Business Commons^™

Glendalough Distillery: The Internationalisation Challenge, Aileen Kennedy Dr, Tara Rooney Dr

Case Studies

This case study focuses on the emergence and growth of an Irish-owned start-up challenger brand Glendalough, entering the highly competitive global whiskey market. From their origins in 2011, this small enterprise has gained global attention for their innovative products, their strong focus on branding and their rapid success. The case centres on their acquisition by Mark Anthony Brands, a major North American drinks producer and distributor, who took a stake in the business early on.

The next phase for Glendalough will focus on how to maximise this relationship with Mark Anthony Brands. While this will give them increased access and …

Birkman.Nl: Crafting The Future, Helen De Haan Dr

Case Studies

Birkman.nl is a small branch of a large US-Based consultancy company Birkman.nl. In an increasingly overcrowded and fragmented assessment market. Despite this challenge, Birkman.nl has maintained a stable competitive position. However, the competition coming from the consulting and software industries has created new entrants and substitutes for Birkman in the European market. Meanwhile, the lack of marketing strategy and budget does not help to address the large heterogeneity in different European countries. The CEO of Birkman.nl Mr. van der Loo is actively searching for new customers in the Dutch and surrounding markets, and, if possible, is looking to enter the …

What Makes A Great Strategy? Gea Farm Technologies Road To Smart Farming, Jan-Philipp BüChler Prof. Dr.

Case Studies

GEA Farm Technologies is a mid-sized world market leader of mechanical equipment and service solutions for milk production and livestock farming. Senior management of the hidden champion gets approval for an accelerated acquisition strategy to boost growth and innovate the business model vis-á-vis strong competitors in order to lead and develop the market. However, the existing strategic management of internal technology development would be altered and a significant part of management attention would be shifted towards M&A as well as post-merger integration efforts. The case study invites students to explore the benefits and limits of this business model innovation and …

Two To Tango Is Not Enough: How To Build Ecosystems For Smart Service Innovation?, Jan-Philipp BüChler Prof. Dr.

Case Studies

Senior managers of two German mid-sized world market leaders in sensor electronics (ifm electronic) and mechanical engineering (GEA Group) discuss the opportunities and barriers of developing smart service innovations. The case study addresses different roles and patterns in ecosystems of multiple collaborating actors in different stages of development. The open-end discussion invites learners to evaluate the opportunities from different perspectives based on industry-specific experiences.

Iq-Pass: Accelerate And Upscale To The Next Level, Helen De Haan

Case Studies

European business environment has many specific market conditions due to the differences in terms of legislation, culture & language, business practices, etc. Many European companies are in the transition of combining digital transformation (apps, software and platform development) and their traditional industrial bases. Another trend in European business development is consolidation, i.e. merger and acquisitions. Small but very innovative companies can be easily taken over by larger companies. When such a small but innovative company becomes a business unit in of a large organisation after acquisition or take-over, maintaining innovation-based growth can be problematic. By understanding this dynamic and the …

Keeping It Agile: The Internationalisation Decision For The Agile Executive, Siobhan O Regan, Roger Sherlock

Case Studies

This case focuses on The Agile Executive, a company looking for new market opportunities to expand their business in several possible European markets.

This case is also an exercise case for students to practice their knowledge from the perspective of strategic management, branding, marketing & sales, conducting market research and the development of feasible marketing entry strategies, all based on clear use of robust criteria, aligning with the core competences, resources and capabilities of the organisation.

This case can be divided into sub-cases that could focus on answering the questions of how to enter or expand in a target European …

Portwest’S Future Strategy: Fashionising Workwear – Threading The Needle, Fiachra Coll, Damian O'Reilly

Case Studies

Portwest- should they further pursue the leisurewear / workwear market or should they focus on expanding the current range?

Portwest is a global manufacturer and innovator of workwear, safetywear and Personal protective equipment (PPE) and one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world. Recently, the company launched an “Inspired Workwear” collection targeting the leisurewear/workwear market. It is a departure from their traditional markets where their acquisition strategy has seen Portwest rapidly gain market share. Management are concerned that this new departure may take resources from the core business of Workwear and dilute key resources.

Tesla Transformation And Hidden Champions: The Pace Of Innovation It The Only Thing That Matters In The Long Run., Jan-Philipp BüChler Prof. Dr.

Case Studies

After having internally invested significant amounts of time and resources into customer-specific development, the CEO of CoMaTec - family-owned and mid-sized world-market leader in the automotive industry - receives the contract for batch production from emerging electric automotive giant TESLA. However, the timing for the final development stage and start of production (SOP) deviates distinctly from all prior agreements. The tightened timing would put his company at tremendous risk. Should he accept the contract? Which mitigation strategies present an option for managing the emerging risks?

