Cases to Accompany "Contemporary Strategy Analysis" Book

1. Tailored cases. The cases have been written to accompany the text book Contemporary Strategy Analysis (6th edn.). As a result, each case is designed to enable students to apply particular concepts and techniques of strategy analysis (as shown in the table of contents). 2. Shorter cases. In response to requests from instructors and students for cases that less reading time, all the cases are shorter than those in previous editions. 3. Several new cases:- § Manchester United and the Glazer Takeover. The case allows students to analyze the determinants of competition in the form of key success factors and organizational resources and capabilities in English and European professional soccer. The case allows to students to explore the nature of team-based capabilities and the relationship between team performance on the field and the financial performance of the club. Raisio and the Launch of Benecol Margarine. In 1998, Raisio has risen from obscurity to become the second most valuable company in Finland (after Nokia) as a result of its development of Benecol, a patent-protected, cholesterol-reducing margarine. Case A explores the options facing Raisio's top management in deciding how best to exploit the huge market potential of Benecol. Case B examines the difficulties faced by Raisio in its partnership with Johnson & Johnson in managing the global roll-out of Benecol. § American Apparel: Vertically Integrated in Downtown LA. T-shirt maker American Apparel breaks all the rules. It's sexually-active CEO Dov Charney has renounced all contemporary conventions about appropriate executive behavior while pursuing a strategy that most US-based garment manufactures would regard as financial suicide. All production takes place in Los Angeles with manual workers receiving over $17 an hour and eligible for the firm's generous health benefits. The case examines the extent to which vertical integration while incurring higher costs can be the basis for extraordinary fast-response capability while supporting distinctive brand differentiation. § Outback Steakhouse: Going International. Outback Steakhouse is one of America's most successful chains of "casual dining" restaurants. The case asks students to advise Chairman Chris Sullivan on whether Outback should expand overseas and to assist him in developing an international strategy for the company.Read More