Business Case Studies

Dollar Tree Case Study: Price Leadership and Strategic Planning for Market Success - When Dollar Store Items Sell for More than a Dollar (Fall 2023)

By Art T. Weinstein, Jasmine Pottinger, Ann Mantle

Dollar Tree recently raised their prices 25% from the eponymous $1.00 to $1.25. They are now also targeting higher-income consumers looking to save money. While low price is essential, product selection matters most. Shoppers enjoy the thrill of the hunt to find great deals. This case analyzes the Dollar Tree division and reviews the company, market environment, growth strategies, and future decisions.

The “nicest place on the Internet”? Trouble at Pinterest, Inc (August 2023)

By Rita Shea Van-Fossen, Janet Rovenpor, Lisa T. Stickney

The case provides a brief overview of Pinterest, including its mission, values and organizational culture, and details several incidents and complaints by female and minority employees. The case questions whether employee complaints are a relatively narrow issue involving disgruntled former employees who did not fit at the organization or a much broader issue involving discrimination and managerial neglect in creating and maintaining a nondiscriminatory, inclusive culture. (Limited access)

The leader of the pack: how Chewy became the alpha figure (August 2023)

By Art T. Weinstein, Christopher Alegria, Daniela Araujo, Diana Ramirez Carvallo, Luz Helena Cubides, Annmarie Salinas (Department of Marketing)

This case study aims to describe Chewy’s growth strategies and how the company can remain a market leader. Using the customer value assessment tool, the authors examine Chewy’s value proposition, including service, quality, image and price strategies. This paper concludes with recommendations for management and questions for consideration.

Antecedents and consequences of servant leadership in local governance: Evidence from three case studies (December 2022)

By Pallavi Awasthi, Fred O. Walumbwa

This study investigates the antecedents and consequences of servant leadership in local government agencies using a comparative analysis of three case studies (two counties and a city). Findings highlight two frameworks of antecedents and consequences of servant leadership in local governance: (1) the underlying mechanisms—translating antecedents into servant leadership and (2) the intervening mechanisms—translating as organizational and community-level consequences of servant leadership. These findings have implications for both public sector leadership theory and practice.

How Royal Caribbean Navigates Stormy Seas: A Customer Value Analysis (April 2022)

By Art Weinstein, Autumn Bishard, Rebecca Flack, and Kaeleigh Sturgeon (Department of Marketing)

This case study evaluates Royal Caribbean’s marketing strategy, market and competitive situation and customer value practices, and offers thought-provoking end-of-case questions for marketing/business scholars and practitioners. A customer value assessment is conducted based on the Service-Quality-Image-Price (SQIP) framework. The information and insights offered are applicable to service marketers, particularly those in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.

World’s biggest retailer launches Walmart Plus and customers have their say (October 2021)

By Art T. Weinstein, Kristen Anti and Esteban Ochoa (Department of Marketing)

The Covid crisis led to a huge worldwide shift in consumer behavior. In response, Walmart’s revised business strategy promoted their online delivery service known as Walmart Plus. This study aims to critique the potential of this new venture via a customer value analysis. Using the customer value funnel, Walmart’s market environment, organizational factors, customer perceptions and business performance are examined. An exploratory survey collected data from South Florida residents on awareness and interest in Walmart Plus.

Daltexpharma: A Case Addressing Potential Pharmaceutical Cargo Theft (July 2020)

By Tiffany Marchione, Nile Khanfar, Bahaudin Mujtaba, David Loudon

The case delves into the worldwide, on-going dilemma of pharmaceutical trucking cargo theft losses and the effects of such theft.

Uber and its Driver-Partners: Labor Challenges in the On-Demand Transportation Networking Sector (June 2016)

By Janet Rovenpor, Lisa Stickney, Rita Shea-Van Fossen

The case provides a brief history of Uber Technologies, its competitors, and the taxi and limousine industry, discusses the requirements for working as an Uber driver-partner, and delves into litigation related to Uber's labor practices. It raises substantial questions about how to classify workers (employee v. contractor) and how to develop human resource practices in the sharing economy.