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Tiger Investment Partners. “To Stream Or Not To Stream” Case Study, Roger R. Schnorbus

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Tiger Investment Partners (TIP) TIP is a boutique technology investment firm in Richmond, VA. It was founded in 2012 by its three principal partners and is managing over $300 million in investment funds. Its stated mission is to someday be as successful as Berkshire Hathaway with a focus on firms that were or would be major disruptors in their given industries.

Har-Tru Sports: Serving Up Growth In 2011, Roger R. Schnorbus, Littleton M. Maxwell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Randy Futty, the General Manager of HAR-TRU Sports (HTS), a division of the Luck Companies set a deadline of mid August, 2011 to develop a five year strategic/growth plan for his business. In fiscal 2010, the division had achieved net sales of $10 million and Futty's objective was to grow the business to $15 million by fiscal 2015.

On the positive side, growth opportunities existed geographically in both the western U.S. and in global markets although it would be organizationally challenging to service such markets. Also, various new tennis accessory products and services were being developed by HTS to complement …

Markel International: Entry Into India, Roger R. Schnorbus, Littleton M. Maxwell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

William Stovin, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Markel International (MKLI) was pleased with the rapid growth of his company. Since its acquisition and formation as a subsidiary of the Markel Corporation in 2000, MKLI had written gross premiums of $641 million and produced operating profits of $52 million in fiscal 2009. This growth had come from expanding operations into Sweden, Spain, Canada, Singapore, and the U.K.

The challenge for MKLI was to develop an entry strategy into India. Many questions had to be answered including selecting a joint venture Indian partner (required in India) and determining a strategic …

Paul M. Klekner (B), Roger R. Schnorbus

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

This is a fictitious case study, including the name of the restaurant and the people involved.

Paul Klekner graduated first in his class from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 1998; his fellow students named him the chef most likely to succeed in the future. After graduation, he and his wife, Sarah, moved back to his home in Richmond, Virginia where he was employed as a chef at several restaurants including Bottega and Old Original Bookbinders. In 2003, he decided to open his own restaurant, Rogerios, in the Tobacco Row section of Richmond. With an inheritance of $300,000 he …

Owens & Minor: Growth Plan For "Expansion" Products, Roger R. Schnorbus, Littleton M. Maxwell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

E. V. Clarke, the Executive Vice President, Distribution of Owens & Minor (O & M) faced a complex strategic challenge in 2009—the organization and growth of the "Expansion" products business. This business comprised several existing product categories (Radiology—Contrast Media, Surgical Instruments, Electrosurgical, Endoscopy and Dialysis), in which O&M had a presence but lacked a clear cut growth strategy. Revenue growth in categories had averaged 15% per annum from 2003 to 2008 without a customer focus; the growth had been achieved through supplying such products to existing customers through existing distribution channels.

Genworth Financial: A Company In Transition, Roger R. Schnorbus, Littleton M. Maxwell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

In 2008, Genworth Financial sought to transition itself from being primarily an insurance company to a provider of financial security. The mechanism to achieve this transition was Genworth's "Next Act" strategy. Of prime concern to Genworth was implementing this strategy in its Retirement and Protection segment. To do this, a significant effort was required by the various business units in this segment.

Brink's Entry Into China 2007, Roger R. Schnorbus, Littleton M. Maxwell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

This case was prepared from various referenced sources and was developed solely for classroom discussion; the case is not intended to serve as an endorsement, source of primary data or an illustration of either effective or ineffective handling of a business situation.

Ron Rokosz, the President of Brink's International was both pleased and distressed as he reviewed the financial results of International operations for fiscal 2006. Revenue had increased by 14% to $1,568.6M, driven by strong gains in both EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and LA (Latin America). In addition, operating profit in International was up by 68%. (Exhibit 1) …

Qimonda, Roger R. Schnorbus, Littleton M. Maxwell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

On April 1, 2006, German based Infineon Technologies AG, announced that it would split off its semiconductor memory business by forming a wholly owned subsidiary named Qimonda (pronounced key-monda). The effective dates of the split would occur on May 1, 2006, two months prior to the previously announced date of July 1, 2006. Infineon also announced that it would conduct an initial public offering (IPO) of Qimonda at unspecified future date, thereby liquidating its majority interest in the company.

