Sustainability

Towards a Net Zero Future: The Digital Transformation of Johnson Controls
SIA Siew Kien, Alvin NG, Ronald HEE

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2022-007

Pub. Date: AUG-2022

Category: Sustainability

Case Length: 12 pages​​

Abstract: The built environment accounted for 39% of all carbon emissions globally. American building technology giant, Johnson Controls International (JCI), recognized the huge business opportunity for sustainable solutions and reinvented itself, aspiring to become a digital industrial platform for smart building management. This process resulted in OpenBlue, moving the company from manufacturing building controls products to providing predictive analytics and smart facilities. The company was now able to provide outcome-based solutions, and “net zero buildings as a service”. How would JCI seize new market opportunities towards a net-zero future? What could it do to stay ahead of the competition?

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Race and Rise Against the Tide: Sustainable Development for Singapore
Koh Cheng Boon, Stephen Chua Chong Wei

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2022-003

Pub. Date: MAR-2022

Category: Sustainability

Case Length: 14 pages​​

Abstract: Singapore's rapid economic growth over a mere 56 years was a testament to her foresight in economic development. While economic development was critical, the nation reached a point where it needed to balance the triple bottom line (TBL) of profit, people, and the planet. To address this complex issue, Singapore sought to blaze a new path that balanced the triple bottom line. Tensions between the three aspects in Singapore’s sustainability push posed several challenges. The main question was, how should we manage the scenario of rising sea levels against the backdrop of multitudinous possibilities and uncertainties?

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FRESH: Evolving Its Business Model

Sarah Cheah, Gayathiri D/O Sivaraj, Colin Lim, Benjamin Smith

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2022-001

Pub. Date: JAN-2022

Category: Sustainability

Case Length: 15 pages​​

Abstract: Concerns over decreasing global food security had been growing worldwide due to factors ranging from growing population and demand for food to declining levels of arable land due to urbanisation and climate change. FRESH was a research centre launched by the Singapore government in 2021 to foster public-private partnership to build up local food safety science and R&D capabilities to support the safety assessment of novel food ranging from plant-based and cell-based meat to microbial and insect protein. FRESH had to decide between two options for its future business model—remain as a public-funded institution or become a corporatised entity.

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SimplyGood: From a Mission to Rescue Waste to a Passion for Reducing Single-use Plastics
Tania Nagpaul and Koh Cheng Boon

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2021-011

Pub. Date: NOV-2021

Category: Sustainability

Case Length: 9 pages​​

Abstract: SimplyGood is a sustainable consumer brand reinventing the homecare & cleaning industry, founded by a homegrown entrepreneur; Mr. Jeremy Lee (29) in 2021. SimplyGood is a successful spin off from his previous venture UglyGood he cofounded in 2017 which focuses on turning fruit waste into products such as cleaning agents, essential oils, and animal feed. UglyGood has since been acquired. SimplyGood aspires to replace the hefty plastic bottles of household cleaning detergent by their ecologically and space friendly plant based ‘cleaning tablets’. Importantly, SimplyGood produces the dehydrated cleaning tablets using only non-toxic plant-based ingredients.

What are some of the challenges SimplyGood faced? How does SimplyGood apply the triple bottom line to her business? What are the motivating factors/drivers for Jeremy? What are the five-year plans for SimplyGood?

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How Many Bottom Lines is One Life Worth?
D. Krishna Bhaskar, Vivek Choudhary

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2021-010

Pub. Date: NOV-2021

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Business & Government, Non-profits, Strategy

Case Length: 10 pages​​

Abstract: After two decades of insufficient work, scarce revenue, and meagre lifestyles, the weaver community of Sircilla was plagued with financial instability. To generate more income, these weavers invested in new weaving machinery. Whilst the looms increased their production of cloth, sales remained stagnant with no market for this increased production. This lethal combination of financial hardship and desperation left the community in much distress, resulting in suicides. This case study discusses this below-the-bottom-of-the-pyramid situation and the interventions that worked. It also provides students with the opportunity to experience policy makers' dilemmas through an analytical exercise.

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At the Nexus of the Triple Bottom Line: Ya Kun Kaya Toast
Boey Yew Tung, Sharon Ng, Winson Ang, Lim Boon Chong

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2021-009

Pub. Date: OCT-2021

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Entrepreneurship, Strategy

Case Length: 15 pages​​

Abstract: Ya Kun was an Asian coffee chain known for its coffee, soft-boiled eggs and kaya toast with over 128 outlets in the Asia Pacific region. Simultaneously, consumers were increasingly aware of the impact of business practices on the environment and society, and expecting actions from businesses to address them. Using the Triple Bottom Line framework, UN SDG8 and UN SDG12, the case presents some challenges and opportunities impacting Ya Kun amidst increasing attention on sustainability. How should Ya Kun face these challenges and leverage on opportunities afforded by sustainable business practices to grow its regional F&B business?

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Wateroam: The Quest for Social Impact and Sustainability
Koh Cheng Boon, Shirley Koh, Foo Maw Der 

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2021-002

Pub. Date: JUN-2021

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Entrepreneurship; Non-Profits; Strategy; Technology 

Case Length: 11 pages​​

Abstract: The case follows the early journey of Wateroam, a start-up tackling the global problem of water scarcity by providing water filtration systems to the rural poor. Since its formation, the social enterprise has provided people in 14 countries with access to clean water. As a start-up, Wateroam faced challenges in funding, product innovation, sales and distribution. The company recently raised $600,000 in seed funding and poised to enter its next phase of growth. As CEO and co-founder, David Pong had to decide how to scale up Wateroam, balancing the double bottom line of profitability and social impact.​​

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Clearing the Air: Responding to the Southeast Asian Transboundary Haze Crises of 2013 and 2015

Khoo Hong Meng and Lim Wee Kiat

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2018-018

Pub. Date: AUG-2018

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Business and Government; Marketing; Non-Profits

Case Length: 26 pages

Abstract: Over 26 consecutive days from September to October, the transboundary haze of 2015 lingered in Southeast Asia. For Singapore, this episode was one of the city-state’s worst and most protracted pollution. The fires, originated mostly from Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, also rendered two million hectares of land barren. This was a repeat of the haze pollution two years earlier. This case highlights the multifaceted sustainability challenges encountered in the quest for environmental protection and the resolution of transboundary haze in Southeast Asia.

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Charting a Path for a Renewable Energy Spinoff: The ERI@N Dilemma

A. Lee Gilbert, Yvonne Chong, Sheryl Lee and Mahesh Kumar

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2018-002

Pub. Date: AUG-2017

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Entrepreneurship; Technology

Case Length: 20 pages

Abstract: NTU’s Energy Research Institute (ERI@N) focuses on the applied R&D and commercialisation of innovative energy solutions to tackle emerging industry challenges. Two of its flagship programmes - EcoCampus and the Renewable Energy Integration Demonstrator Singapore (REIDS), are developing solutions for energy efficiency and renewable energy integration. By 2017, ERI@N had developed an energy controller that would act as the heart of a microgrid. What is the best path for ERI@N to introduce its microgrid to a rapidly evolving market for distributed energy resources (DER), and how would it sustain an early lead in affordable DER technology?

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​​Sembcorp Utilities: Powering Sustainable Growth in Emerging Markets

Yvonne Chong and A. Lee Gilbert

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2016-008

Pub. Date: APR-2017

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Strategy

Case Length: 18 pages

Abstract: Tang Kin Fei retired as group president and CEO in April 2017 after 30 years with Sembcorp Industries, a Singapore conglomerate with S$22 billion assets. Sembcorp’s global power portfolio had doubled in the last five years. Overseas operations accounted for 63% of the Utilities business net profit, which formed the bulk of group earnings in 2016. Rapidly developing economies, hungry for energy to fuel growth and urbanisation, were their key targets. However, there were increasing concerns on the execution risks and environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges involved. How would they manage the inherent risks and complexities of the emerging markets, namely India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and China, albeit ripe with opportunities? 

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ASEAN CSR Network

Chung Tuck Siong

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2016-006

Pub. Date: AUG-2016

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Strategy

Case Length: 7 pages

Abstract: ASEAN CSR Network, a non-government organization based in Singapore, pondered on how it could increase local business interests in sustainable business practices. How should the NGO go about persuading companies to adopt sustainable business practices?

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Wilmar International Limited: Managing Multiple Stakeholders in a Global Palm Oil Agribusiness Group

Wee Beng Geok, Geraldine Chen and Ivy Buche

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2010/12-004

Pub. Date: MAR-2012​

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Strategy

Case Length: 26 pages

Abstract: In late 2010, Wilmar was expanding into sub-Saharan Africa, where many governments were keen to support the development of commercially managed large-scale oil palm projects. However, as in Asia, palm oil producers could expect to encounter pressure from environmental groups with regard to possible adverse effects. The challenge was to manage these initiatives and the environmentalists' demands for more sustainable operations.

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Hyflux Limited and Water Sustainability - Treading Blue Oceans

Wee Beng Geok, Ivy Buche, Mark Kroll and Timothy Chua

Case Ref No.: ABCC-2009/12-003

Pub. Date: MAR-2012

Category: Sustainability

Topic(s): Entrepreneurship; Strategy

Case Length: 27 pages

Abstract: In 2009, Hyflux was one of Asia's leading environmental water treatment companies with operations in Singapore, China, the Middle East, North Africa and India. Hyflux was planning to execute greenfield municipal projects in a far-flung continent and compete with other global water treatment companies. To respond to these challenges, Hyflux had to rapidly grow its human capital and organisational capabilities.

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