According to the Yale School of Management Case Research and Development Team (SOM CRDT), 2019’s top 40 case studies were dominated by food-related topics. The 2016 Coffee case remained at the top, followed by a case on Cadbury and a case about Shake Shack. This year, a case about the Volkswagen emissions scandal also made it into the top 40. Other notable cases included Aadhaar, India’s universal ID project, the Nathan Cummings Foundation’s move to all-impact investing, efforts to bridge the divide between Israel and Palestine, and New Haven’s own 360 State Street development. Marketing of financial services, organizational structure, and entrepreneurship were other popular topics in the top 10.
SOM CRDT compiled this list by combining data from publishers, Google Analytics, direct sales, and other measures of interest and adoption. Additional data for 2019 showed an increase in traffic to the SOM CRDT case directory, with over 150K page views, and a significant number of international users.
Here are the top 10 case studies of 2019:
#1 – Coffee 2016
Faculty Supervision: Todd Cort
Coffee 2016 challenges students to consider the coffee supply chain and propose solutions to equalize returns across stakeholders. The case draws parallels between coffee and wine, highlighting the disparity in profits between coffee growers and wine producers. It explores issues related to supply chain, marketing practices, and creative problem-solving.
#2 – Cadbury: An Ethical Company Struggles to Insure the Integrity of Its Supply Chain
Faculty Supervision: Ira Millstein
This case examines Cadbury’s response to revelations of child slave labor in the production of cocoa in the Côte d’Ivoire. The company’s strong ethical culture and sourcing practices were put to the test as it faced potential legislation that could tarnish its reputation. Students are challenged to consider whether Cadbury should join the industry in lobbying for more time and explore other ways to ethically manage its supply chain.
#3 – Shake Shack IPO
Faculty Supervision: Jake Thomas and Geert Rouwenhorst
Shake Shack, with its devoted fan base and successful locations, went public in 2015 with a highly anticipated IPO. Students are asked to evaluate whether the initial stock price accurately valued the company and what Shake Shack’s true worth might be. The case provides a comprehensive overview of Shake Shack’s marketing, competitors, operations, and financials, allowing for a thorough valuation analysis.
#4 – Volkswagen: Engineering a Disaster
Faculty Supervision: David Bach
Volkswagen’s admission of installing defeat switches in their diesel cars to deceive emissions regulators had far-reaching consequences. This case examines the company’s history, culture, and the differing regulatory environments in Europe and the U.S. to understand the factors that led to this ethical disaster.
#5 – Netflix
Faculty Supervision: Arthur Swersey
This case delves into how Netflix evolved from a DVD rental service to a major media company. With increased competition in the DVD-by-mail business and the rise of streaming services, Netflix faced significant challenges. Students are tasked with evaluating whether Netflix’s operational savvy could help it navigate the changing market landscape.
#6 – Ant Financial
Faculty Supervision: K. Sudhir in cooperation with Renmin University of China School of Business
Ant Financial’s MYbank aimed to provide small loans to farmers in rural areas of China by leveraging fintech innovations. Students are asked to assess if MYbank could operate at scale, relying on big data and technical analysis to accurately measure credit risk. The case also explores the social costs of introducing credit scoring to China.
#7 – Mastercard
Faculty Supervision: Ravi Dhar, Vineet Kumar, and Amy Wrzesniewski
Mastercard’s CMO, Raja Rajamannar, led a transformation of the marketing strategy and department. This case examines the dynamics of traditional marketers working alongside internet marketers and explores the concept of “experience marketing.”
#8 – Golden Agri Resources and Sustainability
Faculty Supervision: David Bach
Golden Agri, a major Indonesian palm oil producer, reached an unprecedented agreement with Greenpeace to limit deforestation in Indonesia. This case explores whether the agreement will increase sustainability standards in the palm oil industry.
#9 – AgBiome
Faculty Supervision: James Baron
AgBiome, an agricultural R&D firm, has operated with a flat organizational structure, relying on employee committees for key decision-making. Students are challenged to analyze whether the company can grow while maintaining this commitment-focused model.
#10 – Bovard and Majid
Faculty Supervision: AJ Wasserstein
Lia Majid, backed by the Search Fund Accelerator (SFA), was on the verge of acquiring a business deal when her backers asked her to restructure the deal. This case presents Majid with the dilemma of deciding whether to re-engage with the target firm or explore other prospects.
For the complete list of the top 40 case studies of 2019, please visit our online store. business
Remember, these cases are carefully selected based on their popularity and relevance in the business world. So, grab a cup of coffee and delve into these intriguing and thought-provoking case studies that offer valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals alike.
