Electronic Business and Commerce

Class 19


Topic:
Information Management
Class Plan:

Seven-Eleven Japan (SEJ) is a legendary retail chain in Japan, which consistently beats its competition with its sophisticated information systems and its high-tech, high-touch approach. In this class, we will focus on lessons from SEJ’s management approach. We will also discuss how SEJ’s core strengths can be leveraged to take advantage of the capabilities of the Internet.
Required Readings:
Seven-Eleven Japan (Stanford Global Supply Chain Management Forum Case 003-98)
Study Questions:
    1. Why is information management so important for Seven-Eleven Japan?
    2. How does Seven-Eleven Japan manage its information flows? Consider the following aspects of managing information flows: 
      1. Capturing information from the outside environment; 
      2. Using the information to make effective decisions;
      3. Making sure each decision-maker has access to the information they need when they need it; and 
      4. Having an effective information-feedback loop. How does Seven-Eleven Japan execute each of these aspects of information management?
    3. Can Seven-Eleven Japan's competitors just copy what the company is doing? In other words, can Seven-Eleven Japan achieve sustainable competitive advantage?
    4. What should Seven-Eleven Japan do to take advantage of the Internet?