This case deals with the depletion of fish stocks in the late 1990s. Unilever, one of the biggest fish producers in the world, had a strong interest in finding a solution for this dilemma. Unilever decided to found the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). This council is run as a joint venture with the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF).
The case gives a detailed background of both Unilever and the WWF in order to understand their intentions. It then describes the process of setting up the MSC and deals with the issues of stakeholder management. Interestingly, other environmental groups heavily criticized the WWF for joining forces with Unilever.
The Marine Stewardship Council (A): Is a joint venture possible between "suits and sandals"
Summary
This case deals with the depletion of fish stocks in the late 1990s. Unilever, one of the biggest fish producers in the world, had a strong interes...
2001 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Social & Environmental Responsibility)
Reference
IMD-2-0080
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©2000
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IMD Copyright
Available Languages
English
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The Marine Stewardship Council (B): Departing in unchartered waters
Summary
This case deals with the actual implementation of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The case explains in detail the certification process for f...
2001 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Social & Environmental Responsibility)
Reference
IMD-2-0081
Copyright
©2000
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IMD Copyright
Available Languages
English
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Transforming the global fishing industry: The marine Stewardship Council at full sail?
Summary
The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an NGO –headquartered in London and established by WWF and Unilever in 1997 to set up a certification and ...
2010 ECCH AWARD WINNER (Economics, Politics & Business Environment)
Reference
IMD-2-0083
Copyright
©2006
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IMD Copyright
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English
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Here’s what we predicted for 2024… how did we do?
Summary
Did our predictions for 2024 come true, a turbulent election year, bitcoin and CBDC, COP29 and electric cars, China, EU integration and Euro football
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The strategic imperative
Summary
In a world where change is the only constant, the strategic imperative for sustainability is not just a theoretical construct – it’s a call to action. This section of the book delves into the core strategies that will enable businesses to thrive i...
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Framing the conversation
Summary
In late 2020, as the world began to emerge from the worst
of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wärtsilä, a Finnish corporation
specializing in power systems, made a bold decision.
Despite being a well-established company with a strong
track record in...
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Hostage at the table: How leaders can overcome conflict, influence others, and raise performance (2nd edition)
Summary
In the newly revised second edition of Hostage at the Table: How Leaders Can Overcome Conflict, Influence Others and Raise Performance, clinical psychologist, distinguished leadership professor, and veteran hostage negotiator George Kohlrieser com...
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©2024
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NTT at a crossroads (A): Quest for growth
Summary
NTT Corporation, Japan’s information and communication technologies (ICT) leader since 1953, was the first to commercialize internet usage on mobile phones in the 1990s, which resulted in NTT achieving much success in Japan. However, by the end of the 2000s, Japan faced challenges with an aging population and a stagnant economy. Recognizing disruption in the ICT sector, CEO Satoshi Miura understood the need for the dominant players in the ICT industry to integrate emerging business domains beyond their existing frameworks. To secure leading global positions in ICT and the new paradigm of cloud computing, Miura needed to make strategic choices to revive growth. Case A provides information on NTT, its rivals, the global market and cloud computing disruptions. The case ends with NTT’s CEO exploring strategic growth options to prepare NTT for the future.
Reference
IMD-7-2351
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
Industry
Services, Telecommunications;Information Technology
Available Languages
English
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NTT at a crossroads (B): Mapping growth options
Summary
Building on NTT (A), the case starts with NTT’s CEO having narrowed down strategic growth options with the board to prepare NTT for the future. Past international investments in AT&T Wireless and KPN to tap into foreign markets had resulted in billion $ write offs and stopped international acquisitions. However, after reviewing the disruptive changes facing the ICT industry and considering the shareholders’ views, CEO Miura committed to internationalization. The B case details NTT’s growth strategy focused on internationalization, while considering the need for new capabilities and technologies. It provides more insights into NTT, its opportunities and the Japanese experience with M&As and ends with Miura’s determination to quickly grow through international expansion to prepare NTT for the future.
Reference
IMD-7-2352
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone
Industry
Services, Telecommunications;Information Technology
Available Languages
English
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Feeding the dragon: Revisiting ChemChina’s acquisition of Syngenta
Summary
Basel (Switzerland), March 2024. The acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina in 2017 was a major event for the agricultural industry and, with a price tag of $43 billion, the largest ever foreign acquisition by a Chinese firm. A number of issues were flagged by analysts as key concerns, including governance, post deal integration, culture conflicts and a lack of synergies. With hindsight, were those concerns valid or had they failed to capture the overarching rationale for the Syngenta deal? Why did the Syngenta board support the transaction when so many other western firms rejected such approaches? More remarkable even was the fact that the CEO brought in to manage the complex acquisition, Eric Fyrwald, was still in place seven years after the transaction, an inordinately long tenure for a chief executive in any setting. What were the keys to this remarkable longevity? How did Eric manage to combine these two hugely different entities into an even more formidable giant? What did it take to balance the cultural sensitivities of Swiss and Chinese shareholders and managers? Could lessons be learned for other executives put in charge of complex, multicultural, transformational acquisitions? The success rate of M&A transactions was notoriously poor: What made this such a different animal?
Reference
IMD-7-2577
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Industry
Food Production, Agriculture;Food Production, Agricultural Services
Available Languages
English
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Overcoming adversity through innovation – Daikin at 100 (A): Leadership lessons
Summary
This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircraft components. However, the company pivoted towards refrigeration technology in response to emerging market demands, notably during Japan’s post-World War II economic boom. By leveraging R&D in fluorocarbons and innovative cooling technologies, Daikin established itself as a leader in the air conditioning sector. The case highlights key leadership eras, notably the transformative periods under Noriyuki Inoue. Under Inoue’s stewardship, the company emphasized execution capabilities, prioritizing operational excellence alongside technological advancement. His leadership drove Daikin’s globalization strategy, enabling the company to become the second-largest fluorocarbon producer globally and the foremost player in the air conditioning market. As Daikin approaches its 100th anniversary, it faces contemporary challenges such as climate change and increasing consumer demands for energy-efficient products. The company’s commitment to innovation remains pivotal as it seeks to balance profitability with environmental responsibility. This case prompts discussion on Daikin’s strategic responses to evolving market conditions and the importance of leadership in sustaining growth.
Reference
IMD-7-2618
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Daikin Industries
Industry
Consumer Goods, Home Appliances
Available Languages
English
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Overcoming adversity through innovation – Daikin at 100 (B): Sustainability lessons
Summary
This case study examines the remarkable evolution of Daikin Industries, a company that demonstrated resilience and innovation over nearly a century. Founded in 1924 by Akira Yamada in Osaka, Japan, Daikin originally focused on manufacturing aircraft components. However, the company pivoted towards refrigeration technology in response to emerging market demands, notably during Japan’s post-World War II economic boom. By leveraging R&D in fluorocarbons and innovative cooling technologies, Daikin established itself as a leader in the air conditioning sector. The case highlights key leadership eras, notably the transformative periods under Noriyuki Inoue. Under Inoue’s stewardship, the company emphasized execution capabilities, prioritizing operational excellence alongside technological advancement. His leadership drove Daikin’s globalization strategy, enabling the company to become the second-largest fluorocarbon producer globally and the foremost player in the air conditioning market. As Daikin approaches its 100th anniversary, it faces contemporary challenges such as climate change and increasing consumer demands for energy-efficient products. The company’s commitment to innovation remains pivotal as it seeks to balance profitability with environmental responsibility. This case prompts discussion on Daikin’s strategic responses to evolving market conditions and the importance of leadership in sustaining growth.
Reference
IMD-7-2619
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Daikin Industries
Industry
Consumer Goods, Home Appliances
Available Languages
English
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Overcoming adversity through innovation – Daikin at 100 (C): China market lessons
Summary
Daikin’s success in the Chinese air conditioning market serves as a compelling case study in strategic adaptation and collaboration. Following its entry into the market in the 1990s, Daikin faced formidable competition from well-established domestic brands like Gree and Midea. Despite the initial challenges of breaking through in a fragmented and competitive landscape, Daikin’s innovative inverter technology became a distinguishing feature of its product offerings. The watershed moment in Daikin’s trajectory occurred in 2008 when it formed a strategic partnership with Gree, China’s largest air conditioner manufacturer. This collaboration enabled Daikin to tap into Gree’s expansive distribution network and manufacturing expertise, significantly enhancing its own market reach. The partnership proved mutually beneficial; Gree capitalized on Daikin’s advanced inverter technology while Daikin secured a foothold in a market driven by increasing consumer demand for energy-efficient solutions. By 2012, inverter air conditioners claimed over 60% of the Chinese market share, a figure that surged to over 90% by 2024, illustrating the success of their joint efforts. Furthermore, Daikin’s commitment to sustainability was manifested in its pioneering use of HFC-32 refrigerant, known for its low global warming potential. By openly licensing HFC-32 patents globally, Daikin not only positioned itself as an environmental leader but also fostered industry-wide innovation. This case highlights the critical importance of strategic partnerships and innovation in overcoming competitive challenges and underscores Daikin’s role as a transformative force in the global air conditioning market.
Reference
IMD-7-2620
Copyright
©2024
Copyright owner
IMD Copyright
Organization
Daikin Industries
Industry
Consumer Goods, Home Appliances
Available Languages
English
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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications