Walt Disney Case Study
What did Michael Eisner do to rejuvenate Disney? Give at least two examples of his decisions, activities, or ideas and explain how they helped Disney’s business (1~2 paragraphs).
2)What do you think the most important decision, activity, or idea was. Explain why (1~2 paragraphs).
In: Operations Management
Costs Options Menu: Forum What prevents larger competitors (e.g., American, Delta, United) from imitating Southwest’s approach? What prevents new entrants from successfully imitating Southwest’s approach
In: Operations Management
Apply the following theories to solve this case: Utilitarian (act and rule), deontological and virtue theories. Rachel works as a Quality Assurance Engineer at a large electronics company. She is responsible for the final testing of her company’s servers and is part of a team which decides when new products will be shipped to distributors for sale.Rachel’s company has a contract with another company which makes the chips which are incorporated into the servers Rachel’s company makes. The business model for this product is to release a new generation server approximately every six months, meaning Rachel has a limited timeframe to conduct her Quality Control tests.Because there is such a short amount of time between the release of each next new product, the Quality and Assurance department cannot perform every possible test on the servers to ensure they are defect free. Rachel will not ship a product if there is any possibility that the server could malfunction and cause physical harm to the customer. However, she will ship a product that has a higher likelihood of failure resulting in data loss for the customer, because she knows that if she doesn't, her company's competitor will. Is this an ethical way to conduct business?
In: Operations Management
Questions & Problems
1. Explain why the first question a person should ask when getting ready to analyze a contract problem is, "Is this alleged contract a contract for the sale of a good?"
2. What is the difference between an offer for a unilateral contract and an offer for a bilateral contract? Why might that difference be important to understand?
3. What must a party prove to recover under the theory of quasi-contract?
4. What is the mirror image rule?
5. What is the mailbox rule?
6. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR) operated a customer rewards program, called Camel Cash, from 1991 to 2007. Under the terms of the program, RJR urged consumers to purchase Camel cigarettes, to save Camel Cash certificates included in packages of Camel cigarettes, to enroll in the program, and, ultimately, to redeem their certificates for merchandise featured in catalogs distributed by RJR. The plaintiffs were 10 individuals who joined the Camel Cash program by purchasing RJR's products and filling out and submitting signed registra-tion forms to RJR. RJR sent each plaintiff a unique enrollment number that was used in communications between the parties. These communications included catalogs RJR distributed to the plaintiffs, containing merchandise that could be obtained by redeeming Camel Cash certificates.
From time to time, RJR issued a new catalog of merchandise offered in exchange for Camel Cash, which it either sent on request or mailed to consumers enrolled in the program. The number of Camel Cash certificates needed to obtain merchandise varied from as few as 100 to many thousands, and this encouraged consumers to buy more packages of Camel cigarettes and to save Camel Cash certificates to redeem for more valuable items.
RJR honored the program from 1991 to 2006, and, during that time, Camel's share of the cigarette market nearly doubled, from approximately 4 percent to more than 7 percent. In October 2006, however, RJR mailed a notice to program members announcing that the program would terminate on March 31, 2007. The termination notice stated: "As a loyal Camel smoker, we wanted to tell you our Camel Cash program is expiring. C-Notes will no longer be included on packs, which means whatever Camel Cash you have is among the last of its kind. Now this isn't happening overnight-there will be plenty of time to redeem your C-Notes before the program ends. In fact, you'll have from OCTOBER '06 through MARCH 07 to go to camelsmokes.com to redeem your C-Notes. Supplies will be limited, so it won't hurt to get there before the rush."
Beginning in October 2006, however, RJR stopped printing and issuing catalogs and told consumers that it did not have any merchandise available for redemption. Several of the plaintiffs attempted, without success, to redeem C-Notes or obtain a catalog during the final six months of the program. The plaintiffs had saved hundreds or thousands of Camel Cash certificates that they were unable to redeem.
In November 2009, the plaintiffs filed a class action complaint against RJR. They alleged breach of contract and promissory estoppel, among other claims, because RJR's actions had made the plaintiffs' unredeemed certificates worthless. The defendant argued that it had no bilateral contract to breach because the plaintiffs had not promised to anything. The trial court agreed and dismissed the complaint. The plaintiffs appealed. How do you think the appellate court ruled, and why? [Sateriale v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 697 F.3d 777, C.A.9 (Cal. 2012).]
7. An oral agreement was made between multiple parties to put together some money and open a bar and restaurant. The men first had to create joint company. However, one potential owner was not able to provide his share of the funding at the time of the company formation and was subsequently pushed out of the deal by the other owners; who formed the company without him.
The man then sued the owners. In response, the defendants argued that the plaintiff had no documentation to support a cause of action. The court had to decide whether the plaintiff's complaint and statement of fact could support a breach-of-contract claim when no contract seemed to exist. Furthermore, the court considered the idea that a theory of quasi-contract could maintain a cause of action that could consist of the theft of ownership opportunity and/or breach of fiduciary duty. How do you think the court ultimately decided? [Don v. Broger, 2012 Slip Op 51934U.J?
