Case Questions

JetBlue Airways, the latest entrant in the airlines industry has gone through the initial stages (entrepreneurial and collectivity) of the organizational life cycle rapidly under the successful leadership of David Neelman. JetBlue Airways is currently in the formalization stage of the life cycle where in it needs to create procedures and control systems to effectively manage its growth. Also as it proceeds to grow further to reach the elaboration stage, JetBlue needs to continue to align itself with the environment in order to maintain its sustained growth.

6. What is your appraisal of Blue Nile’s financial performance based on the data in

3. What is your evaluation of Iridium 's organizational design? What changes could you have made to increase the probability of Iridium 's success?

10. What recommendations would you make to Jim Sinegal regarding the actions that Costco management needs to take to sustain the company’s growth and improve its financial performance?

The key external factors like the growth in the economy, disposable income, and fuel prices have negatively affected JetBlue. It was compelled to change its strategy several times and in 2011 had an income of $86 million down from $97 million in 2010. The growing consumer interest in leisure travel has positively affected JetBlue. The success of JetBlue has been attributed to growing consumer interest in leisure travel.

What recommendations would you make to Jim Sinegal regarding the actions that Costco management needs to take to sustain the company’s growth and improve its financial performance?

Upon Review of Nucor Corporation’s current findings, analysis of internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as a comparative analysis at the industrial level of the steel industry, the following includes a summary of findings and recommendations for Nucor Steel Corporation:

1. Assess Interco’s financial performance. Why is the company a target of a hostile takeover attempt?

4. What offer would you make in an effort to gain the support of the Robertson family and the great majority of the stockholders, while improving the long-term trend of Monmouth’s earnings per share over the next five years?

Nucor is a classic case in how a firm can develop sustainable competitive advantages through resources that fit the VRIO criteria. It is worth noting that Nucor has achieved this in an industry that few would describe as attractive.

1. What is Panera Bread’s strategy? Which of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5 most closely fit the competitive approach that Panera Bread is taking? What type of competitive advantage is Panera Bread trying to achieve?

20 5. Corporate-level strategy 25 6. How is the effectiveness of the company’s strategies? (ROIC) 26 7. What strategic problems does the company have?

1. What is Panera Bread’s strategy? Which of the competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 1 most closely fit the competitive approach that Panera Bread is taking? What type of competitive advantage is Panera Bread trying to achieve?

d. Does the firm appear to have an effective corporate governance structure? Explain any shortcomings.

1. Assess Interco's financial performance. Why is the company a target of a hostile takeover attempt?