Journal of the International Academy for Case Studies

Bezanilla & Bezanilla is a family company having two strategic business units. On the one hand, it has the Real Estate Company, and on the other it has the Construction Business. It is a company that has been active for many years in the local market of Viña del Mar as well as a leader in the development of buildings targeted at the upper and middle-upper socioeconomic segment. At the beginning of 2005, executives were appraising the introduction of marketing tools in the management of di...

Alabama Power Response to Katrina: Managing a Severe Service Supply Chain Disruption

Part A of the case is designed to provide students with a multi-faceted situation with the focus being on requiring students to identify, analyze, and prioritize the key issues, their relative importance, and how to address each issue to minimize the impact of the disruption on business continuity and performance levels. Part B complements Part A by providing the student with an in-depth discussion of how the company featured in the case identified, analyzed, and prioritized the key issues th...

Adjusting International Agreements in Light of Change: A Case of Assisted Renegotiation

Set in the context of a conflict over a business agreement, this negotiation exercise explores the dynamics of two companies with resource asymmetries. Two parties, Global Gas Inc (GGI) and Gas Station Janet (Tony Martinez) agree to remodel an existing gas station and build two more. Tony Martinez provided the land lots and he operates the gas stations under an exclusive relationship with GGl regarding branding of the gas station and supply of gas, lubricants and any other oil product for 15 ...

Mohawk Industries, Inc. (Mhk): Assessing Financial Performance During a Period of Rapid Expansion

Headquartered in Calhoun, GA, Mohawk is a full-line flooring producer and manufactures carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate flooring, vinyl, and other surfaces for commercial and residential customers. Mohawk acquired nineteen firms in thirteen years (1992-2005) as they continue their consolidation in the carpet industry while broadening their product line into hard surface flooring. Mohawk's 2005 acquisition of Unilin, a Belgian-based laminate floor covering manufacturer, followed their purc...

Timko Export Management Company: The Dynamics of International Entrepreneurship

The story of Timko Export Management Co offers a number of lessons to international entrepreneurs. First, economic risk is a reality that can have an enormous impact on a small to medium-sized business. Secondly, payment structures involving cash transactions need to be placed into proper context. Timko should have required a deposit equivalent to the cost of the motorcycles. Ultimately the problem came down to arrogance. Arrogance is something that an entrepreneur needs to guard against. Mar...

Optimizing the Advertising Budget for a Regional Business: The Case of Cycle World

This case illustrates a challenge that many regional private business owners face as their business grows, that is, marketing their services. Lance Landis is a retired professional cyclist who started a regional sport cycling business about three years ago, and although he has valuable skills necessary to repair and sell bicycles, he has no business education training. In the past, Lance has relied on word-of-mouth marketing, but has recently decided to market his business in some magazines. ...

Ameritech in the Philippines: Failure to Adjust to Filipino Cultural Norms?

An American computer supply company moves its operations to the Philippines in an effort to be more cost competitive but experiences cultural shock as it attempts to institute greater efficiency. The case details the struggles of the plant manager, William Dawson, as he learns the challenges of managing the "Filipino way. " The case includes issues such as pakikisama, face saving, and collectivist behavior.

Lauren's Wardrobe

Lauren's Wardrobe is one of two stores owned and managed by Kelly Brown. The stores are located in a heavily Hispanic border community in Texas. Kelly employs eight to twelve employees depending on seasonal demand. One afternoon, three of the four employees in both stores walk off the job, leaving one store abandoned, and the other covered by only one employee. The precipitating event seems to be prejudicial comments made by Kelly's mother (not officially an employee) regarding the Hispanic e...

The Development of a Fleet Vehicle Replacement Policy for a Federal Government Contractor

The case is a simple but realistic application of business statistics models in the area of operations management and managerial accounting. It is an ideal case at the undergraduate level where students need practical application of statistical concepts. It superimposes generally difficult subject matter of statistics with easy to understand concepts of the operating cost of a small vehicle fleet. It will allow students to integrate simple regression, expected value and probability distributi...

To Loan or Not to Loan: A Subprime Dilemma

A Senior Vice President for a midsized commercial bank is contemplating getting her bank to move forward in extending subprime loans. She has observed her competitors' profits rise following their entry into this market. The two percent lending premium on subprime loans is an attractive addition to bank income. In addition she wants to help those customers who do not qualify for traditional, prime home loans obtain the American dream of home ownership. With financial advice and counseling, th...

Second-Draft of a Business Plan: What Should It Contain?

Tom Jacobs is apart-time entrepreneurship "prof" at HACC (Hagerstown Area Community College) and as such he must "judge and advise" student-entrepreneurs' ideas and business plans. This is the second time he has read and edited a business plan by four students in his New Venture Creation class. The problem is that this business plan is not clear or well thought-out in several areas - making feedback difficult. Professor Jacobs likes this business plan because it involves a real service - the ...

Bezanilla & Bezanilla real estate development company.

NOTES - Company overview

The tropical fish farm: transitioning from hobby to business.

NOTES - Case study

Project management: using earned value analysis (EVA) to monitor a project's progress.

NOTES - Case study

Thiel machinery: the case of the disappearing LIFO.

NOTES - Case study

Alabama power response to Katrina: managing a severe service supply chain disruption.

NOTES - Case study

Entering the ice cream business: a case study of Kleinpeter farms dairy.

NOTES - Case study