Case studies

The learning outcomes are as follows: extending the basics of electronic monitoring in context of employees in the banking sector; exploring the role of monitoring in banking sector; and assessing the impact of electronic monitoring on employees’ mental well-being.

Psychological wellness was considered as a condition of mental well-being that enabled people to deal with the physical demands of life, realize their skills, be taught, exert appropriate effort and contribute to their community. Employers routinely questioned their employees and monitored those using computerized monitoring mechanisms. Organizations watched their staff to prevent non-work-related use of business resources. The information obtained through surveillance resulted in employee firing and a lawsuit filed by an employee who claimed stress and invasion of privacy. The most damaging effect of employee surveillance was the fear of losing one’s job. For many of us, a job was our sole source of income, and the prospect of losing it creates panic. The lack of trust among employees, supervisors and managers were witnessed in the workplace. Employee monitoring increased stress and anxiety in the workplace due to frequent monitoring behavior. The current case discussed the above settings in greater detail, the authors attempted to comprehend the well-being of banking sector personnel in terms of electronic monitoring. The absence of trust among employees, supervisors and managers is witnessed in the workplace. Employee monitoring was widely considered technique that employers use to guarantee that their employees would not abuse the resources granted to them to establish a healthy working environment. The case revolves around the branch head of HDFC Bahraich, Anurag Mishra who is facing conundrum within a juncture of employee monitoring impacting the well-being of employee.

The case is intended to students pursuing their graduation and post-graduation in human resource management. The case also provides suitable insights for the banking employees.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS 6: Human Resource Management.

After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to understand the following aspects:

To analyze the financial performance of ICICI Securities. (Bloom’s level: analyzing, evaluating)To evaluate whether the delisting offer to minority shareholders was justified. (Bloom’s level: evaluating)To critically examine the role of corporate governance in protecting minority shareholders. (Bloom’s level: creating)

This case study critically examines the listing and subsequent delisting of ICICI Securities, one of India’s largest brokerage firms and a subsidiary of ICICI Bank, a prominent private sector institution. The study explores the strategic rationale for the company’s initial public offering (IPO), the complexities involved in its pricing and the decision to delist just five years later. It contextualizes these corporate actions within the broader landscape of transformational shifts in India’s stockbroking industry, focusing on changes in business models and revenue streams.A central theme of the case is the response of investors and the multifaceted challenges in valuing the firm during the IPO as well as the delisting phases. The financial performance of ICICI Securities has been thoroughly analyzed, with particular attention to whether the delisting offer to minority shareholders was equitable. The study also interrogates the often-conflicting interests of institutional and retail investors, highlighting the role of corporate governance in safeguarding minority shareholder rights. The case explores whether the exchange offer given to minority shareholders, which was legally justified, is ethical as per the basic tenets of the theory of stakeholders’ wealth maximization.

This case is suitable for postgraduate-level courses on corporate finance, corporate governance, investment banking, financial markets, valuation and corporate restructuring. Participants can use the case to develop an understanding of the tools of financial statement analysis. This case can also be used in the executive education program for managers in the investment banking industry to understand the implications of pricing in IPO and delisting.

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

CSS1: Accounting and Finance.

To adapt to China's evolving market, McDonald's, an established giant in the Western fast-food industry, has advanced its digital transformation since 2016. McDonald's China collaborated with the company Target Social to develop algorithms that extract key information from big data, assisting marketers with social media insights, content creation, and influencer selection, achieving “circle-breaking” success in social media marketing. In today's rapidly developing technological landscape, digital marketing methods have become diverse and abundant. Why does McDonald's focus its social media marketing strategy on content “circle-breaking”? Can this strategy balance the goals of short-term sales and long-term brand mind-set?

BYD, a prominent automotive manufacturer, initially prioritized supplier certification compliance, and gradually evolveding to establish an integrated quality system. In pursuit of higher customer satisfaction and product quality, BYD underwent a progressive transformation in quality management encompassing four distinct phases by leveraging methodologies and tools such as Six Sigma, statistical quality control and Deming's Cycle. This case holds significant relevance within the realm of operational strategies in manufacturing, specifically pertaining to quality management.

In 2012, Vivian assumed the role of General Manager at the eBay China Development Center of Excellence (CCOE) with the objective of steering the growth of CCOE by initiating a cultural transformation plan. Vivian encountered numerous challenges in reshaping the organization as a new and female leader, especially facing her diminished authority when headquarters decided to realign reporting lines. This case, which illustrates real-world business scenarios, is designed to empower students to understand practices of organization transformation and leadership.

Be-Tiger Technology, a media technology supplier and advertising agency for car mobile intelligence established in 2015, is a hit in the taxi advertising industry. In response to intensifying competition, the founder Wang Jianfeng expands business from Shanghai to a nationwide scale, as well as reaching from business clients to individual customers. This case fits MBA and EMBA courses of marketing and business model innovation.

The Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Control Center, a public eye specialist hospital, is to introduce AI-based disease screening technology to facilitate examinations at community hospitals. By illustrating the difficulties encountered throughout pilot phase, implementation and promotion along with solutions, this case provides students with the dynamics of technology management and the impacts of technology adoption.

In 2007, Dr. Biwang Jiang, a scientist, returned to China to establish NanoMicro. For the first decade, he exemplified the spirit of a scientist by focusing intensively on the field of nanospheres. His perseverance in research and his breakthroughs in leading international technologies allowed him to identify two major application areas: flat panel displays and biopharmaceuticals. The flat panel display business helped his startup survive the initial years, while the rise of the biopharmaceutical sector provided the growth needed for the company's eventual listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange Sci-Tech Innovation Board (SSE STAR Market). What distinguishes entrepreneurship by scientists? Should technology-driven companies find markets for their technologies, or should they develop technologies to meet market demands?

Nike rolled out the Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) marketing strategy to China market in 2021 in line with global strategy. Yang Ming, the VP of Direct Retail E-commerce in Nike Greater China, had to answer several questions: Would Nike China follow the headquarters' strategy or develop a localized plan? If localization was pursued, how did DTC strategies differ between China and the US, and which online sales channel to be selected as partner? This case highlights the trends in marketing channel in China to impress students with the concepts of digital transformation, supply chain and channel.

Smartbi is a nascent Chinese BI services provider in such a competitive and promising market. CEO Huafu Wu is contemplating a revision of its sales strategy: whether to prioritize customized products for key accounts or offer standardized services to a wider market. The shift of sales strategy brings a relevant question regarding targeting large customers or reaching mid-sized customers through distributors. This case can be used in marketing courses to illustrate the interplay between markets and products, the distinction between horizontal and vertical market expansion, and the complexities of channel management.