This case introduces students to McLuhan’s tetrad model through a structured learning experience. Before class, students read a mini-case exploring the Zoom videoconferencing software as an example of how to apply the tetrad’s four dimensions—enhancement, obsolescence, retrieval, and reversal—and listen to the author’s podcast about the use of algorithmic control in digital labour platforms. In class, students engage in a team-based exercise using .....more

By August 2024, Snapchat had surpassed 850 million monthly users and expanded its daily active users to around 397 million. Yet its parent company, Snap Inc., grappled with profitability challenges. Renowned for its ephemeral messaging, Filters, and Stories, Snapchat had carved out a distinct niche in the social media sphere and garnered significant popularity among younger demographics. Despite its appeal and cutting-edge features, the company faced .....more

Car manufacturers offered car subscription programs, allowing customers to access cars for a flat monthly fee that covered the vehicles’ cost, maintenance, and insurance. Unlike traditional leasing or financing options, these subscription programs provided an appealing alternative for customers who wanted to avoid long-term ownership commitments and appreciated the all-inclusive convenience. Since 2017, several car manufacturers had launched subscription .....more

DMI Finance (DMI) was formed and registered as a non-banking financial company in 2008. The enterprise utilized a technology-driven process comprising application programming interface (API); algorithms; and data points captured using Aadhaar, a unique identification assigned to Indian residents, to disburse loans to individuals and firms. As a digital lender, DMI initially operated in personal loans, SME loans, and housing finance. After 2018, it .....more

In March 2024, an ethical dilemma was presented to The Clueless AIGENCY (TCA), led by founder and chief executive officer Ruben Cruz, surrounding Aitana, the agency’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven virtual influencer. While Aitana’s lifelike appeal and effectiveness had garnered significant attention, her rise was raising serious ethical concerns regarding potential manipulation, consumer deception, and the impact of such virtual influencers .....more

On January 16, 2023, Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (Cognizant) appointed a new chief executive officer who was a former president of a key competitor. The US-based major multinational information technology company, with 70 per cent of its workforce in India, provided global consulting, technology, and outsourcing services with a focus on digital transformation across various industries. At the time, Cognizant was experiencing a high .....more

In 2024, Infosys Limited was the second-largest company in India’s information technology software industry. Its software services offerings were diversified across different sectors, with a large part coming from exports. As required by India’s government, Infosys Limited applied Indian accounting standards in its preparation and presentation of financial statements. A senior analyst with an investment advisory firm in India, was asked to evaluate .....more

George Weston Limited (GWL), Canada’s largest retailer, decided in March 2023 to sell its bakery operations to focus on food, retail, and real estate development. The company distributed a package outlining the operational and financial performance of the bakery unit, Weston Foods, to likely bidders. Before bids were received, GWL needed to estimate the unit’s fair market value. GWL hoped to complete the sale before its December year-end, and had .....more

In early 2023, Siddhartha Lal, managing director of Eicher Motors Limited (Eicher Motors), headquartered in Gurugram, India, grappled with a pressing issue. Over the past three years, Royal Enfield, a subsidiary of Eicher Motors renowned for its iconic motorcycles, had noticed a decline in its appeal to Generation Z customers. The Bullet brand, known for its ruggedness and timeless retro charm, was no longer resonating with this younger, digitally .....more

Carlsberg Breweries A/S, a global brewing leader based in Denmark, aimed to reduce the environmental impact of traditional draught beer systems, which contributed to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through the use of CO2 tanks and the transportation of heavy steel kegs. Carlsberg developed the DraughtMaster system, which replaced CO2 tanks with recyclable plastic kegs, reducing emissions but raising concerns about plastic waste. In late 2021, Carlsberg’s .....more