Case Studies Collection - IMD business school for management and leadership courses

Case Study

Daniela Studer and the board of Flosser (Mini case)

Daniela Studer, a highly accomplished executive with a background in engineering and global leadership, now serves as the only woman on the board of Flosser, a niche construction materials company recently acquired by a larger public firm. Despite her expertise and a mandate to professionalize the board, Daniela finds herself struggling to influ…

Organizational Change Board Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

By Jennifer Jordan and Ruth V. Aguilera

Daniela Studer and the board of Flosser (Mini case)

By Jennifer Jordan and Ruth V. Aguilera
Case reference: IMD-2719 ©2026

Summary

Daniela Studer, a highly accomplished executive with a background in engineering and global leadership, now serves as the only woman on the board of Flosser, a niche construction materials company recently acquired by a larger public firm. Despite her expertise and a mandate to professionalize the board, Daniela finds herself struggling to influence the top management team. Dysfunctional dynamics that range from a lack of trust in the CTO to an exclusive relationship between the CEO and CFO threaten Flosser’s performance and culture. Daniela’s attempts to address these issues are met with resistance; her direct style, celebrated in her previous executive roles, is now seen as abrasive, and she is advised to be “gentler” in her board interactions. This case invites readers to reflect on the challenges of transitioning from an executive to a non-executive director role, a situation in which authority is more about influence than direct control. Daniela’s dilemma – whether to confront the CEO directly, adapt her approach, or remain silent – raises critical questions: Is her struggle rooted in the inherent limitations of non-executive power, related to the entrenched culture of a family business or is there an element of unconscious gender bias? Does her experience as a minority on the board shape how her contributions are received, or is the resistance she faces more about her methods? Ultimately, the case challenges readers to consider what it truly means to lead from the boardroom, how to navigate complex interpersonal and organizational dynamics, and how gender and role expectations intersect to shape the effectiveness and credibility of board members.

Reference IMD-2719

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Organizational Change

Board

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Browse all topics

Case Study

Confronting Elon Musk? Nia vs. Tesla

The case follows Kristin Hull, founder and CIO of Nia Impact Capital, a mission-driven investment firm in California, as she faces a pivotal decision in July 2025: Should she file a shareholder resolution against Tesla, Inc.? Hull and Nia have engaged Tesla for over five years on issues of human capital management, workplace equity and board ove…

Sustainability Corporate Governance Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Decision Making

By Vanina Farber and María Helena Jaén

Case Study

Absa’s Cybersecurity Academy: Combining digital transformation with doing good

Absa faced a critical rise in cyberattacks, and with the cybersecurity talent gap widening, the company urgently needed a long-term solution. To address this, former CISO Sandro Bucchianeri launched the Cybersecurity Academy in 2019, an initiative to reskill employees. It eventually partnered with the Maharishi Invincibility Institute MII and th…

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Cybersecurity Digital

By Öykü Işık, Valerie Keller-Birrer, Poornima Urs, Barbara Vettorel and Amaru Amiya

Case Study

China Resources Beer: Becoming future ready

The China Resources Beer (CR Beer) case study is a compelling narrative of the world’s largest beer producer by volume under the leadership of CEO Hou Xiaohai. In 2016 CR Beer embarked on a pivotal transformation journey. This case study offers critical insights that particularly resonate with Chinese corporations navigating similar challenges i…

China Digital Human Resources Strategy Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

By Mark J. Greeven and Wei Wei

Case Study

Rede Mulher Empreendedora: Navigating mission integrity and financial sustainability

The case focuses on Rede Mulher Empreendedora (RME), Brazil’s largest support platform for female entrepreneurship, and its founder, Ana Fontes. Founded in 2010, RME had grown into a significant network by 2023, impacting the livelihoods of over 12 million women in Brazil, a country with substantial gender disparities. The platform offers initia…

Entrepreneurship Sustainability Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

By Vanina Farber, María Helena Jaén, Jose Mello, Lilian de Miranda, Patricia Araripe, Peter Munk Laursen and Rabia Chishti

