motivation and Incentives; Supply Chain Management; Computer Industry; Retail Industry; United States

Article

Agile Product Development: Managing Development Flexibility in Uncertain Environments

By: S. Thomke and D. Reinersten

Keywords: Research and Development; Product; Management; Risk and Uncertainty

Find at Harvard

August 1998 (Revised July 2002)
Case

Innovation at 3M Corporation (A)

By: Stefan H. Thomke and Ashok Nimgade

Describes how 3M Corp. introduces and learns a new and innovative methodology called Lead User research to understand future customer and market needs. A team from 3M's Medical-Surgical Markets Division applies the Lead User methodology to the field of surgical... View Details

Keywords: Innovation and Management; Innovation Strategy; Managerial Roles; Marketing Strategy; Demand and Consumers; Market Timing; Product Development; Problems and Challenges; Business Strategy; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

August 1998 (Revised July 2002)
Supplement

Innovation at 3M Corporation (B)

By: Stefan H. Thomke and Ashok Nimgade

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry