Take a look at operations-related case studies from the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western Reserve University.
Ecovative Design LLC: A Biological Materials Startup
Company: Ecovative Design LLC
Publisher: Ivey
Call Number: 9B13M125
Year Published: 2013
Ecovative Designs (Ecovative), a start-up company in upstate New York, uses an innovative process to combine agricultural waste and mycelium (mushroom “roots”) to grow forms for use in a wide variety of applications, especially a protective packaging material. Not only does this new product replace the need for the environmentally harmful alternative, extruded polystyrene, but the production process is less energy intensive. It exemplifies the cradle-to-cradle design indicative of a sustainably embedded product and attractive to companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. In 2013, the partners are considering whether to sign a contract with Sealed Air, one of the largest distributors of packaging materials in the world, but the deal would mean relinquishing control over the only profitable segment of their company. They are considering alternative growth strategies to find the one that fits best with their goal: to have the largest impact on the planet while remaining profitable.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How can a start-up’s radical sustainability innovation be scaled up (and with who) to meet both the founders’ needs for financial viability and to achieve significant environmental impact?
Website where case study can be found
https://www.iveypublishing.ca/s/product/ecovative-design-llc-a-biological-mater…
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&…
Du Pont Freon Products Division (A)
Company: Du Pont
Publisher: Harvard
Call Number: 9-389-111
Year Published: 1995
In 1988, the Du Pont Co. is abruptly confronted with solid scientific evidence that chlorofluorocarbons are destroying the earth's ozone shield. Du Pont, with its Freon brand product line, was the world's leading producer of these chemicals and had to decide what to do. The purpose of the case is to examine how changing science and environmental problems affect competitive conditions and corporate strategy. In particular, the case examines the criteria by which companies formulate policy.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
What should DuPont do about mounting concerns and legal actions pertaining to the use of Freon and other CFCs in its products?
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=21813&R=389111-PDF-ENG&…
Deja Shoe (A): Creating the Environmental Footwear Company
Company: Deja Shoe
Publisher: World Resources Institute
Call Number: N/A
Year Published: 1996
Deja Shoe’s founder and new management team wanted to develop a business strategy based on pro-environment principles that would enable the firm to out-compete established industry players Nike and Timberland.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How does a small start up company create environmental footwear?
Website where case study can be found
https://acquia-prd.case.edu/fowler/sites/case.edu.fowler/files/2022-08/DEJA%20S…
Clarke: Transformation for Environmental Sustainability
Company: Clarke
Publisher: Ivey
Call Number: 9B12C012
Year Published: 2012
Clarke, a pesticide-selling company, has a core business that is environmentally harmful by its very nature. Its journey to sustainability faced unique challenges even when innovation led to new green products, processes, technologies and business models. As such, its leadership had to cope with the overwhelming task of engaging both its employees and customers in the idea that sustainability can be effective and profitable.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How does a company overcome the challenges involved in acquiring the necessary buy-in from employees and customers who are skeptical about environmental sustainability as a potential driver of business strategy?
Website where case study can be found
https://www.iveypublishing.ca/s/product/clarke-transformation-for-environmental…
Cisco's Vision: A Smart+Connected World
Company: Cisco
Publisher: Ivey
Call Number: 9B13M116
Year Published: 2013
Having been called upon by global leaders to use its technology to address the global crises of climate change and poverty, Cisco opts to pursue sustainability for corporate social responsibility and as a driver of differentiation and competitive advantage. The case discussion explores how the company answered this call to action and how the resulting strategies have proven effective in protecting its competitive advantage in an increasingly hostile business environment. With the introduction of its new and ground-breaking technology, Cisco seeks to drive sustainability and future profits. The question becomes: will it work? The CEO ponders how he could use his company’s core business of information technology (IT) to drive global environmental and economic sustainability. Can he fulfill his dual responsibility of doing the right thing for his shareholders while, at the same time, doing the right thing for the world at large?
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How can solving global problems can create advantages for companies and become a source of innovation? Is Cisco is actually helping the world address issues such as climate change and poverty reduction or is it just trying to sell product? Will smart cities and ICT technologies deliver on their promise to both shareholders and stakeholders?
Website where case study can be found
https://www.iveypublishing.ca/s/product/ciscos-vision-a-smartconnected-world/01…
Business Model Innovation by Better Place: A Green Ecosystem for the Mass Adoptions of Electric Cars
Company: Better Place
Publisher: Oikos
Call Number: N/A
Year Published: 2010
Shai Agassi started Better Place with the ambition of setting up an ecosystem – including a ‘smart grid’ of charging stations and battery swapping facilities – for electric vehicles. This ecosystem was expected to eliminate the barriers to the mass adoption of electric cars for personal transportation. This case discusses the innovative business model of Better Place, which proposed to offer transportation services to consumers through miles per month subscription plans, with the cost of the electric car being subsidized based on the tenure of the plan.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How does Better Place make the electric car more relevant and viable?
Website where case study can be found
https://oikos-international.org/publications/business-model-innovation-by-bette…
Banco Solidario: The Business of Microfinance
Company: Banco Solidario
Publisher: Banco Solidario
Call Number: 9-702-019
Year Published: 2022
This case examines the founding and evolution of a for-profit microlending organization in Bolivia. It explores the mechanics of microlending, nonprofit and for-profit approaches to serving the informal sector, and how the industry evolves over a 15-year period.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How can Banco Solidario adjust its strategies for the current environment?
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=43095&R=702019-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…