Case Study

Pasona: Well-being through regional revitalization

Pasona Group, a Japan-based human resources company, is committed to driving social change through business and supporting individuals to find “ikigai” (fulfillment) through work. The company has promoted flexible work and equitable workplaces and created employment opportunities for minorities. Pasona now wanted to tackle the overconcentration …

Social Innovation Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Sustainability

By Alyson Meister and Naoko Jinjo

Case Study

Prudence in a maze of metaphors

“Prudence in a maze of metaphors” follows a fictional day in the life of a woman to explore a variety of challenges individuals commonly face in their professional environments. Prudence’s story uses metaphors such as Sticky Floor, Glass Ceiling, Double Bind and Motherhood Penalty to illustrate her experiences. Although these metaphors are assoc…

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Leadership Organizational Behavior Organizational Culture

By Vanina Farber and Heather Cairns-Lee

Case Study

Should Unilever pivot from being purpose-led?

The case study delves into strategic transformation and leadership transitions at Unilever since 2009. Unilever has been an industry leader of business sustainability. Paul Polman was a pioneer who introduced the idea that, by addressing social and environmental problems, a company can unlock new growth opportunities. Polman launched a 10-year S…

Strategy Marketing Purpose Sustainability Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

By Goutam Challagalla and Samaja Penumaka

Should Unilever pivot from being purpose-led?

By Goutam Challagalla and Samaja Penumaka
Case reference: IMD-7-2578 ©2024

Summary

The case study delves into strategic transformation and leadership transitions at Unilever since 2009. Unilever has been an industry leader of business sustainability. Paul Polman was a pioneer who introduced the idea that, by addressing social and environmental problems, a company can unlock new growth opportunities. Polman launched a 10-year Sustainable Living Plan with three objectives: to enhance health and well-being, livelihoods and environmental sustainability. Alan Jope followed in Polman’s path and launched a novel plan for the new decade called The Unilever Compass, focused on sustainability. Unilever took a strategic turn during Jope’s tenure and asked the brands to use their products to solve social issues. He called this “purpose-led branding,” which confused investors. They believed social branding would take the company’s focus away from growth. Tensions were high at Unilever and resulted in a change in leadership. The company wants to focus on growth, which raises questions about the future of corporate sustainability at Unilever.

Reference IMD-7-2578

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Organization Unilever

Industry Consumer Goods

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Strategy

Marketing

Purpose

Sustainability

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Browse all topics

Case Study

Governance at WeWork: Adam Neumann’s erratic behavior

This is a fascinating case about Adam Neumann’s problematic behavior, which led to the downfall of WeWork, once one of America’s most valued startups.

Board Organizational Behavior Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Organizational Culture

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai

Case Study

Governance at Uber (A): Travis Kalanick derails

Case (A) recounts Travis Kalanick’s journey through the growth of Uber, highlighting instances of his problematic behavior and the board’s lack of oversight.

Board Corporate Governance Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Organizational Culture

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai

Governance at Uber (A): Travis Kalanick derails

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai
Case reference: IMD-7-2585 ©2024

Summary

Case (A) recounts Travis Kalanick’s journey through the growth of Uber, highlighting instances of his problematic behavior and the board’s lack of oversight.

Reference IMD-7-2585

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Organization Uber Technologies

Industry Manufacturing, Technology

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Board

Corporate Governance

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Organizational Culture

Browse all topics

Case Study

Governance at Uber (B): The board reviews the holder report

Case (B) explains the contents of the Holder report, which investigated the diversity, equity and inclusion culture at Uber and ends with Travis Kalanick’s separation from the company.

Board Corporate Governance Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Organizational Culture

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai

Governance at Uber (B): The board reviews the holder report

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai
Case reference: IMD-7-2586 ©2024

Summary

Case (B) explains the contents of the Holder report, which investigated the diversity, equity and inclusion culture at Uber and ends with Travis Kalanick’s separation from the company.

Reference IMD-7-2586

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Organization Uber Technologies

Industry Manufacturing, Technology

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Board

Corporate Governance

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Organizational Culture

Browse all topics

Case Study

Governance at Uber (C): The all-hands meeting

Case (C) discusses the meeting that showcased the proposed actions following the Holder report recommendations and highlights the concerning response of one of the board members.

