Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies

A couple buys a new home in 2006 in the Atlanta suburbs where prices have been rising. Lacking a down payment but with passable credit they purchase the home with a subprime mortgage that has the added complication of negative amortization on a six month interest only mortgage. When the mortgage resets at a rate pegged to the constant maturity T-BiIl rate, the payments are much greater and they have difficulty making them. Their mortgage is one of many rolled up into Collateralized Debt Oblig...

Subs by Design: The Case of a Family Business in Transition

Ryan Smith, laid off from his position as plant manager for a textiles firm, begins a new career as the franchise owner of a group of sandwich shops doing business as Smith Enterprises. The case covers Smith's startup of Subs by Design with the help of his family and the trials and tribulations of growing a family business. Startup financing came from some unique sources including from a fellow franchisee in a nearby territory. Smith Enterprises is now looking forward to operating 12 stores w...

King of the Hill: Competing for Foreign Direct Investment in 'Dixie'

This case is designed to illustrate the concepts of foreign direction investment, job creation, state incentives as a factor in FDI, and the unique features that a foreign investor wants from a state. The case can be used in its entirety or in part as appropriate. For example, one could investigate recruiting methods used by U.S. states in the pursuit of FDI and the results ofthat pursuit. Or one could investigate the facets of employment, such as a non-union environment, educational developm...

Belgrove Farms Inc.

Students are faced with a factual setting that presents practical business and ethical issues. The client, Belgrove Farms, is considering changing production from standard yellow corn to genetically modified corn. The farm has four sub-divisions that vary in production of the new product. Cost data is provided by an existing proposal. Future pricing of the genetically modified corn is uncertain. Using the concept of comparative advantage, the student must choose the appropriate allocation of ...

The Missing Inventory at Zenith International Trucks, Inc.

Derived from observation and field interviews, this case centers on Bob Harris, the new Assistant Controller of Zenith's parent company, United Truck Corporation, and Dave Manning, the Service Manager of the Yonkers facility. Bob Harris had been brought into Zenith by United Truck Corporation1 because the old operation, Magnum International Trucks, was losing money and United wanted the renamed firm (Zenith) attractive enough for a sale to another International dealership. Dave Manning first ...

Southwest Airlines: The Next Fight Begins

This case is a library, popular press and internet case which examines Southwest Airlines-a frequently examined company, yet one facing new challenges in the current economy. The review of annual reports, trade journals, government documents and proposed and enacted regulations must be accomplished carefully. While most students have a general understanding of the airline industry, few have the current knowledge to compare this industry against more traditional operations. A review of these r...

Kaltim Plywood: Production Improvement in Developing Countries

The events in this case took place when many logging firms in Indonesia were venturing into plywood production business with little experience. Ching-Mia Hung, a Taiwanese veteran of the plywood production business, was asked to turn around a failing plywood plant in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Ching-Mia accepted the challenge and studied the plant patiently for a month before taking any action. Among his observations of the plywood production operation, Ching-Mia noticed several anomalies in...

The Evaluation of a Floating-Rate Sale-Leaseback

Rockhill, Inc. is an electric utility operating in mid-western United States. The process of deregulation in electricity generation has transformed the utility's competitive landscape, prompting it to divest much of its generating assets, shift its focus to electricity transmission and distribution, and revise several of its financial policies. Among other things, the company has adopted the policy to lease, rather than purchase, any additions to its fleet of vehicles. While the vehicles it c...

The Hawthorne Organization

John Jones has been CEO of The Hawthorne Organization since 1990. During this time the firm has been on a roller coaster ride with plenty of ups and downs. The marketing research industry is savagely competitive and requires huge investments in technology, human resources, and sales and marketing. Unfortunately, The Hawthorne Organization has made a few bad bets along the way, for which it has paid a huge price. While The Hawthorne Organization is respected and considered one of the leaders i...

Partnering with an Ngo to Start a Microloan Program in a Ghanaian Village: A Global Organic Triple-Bottom-Line Social Enterprise in the Making

The director of a student consulting program in a university hears about a way to globalize the program by partnering with an NGO in Wilmot, New Hampshire, WomensTrust, to start a microloan program in a Ghanaian Village. A meeting is called with interested colleagues, alumni, and students. There is support for the concept but several other possible scenarios are proposed. A go with Ghana decision is made somewhat unilaterally and without a business plan. Entrepreneurial enthusiasm abounds as ...

The Daily Examiner: Strategic Initiative 2013

CEO William Rogers is well aware that the internet poses a significant threat to traditional print newspapers like The Daily Examiner, a regional, employee-owned newspaper. Therefore, Rogers hired Skip Van Wart as CFO because of his reputation as a strategic change agent for staid industries. Although Van Wart has limited experience in the newspaper industry, he has initiated turnaround strategies in other companies. During his 10 months with the company, Van Wart conducted a study of all are...

Subprime mortgages: a case providing the perspectives of a home buyer and a CDO trader.

Case study

Subs by design: the case of a family business in transition.

Case study

King of the hill: competing for foreign direct investment in 'Dixie'.

Case study

Belgrove Farms Inc.

Case study

The missing inventory at Zenith International Trucks, Inc.

Case study

Southwest airlines: the next fight begins.

Case study