Not so black and white: Grupo Inca’s black alpaca dilemma (A)
Grupo Inca, a conglomerate that owned Peru’s leading textile business with a long history of working with alpaca fleece, was at a crossroads regarding the conservation and commercialization of black alpaca fiber. Historically, black alpacas were as common as their lighter-colored counterparts, but market preferences drove them to near extinction. The Inoue brothers, fashion designers committed to social impact, expressed an interest in creating a luxury collection using rare black alpaca fiber. This presents Grupo Inca with both an opportunity and a dilemma: Should it invest in developing this niche market despite uncertainties of both supply and demand, or collaborate with local government and NGOs to ensure sustainable practices, or maintain its current direction and do nothing? This compact case explores the intricacies of actions vs. impact, ethical responsibility and long-term strategic thinking. It provides a rich context for discussing the impact of business decisions on biodiversity and sustainability, the role of corporate values in guiding strategy and the potential for innovation in sustainability. Students will explore Grupo Inca’s role in the decline of black alpacas, assess the ethical implications of the company’s actions and develop strategic recommendations through scenario planning. The accompanying teaching note also covers methods to leverage AI tools to generate ideas and explore solutions that enhance students’ learning.
- Explain and assess key terms and concepts in sustainability.
- Interpret the impact of a company’s actions, considering both positive and negative, as well as intended and unintended consequences.
- Analyze a social problem from multiple perspectives, including long-term consequences and stakeholder impacts.
- Develop strategic recommendations through scenario planning to address future uncertainties and complexities.
- Synthesize AI-generated information with human insights for a comprehensive case analysis.
Grupo Inca, Manufacturing, Textile
1965-2011
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
- Not so black and white: Grupo Inca’s black alpaca dilemma (A)
- Not so black and white: Grupo Inca’s black alpaca dilemma (B)
- Not so black and white: Grupo Inca’s black alpaca dilemma (A)
- Not so black and white: Grupo Inca’s black alpaca dilemma (B)
Case reference: IMD-7-2609 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Picking up where Case A ends, Case B reveals that Grupo Inca decided to innovate internally and develop a new fabric from the rare black alpaca fib...
Case reference: IMD-7-2610 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
We are very good at expressing our positions on ethical issues but less good at explaining them. Use this template to set out your position clearly for all to understand.
How business design thinking can transform sustainability strategies into actionable plans.
Many companies treat sustainability reporting purely as an add-on to financial reporting. Here's how to use it to disrupt your industry to your advantage. Many companies treat sustainability reporting purely as an add-on to financial reporting. He...
Vital to trade and commerce throughout history, trust is more important than ever in the age of global warming and artificial intelligence.
The case focuses on Rede Mulher Empreendedora (RME), Brazil’s largest support platform for female entrepreneurship, and its founder, Ana Fontes. Founded in 2010, RME had grown into a significant network by 2023, impacting the livelihoods of over 1...
Picking up where Case A ends, Case B reveals that Grupo Inca decided to innovate internally and develop a new fabric from the rare black alpaca fiber. After nearly three years of effort, the Inoue brothers’ dream of creating a luxury collection fr...
Grupo Inca, a conglomerate that owned Peru’s leading textile business with a long history of working with alpaca fleece, was at a crossroads regarding the conservation and commercialization of black alpaca fiber. Historically, black alpacas were a...
Corporate messages about the climate crisis can evoke feelings of helplessness. In contrast, life-affirming, empowering narratives can be more effective drivers of sustainability.
Pasona Group, a Japan-based human resources company, is committed to driving social change through business and supporting individuals to find "ikigai” (fulfillment) through work. The company has promoted flexible work and equitable workplaces and...
Business giants are slowly realizing the benefits of focusing on societal impact. Here’s how your company can meet regulatory requirements and the expectations of sustainability indexes.
in I by IMD Brain Circuits 27 November 2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-7-2613 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-7-2610 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-7-2609 ©2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Picking up where Case A ends, Case B reveals that Grupo Inca decided to innovate internally and develop a new fabric from the rare black alpaca fiber. After nearly three years of effort, the Inoue brothers’ dream of creating a luxury collection fr...
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD 19 November 2024
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications