Publications

March 1978 (Revised July 1981)
Background Note

Note on Supplying the Automobile Industry

Keywords: Supply Chain; Auto Industry

February 1978
Case

Sierra Log Homes, Inc. (A)

Describes the history and evolution of the log home manufacturing industry, a rapidly growing embryonic industry capitalizing on the back-to-basics lifestyle changes in the United States. Focuses on one of the leading firms in the industry, but allows a discussion of... View Details

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Change Management; Industry Structures; Supply and Industry; Problems and Challenges; Business Startups; Business Strategy; Manufacturing Industry; United States

November 1977
Teaching Note

Sorenson Research Co. (Abridged), Teaching Note

Teaching Note for (9-677-257). View Details

Keywords: Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

1977
Book

Studies in Canadian Industrial Organization

By: R. E. Caves, M. E. Porter, A. M. Spence and J. T. Scott

Keywords: Industry Structures; Canada

August 1977 (Revised April 1987)
Case

Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.

By: Richard G. Hamermesh, Karen Gordon Mills and John P. Reed

Describes the technical, economic, and competitive trends in the metal container industry. The strategy of Crown Cork and Seal is then described in relation to these trends. Focuses on two immediate threats to Crown's strategy: the future of aerosol cans, given the... View Details

Keywords: Business Strategy; Industry Structures; Environmental Sustainability; Trends; Manufacturing Industry

June 1977 (Revised September 1992)
Case

Sorenson Research Co. (Abridged)

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

May 1977 (Revised March 1985)
Teaching Note

Searle Medical Instruments Group (A), Teaching Note

Keywords: Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

April 1977
Teaching Note

Insight Optical Equipment Co., Teaching Note

Keywords: Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

October 1976
Background Note

Industry Structural Change

Presents a framework for understanding and predicting industry structural change. Examines 1) the important underlying forces causing structural change, 2) the key relationships among industry elements in the process of change, and 3) some implications of change for... View Details

Keywords: Framework; Industry Structures; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Structure; Strategy; Corporate Strategy

1975
Working Paper

Information, Efficiency and Equilibrium

By: Jerry R. Green

When economic agents receive information over time concerning future events it is likely that prices for commodities whose value is influenced by these events will fluctuate in response to changes in the state of knowledge. If such events occur periodically,... View Details

Keywords: Economics; Supply and Industry; Price

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November 1975 (Revised October 1976)
Case

Cross River Products

Describes production task of meeting peak seasonal demands in a light manufacturing plant. Information is provided for evaluating the options of overtime, second shift, second production line, and inventory buildup. View Details

Keywords: Buildings and Facilities; Information; Labor; Demand and Consumers; Production; Supply Chain

September 1975 (Revised June 1983)
Background Note

Note on the Structural Analysis of Industries

Provides a framework for the analysis of industry structure. Identifies the major structural features that influence the profit potential in industries and some illustrative implications of these for strategy formulation. Can be used as a reference note for business... View Details

Keywords: Industry Structures; Business Strategy; Profit

March 1975 (Revised September 1990)
Case

Insight Optical Equipment Co.

Keywords: Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

Article

Consumer Behavior, Retailer Power and Performance in Consumer Goods Industries

By: M. E. Porter

Keywords: Consumer Behavior; Performance; Goods and Commodities; Supply and Industry; Consumer Products Industry

September 1972 (Revised April 1984)
Case

Crown Cork & Seal and the Metal Container Industry

By: Joseph L. Bower

Discusses the technical, economic, and packaging trends in the metal container industry, and the impact of these trends on major companies within the industry. Shows the response of Crown Cork & Seal Co. to these trends. Based on Crown Cork & Seal Co. and Note on the... View Details

Keywords: Information Technology; Operations; Supply and Industry; Economics; Trends; Manufacturing Industry

September 1971 (Revised September 1983)
Case

Gentle Electric Co.

By: W. Earl Sasser

Designed to illustrate various levels of complexity in determining optimum order sizes for a single item inventory policy. Students are asked to evaluate the impact of recent operational changes on the firm's ordering policy. Intended to follow the students' initial... View Details

Keywords: Change; Policy; Supply Chain; Complexity; Electronics Industry