After the split, Qimonda would emerge as the 4th largest global manufacturer of DRAM memory components. The company would be headquartered …

Campbell Soup Company In 2004 (A), Roger R. Schnorbus

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

As fiscal 2004[1] began, Doug Conant, the President and CEO of the Campbell Soup Company could take pride in the results of his 3-year transformation plan instituted in fiscal 2001 to revitalize the company. The key initiatives of the plan were to restore revenue and profitability growth and stimulate shareholder wealth.

Conant, who became President and CEO in January of 2001, called the plan, “the single most comprehensive commitment to revitalization ever undertaken in the 132-year history of Campbell Soup Company.”

The financial results achieved in fiscal 2002, the first year of the plan, were a mixed bag. Although net …

The Newsboy With Known Demand And Uncertain Replenishment: Applications To Quality Control And Container Fill, John S. Rose

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Consider a newsboy problem with known demand and random replenishment. The distribution of the replenishment quantity is determined by a location-scale parameter, (μ, σ), which can be controlled. The usual expected cost function includes a separate term associated with the choice of σ. The asymptotic behavior of the optimal parameter values, as functions of the holding and shortage costs, is examined.

Adam Smith On Competitive Religious Markets: Preaching About Preachers?, Charles G. Leathers, J. Patrick Raines

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Anderson (1988) and Rosenberg (1960) have provided substantial insights into Adam Smith's economic analysis of religious behavior. In particular, both emphasized Smith's optimistic view of competitive religious markets. As an addendum, this paper investigates more closely the theoretical basis for Smith's prediction that optimal religious doctrine and institutions would spontaneously evolve in free markets for preachers.

Cost, Price, Equity And Quality In Higher Education, Phillip A. Jones Sr., Clarence R. Jung Jr.

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

As tuition and other college expenses have continued to out pace the rate of inflation in the U.S. economy, increased attention has focused on the economics of higher education. Questions have been raised, explicitly or implicitly, as to whether the higher cost of a college education is justified and whether there are policy measures—private or public—which might be put in place to contain these costs and/or alter the nature of the product.

Financial Analysis Of Foreign Operations: The Effect Of Foreign Currency Translation, James A. Schweikart

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Financial statement analysis of multinational corporations (MNCs) is becoming increasingly complex, due to the further globalization of MNCs and the development of a world economy. MNCs are expanding their markets overseas to become globally competitive. No longer is the international dimension of their businesses only a mere portion of their total activity.

The economic organization of Western Europe and the creation of a new market in Eastern Europe are two forces augmenting the world economy. Couple with existing competition from the Far East, U.S. MNCs are entering world markets at an accelerated pace. This is both an opportunity and a …

Announcement Effects On Bank Stock Prices: Citicorp's Increase In Loan Loss Reserves For Third World Debt, Gay B. Hatfield, Carol Lancaster

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Citicorp's announcement of a sizeable increase to its loan loss reserve account was a landmark public admission of possible loan default by Third World debtor nations. This paper analyzes the impact of the announcement on Citicorp, the banking industry, and the stock market. The results provide evidence of a positive response to Citicorp's action. There is additional evidence that the size of the market response is related to an individual bank's degree of international loan exposure.

The Consequences Of Fas 93: Depreciation In Higher Education, Phillip A. Jones, Clarence R. Jung Jr.

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

The absence of depreciation accounting in the financial statements of colleges and universities is an issue of relevance to managerial accountants, both professionally and personally. It is of professional relevance not only because of the impact on the financial statements but also because of the impact this has had on management and accounting practices in higher education. It is of personal relevance because of the impact that the adoption of depreciation accounting will have on the cost of higher education to managerial accountants and their families. The convergence of the results of our study of colleges and universities in Virginia, …

The Economics Of Higher Education In Virginia, Phillip A. Jones, Clarence R. Jung Jr.

