Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
This case describes a situation where Vivek Vyas and Vimal Popat, first-generation entrepreneurs, started their venture shradhanajali.com in June 2011 by bootstrapping with an initial investment of ₹1.5 million. The monthly revenues ranged between ₹65,000 and ₹80,000. Shradhanjali.com garnered customers from major parts of India, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Africa, whose primary need was to relive memories of their loved ones and pass on their legacy to their descendants. It was in 2018 when Vyas and Popat, co-founders of shradhanjali.com, were in their office at Rajkot, Gujarat, reading a report by The Internet and Mobile Association of India, which claimed that the number of online users would rise to more than half a billion by 2018. Looking at the report, Popat told Vyas that their goal to have 20,000 subscribers by 2020 could be fulfilled by expanding their presence in different parts of India and by rolling out a mobile application, to which Vyas mentioned finding a way to enter the global market as the population of overseas Indians was 30,843,419 as of December 2016.The purpose of this case is to provide an opportunity for the participants to step into the shoes of Vyas and Popat and to plan a way towards the growth strategy of shradhanjali.com by answering what route should be adopted in order to achieve the goal of 20,000 subscribers till 2020 (expanding presence in India and/or in the global markets). This case is also ideal for teaching the Business Model Canvas, which is fast gaining centre-stage for modern enterprises. The instructors are advised to use role-play and structured discussions to find the solution. Participants are to consider the data given on shradhajali.com, make assumptions and devise a solution for Vyas and Popat.
Category Archives: Asian Journal of Management Cases
Collaboration and Conflict at Chief Minister’s Initiative on Primary Healthcare (CMIPHC)
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
This case study is about the organization Chief Ministers Initiative on Primary Health Care (CMIPHC). The organization was created as a collaboration between the Government of Punjab province in Pakistan and a local nonprofit organization named Punjab Rural Support Program (PRSP).CMIPHC was given control of Basic Health Units (BHU) in 12 out of 36 districts of Punjab. However, the provincial health department retained the infrastructure in other aspects of public health. Despite signs of success, CMIPHC had come under criticism from the provincial health department officials and the local government administration throughout its operation.In 2014, the conflict had reached a point where the provincial government had started considering the closure of CMIPHC and returning BHUs to the provincial health department. The final decision was to be taken after a third-party evaluation. While the CMIPHC leadership was confident that a third-party evaluation would favour the collaboration, they were still concerned about the financial and functional stability of their organization. This was because the leadership felt that some officials from the local health department were resentful of the fact that PRSP was treading on their turf.This instruction manual uses a resource dependency framework to analyse the facts presented by the case and aims to help the students better understand the opportunities and threats posed by collaborative approaches to public service delivery.
This case study is about the organization Chief Ministers Initiative on Primary Health Care (CMIPHC). The organization was created as a collaboration between the Government of Punjab province in Pakistan and a local nonprofit organization named Punjab Rural Support Program (PRSP).CMIPHC was given control of Basic Health Units (BHU) in 12 out of 36 districts of Punjab. However, the provincial health department retained the infrastructure in other aspects of public health. Despite signs of success, CMIPHC had come under criticism from the provincial health department officials and the local government administration throughout its operation.In 2014, the conflict had reached a point where the provincial government had started considering the closure of CMIPHC and returning BHUs to the provincial health department. The final decision was to be taken after a third-party evaluation. While the CMIPHC leadership was confident that a third-party evaluation would favour the collaboration, they were still concerned about the financial and functional stability of their organization. This was because the leadership felt that some officials from the local health department were resentful of the fact that PRSP was treading on their turf.This instruction manual uses a resource dependency framework to analyse the facts presented by the case and aims to help the students better understand the opportunities and threats posed by collaborative approaches to public service delivery.
Jamal Dairy Farm: Technology Adoption Challenges
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
This case clinically analyses the dynamics of the dairy sector and its core foundations, without which it is impossible to run this enterprise successfully. The prime focus is to understand the prerequisites of establishing a sustainable and profitable dairy farm considering the most critical climate factor. It provides guidelines for good dairy farming practices, challenges, and probable measures to address the obstacles. Most importantly, this case presents the execution of a mixed blend of existing and modern dairy farm practices considering prevalent constraints in the sector. The differences in breed, feed, nutrition, animal welfare, environment, and technology between the leading dairy-producing countries and developing countries (like Pakistan) are highlighted. Finally, the case suggests good dairy farming practices adopted in the local context to operate a dairy farm efficiently.
