EnerNOC: DemandSMART

by Michael W. Toffel, Kira Fabrizio and Stephanie van Sice

EnerNOC is an energy company with an innovative business model: it serves as an intermediary between electric utilities and electricity users. It contracts with electricity users willing to reduce demand during periods of peak energy demand, and sells this as excess capacity to electric utilities. The company is facing an upheaval in the energy markets due to the dramatic growth in natural gas fracking and the resulting increase in natural gas supply. The case enables students to evaluate the EnerNOC's business model--including its environmental implications--and the potential impact of fracking on its business. The case is accessible to non-specialists, as it provides background on the electric utility industry and the debate about fracking for natural gas. Given the substantial environmental impact of the energy and electricity industries, the case is particularly relevant for courses that focus on energy, the natural environment, and environmental sustainability. Read more

Trucost: Valuing Corporate Environmental Impacts

by Michael W. Toffel and Stephanie van Sice

Trucost provided corporate environmental performance data and analysis to institutional investors and corporate managers, but after operating for a decade had yet to achieve profitability. Trucost was struggling to effectively differentiate its high quality products from its lower-cost competitors, and needed to develop a strategy to educate the marketplace and pursue new distribution channels. Increased investor interest in environmental issues—and an ever growing number of corporate environmental rankings—led to a proliferation of competitors to Trucost, and an industry shakeout was predicted. How should Trucost compete? Read more

Polyface: The Farm of Many Faces

by Deishin Lee and Stephanie van Sice

This case explores a method of value creation through exploiting synergies that exist in an environment where there is diversity. The context of the case is a farm where biodiversity is leveraged to create value. This is contrasted to industrial farming, which operates on the principles of economies of scale. The case also provides an opportunity for students to discuss the environmental impact of different types of operating systems. Read more

Amyris Biotechnologies: Commercializing Biofuel

by Gary P. Pisano and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld

In 2009, Amyris Biotechnologies was building a plant in Brazil that used synthetic biology to convert sugarcane into both renewable fuels and renewable chemicals. The Amyris' marketing team was investigating the commercial interest for both types of products, while the research and development team and the operations group were building processes that could accommodate both as well. CEO John Melo hoped to have commercial product available in 2011; however, he realized that pursuing both chemicals and fuels added even more complexity to a business that was already executing multiple development steps in parallel. The case looks at the various strategic and operational decisions facing Melo as he planned the company's optimal commercialization strategy. Read more

Cradle-to-Cradle Design at Herman Miller: Moving Toward Environmental Sustainability

by Deishin Lee and Lionel Bony

Herman Miller decided to implement the cradle-to-cradle (C2C) design protocol during the design of its mid-level office chair, Mirra. The C2C protocol was a set of environmentally friendly product development guidelines. Read more

Xerox: Design for the Environment

by Richard H.K. Vietor

In 1990, Xerox undertook an "Environmental Leadership Program" designed to make Xerox an industry leader in non-polluting operations, recycling, and products actually designed for the environment. This effort flowed naturally out of the system of total quality management developed at Xerox in the 1980s. Under the new program, Xerox planned to design its products for complete reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling. This effort entailed a complete redesign of the company's product-delivery system, from initial designs, to materials acquisition, to manufacturing, marketing, and after-sales service. Read more

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Carbon Trading Simulation: Green Cement Inc. (TN)

by Peter A. Coles

Teaching Note for 911051. Read more

Carbon Trading Simulation: Green Cement Inc.

by Peter A. Coles

This simulation presents students the opportunity to experience firsthand the economics of carbon markets and permit trading. Each student has private role information about a company he or she manages. The student must make decisions about pollution-reducing investments and production levels in the face of uncertainty about pollution permit prices. Students form groups of five, and throughout the exercise students may buy or sell permits within their group. Trading outcomes dictate permit prices, and at the end of trading, each firm calculates profits and pays over pollution penalties as needed. Read more

Re-THINK-ing THINK: The Electric Car Company (TN)

by Joseph B. Lassiter III

Teaching Note for [810105]. Read more

Vegpro Group: Growing in Harmony (TN)

by David E. Bell and Mary L. Shelman

Teaching Note for [508-001]. Read more

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