When a Pandemic Hits: Treading H2o and the Possible Pox (a)

4 Pages Posted: 21 Oct 2008

See all articles by Gerry Yemen

Gerry Yemen

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business

Erika Hayes James

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business

Jason Clifton

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Abstract

This five-case series, sold as a package, presents an opportunity for students to understand that having the leadership mindset is not about going from crisis to crisis, but anticipating and shaping your organization. Through four case scenarios, students learn the need to recognize when there is a crisis situation, explore problems that often occur when issues are ignored, and take appropriate actions to remedy the situation. In the (A) case, students become a member of the senior executive team at Treading H2O Inc., a water-treatment equipment company located in the Midwestern United States, at a meeting to discuss a recently released World Health Organization (WHO) report. The statement announced that there was indication of human-to-human transmission of the Avian Flu in rural China near Shanghai. The company's regional sales manager sent information stating that the Chinese government had closed off access to the region—a key area for sales. On top of that, there are several Treading H2O employees in the same area. Students must determine what, if anything, needs to be done.

Excerpt

UVA-OB-0940

When A pandemic hits:

Treading H2O and the POSSIBLE Pox (A)

As a member of the senior executive team at Treading H2O Inc., a water-treatment equipment company located in the Midwestern United States, you are currently at a meeting to discuss a recently released World Health Organization (WHO) report. The statement announced that there was indication of human-to-human transmission of the Avian Flu in rural China near Shanghai. The company's regional sales manager in Jiangsu province sent information stating that the Chinese government had closed off access to the region—a key area for sales. On top of that, there are several Treading H2O employees in the same area. Based on what you know so far, what, if anything, do you want to do with the information?

Treading H2O Inc.

Treading H2O Inc., was a global manufacturer of water-treatment equipment with revenues over $ 1 billion. The company had three manufacturing plants: one in China, another in Hungary, and a primary site in the United States that was home to Treading H2O's other key functional areas. Over 1,000 people were employed at headquarters and 60% of the employees worked in manufacturing roles. Manufacturing operated under two shifts. The first shift ran from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the second operated 3 p.m. to midnight. The workforce lived throughout the area, and many employees traveled over an hour to work.

. . .

Keywords: Pandemic, Crisis, crisis management, crisis leadership, global business

Suggested Citation

Yemen, Gerry and James, Erika Hayes and Clifton, Jason, When a Pandemic Hits: Treading H2o and the Possible Pox (a). Darden Case No. UVA-OB-0940, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1282436 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1282436

Gerry Yemen (Contact Author)

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 6550
Charlottesville, VA 22906-6550
United States

Erika Hayes James

University of Virginia - Darden School of Business ( email )

P.O. Box 6550
Charlottesville, VA 22906-6550
United States
434-924-4796 (Phone)
434-924-0714 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.darden.virginia.edu/faculty/james.htm

Jason Clifton

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

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