In 2013, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided 14 7-Eleven stores that subjected about 50 undocumented immigrants to negligent human rights violations. In 2018, ICE conducted a raid of separately owned franchises that resulted in 21 additional arrests. The franchises were held liable. How can tension be resolved between franchises and the parent company? 9 pp. Case #19-01 (2019)

On September 26, 2017, the FBI announced the arrest of 10 men in connection with “fraud and corruption in college basketball.” The announcement shook the intercollegiate athletics world to its core. Three of ten individuals implicated in the investigation were employees or representatives of sportswear manufacturer, Adidas AG. This case delves thoroughly into the FBI’s investigation of the bribery and money laundering that took place over a two-year period and Adidas’s response. This case also offers an overview of the company’s history, highlights the history of endorsements, introduces another key player in the NCAA, and provides a framework for further analysis.
Case #19-10. (16 pp.)

On August 15, 2015, The New York Times published the results of an investigation, entitled “Inside Amazon: Wrestling Big Ideas in a Bruising Workplace.” The article denounced a brutal working culture at Amazon.com. Having consistently outperformed its competitors, Amazon is now recognized as the most valuable retailer in the United States, enjoying the biggest market capitalization in its industry. Against the backgrounds of Amazon’s impressive business expansion, this case examines the relationship between a growing social discontent toward Amazon and an aggressive corporate culture long favored by the company. 20 pp. (2015)

Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos sent his employees an ultimatum in early 2015 – embrace the self-management philosophy Holacracy or leave the company. Eighteen percent of the staff chose to leave rather than remain under the new system characterized by no job title, no managers, and complex rules governing employee interactions. Is this an experiment in organizational design worth sustaining? 12 pp. Case #17-13. (2017).

In the aftermath of the San Bernardino shooting in December 2015, Apple was required by a federal court order to assist the FBI in unlocking the primary suspect’s iPhone 5c. Apple would need to build a new software program in order to comply with the order, potentially compromising the company’s brand promise regarding the security of customer data. This case examines the importance of customer data privacy to a company’s business model as well as external risk factors related to international politics and terrorism. How can Apple manage the various risks while maintaining the loyalty and trust of its customers? 8 pp. Case #17-07. (2017)

On July 3, 2018, bookseller Barnes & Noble released a statement saying that their CEO, Demos Parneros, was terminated, effective immediately, for “violating the company’s policies.” In this abrupt firing, Barnes & Noble did not specify the policies that were violated, but did mention that it was not related to any disagreement with the company regarding its financial performance. Suspicion quickly grew that Parneros was just the latest executive caught up in a #MeToo moment. 15 pp. Case #19-02 (2019)

Under an environment of increasing suspicion and regulation of “dark pools”, led by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Credit Suisse’s two dark pools, Crossfinder and Light Pool, were fined US$84.3 million. The executive leadership of Credit Suisse AG were facing a loss of dark pool market share and declining stock price. What should they say to key institutional investors who hope to trade off-market? What should they say to ordinary, small block investors and the general public about these financial structures? 12 pp. Case #17-02. (2017)

In July 2018, Mark Zuckerberg landed Facebook at the center of another political firestorm when he appeared to defend users wishing to post content that denied the Holocaust. This case examines Facebook’s rise, its influential role in society, and the potential ramifications of this latest controversy. 7 pp. Case #19-04 (2019)

In August of 2016, Mylan Pharmaceutical came under public scrutiny for its highly priced EpiPen, a drug used to treat life threatening allergic reactions. “EpiGate” erupted almost overnight, as EpiPen customers took to social media to voice their frustrations. Mylan was accused of using “greedy robber baron” tactics against a helpless customer base. Mylan issued several price-related reparations to its customers (increased rebates, generic product offerings). A month later, Mylan was still struggling to silence its critics. Why did Mylan’s responses fail to address their concerns? What was missing in Mylan’s strategy? This case illustrates (a) the influence of social media on corporate reputation (b) the difficulties of balancing business strategy and public approval and (c) the principles of successfully responding to negative news media. (A) Case, 7 pp. Case #17-04. (2017)

In 2012, a former employee filed a lawsuit against Deen and her brother for racial discrimination. Deen later confessed to using racial slurs in a deposition transcript that was leaked in 2013. Deen issued a public apology, but several companies, including the Food Network, elected to end their partnership with her. Can Paula Deen recover? (A) 15 pp. (B) 2 pp. Case #15-04

Larry Nassar’s conviction of first-degree sexual misconduct with young girls in USA Gymnastics raised important questions about the efforts of the USOC and affiliated organizations to keep their athletes safe. The scope and duration of his abuse brings into question the execution of the International Olympic Committee’s values. 15 pp. (A) Case; 10 pp. (B) Case. Case #18-05 (2018)

Perhaps no brand is more deeply embedded in American culture than that of The Walt Disney Company. So, it was especially shocking when the company decided to use the H-1B visa system to replace hundreds of American IT workers with less costly, foreign professionals. Adding to the insult, Disney conditioned the American workers’ severance pay on their willingness to train their foreign replacements. How would Disney navigate the backlash from government officials, media and the general public? 23 pp. Case #16-07 (2016)

Publishers, editors and journalists at The Washington Post find themselves in a life-and-death struggle to defend their work against allegations of “Fake News.” The issues at play include a responsibility for the paper to fairly report the news, as well as the responsibility of the public to critically analyze, but be receptive to, truthfully reported facts. 15 pp. Case #18-06. (2018)

Theranos became one of the most exciting start-ups in Silicon Valley when it introduced a simplified blood testing method that had the potential to help countless people. However, a 2015 Wall Street Journal article changed everything. Suddenly, Theranos went from being viewed with praise to suspicion. Will regular, transparent communication save this once-promising biotech firm from extinction? 16 pp. Case # 17-11. (2017)

Fraudulent customer account management at Wells Fargo has left the company with $185 million in fees and numerous stakeholders demanding answers from top executives. Newly promoted CEO Timothy Sloan is tasked with transforming a poisonous company culture, rebuilding a tarnished brand, and assuring investors of the financial security moving forward. (A) Case, 15 pp. (B) Case, 3 pp. Case #17-12 (2017)

After a terrorist attack at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, Apple received immense public pressure to comply with the FBI’s request to assist in unlocking the encrypted iPhone of the attacker. Apple’s evolving technology will open the company up to further concerns about user privacy that will need to be addressed. 10 pp. Case #20-03

In August 2020 – in the midst of a hotly contested U.S. presidential election – Donald J. Trump used the online Twitter platform to criticize Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s policy banning “Make America Great Again” apparel, creating a firestorm of politicized press and public outrage that lowered Goodyear’s share price. This case examines the company’s political expression policy, the fractious nature of American politics, and limits of political expression in the workplace. (A) Case, 11 pp. (B) Case, 4 pp. Case #20-06

Starbucks Corporation is facing a dilemma with a group of employees in Buffalo, New York attempting to form a union in response to compensation and working conditions. Starbucks faces this labor organization effort in the context of a global pandemic and distinctive challenges facing the entire service industry. 10 pp. Case #21-09

For $500 million annually, Facebook contracts Accenture PLC to moderate content that violates its Terms of Service and is not caught by artificial intelligence. The graphic nature of the content has led to mental health issues for content moderators, as well as multi-million-dollar lawsuits, leading Accenture managers to reconsider the value of the Facebook contract. 11 pp. Case #21- 06 (2021)