To maximize their effectiveness, color cases should be printed in color. Describes the Mumbai-based Dabbawala organization, which achieves very high service performance (6 Sigma equivalent or better) with a low-cost and very simple operating system. The case explores all aspects of their system (mission, information management, material flows, human resource system, processes, etc.) and the challenges that the Dabbawala organization faces in a ra...

Describes Ford's examination of its supply chain to evaluate whether the company should "virtually integrate" on the Dell Computers model.

Sooner or later, most companies can't attain the growth rates expected by their boards and CEOs and demanded by investors. To some extent, such businesses are victims of their own successes. Many were able to sustain high growth rates for a long time because they were in high-growth industries. But once those industries slowed down, the businesses could no longer deliver the performance that investors had come to take for granted. Often, companie...

As ports, highways, railways, and airports run out of room, the world faces a looming transportation crisis. The current meltdown masks the threat, but once the recovery begins, a lack of infrastructure capacity, combined with rising oil prices, will constrain growth. Congestion and delays will eat away business profits, forcing companies to rethink their long, complex supply chains. Smart organizations will use unorthodox methods to cut often-hi...

The world's largest manufacturer of woolen outerwear garments seeks to extend its retailing network to the United States from its base in Europe. A number of issues concerning marketing, manufacturing, and logistics strategy are raised by the proposed move along with specific questions about how the move should be managed. The case describes a well-thought-out, functionally integrated strategy for Europe in a way that allows assessment of its app...

Dore-Dore, a French manufacturer of socks and children's knitwear, has just converted a portion of its knitwear operations to a flexible modular system to allow faster response and greater flexibility. The case provides an opportunity to assess the changes in knitwear operations, and to evaluate whether a similar conversion to modular is appropriate for socks. Other opportunities for lead-time reduction can also be examined. Can be used to illust...

Airbus Industrie is a field research case obtained from interviews in the headquarters of the company in Toulouse as well as in some of the partner companies (particularly in CASA). The case describes the history, operations, programmes and future plans of the company. Certain emphasis is put on the many shareholders in this project. Airbus Industrie is a macro-project and one of the purposes of the case is to make possible the discussion and stu...

This is an intermediary in the cut flowers and plants industry in Holland. The company is vertically integrated with wholesale and retail subsidiaries. Two UK based supermarket chains offer possibilities for expansion. The case analyses the influence of pricing, transport and logistics issues in an international setting.