Why do price wars often erupt in certain industries (such as the automobile indu
Why do price wars often erupt in certain industries (such as the automobile industry), but less frequently in other industries (such as the diamond industry)? What can a firm do to discourage price wars or be better prepared for price wars?
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How does the institution-based view complement and differ from the industry-based and resource-based views? Why has the institution-based view become a third leg in the strategy tripod?
Your CPA firm is organizing a one-day-long CSR activity using company time, such as cleaning up a dirty road or picking up trash on the beach. A colleague tells you: “This is so stupid. I already have so much unfinished work. Now to take a whole day away from work? Come on! I don’t mind CSR. If the company is serious about CSR, why don’t they donate one day of my earnings, which I am sure will be more than the value I can generate by cleaning up the road or picking up trash? With that money, they can just hire someone to do a better job than I would.” What are you going to say to her? (Your colleague makes $146,000 a year or $400 per day.)
As a CEO, you feel the price war in your industry is killing profits for all firms. However, you have been warned by corporate lawyers not to openly discuss pricing with rivals, whom you know personally (you went to school with them). How would you signal your intentions?
Some argue that engaging in a “learning race” is unethical. Others believe that a “learning race” is part and parcel of alliance relationships, especially those with competitors. What do you think?
Assume you work for a New Zealand company exporting a container of kiwis to Haiti. The customs official informs you that there is a delay in clearing your container through customs and it may last a month. However, if you are willing to pay an “expediting fee” of US$200, he will try to make it happen in one week. What would you do?
You are 30 years old and obtained your MBA from a top business school two years ago. You are being promoted to be CEO of a multibillion-dollar firm that is publicly listed in your country. There is loud minority shareholder resistance to your appointment because you are too young. Too bad—your father and your family are the controlling shareholders and you get the job. What are you going to say at your first press conference as CEO, knowing that there will be some tough questions from reporters?
A skeptical classmate says: “Global strategy is relevant for top executives such as CEOs in large companies. I am just a lowly student who will struggle to gain an entry-level job, probably in a small company. Why should I care about it?” How do you convince her that she should care about global strategy?
Critics argue that MNEs, through FDI, both exploit the poor in poor countries and take jobs away from rich countries. If you were the CEO of an MNE from a developed economy or from an emerging economy, how would you defend your firm’s FDI?
As a Chinese MNE executive working in the United States or an American MNE executive working in China in 2020, you feel that the host-country government officials and media have become noticeably more hostile than five years ago when you first arrived. How does this affect your daily interactions with host-country colleagues, suppliers, and customers? What are your recommendations to corporate headquarters regarding the future of the firm’s operations in the host country for the next five years?
Pick any recent announcement of the formation of an international alliance. Predict its likely success or failure.
From institution-based and resource-based views, identify the liability of foreigners confronting MNEs from emerging economies interested in expanding overseas. How can such firms overcome them?
Some argue that globalization has gone too far. Others argue that globalization, despite its imperfections, makes the world better. What are the ethical dilemmas in each position? What do you think?
Why is entrepreneurship most often associated with SMEs, as opposed to larger firms?
As a CEO, you are concerned that your firm and the industry in your country are being devastated by foreign imports. Trade lawyers suggest that you file an antidumping case against leading foreign rivals and assure you a win. Would you file an antidumping case or not? Why?
Question 15 options:
