Take a look at policy-related case studies from the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit at Case Western Reserve University.
La Vaca Independiente: Should a Social Enterprise Adopt a For-Profit Business Model?
Company: La Vaca Independiente
Publisher: Ivey
Call Number: 9B13C033
Year Published: 2022
This case presents a social enterprise considering whether a for-profit model might be an effective way to scale its impact. Mexico City-based La Vaca Independiente (The Independent Cow) was founded to bring art to underprivileged children. The founder observed that many global problems are caused by humanity’s increasing state of isolation, with individuals disconnected from the planet and from each other. La Vaca focused exclusively on a program called Developing Intelligence through Art (DIA). Using artwork as a stimulus for thought and discussion, DIA provided individuals with opportunities to develop meaning in their lives. She believed, based on evidence that companies lose annual revenue due to the effects of isolationism on their employees, that she and her team could pursue a for-profit business model in order to expose La Vaca to markets and opportunities inaccessible to a charitable organization.
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
What was La Vaca's value proposition? Was it to expand the original DIA model, which had already proven to be successful, or should it attempt to expand into markets other than education? Would it be better to stay true to its original model at a small scale or to branch out and risk the integrity of the program? What internal changes might they need to make in order to become profitable?
Website where case study can be found
https://www.iveypublishing.ca/s/product/la-vaca-independiente-should-a-social-e…
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&…
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…
Burt's Bees: Leaving the hive
Company: Burt's Bees
Publisher: Harvard
Call Number: 9-507-017
Year Published: 2007
Rapid growth is pushing Burt's Bees' natural personal care products into mass distribution channels, with products and brand elements that are less quirky, more commercial than they used to be. Can Burt's Bees become the "Starbucks of personal care" without distancing itself too much from the people, values, and narratives that have made the brand successful thus far?
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
Can Burt's Bees become the “Starbucks of personal care” without distancing itself too much from the people, values, and narratives that have made the brand successful thus far?
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=31390&R=507017-PDF-ENG&…
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…
Impact Makers
Company: Impact Makers
Publisher: Darden (UVA)
Call Number: UV1042
Year Published: 2009
Michael Pirron was a healthcare services consultant who had always dreamed of starting a "Nonprofit Competitive Business" with a social mission. In 2006, he launched Impact Makers, a new hybrid entity that crossed the nonprofit/for-profit lines. Impact Makers had several unique components: It would contribute strategic consulting, and all profits, to charitable community organizations; there was no stock and equity ownership; it had a volunteer board of directors and its financial information was open to the public. How would Impact Makers raise investment capital with its unique organizational structure? And how would the company survive?
What is the dilemma or tough decisions?
How would Impact Makers get more customers, revenue, business, etc.?
Website where case study can be found
http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/web/product_detail.seam?E=1044154&R=UV1042-PDF-EN…