Publications

September 1991 (Revised December 1993)
Case

Tombow Pencil Co. Ltd.

Tombow Pencil Co. Ltd., one of Japan's two premier pencil manufacturers, has been using a subcontractor network in order to respond to changing market conditions. The system currently faces a new challenge as Tombow moves to address a volatile business market for... View Details

Keywords: Production; Supply Chain Management; Manufacturing Industry; Japan

rim in 1907, and the balloon tire in 1923, which became the industry standard. In 1928, Firestone initiated his ambitious and successful plan to establish auto supply and service stores throughout the U.S. View Details

Keywords: Automotive & Aerospace

April 2013
Teaching Note

Konys, Inc. (TN)

By: Deishin Lee and Tunay Tunca

This case describes the sourcing policy for a consumer electronics company. The company must decide how to structure contracts with their supplier—using a purchase contract, an option contract, or combination of the two. The company can also buy from the spot market.... View Details

Keywords: Contracts; Option Contract; Uncertainty; Sourcing; Supplier Relationship; Supply Chain

18 May 2020
Working Paper Summaries

No Line Left Behind: Assortative Matching Inside the Firm

Keywords: by Achyuta Adhvaryu, Vittorio Bassi, Anant Nyshadham, and Jorge Tamayo; Fashion

01 Jun 2015
News

The End of Cows?

When Senior Lecturer José B. Alvarez was the CEO of Stop & Shop, he heard a recurring complaint from customers: The meat quality, they said, seemed to vary by the day. That’s the nature of meat: Nobody in the supply View Details

Keywords: Jason Feifer; Food and Beverage Stores; Retail Trade; Scientific Research and Development Services

Harvey S. Firestone, Jr.

Firestone inaugurated the company’s Liberian manufacturing operations and developed and expanded the company’s auto supply and service stores. Firestone manufactured over 50% of all mobile anti-aircraft gun units during World War II and... View Details

Keywords: Automotive & Aerospace

Edward G. Budd

During the 1910s and 1920s, Budd constructed a successful business supplying car bodies, including an all-steel sedan body, to auto manufacturers such as General Motors, Studebaker, Ford and Chrysler. In the 1930s, Budd pioneered the... View Details

Keywords: Automotive & Aerospace

Rene C. McPherson

McNealy has created one of the most powerful and influential computer manufacturers in the world. His laser focus on the networked computer model has enabled his firm to supply the backbone computing power for thousands of businesses. His... View Details

Keywords: Automotive & Aerospace

October 1995 (Revised April 1997)
Case

Apparel Exports and the Indian Economy

By: Ananth Raman

Indian apparel exports are enjoying considerable success in the international markets. However, the future is uncertain owing to impending technological, regulatory, and market changes. This case explores the long lead times for sourcing apparel from India and provides... View Details

Keywords: Working Capital; Supply Chain Management; Supply and Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; India

2025
Working Paper

Managing Remote Work Quality: Evidence from Auditing Management Systems Standards

By: Ashley Palmarozzo, Michael W. Toffel and Melissa Ouellet

Remote work has become more common, providing operational flexibility and productivity benefits, but questions remain about whether and how it affects work quality. We investigate the quality effects of remote work in a context in which remote work separates workers... View Details

Keywords: Audit; Auditing; Remote Work; Compliance; Assessment; Environment; Management Systems; Quality Management; Quality Management System; Quality; Operations; Supply Chain Management; Environmental Management; Safety

SSRN

Read Now

01 Sep 2018
News

Ask the Expert: Delivering the Goods

opportunities for last-mile delivery if the USPS can be proactive in building supply chains around printing centers. Of course, this opportunity may be seized by others if it delays. How quickly will... View Details

Keywords: Jen McFarland Flint

24 Aug 2015
Working Paper Summaries

Multi-Product Duopoly with Cross-Product Cost Interdependencies

June 1977 (Revised September 1992)
Case

Sorenson Research Co. (Abridged)

By: Steven C. Wheelwright

Presents the issues facing a high volume, high margin (but lightweight) medical products business. The company is trying to improve its inventory control to reduce inventory investment and improve service. The present multi-site inventory system is described and major... View Details

Keywords: Business Earnings; Investment; Volume; Service Delivery; Supply Chain; Performance Improvement; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

01 Jun 2022
News

Eyes in the Skies

after analyzing supply chains and integrating geospatial intelligence with AI-driven analysis at companies such as IHS Markit, DigitalGlobe, and CAPE Analytics. With satellites scoping the same terrestrial... View Details

Keywords: Alexander Gelfand

April 2014
Teaching Plan

Beidahuang

By: Ray A. Goldberg and David Lane

This teaching plan is designed to support the teaching of Beidahuang, HBS No. 914-412, rev. March 2014. Beidahuang is a major new Chinese player in global grain trading that in 2013 is seeking access to grain both to help assure China's food security and in pursuit of... View Details

Keywords: Agribusiness; Sourcing; Beidahuang; S; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Supply Chain Management; Trade; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Brazil; China