This case clinically analyses the dynamics of the dairy sector and its core foundations, without which it is impossible to run this enterprise successfully. The prime focus is to understand the prerequisites of establishing a sustainable and profitable dairy farm considering the most critical climate factor. It provides guidelines for good dairy farming practices, challenges, and probable measures to address the obstacles. Most importantly, this case presents the execution of a mixed blend of existing and modern dairy farm practices considering prevalent constraints in the sector. The differences in breed, feed, nutrition, animal welfare, environment, and technology between the leading dairy-producing countries and developing countries (like Pakistan) are highlighted. Finally, the case suggests good dairy farming practices adopted in the local context to operate a dairy farm efficiently.
Maujan.pk: Nothing Ventured; Nothing Gained
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
The case helps the students explore a capacity utilization problem faced by the CEO of Maujan.pk. The financial statements from the fiscal year 2013–2014 put the CEO, Tahir, in a difficult spot. According to these reports, his main business, which was online discount coupons, has been outpaced in growth by his side business, Facebook management. Tahir had launched the Facebook management business as an afterthought; his strategic business decisions never factored it as a major consideration. Now, Tahir is forced to reflect on this matter, especially because of resource constraints. Being a small company with six employees, he has had to share resources between the two businesses. Now that his side business has grown faster than the main business, Tahir finds himself understaffed. Meanwhile, the original business is slowing down, and few avenues of growth are forthcoming due to network congestion (network effects model). Keeping this in mind, a decision must be made to choose one of the two businesses or expand and continue them both. The expansion would mean significant logistic overhead and initial resource starvation. This is perplexing for someone like Tahir, who is a real hands-on manager. Eventually, inaction would lead him to these problems, as the business would continue to grow to further compete for the same resources. Each decision has its merits and demerits in a fast-moving Pakistani digital market where copycat businesses can spring up within days, and customer loyalty is mercurial at best.
The case helps the students explore a capacity utilization problem faced by the CEO of Maujan.pk. The financial statements from the fiscal year 2013–2014 put the CEO, Tahir, in a difficult spot. According to these reports, his main business, which was online discount coupons, has been outpaced in growth by his side business, Facebook management. Tahir had launched the Facebook management business as an afterthought; his strategic business decisions never factored it as a major consideration. Now, Tahir is forced to reflect on this matter, especially because of resource constraints. Being a small company with six employees, he has had to share resources between the two businesses. Now that his side business has grown faster than the main business, Tahir finds himself understaffed. Meanwhile, the original business is slowing down, and few avenues of growth are forthcoming due to network congestion (network effects model). Keeping this in mind, a decision must be made to choose one of the two businesses or expand and continue them both. The expansion would mean significant logistic overhead and initial resource starvation. This is perplexing for someone like Tahir, who is a real hands-on manager. Eventually, inaction would lead him to these problems, as the business would continue to grow to further compete for the same resources. Each decision has its merits and demerits in a fast-moving Pakistani digital market where copycat businesses can spring up within days, and customer loyalty is mercurial at best.
EDSAI Education: Start-up Valuation amidst nCOVID-19
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Volume 21, Issue 1, Page 48-56, March 2024.
This article is a field case on business valuation woven around the dilemma for a young EdTech firm to choose between the two opportunities that came out as collaterals to the nCOVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The selection would be based on the principle of firm value maximization, for which the opportunities needed to be valued. Students will learn the application of the venture capital (VC) model used for start-up firms. Students are challenged to apply the discounted cash flow (DCF) model and the relative valuation (RV) model, and, in the process, learn to estimate the cost of equity using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The case provides an opportunity to learn how to build the narrative around numbers by augmenting a discussion on the impact of a pandemic on various input variables used in the valuation exercise. The case is most suitable for the course on business valuation in management and doctoral programmes.
This article is a field case on business valuation woven around the dilemma for a young EdTech firm to choose between the two opportunities that came out as collaterals to the nCOVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The selection would be based on the principle of firm value maximization, for which the opportunities needed to be valued. Students will learn the application of the venture capital (VC) model used for start-up firms. Students are challenged to apply the discounted cash flow (DCF) model and the relative valuation (RV) model, and, in the process, learn to estimate the cost of equity using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). The case provides an opportunity to learn how to build the narrative around numbers by augmenting a discussion on the impact of a pandemic on various input variables used in the valuation exercise. The case is most suitable for the course on business valuation in management and doctoral programmes.