8. NDWC Investment Properties owned six properties in DeKalb County, Georgia, which were secured by fully amortized 30-year loans. At some point before the trial, NDWC entered into negotiations with Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T) to refinance their loans. In the course of the negotiations, BB&T offered NDWC a lower interest rate on all six of the DeKalb County properties but only for a five-year term. NDWC expressed concerns about moving from 30-year fixed loans to a series of five-year loans. According to NDWC, BB&T assuaged NDWC's fears by assuring them that BB&T would continue to refinance the remaining balance on the loans in four successive five-year terms at the current market interest rate. NDWC made an agreement based on the oral representations by BB&T.
In December 2009, NDWC transferred the six DeKalb properties along with the loans to a newly created company named Corso Properties. BB&T approved the loan transfer but explained to Corso that the term would be for one year instead of five because Corso was a new company. Corso asserted that it had made an oral agreement with BB&T that BB&T would refinance the remaining balance in successive five-year terms if Corso satisfied certain conditions. In 2011. BB&T refused to renew the loans despite Corso's claims that it had met the required conditions.
Corso subsequently filed an action against BB&T, asserting claims of breach of Georgia's implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing when making contracts, fraud in the inducement, and fraud in the general. BB&T filed a motion to dismiss based on the plaintiff's failure to allege an independent breach of contract claim, as well as not pleading their fraud claims with enough details. The plaintiffs submitted an amended complaint which no longer contained the fraud in general claim but now included a breach of oral contract claim.
BB&T responded with a second motion to dismiss, asserting that the amended complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. The plaintiffs did not respond to the defendant's second motion to dismiss and the defendant was dee unopposed.
What arguments could the plaintiffs have made if they had responded to the defendant's second motion? Although the defendant won by being deemed unopposed, the court still reviewed the defendant's grounds for dismissal. How did the court rule on each of the three claims: Breach of Oral Contract, Breach of Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, and Fraud in the Inducement? How do state laws affect this decision? Recall the WPH standards for Business Ethics. Although the court would have ruled in favor of BB&T by a matter of law, was the way BB&T acted ethical? [Corso Properties, LLC and WC Investment Property, Inc. v. Branch Banking And Trust Company, (2013 U.S. Dist. Lexis 137955).]
9. In April 2011, Elias Groisman entered into a contract with Shabsi Pfeifer to sell three real properties to Pfeifer on the condition that Pfeifer satisfied two liens on the properties against Groisman's name and upon payment of $55,000. The e-mail which contained the offer did not have an end date by which Pfeifer had to complete performance.
More than six months later, Groisman entered a contract of sale for the three properties with Maya Development, LLC. In December 2012, Pfeifer filed a complaint against Groisman and Maya Development, seeking specific performance of the contract for the sale of real properties.
The trial court dismissed the case, and Pfeifer appealed to the New York Appellate Division Supreme Court. Did Groisman and Pfeifer enter into a valid contract on April 2011? What kind of agreement did both parties have instead? Based on your answers to the previous answers, who won the court case? Why? [Shabsi Pfeifer v. Elias A. Groisman, et al., 997 N.Y.S.2d 706 (N.Y. App. Div. 2014).]
10. Dr. Griffith allowed his life insurance to lapse after May 15, 2007. According to US Life's life insurance policy, he was granted a 31-day grace period, after which he would be able to reinstate his insurance by paying the balance of the unpaid bill and receiving written approval from US Life of the required evidence of insurability. According to a reminder notice, Griffen had 60 days to make a full payment. On or around June 15, 2007, the insurance provider sent Griffith a lapse notice that included a reinstatement form and a self-addressed envelope, and required payment and the reinstatement form to be received by the policy provider within 30 days from the lapsed coverage. On July 23, 2007, Griffith electronically directed payment to American Medical Association Insurance Agency (AMAIA), which acted as a third-party administrator for US Life. AMAIA acted on US Life's behalf to bill and collect premiums. AMAIA received the check from Griffith on July 30, 2007. On July 28, 2007, Griffith was kneeling beside his bicycle at Bethany Beach, Delaware, when he was struck by a car that had drifted off the road when the driver fell asleep at the wheel. Do you think Griffith was insured at the time of his death? Why or why not? [US Life Insurance Company v. Wilson, 2011 Md. App. LEXIS 52.]
11. Adwoa Gyabaah was hit by a bus owned by Rivlab Transportation Company. She retained attorney Aronsky to represent her in negotiations with the bus company, their insurance company, and their attorneys for a contingency fee of one-third of her recovery. On October 1, 2010, defendant tendered Aronsky its $1 million policy limits for purposes of settlement. After Aronsky explained the settlement to her, Gyabaah said she accepted it and signed a general release on October 5, 2010. Aronsky said he would hold onto the release for her until she decided whether she wanted the settlement in one lump sum or paid over a period of time.