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

This study is based primarily on financial data from colleges and universities in Virginia for the two academic years 1986-1987 and 1987-1988. The database stems from detailed data submitted by virtually all colleges and universities to the federal and state governments and reported in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data survey (IPEDS). The data were accessed by Professor Jones from the State Council of Higher Education using the Bitnet computer program.

The aim of the study is to gain an understanding of the matrix of financial, economic and academic factors which determine the nature of a college or university; and to …

A Profile Of Research In Expert Systems, Mohammed H. Omar, Jack S. Goodwin

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

If the field of Expert Systems (ES) is viewed in terms of a life cycle, the past decade represents the growth phase of its development. Sophistication of ES has increased rapidly, and the use of ES to solve more complex problems has maintained a similar pace. Numerous forces have driven this development including the rapid changes in computer technology. As the field has matured, the body of published research in ES has grown substantially.

Through the use of published ES research, this article provides useful answers to these questions. The scope of our study is limited to the description and …

Corporate Philanthropy: Strategic Responses To The Firm's Stakeholders, Jeanne M. Logsdon, Martha L. Reiner, Lee Burke

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Corporate decisions about philanthropic contributions have become more strategic in recent years. Contributions are targeted not only to benefit recipient nonprofit organizations, but also to fulfill major business objectives. This article develops a typology of strategic corporate philanthropy that distinguishes between strategic process and three strategic outcomes. It reports the extent of strategic philanthropy categories in an exploratory study of large firms headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Relationships between philanthropy and industry sector, organizational placement of the philanthropy function, firm age, and firm size are identified.

Fiber Optics Technology: A Promise For Productivity Enhancement, Mohammed H. Omar

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

The evolution of fiber optics during the past thirty years has led to dramatic developments in the fields of computer information systems, telecommunications, cable television, and military science. Today, fiber optical systems are widely accepted as a practical and cost efficient alternative to electrical communication systems.

This paper addresses: (1) the basic architecture of fiber optical systems; (2) the evolution of fiber optical systems; (3) the advantages and limitations of fiber optical systems in comparison to traditional communication systems; (4) the application of fiber optical systems; and (5) the anticipated future developments of fiber optical systems.

Avtex: A Clash Of Environmental Business And Defense Interests, Diane Dodd-Mccue, Martha Reiner

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Avtex: A Clash of Environmental, Business, and Defense Interests is based on the continuously unfolding conflict between the only certified U.S. supplier of carbonized rayon for the Department of Defense and NASA with state and federal water and air quality regulators. Avtex, a privately held and financially strapped corporation, is the biggest water and air polluter in Virginia and one of the worst nationwide. It is also a major employer in Front Royal, Virginia, a small community nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. Complicating the Avtex controversy are the $22.6 million federal bailout in November 1989 and recent charges by environmental …

Some Concerns In Implementing The New Education Requirements For Accounting Graduates, James A. Schweikart, Phillip A. Jones Sr.

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Graduates in accounting expecting to enter the profession of public accounting in the United States will soon be required to have five years of college education. While the education of accounting graduates may be enhanced, there are several repercussions of this requirement on colleges and universities as well as on the accounting profession in general. Some of these consequences may actually impair accounting education for those entering fields other than public accounting, as college and university resources will be unable to support the needs of all accounting fields.

Optimal Selection With Holding, John S. Rose

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

The arrival times of what we shall call offers constitute a Poisson process. The value of any offer is a nonnegative random variable with known distribution. At an arrival epoch, we may select, reject, or hold the offer. Rejected offers may not be recalled, but an offer on hold is available for future consideration. However, cost accrues during the holding period. We seek a holding and selection strategy that maximizes the expected value of the offer selected less holding costs. The discrete time version of the problem is also considered.

The Erratic Equity Position May Be Caused By Fas 52: An Investigation Of The Results Of Unrecognized Gains And Losses From Foreign Currency Translations, James A. Schweikart, Robert H. Sanborn

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 52 (FAS 52) replaced FAS 8 in 1981 and the new guidelines have been accepted widely for providing noncontroversial and adequate disclosure of foreign currency matters. The nine years since the adoption of FAS 52 have seen erratically fluctuating exchange rates, however, and the equity positions of many firms have responded accordingly. This article provides an investigation into the erratic equity positions and recommends actions that can be taken currently that may avoid future embarrassments for the profession.