Alpha Industrial Services Limited: Managing Safety Affordably
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
Industrial radiography (IR) is an important application of radiation in which an ionizing radiation source is used to detect any cracks or hidden flaws within machinery and welding joints. A category-2 radioactive source (if not shielded properly, it can cause serious and potentially terminal health consequences) is used in IR. It can cause severe detrimental effects like burns if not used properly. There have been many IR related accidents worldwide which are also available on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website. This case is written on two isolated events that happened in Pakistan within the same company (name changed) engaged in IR services within Pakistan. Alpha Industrial Services Limited’s (AISL) higher management was dealing with a prevailing financial crunch, and the company was struggling to maintain its quality of services and safety at an affordable cost. The leadership of the company made several decisions to manage the financial crisis.
Industrial radiography (IR) is an important application of radiation in which an ionizing radiation source is used to detect any cracks or hidden flaws within machinery and welding joints. A category-2 radioactive source (if not shielded properly, it can cause serious and potentially terminal health consequences) is used in IR. It can cause severe detrimental effects like burns if not used properly. There have been many IR related accidents worldwide which are also available on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) website. This case is written on two isolated events that happened in Pakistan within the same company (name changed) engaged in IR services within Pakistan. Alpha Industrial Services Limited’s (AISL) higher management was dealing with a prevailing financial crunch, and the company was struggling to maintain its quality of services and safety at an affordable cost. The leadership of the company made several decisions to manage the financial crisis.
Exclusive Textiles: A Journey of Struggle ‘from Weave to Wonder’
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
This case study is about an entrepreneur and his journey from a zero-revenue company to a PKR 250 million (US$1.5 million) turnover company. This case study stipulates how he managed to create a distinctive position in the Pakistani textile market. It focuses on the transition from a small-scale business to a large-scale manufacturing business. It highlights the dilemma in decision-making for an entrepreneur to be adaptable to new technology and forward vertical integration. He was standing at the crossroads of what to do next with his 40-year-old company, Exclusive Textiles. This real-life case exemplifies the basic requirements for starting a business and understanding how businesses evolve with time.
This case study is about an entrepreneur and his journey from a zero-revenue company to a PKR 250 million (US$1.5 million) turnover company. This case study stipulates how he managed to create a distinctive position in the Pakistani textile market. It focuses on the transition from a small-scale business to a large-scale manufacturing business. It highlights the dilemma in decision-making for an entrepreneur to be adaptable to new technology and forward vertical integration. He was standing at the crossroads of what to do next with his 40-year-old company, Exclusive Textiles. This real-life case exemplifies the basic requirements for starting a business and understanding how businesses evolve with time.
Healthcare Service Delivery Models for Emerging Economies: Insights from India
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
With the population growing at such a fast pace, expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2022, and more than 70% reside in rural areas, effective healthcare service delivery serves as a primary challenge in India. Ayushman Bharat scheme was launched in 2018 by the Government of India to serve the requirement for comprehensive primary healthcare. This case provides an overview of Ayushman Bharat regarding its impact compared to cross-subsidized models like Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) and Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH) and completely free healthcare delivery by Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals (SSSSH). The case outlines the background and the operational model and also emphasizes on core principles of its founders, which have translated into a massive success. The case aims to ignite a discussion on their dynamic execution approach and how these models will evolve if replicated in high-volume government schemes. The emerging discussion points are expected to challenge the conventional beliefs in the health delivery system and expose the major lacunae in implementation, which shrinks the impact of nationwide schemes. The purpose is to ignite a discussion on the differences in strategies and execution of government schemes like the National Health Mission compared to the highly impactful one-person visionaries like AECS, NH and SSSSH. The case is a classic example of the operations strategy coupled with ethics and social responsibility towards improving the health and wellness quotient in the state.
