Business Commons^™

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.

Instigating Change And Managing Growth: Keogh’S Progression From Local Family Business To International Player, Donal O Brien Dr

Case Studies

This case is about the progression of a family business from small local holding to a diversified local and international player. The Keoghs family farm has been in existence for over 200 years in the same location just north of Dublin City, Ireland. Huge changes in the market and consumers behaviour have forced the family into major changes to reinvent the business. The case focuses on the drivers of these decisions and the process management had to go through to implement change.

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.

The Burren Smokehouse, Aileen Kennedy Dr, Tara Rooney Dr

Case Studies

The Burren Smokehouse is one of Ireland’s best known artisan producers of organic Smoked Salmon, Mackerel, Trout and Gauda Cheese using 100% Irish quality raw materials for its products. This case explores the role of the Brand and brand experiences in the artisan food market. The role of place in the brand story and values is central to The Burren Smokehouse and the expansion of the operation to include a visitor centre has ensured that these values are embedded.

The case explores the role of visitor experiences and asks the student to Identify and discuss the strategic and tactical business …

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 …

New Market Entrance Projects For A Small Company: Responding Sustainable Development Guidelines, Ruta Ciutiene, Evelina Meiliene

Case Studies

JSC “Žemaičiių virvės” is small company operating in Lithuania. The company has developed its activity in cord and rope production. To guarantee high quality production and to satisfy growing customer needs and requirements, the company pays considerable attention to new technologies. The company’s products are sold in the country’s supermarkets and supplied to foreign markets. An in-depth interview with the company's manager was conducted to identify the problems that JSC “Žemaičių virvės” faces. Projects drive change in organizations and open up growth opportunities. Therefore, students are introduced to core concepts such as projects, role of the projects aiming the development …

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.

Uab Sdg: Recruitment Based On Values, Lina Girdauskiene, Asta Savaneviciene Dr, Rasa Laliene Dr, Zivile Stankeviciute

Case Studies

JSC SDG is a group of companies providing safe work consultancy services. The company was established in 2002 and has grown to the group of the companies. During the growth period organization faced various human resource management problems. One of the most significant issues are leadership. Recruiting suitable employees is a challenging aspect, as it affects the well-being of the employees and the goals of the organization.

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 …

Rimi Lietuva, Uab: Journey Towards Employment Of People With Disability, Zivile Stankeviciute, Asta Savaneviciene Dr, Lina Girdauskiene, Rasa Laliene

Case Studies

Rimi Lietuva is one of the largest retailers in Lithuania. Rimi Lietuva's retail network is designed to meet the most diverse needs of customers and to serve them as well as possible. The company has more than 3000 employees representing various generations, different nationalities, various backgrounds and different skills and abilities. Rimi Lietuva has a huge focus on employee diversity and inclusion. Behind this orientation lies the commitment of the organization and its CEO to corporate social responsibility and wiliness to help people to find the job who are usually “left behind”.

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 …