Speculation surrounds the rumored agreement between General Motors and AM General to
market and manufacture the civilian version of the HMMWV, known as the “Hummer” H1.
Plant expansion would be critical to AM General’s ability to manufacture and sell the vehicle.
Success of the deal and ultimately the plant expansion is dependant on city cooperation, a
contract with the UAW, and most importantly the relocation of nearly 50 local residences from
their lifelong homes. 5 pp. Case #00-21. (2000)

American Apparel, a multinational fashion retailer headquartered in Downtown Los Angeles,
looked to target the plus-size clothing customer segment in an effort to grow its stagnant sales. It
launched “The Next Big Thing,” a marketing campaign requiring contestants to submit modeling
shots for American Apparel’s online audience to vote on. Little did they know that their ad copy,
which utilized several puns as adjectives to describe larger women, would invoke a negative
response by media outlets as well as the incite members of the plus-size community. Nancy
Upton, a size-12-wearing student and actress based in Dallas, Texas, decided to join the contest
with a satirical entry, and created a blog. What happened next was a series of corporate
communication problems that revealed a deeper issue of cultural insensitivity rather than just a
poor choice of wording. 17 pp. #13-08 (2013)

A mid-size manufacturer of electrical equipment buys out a competitor and discovers improperly
disposed polychlorinated biphenyls on the property. Though he is guilty of no wrongdoing, the
CEO must move quickly to deal with the concerns of employees, shareholders, customers,
suppliers, and the neighboring community, which suspects the company of complicity in
contamination of the local water supply. 9 pp. Case #97-01. (1997)

The CEO of a $35-million manufacturing firm in the American Midwest is faced with an
executive’s worst nightmare: a boiler explosion that kills two employees and seriously injures
five others. This crisis management case takes the reader through a series of
information-gathering and decision-making steps as the CEO and his senior team grapple with
human tragedy and calamitous business problems simultaneously. (A) Case, 5 pp. (B) Case, 2 pp.
Case #98-01. (1998)

In 2018, Harley-Davidson found itself in controversy as the company began expanding its business overseas. At the same time, the company became a victim of pointed criticism by the President of the United States. This case describes the circumstances that led to Harley-Davidson creating a new global strategy, and the complications that ensued from a public spat with President Trump. Case #19-12 (11 pp.)

A Midwest manufacturer of specialty metal products for the automotive industry is faced with
decisions about how to communicate employee promotions. Issues include notification of
employees selected for promotion, as well as those who are not, along with timing, publicity, and
confidentiality. 4 pp. Case #94-06. (1994)

This case will examine the complex challenges of a global business which must maintain healthy
communications with customers, investors, and suppliers. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is by most
accounts a success story of modern innovation, yet its production delays present a unique challenge for a
corporate communication officer. 7pp. Case #08-06. (2008)

On January 16, 2013, Boeing had its newest and most advanced aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, grounded worldwide due to fires that started in the airplane's batteries. The Lithium-Ion technology used in the 787 aircraft was a new feature used in commercial aircraft as a solution to save weight. Several prior delays had already affected the introduction of the Dreamliner 787, one of the most revolutionary planes to date. Boeing is faced with high demand, costs, and pressure to respond quickly, while responding to both safety concerns and general industry concerns and loss of revenue. (Case #13-01)

Electric automaker Tesla’s Autopilot technology aims to make driving safer and more convenient. Consumer misuse, however, and numerous vehicle collisions contradict Tesla’s goal. As Tesla continues to release new Autopilot updates to the public, concerns regarding the system remain. How should Tesla proceed with respect to consumer safety, consumer perceptions, and its beta testing model? 17 pp. Case #21-11 (2021)

Following reports of forced labor in its supply chain, fast fashion merchandiser H&M stopped sourcing cotton from China’s Xinjiang region, the site of alleged genocide. After Western sanctions sparked nationalist outrage, China retaliated by boycotting H&M. Will H&M continue defending human rights or choose to preserve the growing Chinese market? 20 pp. Case #21-13 (2021)