The World War Ii Experience And The Leadership Of Entrepreneurship And Venture Investing Around Stanford University, Martha L. Reiner

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Dr. Frederick Terman has been widely recognized as the "godfather of Silicon Valley" (Lowood, 1982). Terman, a Stanford University electrical engineering professor, managed Harvard University's Radio Research Laboratory during World War II and returned as Stanford's dean of engineering. His commitment to seeing California companies in science-based industries seize postwar opportunities to push ahead of their Eastern counterparts influenced the venture investing as well as the entrepreneurship that built a thriving high-technology industrial community around Stanford University. Terman's wartime experience shaped his postwar role as a leader of high-technology entrepreneurship. Wartime experiences similarly influenced individuals who invested in California ventures …

A Comparison Of U.S. And Japanese Attitudes About The Relevance Of Current Consolidation Accounting Procedures, James A. Schweikart, Walter F. O'Connor

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Consolidation accounting has not materially changed since APB Opinions 16 and 18. Only minor changes have been made such as the new rules requiring financial subsidiaries to be consolidated (FAS 94, 1989). The recent trend of mergers and acquisitions, however, represents a significant change in business environment from that which existed when consolidation accounting as we know it was formalized. Accordingly, there is concern that current consolidation practices may be less appropriate or relevant than before.

Selection-Bias Correction In An Evaluation Of The Vocational Rehabilitation Program, David H. Dean, Robert C. Dolan

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

The article applies a "fixed-effect" methodology to evaluate the training impacts of the Vocational Rehabilitation program. Two central issues are identification of an acceptable comparison group and adjusting for sources of selection-bias. The use of program dropouts as a comparison group is examined with a modified Hausman test. The results suggest spending on VR may be ore cost-effective in view of the high public cost of serving the disabled in a full dependency mode. These estimates of VR training impacts are compared with the performance of CETA, a public program serving the non-disabled which has been examined extensively using the …

401-K Payout: Lump Sum Distribution Or Ira Rollover, G. Richard Deved, Robert W. Phillips

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Significant sums of money are being accumulated on a taxed deferred basis in 401-K retirement accounts. Those individuals with large amounts of money in these thrift accounts generally must decide whether to take a lump sum distribution upon retirement and pay taxes on a five year or ten year averaging basis or roll the distribution over into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). A person born before January 1, 1936 can choose between five year and ten year averaging methods; while a person born later cannot use the ten year average method. Five year or ten year averaging can only be …

An Update On Opec Behavior: Cartel Stability Under Falling Prices, Clifton T. Jones

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

Griffin's widely cited study of OPEC behavior first tested the empirical validity of several alternative hypotheses that have been put forth to explain the motivations and market power of the OPEC member nations. Although the sample period considered by Griffin contains both upward and downward price fluctuations, the overall trend and dominant expectation among oil producers and consumers over that period was one of the steadily rising real oil prices both in the near and far term. Thus, the observed production behavior by both OPEC and non-OPEC producers over this period should have reflected this relatively optimistic (from the producers' …

Modeling The Bottleneck Process In Electrical Cable Production, Lewis A. Litteral, Grover L. Stell

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

This paper addresses the problem of using simulation to model the radiant heat curing process of electrical cable production. The production process for underground residential distribution cable is presented and a simulation model of the bottleneck process is discussed.

Assessing Intended Employee Behavior In Exit Interviews: Attitudinal And Status Effects, Robert A. Giacalone, Ron A. Dibattista, David Duhon

Robins School of Business White Paper Series, 1980-2022

In order to assess the effects that attitudes toward particular aspects of work life and status (management vs . non-management) might have on the intended willingness to discuss issues during exit interviews, managerial and non-managerial workers were asked to evaluate their attitudes toward particular aspects of work life, as well as their willingness to discuss these issues during an exit interview. Results showed that status alone did not affect willingness to discuss issues, but that attitudes and status had an interactive effect on willingness.