With the population growing at such a fast pace, expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2022, and more than 70% reside in rural areas, effective healthcare service delivery serves as a primary challenge in India. Ayushman Bharat scheme was launched in 2018 by the Government of India to serve the requirement for comprehensive primary healthcare. This case provides an overview of Ayushman Bharat regarding its impact compared to cross-subsidized models like Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) and Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH) and completely free healthcare delivery by Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospitals (SSSSH). The case outlines the background and the operational model and also emphasizes on core principles of its founders, which have translated into a massive success. The case aims to ignite a discussion on their dynamic execution approach and how these models will evolve if replicated in high-volume government schemes. The emerging discussion points are expected to challenge the conventional beliefs in the health delivery system and expose the major lacunae in implementation, which shrinks the impact of nationwide schemes. The purpose is to ignite a discussion on the differences in strategies and execution of government schemes like the National Health Mission compared to the highly impactful one-person visionaries like AECS, NH and SSSSH. The case is a classic example of the operations strategy coupled with ethics and social responsibility towards improving the health and wellness quotient in the state.
Fahm-ul-Halal Versus Taqwa Industries: Investigating Ethical (Mis-)Conduct in Pakistan’s Beverage Industry
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
This case looks into an incident that took place in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2017, when Masheer Rai from Fahm-ul-Halal (FUH) company found E120, a prohibited ingredient, on the label of a Sweeter strawberry juice drink bottle. He sent a WhatsApp message that quickly went viral. In response to the message, Rai received a phone call from Taqwa Industries, the juice manufacturer. Rai was told it was a labelling error, but the manufacturer did not have the documents to back the story. The management of both the companies met, but the FUH group was not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and began contemplating their next move. The case can potentially be a benchmark for understanding the problems of adopting halal certification and ethical conduct in the food industry.
This case looks into an incident that took place in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2017, when Masheer Rai from Fahm-ul-Halal (FUH) company found E120, a prohibited ingredient, on the label of a Sweeter strawberry juice drink bottle. He sent a WhatsApp message that quickly went viral. In response to the message, Rai received a phone call from Taqwa Industries, the juice manufacturer. Rai was told it was a labelling error, but the manufacturer did not have the documents to back the story. The management of both the companies met, but the FUH group was not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and began contemplating their next move. The case can potentially be a benchmark for understanding the problems of adopting halal certification and ethical conduct in the food industry.
The Airblue Flight 202: Communication and Decision Making in Crisis
Asian Journal of Management Cases, Ahead of Print.
The case study on Airblue chronicles the events that led to the biggest plane crash in the aviation history of Pakistan. Airblue flight 202 destined from Karachi to Islamabad crashed while attempting to land under adverse weather conditions. The flight carried 146 passengers and 6 crew members; all died in the crash. Later investigations identified gross errors in judgment and decision making by the cockpit crew and unprofessional attitude as the sole cause of the crash.The case study documents the events that unfolded prior to the crash and identifies a number of major factors that are important while communicating and making decisions under critical situations. It touches upon the themes of superior-subordinate communication and relationships, empowerment, sense of responsibility under life-threatening situations, making sense of crises, the role of initiative, self-confidence, and reliance on others. The case is suitable to be taught on topics dealing with communication, decision making, teamwork, and leadership in crises, at the graduate level (MBA) and in executive training courses on team building, leadership and crisis management. It highlights the situations which emerge as crises and where teamwork is paramount for the effective achievement of goals. Furthermore, it focuses on the possible relapses when effective teamwork and communication are not in play.
The case study on Airblue chronicles the events that led to the biggest plane crash in the aviation history of Pakistan. Airblue flight 202 destined from Karachi to Islamabad crashed while attempting to land under adverse weather conditions. The flight carried 146 passengers and 6 crew members; all died in the crash. Later investigations identified gross errors in judgment and decision making by the cockpit crew and unprofessional attitude as the sole cause of the crash.The case study documents the events that unfolded prior to the crash and identifies a number of major factors that are important while communicating and making decisions under critical situations. It touches upon the themes of superior-subordinate communication and relationships, empowerment, sense of responsibility under life-threatening situations, making sense of crises, the role of initiative, self-confidence, and reliance on others. The case is suitable to be taught on topics dealing with communication, decision making, teamwork, and leadership in crises, at the graduate level (MBA) and in executive training courses on team building, leadership and crisis management. It highlights the situations which emerge as crises and where teamwork is paramount for the effective achievement of goals. Furthermore, it focuses on the possible relapses when effective teamwork and communication are not in play.