Publications

August 1993
Case

General Motors: Smith's Dilemma

By: Nitin Nohria and Sandy Green

Discusses Roger Smith's tenure as CEO of General Motors. Describes his vision for changing General Motors, and how he went about implementing that vision. View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Management Teams; Leadership Style; Auto Industry; Auto Industry

01 Jun 2009
News

Dispatches from the Global Classroom

have the market we desire.” Days 6–9: Monterrey TOM, REAL TIME: Students quiz executives at Nemak, a leading manufacturer of aluminum auto engine heads and blocks. Nemak is one of four business groups that... View Details

Keywords: Julia Hanna; Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services; Social Assistance; Health, Social Assistance; Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services; Professional Services

01 Dec 2005
News

Alumni Achievement Awards: Honorees and Victories

their turn to get into the game. Following are short profiles of this year’s recipients. Rahul Bajaj (MBA ’64) As chairman of Bajaj Auto Ltd., one of India’s foremost companies and one of the world’s largest makers of motorized scooters... View Details

Keywords: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services; Management; Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services; Professional Services

28 Oct 2024
Op-Ed

Latino Voters Have Grown More Politically Divided. That’s Not Surprising.

their policy platforms, to appeal to suburban voters. Why demographics are not destiny in politics We are economists, and we study markets. Politics is a competitive one. Just as auto manufacturers don’t sit... View Details

Keywords: by Richard Calvo, Vincent Pons, and Jesse M. Shapiro

01 Mar 2009
News

The Case for Studying Financial History

because these companies clearly are incapable of competing with Japanese-owned companies that are simply producing better cars at lower cost. Won’t we continue to have a U.S. auto industry? It’s just that the View Details

Keywords: Roger Thompson; federal bailouts; Finance; Administration of Economic Programs; Government

February 1996 (Revised September 1996)
Case

Chrysler Takeover Attempt, The

By: Richard S. Ruback and William DeWitt

On April 12, 1995, Kirk Kerkorian made an unsolicited offer to buy the outstanding shares of Chrysler Corp. This case analyzes the proposed deal and addresses the key contextual elements contributing to the takeover attempt. View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Negotiation Deal; Negotiation Offer; Acquisition; Financial Strategy; Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry; United States

May 1997
Case

Toyota Motor Corporation: Target Costing System

Explores Toyota's target costing system, considered to be the most advanced such system of any major Japanese manufacturer. Specifically, describes Toyota's process of setting rigorous cost-reduction goals and the steps taken to achieve them. View Details

Keywords: Cost Management; Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Japan

April 2011
Teaching Note

Magna International, Inc. (TN) (A) and (B)

By: Timothy A. Luehrman and Yuhai Xuan

Teaching Note for 211044. View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Canada

May 2002 (Revised April 2004)
Teaching Note

Metalcraft Supplier Scorecard, TN

By: Susan L. Kulp and V.G. Narayanan

Teaching Note for (9-102-047). View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry

March 1998 (Revised August 2000)
Case

Bumper Acquisition (C), A

By: James K. Sebenius and David T. Kotchen

Carries the negotiation between Thermo-Impact and Medallion Capital through October 1996. The companies began talks in 1995 when Medallion offered to buy Thermo-Impact. Students view developments from the perspective of Thermo-Impact's owners and must make decisions... View Details

Keywords: Decisions; Negotiation Process; Negotiation Participants; Entrepreneurship; Acquisition; Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Illinois

January 1996 (Revised February 1998)
Case

Japan's Automakers Face Endaka

By: Debora L. Spar

In April 1995, the Japanese yen hit a post-World War II high against the U.S. dollar. The yen's relentless ascent affected firms on both sides of the Pacific, but fell particularly hard on Japan's big four automakers. This case explores how endaka--or"high... View Details

Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate; Competitive Strategy; Trade; Foreign Direct Investment; Macroeconomics; Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Japan

September 1994 (Revised January 2002)
Case

BMW: The 7-Series Project (B)

By: Gary P. Pisano and Sharon L. Rossi

Describes the decision made on the 7-Series project with respect to prototyping and its impact on quality. View Details

Keywords: Research and Development; Quality; Auto Industry; Auto Industry; Germany

February 1991 (Revised July 1993)
Case

Cultural Change at Nissan Motors

By: John P. Kotter

Depicts the reformation of Nissan Motor Co.'s corporate culture and the company's subsequent turnaround in market share and profits. In 1985, Yutaka Kume became president of Nissan and thereafter, he continually emphasized the need for internal change throughout the... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Leadership; Behavior; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Change Management; Management; Auto Industry; Auto Industry

March 2012 (Revised February 2013)
Background Note

The Hybrid Vehicle Market

By: Michael W. Toffel and Nazli Z. Uludere Aragon

This note describes the hybrid electic vehicle market, the results of different automaker strategies, and the environmental regulatory issues that can promote or inhibit market growth in the United States. Introduces students to the technologies and regulatory aspects... View Details

Keywords: Competitive Strategy; Environmental Sustainability; Product Development; Information Technology; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Auto Industry; Auto Industry; Japan; United States