On December 9, 2013, Gyabaah retained a new lawyer, Kenneth Wilhelm, and he advised Aronsky that Gyabaah did not wish to settle the case nor have the release sent over to the defendant. Aronsky filed a motion with the court seeking to enforce the $1 million settlement and setting his contingency fee at one-third of the recovery in accordance with the contingency agreement. The relevant issue in this case was whether there was a valid settlement agreement between the bus company and Gyabaah. Do you think the court found a valid agreement? Why or why not? [Gyabaah v. Rivlab Transp. Corp., 22 N.Y.3d 1018, 4 N.E.3d 359, 2013 N.Y. LEXIS 3446 (2013).]
In: Operations Management
Analyze Levi Straus, Inc. based on market-driven and corporate-driven social initiatives.
In: Operations Management
Considering the scope of operations along the industry’s value chain, identify and describe two international strategic moves that Porsche could initiate in order to strengthen its competitive position.
In: Operations Management
Part 1: Select a blog topic from the list provided below. Consider your own knowledge and interest in the topic. Consider your ability to craft a worthwhile blog post using the three-step process for successful blogging outlined in Chapter 8. Blog topics Review a current business book Compare two TED Talks on the topic of business Provide editorial commentary on a current, debatable business issue Provide biographical information on an influential business leader Reflect on a previous business course Explain a business process Recount an engaging team-building activity Describe a workplace conflict that ended with a positive outcome Part 2: Develop a three-to-five-paragraph blog post based on the blog topic that you selected. Review the Writing Strategies for Social Media (seven key points) outlined in Chapter 8 to analyze your blog post. The email should adhere to the following criteria: Include a compelling headline. Provide original and well-developed content. Do not copy another author blog post. Give credit to the original source when providing supporting information. Demonstrate an understanding of content curation by effectively sharing one useful link to an article or video. Provide insight into your character and associations. Make the purpose of your post clear to the reader. Proofread for grammar, spelling, punctuation and content errors.
In: Operations Management
What are Porsche’s key resources and competitive capabilities? What are its competitive liabilities and resource weaknesses? What opportunities exist? What threats are present? Develop the company’s SWOT. Analysis (refer at least three factors in each category).
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Business Ethics:
Is living wage a more ethical standard for employers to pay their employees? Explain and defend your position on whether you agree or disagree.
In: Operations Management
swot and pestel analysis of neptune wellness solutions?
In: Operations Management
Apply Ethical decision making process to this case: Dylan is a manager at a leading consumer electronics company. In his role, he must frequently interact with industry partners and customers. One day, Dylan met with a customer of one of his company’s custom products. The custom product was a special chip for an electronic appliance that was currently in its final stages of review before market release. During the meeting, the customer wanted to know the method of making the chip, a process which was not specified in the given datasheet. The client claimed this information was needed to ensure that the chip would function properly when it was integrated with electronic appliances. At first, Dylan was uncertain. He wanted to give his customer more details if it was for the benefit of his client’s final product, but, at the same time, was concerned because the requested information was protected under his company’s non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Dylan decided to discuss the matter with his supervisor; however, Dylan’s manager was overseeing many projects and, knowing that Dylan was capable and experienced, entrusted him to take care of the situation. When he returned to work the next day, Dylan received an email from his customer. The message stated that, if the chip’s manufacturing methodology was not disclosed, the customer would cease further investments in the product.Shocked, Dylan believed that if the customer could not abide by the NDA, he should tell the contract should be broken off. However, doing so would mean losing a significant amount of profit they had intended on garnering from selling the chip. On the other hand, sharing confidential information with his customer could cause negative repercussions, especially if his company were to discover the legal breach.Although it is highly unlikely that the extra chip information would be used by Dylan’s client for malicious purposes, its disclosure could potentially affect his company’s reputation, lead to mistrust in the company and compromise Dylan’s position. What should Dylan do?
In: Operations Management
In Chapter 13, we discuss resource management and how effectively and efficient utilization of these resources. This concept applies to both manufacturing and services organizations. How do the concepts of master production scheduling and material requirements planning translate to service organization? Provide an example. Please write at least 150 words or more.
In: Operations Management
Please take two companies and compare and contrast how the Coronavirus has impacted their supply chain. Please make sure that you cite your sources. If you are working at your company, you need to interview someone and can use that as one company and cite your source.
Subject: Supply Chain
In: Operations Management
Apply the following theories to solve this case: Utilitarian (act and rule), deontological and virtue theories. Rachel works as a Quality Assurance Engineer at a large electronics company. She is responsible for the final testing of her company’s servers and is part of a team which decides when new products will be shipped to distributors for sale.Rachel’s company has a contract with another company which makes the chips which are incorporated into the servers Rachel’s company makes. The business model for this product is to release a new generation server approximately every six months, meaning Rachel has a limited timeframe to conduct her Quality Control tests.Because there is such a short amount of time between the release of each next new product, the Quality and Assurance department cannot perform every possible test on the servers to ensure they are defect free. Rachel will not ship a product if there is any possibility that the server could malfunction and cause physical harm to the customer. However, she will ship a product that has a higher likelihood of failure resulting in data loss for the customer, because she knows that if she doesn't, her company's competitor will. Is this an ethical way to conduct business?
In: Operations Management
synthesize and present key analytical findings of where Amazon Inc is excelling and how or where it can improve (in current time)
In: Operations Management