Lava: Is Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr) Inevitability Or Fashion? The Role Of The Network For Encouraging Business To Truly Commit To Sustainability, Zivile Stankeviciute, Asta Savaneviciene Prof Dr

Case Studies

LAVA is a Sustainable Business Association of Lithuania, which brings together companies and organisations committed to implement and follow responsible and sustainable business practices. The Association was formed out of the ”National Network of Responsible Business Enterprises” (NNRBE), which had been active in Lithuania since 2005. From 30 August 2013 LAVA continues the work of NNRBE. Although LAVA operates more than 10 years, ir currently brings together only 34 business and non-business organizations. The core issues are as follows: how to spread the notion about corporate sustainability in Lithuania?; how to attract organizations truly to commit to sustainability? how to …

Entering The Next Level Of Value Generation: Servitization And Digitization For Industry 4.0 By Ifm Electronic, Robert Ciszewski, Jan-Philipp Büchler Prof Dr

Case Studies

Ifm electronic is a mid-sized wold market leader in sensor electronics for industry and automotive applications. The hidden champion shows an impressive growth trajectory in the last 20 years from around 200 mio. € to 1 bn. € in 2019. In this case study, the ambitious leaders of this company start to elaborate the strategy for achieving the next billion. Students are required to identify the drivers of growth in the past decades and evaluate the steadiness of this recipe for success in the context of major shifts and technological advances in key customer industries such as industry 4.0 and …

Exspectare: A Digital String, Arjen Van Klink Dr, Johan Reijenga

Case Studies

The pandemic and labour market shortages in the Dutch healthcare sector have demanded much attention from managers. In many ways the situation has resulted in enormous challenges and dilemmas for everyone working in the healthcare sector, whether as a carer or board member. Healthcare institutions deal with regulations, complicated financial accountability, and social issues. It is not always easy to get recognition for how much the sector serves society. Henk is almost 59 years old and has been working with heart and soul in the sector for Nursing and Care Homes & Homecare (VVT) for decades. The last six years …

Florensis: More Catholic Than The Pope?, Gerard Van Der Star, Arjen Van Klink, Florensis

Case Studies

The beauty of a family business is that it always keeps an eye on the continuity of the business. For a family business nothing is more important than long-term continuity and harmony. A good balance between family and business interests is essential24. In any case, the focus is on the long term25. How can Florensis ensure that the fifth and sixth generations and the numerous employees can still enjoy the benefits of this beautiful company. The Calvinist and Christian roots of Florensis ensured from the outset that the human factor was central and key. Without this people orientation quality production …

Gea Farm Technologies: Building Core Competencies Through Internal And External Growth, Jan-Philipp Büchler Prof Dr, Axel Faix Prof Dr, Gregor Brüggelambert Dr, Anna Weiland

Case Studies

GEA Farm Technologies is a mid-sized world market leader of mechanical equipment and service solutions for milk production and livestock farming. The so-called hidden champion developed a set of capabilities and core competencies to innovate the industry’s established business model through a two-fold strategy balancing internal and external growth. The case study invites students to explore the benefits and limits of this business model innovation and requires them to investigate further strategic options for growth.

Entering The Next Level Of Value Generation: Creating Cyber-Physical Customer Relations At Ifm Electronic, Jan-Philipp Büchler Prof Dr, Robert Ciszewsk

Case Studies

Ifm electronic is a mid-sized wold market leader in sensor electronics for industry and automotive applications. The hidden champion shows an impressive growth trajectory in the last 20 years from around 200 mio. € to 1 bn. € in 2019. The company started as a sensor manufacturer in 1969, became an automation specialist for industry 4.0, and develops towards a full digital solutions company. In this case study, the ambitious leadership team starts to discuss options for organizing the transformation of the company for the age of smart services. Thus, students will discuss the implications of strategic decisions for servitization …

Iq-Pass: Access To Growth, Arjen Van Klink Dr, Helen De Hann Dr

Case Studies

The market of (temporary) access control is one example of an industry that is impacted by digitization and internationalisation. New possibilities come up and ask for reaction from suppliers, but require the re-specification of needs from customers as well. It is also an illustration how new regulation, in this case especially related to privacy and migration, influences industrial dynamics. Related to new technological possibilities and legislative conditions, the industry is in a process of consolidation. This case focuses on a small but innovative company, IQ-Pass, developing its growth strategy in Europe within its constellation of being a subsidiary of the …