Take a look at economics-related case studies from the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western Reserve University.
The SEKEM Initiative
Company: SEKEM
Publisher: IESE Business School
Call Number: 0-304-072
Year Published: 2004
Sekem was founded by Ibrahim Abouleish, an Egyptian who had been living, studying and working in Austria prior to his return to Egypt in 1977, the year he established Sekem. In 2003 it consisted of three main parts: the Sekem group of companies, the Egyptian Society for Cultural Development and the Cooperative of Sekem Employees, together employing more than 2,000 people. This case portrays the complex set of circumstances that frames Sekem's decisions to further grow and develop the initiative along its historical path of holistic development in the social, economic and cultural spheres.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
To initiate holistic development able to create economic, social and cultural value in a sustainable manner.
Website where case study can be found
Corporate Citizenship and Sustainable Community Development: Fostering Multi-Sector Collaboration in Magadi Division in Kenya
Company: Magadi Soda Company
Publisher: ICCSR
Call Number: N/A
Year Published: 2007
This paper explores Magadi Soda Company’s efforts to initiate a multi-sector collaboration to facilitate sustainable community development in Magadi division in Kenya. A narrative is presented of the process that led to the design of a community development plan intended to be the development blueprint guiding all actors (non-governmental organisations, the community, the government and Magadi Soda Company) operating in Magadi division.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How to tackle complex social problems of deprived communities?
Website where case study can be found
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/241892925_Corporate_Citizenship_and_Su…
Towards a Sustainable Model and Ecological Integrity in South Africa
Company: Londolozi - KNP
Publisher: Harvard
Call Number: 9-709-001
Year Published: 2008
The Londolozi game viewing reserve in South Africa became a defining icon of ecotourism during the 1990s and early 2000s--that is, a tourist business promoting ecological land management and, at the same time, local economic development. The Sabi Sand Game reserve (within which Londolozi was located) was initially created by the government to provide hunters with an area in which to hunt wildlife. Through the 1980s and 1990s, the farms within the Sabi Sand Game reserve converted their functions from hunting to wildlife viewing, and the fence was taken down.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
The new challenge for the farms while transforming into wildlife viewing became land management and local economic development.
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=46698&R=709001-PDF-ENG&…
Kiva vs MYC4-Business Model Innovation in Social Lending
Company: Kiva, MYC4
Publisher: INSEAD, ECCH
Call Number: 809-024-1
Year Published: 2009
The case describes the launch, growth and current challenges of two innovative ventures in the nascent social lending market. Kiva is based on good-will while MYC4 is based on market incentives. Which model is more likely to succeed?
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
Which model is more likely to succeed?
Website where case study can be found
Honey Care Africa: A Tripartite Model for Sustainable Beekeeping
Company: Honey Care Africa
Publisher: Ivey
Call Number: 9B07M060
Year Published: 2009
The director and co-founder of Honey Care Africa (Honey Care) looks back over the six years of operations and describes the original business model and several sequential changes based on feedback from rural communities, partner organizations, and learning by doing through field operations. The case tackles alternative routes for scaling up the model in East Africa. Students are presented with several specific challenges which illustrate the growing tension between Honey Care's original commitment to the farmers and its prospects for international take-off, and are asked to propose alternative model reconfigurations to resolve this tension.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
Potential opportunities and challenges in replicating the Honey Care model elsewhere.
Website where case study can be found
A Model of Clean Energy Entrepreneurship in Africa: E+Co's Path to Scale
Company: E+Co
Publisher: Ivey
Call Number: 907M59
Year Published: 2009
The founder and executive director of E+Co faces the challenge of ten-fold growth and reviews the core parts of the company's innovative business model, the changes in the energy markets around the world, and the rationale for local solutions to energy scarcity and inefficiency. Also presented is a set of entrepreneurial growth strategies that preserve the core of the model - i.e., simultaneously tackling energy poverty and energy waste, and bringing people up the energy ladder with locally suitable and affordable solutions.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
Challenge of ten-fold growth and reviews the core parts of the company's innovative business model, the changes in the energy markets around the world, and the rationale for local solutions to energy scarcity and inefficiency.
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=59126&R=907M59-PDF-ENG&…
Amanco: Developing the Sustainability Scorecard
Company: Amanco
Publisher: Harvard
Call Number: Harvard
Year Published: 2008
The case describes the challenges of using the Balanced Scorecard to implement a triple-bottom-line strategy for delivering excellent economic, environmental, and social performance. The owners and senior executive team of Amanco, a producer of plastic pipe and complete water treatment systems, want strong financial returns but are also deeply committed to improving the environment and making a difference in people's lives. Robert Salas, CEO, wants a management system that communicates and motivates Amanco's three high-level goals.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How can Amanco develop and implement an effective measuring stick for its sustainability that will lead to effective managerial strategies?
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=1596&R=107038-PDF-ENG&c…