Links to case databases

British Petroleum: From Texas City to the Gulf of Mexico and Beyond

The case deals with the rather tumultuous executive leadership changes of British Petroleum (BP) over the past decade from 2005 to 2014 in the wake of two dramatic incidents: The Texas City refinery explosion in 2005 and the explosion of the oil rig Deepwater Horizon in the Mexican Gulf in 2010. The company started with a venturous search for oil in Iran in the early 1900s to eventually become a multinational oil and gas conglomerate among the world’s largest energy companies. The company grew by developing oil fields around the world including demanding locations like Alaska, the North Sea and the Mexican Gulf and pursuing an ambitious acquisition strategy soaking up significant assets and brands in North America and elsewhere.

(PRIZE WINNER)

Building a ‘Milky Way’ from Denmark to Latin America and the Caribbean

Cooperation with local partners has, for more than 60 years, been Arla Foods’ strategy for its internationalisation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAM). However, in 2013 Arla Foods decided to open an office in Mexico City to develop a stronger presence in the region. In addition to a shared ownership in Brazil with Vigor Alimentos SA, announced in September of 2014.

(PRIZE WINNER)

Cult Girl: Responsible Management and Self-management of Subjectivity at Work

To promote and sell its products, the beverage company Cult hires an army of event girls. The Cult Girls, as they are called, represent Cult at festivals, nightclubs, and local venues and are famous for their sexy outfits and flirty behaviour. 

(PRIZE WINNER)

The Acquisition Experiences of KazOil

This case describes two diverging post-acquisition experiences of KazOil, an oil drilling company in Kazakhstan, in the years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. When the company was bought by the Canadian corporation Hydrocarbons Ltd in 1996, exposed to new human resource strategies and corporate culture and management style, it seemed to adapt more successfully than in 2005, when China Petrol acquired the assets.

(PRIZE WINNER)

Securing the Workforce: Diversity Management in X-tech, a Japanese Organisation

Japan is world renowned for its quality production and efficient management, lean. However, economic stagnation – and a bottom score in the OECD statistics on women participation in the workforce – has forced the Japanese government to focus on the economic benefits of diversity in Corporate Japan.

(PRIZE WINNER)

Securing the Workforce: Case B

This is part of a case series. Japan is world renowned for its quality production and efficient management, lean. However, economic stagnation – and a bottom score in the OECD statistics on women participation in the workforce – has forced the Japanese government to focus on the economic benefits of diversity in Corporate Japan. 

(PRIZE WINNER)