Economics

Take a look at economics-related case studies from the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit at ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½. 

  • The SEKEM Initiative

    Company: SEKEM

    Publisher: IESE Business School

    Call Number: 0-304-072

    Year Published: 2004

    Sekem was founded by Ibrahim Abouleish, an Egyptian who had been living, studying and working in Austria prior to his return to Egypt in 1977, the year he established Sekem. In 2003 it consisted of three main parts: the Sekem group of companies, the Egyptian Society for Cultural Development and the Cooperative of Sekem Employees, together employing more than 2,000 people. This case portrays the complex set of circumstances that frames Sekem's decisions to further grow and develop the initiative along its historical path of holistic development in the social, economic and cultural spheres.

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    To initiate holistic development able to create economic, social and cultural value in a sustainable manner.

    Website where case study can be found

  • Corporate Citizenship and Sustainable Community Development: Fostering Multi-Sector Collaboration in Magadi Division in Kenya

    Company: Magadi Soda Company

    Publisher: ICCSR

    Call Number: N/A

    Year Published: 2007

    This paper explores Magadi Soda Company’s efforts to initiate a multi-sector collaboration to facilitate sustainable community development in Magadi division in Kenya. A narrative is presented of the process that led to the design of a community development plan intended to be the development blueprint guiding all actors (non-governmental organisations, the community, the government and Magadi Soda Company) operating in Magadi division.

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    How to tackle complex social problems of deprived communities?

    Website where case study can be found

  • Towards a Sustainable Model and Ecological Integrity in South Africa

    Company: Londolozi - KNP

    Publisher: Harvard

    Call Number: 9-709-001

    Year Published: 2008

    The Londolozi game viewing reserve in South Africa became a defining icon of ecotourism during the 1990s and early 2000s--that is, a tourist business promoting ecological land management and, at the same time, local economic development. The Sabi Sand Game reserve (within which Londolozi was located) was initially created by the government to provide hunters with an area in which to hunt wildlife. Through the 1980s and 1990s, the farms within the Sabi Sand Game reserve converted their functions from hunting to wildlife viewing, and the fence was taken down.

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    The new challenge for the farms while transforming into wildlife viewing became land management and local economic development.

    Website where case study can be found

  • Kiva vs MYC4-Business Model Innovation in Social Lending

    Company: Kiva, MYC4

    Publisher: INSEAD, ECCH

    Call Number: 809-024-1

    Year Published: 2009

    The case describes the launch, growth and current challenges of two innovative ventures in the nascent social lending market. Kiva is based on good-will while MYC4 is based on market incentives. Which model is more likely to succeed?

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    Which model is more likely to succeed?

    Website where case study can be found

  • Honey Care Africa: A Tripartite Model for Sustainable Beekeeping

    Company: Honey Care Africa

    Publisher: Ivey

    Call Number: 9B07M060

    Year Published: 2009

    The director and co-founder of Honey Care Africa (Honey Care) looks back over the six years of operations and describes the original business model and several sequential changes based on feedback from rural communities, partner organizations, and learning by doing through field operations. The case tackles alternative routes for scaling up the model in East Africa. Students are presented with several specific challenges which illustrate the growing tension between Honey Care's original commitment to the farmers and its prospects for international take-off, and are asked to propose alternative model reconfigurations to resolve this tension.

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    Potential opportunities and challenges in replicating the Honey Care model elsewhere.

    Website where case study can be found

  • A Model of Clean Energy Entrepreneurship in Africa: E+Co's Path to Scale

    Company: E+Co

    Publisher: Ivey

    Call Number: 907M59

    Year Published: 2009

    The founder and executive director of E+Co faces the challenge of ten-fold growth and reviews the core parts of the company's innovative business model, the changes in the energy markets around the world, and the rationale for local solutions to energy scarcity and inefficiency. Also presented is a set of entrepreneurial growth strategies that preserve the core of the model - i.e., simultaneously tackling energy poverty and energy waste, and bringing people up the energy ladder with locally suitable and affordable solutions.

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    Challenge of ten-fold growth and reviews the core parts of the company's innovative business model, the changes in the energy markets around the world, and the rationale for local solutions to energy scarcity and inefficiency.

    Website where case study can be found

  • Amanco: Developing the Sustainability Scorecard

    Company: Amanco

    Publisher: Harvard

    Call Number: Harvard

    Year Published: 2008

    The case describes the challenges of using the Balanced Scorecard to implement a triple-bottom-line strategy for delivering excellent economic, environmental, and social performance. The owners and senior executive team of Amanco, a producer of plastic pipe and complete water treatment systems, want strong financial returns but are also deeply committed to improving the environment and making a difference in people's lives. Robert Salas, CEO, wants a management system that communicates and motivates Amanco's three high-level goals.

    What is the dilemma or tough decisions?

    How can Amanco develop and implement an effective measuring stick for its sustainability that will lead to effective managerial strategies?

    Website where case study can be found