bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Search for Property: Institutional Investment in Real Estate
Authors: Furfine Craig 
Published: March 2017

In the summer of 2013, Whitney DeSoto had just been hired as managing director for real assets at the Overton Pension Fund (OPF). Her task was to provide recommendations to the board of trustees to introduce real estate into the fund's portfolio, which to date had been invested solely in stocks and bonds. Combining her knowledge of modern portfolio theory with her institutional expertise in real estate, DeSoto needed to decide what fraction of the fund should optimally be invested in real assets. She then faced the task of deciding whether to invest in public or private real estate. If she thought private real estate belonged in the portfolio, she would need to identify the best investment strategy, the best vehicle, and ultimately the specific investments to recommend.
Apply modern portfolio theory to the investment decision of an institutional investor allocating its assets between stocks, bonds, and real estate
Understand the limits of portfolio theory in a real estate context
Analyze the benefits/costs of investments in both public and private real estate
Understand the various vehicles in which one can invest in private real estate
Argue for a set of investments that offer individual benefits/costs relative to a theoretically ideal investment
The Toys “R” Us LBO
Authors: Stowell David P. , Raino Matthew 
Published: March 2017

The case simulates the experience of a private equity investor evaluating a potential investment, requiring the student to: (1) determine the risks and merits of an investment in Toys “R” Us, (2) evaluate the spectrum of returns using multiple operating model scenarios, and (3) identify strategic actions that might be undertaken to improve the risk/return profile of the investment. The case also discusses trends and participants in the private equity industry.To understand how private equity firms analyze investment opportunities through application of an LBO model (provided in the case) that summarizes returns and risks. Also, to review private equity participation in club deals, large (and early) dividends, and IPOs.
The U.S. Federal Gasoline Tax: Time for a Change?
Authors: Besanko David , Malik Saahil 
Published: March 2017

Although the federal gasoline tax played multiple roles in financing surface transportation infrastructure in the United States, experts did not agree on the tax's purpose. Some argued that it was essentially a fee for users of the nation's federally supported highways. Others suggested that it should play a more prominent role in environmental, energy, and transportation policy by correcting for driving-related externalities. Still others suggested that it should be used to reduce the federal budget deficit. Finally, the tax itself had remained at the same level since 1993, and with the Highway Trust Fund virtually insolvent, many experts believed it was time for an increase. The case presents a background on the U.S. federal gasoline tax, an overview of the market for gasoline in the United States, and survey of gasoline taxes in U.S. states as well as several other countries around the world.The case can be used to discuss the incidence of the gasoline tax, as well as its role as a Pigouvian tax to deal with negative externalities related to gasoline consumption and driving. There is sufficient data in the case to enable students to analyze the incidence of the federal gasoline tax and to determine the socially efficient level of the tax in light of externalities related to gasoline consumption and driving.
The Value of Flexibility at Global Airlines: Real Options for EDW and CRM
Authors: Jeffery Mark , Rzymski Chris , Shah Sandeep , Sweeney Robert J. 
Published: March 2017

Technology projects are inherently risky; research shows that large IT projects succeed as originally planned only 28 percent of the time. Building flexibility, or real options, into a project can help manage this risk. Furthermore, the management flexibility of options has value, as the downside risk is reduced and the upside is increased. The case is based upon real options analysis for an enterprise data warehouse (EDW) and analytic customer relationship management (CRM) program at a major U.S. firm. The firm has been disguised as Global Airlines for confidentiality reasons. The data mart consolidation or EDW marginally meets the hurdle rate for the firm as analyzed using a traditional net present value (NPV) analysis. However, different tactical deployment strategies help mitigate the risk of the project by building options into the project, and the traditional NPV is expanded by the real option value. Students analyze the different deployment strategies using a binomial model compound option Excel macro, and calculate the volatility using Monte Carlo analysis in Excel. A step-by-step tutorial is provided to teach students how to accomplish the real options analysis for a simplified project, and this tutorial is easily generalized by students to the case scenario. In addition to the tactical options, the case also has the strategic growth option of analytic CRM. Students must therefore analyze both the tactical and strategic growth options and make a management recommendation on funding the project and also recommend an optimal deployment strategy to manage the project risk.The case teaches real options for technology projects. Students learn how to calculate real option values, where the key input of volatility is obtained by Monte Carlo analysis in Excel. Students also learn that the real option value is “real,” resulting from active management mitigating the risk of the project and improving the upside. Most important, students understand the difference between tactical vs. strategic growth options and the important management issues to consider.
TiVo
Authors: Tybout Alice M. , Hennessy Julie 
Published: March 2017

In 1999 TiVo was preparing to launch its digital video recorder (DVR) in the United States. The company's goal was ambitious: it hoped to revolutionize how Americans watched television and to become a central player in the emerging interactive TV industry.Although it had a technological advantage, TiVo faced one competitor (ReplayTV) and potential entrants such as Microsoft, so its success was far from guaranteed. Evidence suggested a bright future for the company, however; the concept had attracted $240 million in venture capital, and market research indicated a uniquely high level of consumer interest.TiVo needed to capture the first-mover advantage and build its sales and brand as quickly as possible to support the company's IPO, which was planned to take place within eighteen to twenty-four months. TiVo's positioning at launch would play a key role in determining its success.After analyzing and discussing the case, students should be able to:

Use analogies appropriately to forecast demand
Use various marketing research techniques to make appropriate inferences about the challenges to consumer adoption of an innovative product
Develop multiple frames of reference and discuss the merits of each
Develop multiple points of difference and discuss the merits of each
Develop multiple positioning statements and discuss the merits of each
TiVo: Changing the Face of Television
Authors: Sawhney Mohanbir , Alexis Sean , Gund Zack , Jacobek Lee , Kasten Ted , Kilponen Doug , Malkin Andrew 
Published: March 2017

A year into the launch of TiVo—the “revolutionary new personal TV service that lets you watch what you want, when you want”—John Tebona, VP of business development, was faced with important decisions about TiVo's revenue model and strategic alliances. With television's move from a network-based model to an interactive one, he had to decide what role TiVo would play in the emerging industry landscape. Would TiVo be just a set-top box or would it live up to the vision of revolutionizing the television viewing experience? What revenue streams should it emphasize to capture the most value? What strategic relationships must TiVo form in an environment where companies were cross-investing in multiple technologies across different industry segments? How could it expand its customer base and accelerate its revenues before competitors like Microsoft's WebTV became the default standard?To understand that disruptive innovation from a value creation standpoint may not mean a profitable or viable business from a value capture standpoint; products are far easier to create than robust business architectures with solid profit engines; the future of interactivity is clouded by the conflicting visions of the varied players; and control over standards is a valuable choke point.
Tupelo Medical: Managing Price Erosion
Authors: Anderson Eric T. , Daniel Abraham , Anderson Elizabeth L. , Santaella Gus 
Published: March 2017

Robert Davidson, pricing manager for Tupelo Medical, was concerned about the variability in price paid for its top-selling product, the Micron 8 Series blood pressure monitoring system. Using historical transaction data, Davidson must determine the appropriate price floor. Setting a price too high risked the loss of a large number of customers, putting the company at substantial risk due to the importance of the product. Setting a price too low would impact Davidson's ability to meet the stated objective of increasing margins by 3 percent. He wondered what the optimal price floor would be and what the expected profits would be for that new price floor. Additionally, the company's business varied considerably by geographic region, account size and account type. As a result, he needed to consider whether it made sense to set a single price floor or whether he could improve profits by allowing some variability in the price floor by customer segment.

To illustrate how one can build a data-driven pricing model to study the tradeoff between margin and probability of winning a sale in a B2B market
To quantify the value from implementing a price floor with a B2B sales force
To demonstrate the incremental value of implementing a price floor that varies by customer segment.
U.S. Automotive Retailing: 1995-2002 (A)
Authors: Al-Najjar Nabil , Pardasani Neil 
Published: March 2017

Demand in some markets displays a strong taste for variety. This means that the markets consist of small niches, each with a strong preference for a distinct version of the basic product. Examples include markets with strong local character (local video stores, dry cleaning, etc.), products appealing to specialized tastes (microbrewed beer, specialty restaurants, etc.), and markets for entertainment content. Car retailing falls into this category because demand is fundamentally local in nature. A key strategy in such an industry is consolidation. Studies attempts at consolidating automobile retailing, emphasizing their pitfalls, and showing that they were based on overly optimistic assessments of the potential economies of scale and creation of customer value.To introduce the concept of demand with strong taste for variety, as well as economies of scale and consolidation strategies.
The U.S. Credit Card Industry
Authors: Al-Najjar Nabil , Malik Ali 
Published: March 2017

Studies the U.S. credit card industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s. After an industry background review, a discussion of generic strategies follows in which strategies, like product proliferation and cost improvements, are achieved through superior IT. These strategies are exemplified using the leading players in the industry. On the other hand, these strategies are easily imitable, the basic product is standardized, and the industry is highly fragmented. What accounts then for the exceptional level of profitability enjoyed by this industry?To examine psychological biases that are forces which can shape industry performance. Evidence shows that consumers' attitude toward credit is prone to “irrational” failure to exercise self-control and the inability to fully anticipate future borrowing behavior. A simple model is provided showing that these peculiarities in consumer psychology enable an industry, with otherwise few inherent drivers of superior profitability, to achieve superior performance. Ethical and regulatory issues are then debated.
U.S. Food Aid: Cash or Commodities?
Authors: Feddersen Timothy , Torgerson Senoe 
Published: March 2017

In October 2005 the Bush administration was considering a dramatic change to the U.S. Food Aid program that would take 25 percent of the budget that would otherwise be used to buy food domestically and instead send direct cash transfers that could be used to buy food in or close to the countries in desperate need. The U.S. Food Aid program traditionally enjoyed support in Congress because it provided support to American farmers, agribusiness, and U.S. shipping interests in addition to nongovernmental organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and CARE. The case considers the proposal from the perspective of four different stakeholders: Cargill, USAid, Catholic Relief Services, and Oxfam. Each must come up with a response to the proposal.Students take the perspective of different stakeholder groups and consider how to make values-based arguments that will persuade the other stakeholders when there are conflicts not only in self-interest but also between self-interest and ethical values.
Unilever's Mission for Vitality
Authors: Austen-Smith David , Galinsky Adam , Chung Katherine H. , LaVanway Christy 
Published: March 2017

Dove and Axe were two highly successful brands owned by Unilever, a portfolio company. Dove was a female-oriented beauty product brand that exhorted “real beauty” and not the unachievable standards that the media portrayed. In contrast, Axe was a brand that purportedly “gives men the edge in the mating game.”□ Their risquÃ© commercials always portrayed the supermodel-type beauty ideal that Dove was trying to change. Unilever had always been a company of brands where the consumer knew the brands but not the company, but recently there had been the idea to unify the company with an umbrella mission for all of its brands. This would turn Unilever into a company with brands, potentially increasing consumer awareness and encourage cross-purchases between the different brands. However, this raised questions about the conflicting messages between the brands' marketing campaigns, most notably between Unilever's two powerhouse brands, Dove and Axe. The case begins with COO Alan Jope anticipating an upcoming press meeting in New York City to discuss Unilever's current (i.e., 2005) performance and announce Unilever's decision to create an umbrella mission statement for the company. This case focuses on the central question of whether or not consistency between brand messages is necessary or inherently problematic.The Unilever's Mission for Vitality case was created to help students and managers develop an appreciation for how the values underlying a marketing campaign can affect and alter an organization's culture. The case focuses on how two products and marketing campaigns that express conflicting underlying values (as reflected in the Dove Real Beauty and the Axe Effect campaigns) within the same corporation can give rise to a number of unintended organizational and marketing complications.
Universal Display Corporation: Go Long or Short?
Authors: Korajczyk Robert , Vincent Linda , Galas Matthew , Mathews David , Qi Danielle , Goyal Saurabh 
Published: March 2017

This case asks the student to take a stance on whether an portfolio manager should take a long or short position in the equity of Universal Display Corporation (PANL). The stock is polarizing, in that reasonable arguments could be made for both long and short positions. The case suggests a number of steps that an analyst might follow when valuing a companyDiscounted cash flow valuation, comparables valuation, short selling. After students have analyzed the case they will be able to value the equity of a publicly traded company and take a position on whether a portfolio manager should buy or sell the stock.
Venita Fields: What Private Equity Professionals Really Do
Authors: Collins Derrick , Finkel Ed , Whitaker Scott T. 
Published: March 2017

Ever since he had heard her speak at a private equity conference, Babatunde Omotoba had wanted to work for Venita Fields, co-founder and senior managing director of private equity firm Smith Whiley & Company. He wrote and asked her for an informational interview, and was excited to receive her invitation to meet with her at the firm's regional office in Evanston, Illinois. After the interview, however, Omotoba came to the grim realization that despite all his preparations—researching private equity firms, studying the types of deals they make, and evaluating the analytical tools used to perform due diligence on companies and make investment decisions—he did not have a full grasp on the actual day-to-day work private equity professionals perform. He spent time reviewing materials from the career management office about private equity, and he meets two Kellogg alumni for informational interviews. He also reviews the investment process. The case ends with Omotoba having a broader perspective on the human aspect of private equity, beyond the analytical and financial aspects, as he anticipates meeting Fields again, hopefully to get the job offer.Students learn the “tools of the trade” in private equity: managing portfolio company executives, meeting with limited partners to raise funds, managing the fund, selecting investments, and managing their time. Students learn the interpersonal nature of the business, including persuasion and negotiation, and how that is as important as financial skills. Students learn the process of preparing to interview with a private equity professional.
Wal-Mart: The Store Wars
Authors: Diermeier Daniel 
Published: March 2017

In early 2004, residents of Inglewood, California, a working-class community just outside Los Angeles composed primarily of African- and Hispanic-Americans, were preparing to vote on a referendum that would change the city charter to allow Wal-Mart to build a supercenter on a huge, undeveloped lot in the city. Walmart had put forward the measure after the city council refused to change the zoning of a sixty-acre plot on which it held an option to build. Numerous community and religious groups opposed Wal-Mart's entry and campaigned against the referendum. Walmart promised low-priced merchandise and jobs, but these groups were skeptical about the kinds of jobs and compensation that would be offered, the healthcare that would be provided to employees, and the broader impact Walmart would have on the community. Inglewood was a pro-union community, so there was also opposition based on Walmart's anti-union position. On April 6 Inglewood residents voted to reject the referendum by a margin of 60.6 percent to 39.9 percent. Though smaller, less organized, and with fewer resources than Walmart, this coalition of community and religious leaders had defeated the global retailing behemoth.After students have analyzed the case they will be able to (a) appreciate the importance of nonmarket factors to execute growth and market entry strategies, (b) understand how the decisions of political institutions depend on the issue context and the alignments of coalitions of interest, (c) formulate and assess strategies to overcome nonmarket barriers to entry.
Wal-Mart's Katrina Aid
Authors: Diermeier Daniel , Crawford Robert J. , Snyder Charlotte 
Published: March 2017

After Hurricane Katrina hit the coast of Louisiana on August 29, 2005, Wal-Mart initiated emergency operations that not only protected and reopened its stores, but also helped its employees and others in the community cope with the disaster's personal impact. This response was part of a wider effort by the company under CEO Lee Scott to improve its public image. Wal-Mart's efforts were widely regarded as the most successful of all corporations in the aftermath of the disaster and set the standard for future corporate disaster relief programs.Move beyond the operational dimensions of disaster response and appreciate how disaster response is connected to the company's strategy and its position in the market place. Understand how disasters are different than other types of reputational crises and are subject to different expectation from the public. Understand how a company can do well by doing good: how it can do the right thing and benefit its business at the same time. Discuss the changing expectations of companies to act in the public interest.
Weston Nurseries, Inc. (A)
Authors: Ward John L. , Colton Brian 
Published: March 2017

Brothers in a multigeneration family business engage in a power struggle, and the board must decide on a new leadership strategy.To learn the extent to which things can gradually go astray in a multigeneration family business, given the differing education and personalities of succeeding leaders. Also, to see the advantages of nonfamily board members' perspectives and how to influence and add value as a board member to a struggling family business engaging in a leadership power struggle.
Wrigley's Eclipse Gum: Managing Brand Adolescence
Authors: Lee Angela Y. , Merkley Greg , Bailey Bob 
Published: March 2017

Wrigley launched Eclipse gum in August 1999. In early 2000, Paul Chibe became senior marketing manager for Wrigley's breath freshening portfolio, which included Eclipse. With the disappointing first-year performance of the brand, Chibe needed to take action to turn Eclipse around. His task was to use the opinions from other Wrigley executives and from marketing research data to decide if Eclipse could be turned around or if it should be abandoned.After reading and analyzing the case, students should be able to:

Identify the most important variables that drive the success of consumer package goods brands
Interpret and use data from various types of marketing research to evaluate marketing mix strategies
Develop fact-based marketing recommendations
Zimmer: The Gender-Specific Knee
Authors: Calkins Tim , Joseph Harmon 
Published: March 2017

Focuses on a simple question: should Zimmer develop a gender-specific artificial knee? The decision is complicated because while the idea seems to make sense, there is little clinical evidence that a gender-specific knee produces superior patient outcomes, and orthopedic surgeons are likely to be skeptical of the innovation.To teach new product strategy and growth strategy, and introduce students to the medical device industry.
Zithromax Z-Pak and the “Biaxin BBQ” (A)
Authors: Hennessy Julie 
Published: March 2017

The Biaxin case deals with competition in the mature market for antibiotics designed for use in the treatment of bacterial respiratory infections. The case tells the story of how Pfizer's Zithromax stole the share dominance of an established brand, Abbott's Biaxin. The case deals with the importance in pharma markets of consumer (patient) and channel (physician and insurance payer) insight as well as pharmacological efficacy data.The case teaches the importance of understanding consumer and channel needs, as well as technology, in product development. It also facilitates discussion of corporate strengths and blind spots.