Board Corporate Governance Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Organizational Culture

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai

Governance at Uber (C): The all-hands meeting

By Anand Narasimhan and Shruti Bajpai
Case reference: IMD-7-2587 ©2024

Summary

Case (C) discusses the meeting that showcased the proposed actions following the Holder report recommendations and highlights the concerning response of one of the board members.

Reference IMD-7-2587

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Organization Uber Technologies

Industry Manufacturing, Technology

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Board

Corporate Governance

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Organizational Culture

Browse all topics

Case Study

Fostering psychological safety in teams

This note highlights the pivotal role of psychological safety in fostering a culture of flexibility and innovation within organizations, especially in a rapidly changing business environment. Drawing from Amy Edmondson’s seminal research, psychological safety is defined as the collective assurance felt by team members that they can openly expres…

Leadership General Management Human Resources Organizational Behavior Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

By Michael D. Watkins

Case Study

Rio Tinto: Everyday Respect (A) (eCase)

In February 2022 Rio Tinto publicly released a workplace culture report that revealed that sexual harassment, racism and bullying had been occurring at an alarming rate throughout the organization. This was shortly after the Juukan Gorge disaster in Australia: Rio Tinto caused global outrage when its technicians blew up two rock shelters conside…

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Business Ethics Human Resources Leadership Organizational Behavior Sustainability

By David Bach and Shih-Han Huang

Rio Tinto: Everyday Respect (A) (eCase)

By David Bach and Shih-Han Huang
Case reference: IMD-7-2465 ©2023

Summary

In February 2022 Rio Tinto publicly released a workplace culture report that revealed that sexual harassment, racism and bullying had been occurring at an alarming rate throughout the organization. This was shortly after the Juukan Gorge disaster in Australia: Rio Tinto caused global outrage when its technicians blew up two rock shelters considered sacred by the Aboriginal traditional owners and deemed to be of “the highest archaeological significance in Australia” by scientists. Why did Rio Tinto commission the report, how did it deal with the findings, and how might reckoning with the past shape its future? In Part A of this online multimedia case series, three Rio Tinto executives – James Martin, Chief People Officer, Kellie Parker, Chief Executive, Australia and Isabelle Deschamps, Chief Legal Officer, Governance & Corporate Affairs – and the independent expert commissioned to write the report, Liz Broderick, describe in their own words their experiences, considerations and the debate about whether to release the report. For usage of this eCase in a program, please contact Case Services

Reference IMD-7-2465

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Organization Rio Tinto Group

Industry Materials, Metals and Mining

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Business Ethics

Human Resources

Leadership

Organizational Behavior

Sustainability

Browse all topics

Case Study

Rio Tinto: Everyday Respect (B) (eCase)

Part B of the Rio Tinto: Everyday Respect multimedia case series reveals the reaction to the report of various stakeholders, as well as how Rio Tinto has acted on the report’s recommendations. The case also shares some of the creative ways Rio Tinto has instilled a culture of respect and enabled it to permeate throughout the organization. For …

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Business Ethics Human Resources Leadership Organizational Behavior Sustainability

By David Bach and Shih-Han Huang

Rio Tinto: Everyday Respect (B) (eCase)

By David Bach and Shih-Han Huang
Case reference: IMD-7-2466 ©2023

Summary

Part B of the Rio Tinto: Everyday Respect multimedia case series reveals the reaction to the report of various stakeholders, as well as how Rio Tinto has acted on the report’s recommendations. The case also shares some of the creative ways Rio Tinto has instilled a culture of respect and enabled it to permeate throughout the organization. For usage of this eCase in a program, please contact IMD Case Services.

Reference IMD-7-2466

Copyright owner IMD Copyright

Organization Rio Tinto Group

Industry Materials, Metals and Mining

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Diversity and Equity and Inclusion

Business Ethics

Human Resources

Leadership

Organizational Behavior

Sustainability

Browse all topics