In late 2006, SunPower designed, manufactured, and delivered the most efficient solar cells in the world. At a time when many experts believed solar technology would grow quickly, SunPower needed to decide whether to maintain market share through a strategy of differentiated technology or pricing.

After 11 months of planning, the Sloan Women in Management (SWIM) club co-presidents and two conference directors faced a difficult decision. The club's 3rd annual conference, aptly named "Dare to Fail: Taking Risks When it Matters Most", was scheduled to begin around the time a winter storm, fortif...

Japan’s March 11, 2011 Great Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami was among the most damaging natural disasters on record. This case examines the organizational structure and operational decisions that allowed Nissan Motor Company to recover from the disaster more rapidly than its peers. In doing so, Nissa...

In 2008, Hannah Jones, Nike’s new VP of Corporate Responsibility, wanted the company to be a leader in creating sustainable footwear, and subsequently developed a strategy for working with the product units to do so. Questions remained about whether Nike was on the right track and if the company was...

The Pre-Admission Testing Area (PATA) is an outpatient clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital responsible for conducting preoperative assessments of surgical patients prior to their procedures. Set in June 2009, this case study describes the conditions of this busy outpatient clinic prior to a pro...

In early 2000, Dean Richard Schmalensee of MIT’s Sloan School of Management needed to make a decision that would shape the future of the school for decades to come. Sloan desperately needed a new building with great classrooms, faculty offices, study rooms for students, and dining. Schmalensee neede...

In the early 2010s, First Solar, a leading photovoltaic (PV) solar manufacturer, faced a series of challenges: expanding production by subsidized Chinese PV manufacturers; declining purchase subsidies in important European markets; and, declining prices for silicon, the key input raw material for it...

Chris Peterson was assigned to lead a newly formed regional consulting team at DSS Consulting. She carefully selected the team members, built a cohesive group, and led the team in developing a new consulting service. Both Peterson and her team were satisfied with their accomplishments and ability to...

In 2008, China-based Yunnan Lucky Air, a low-cost, domestic airline modeled after Southwest Airlines in the United States, was searching for new competitive advantages in China’s increasingly competitive yet heavily regulated airline industry. Ecommerce was being looked to as one growth strategy.

Over the seven years since its founding in 2010, Spartan Race grew to be the world’s most popular obstacle course race provider. Spartan’s CEO and founder was contemplating an initial public offering but was unsure how the new global revenue recognition standard that the company was in the process o...