Luk Van Wassenhove

Emeritus Professor of Technology and Operations Management

Email [email protected]

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Cases from same author
Cases with Extra

Tony's Chocolonely: The Road to 100% Slave-Free Chocolate?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot

As late as 2020, the supply chain of the global chocolate industry was characterized by modern slavery and child labour, poverty, dire living conditions and deforestation. While players in the cocoa industry had launched certification and in-house sustainability programmes, experts claimed that these have had limited impact.

Published 06 Jul 2021

Reference 6616

Topic Responsibility

Region Global

Tony's Chocolonely: The Road to 100% Slave-Free Chocolate?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot
Published 06 Jul 2021
Reference 6616
Topic Responsibility
Region Global

As late as 2020, the supply chain of the global chocolate industry was characterized by modern slavery and child labour, poverty, dire living conditions and deforestation. While players in the cocoa industry had launched certification and in-house sustainability programmes, experts claimed that these have had limited impact.

Are Chocolate Eaters Really SDG Smart?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot, Sarah Dewilde, Thomas Breugem

Since its inception in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has provided a blueprint for shared prosperity in a sustainable world — a world where all people live productive, vibrant, and peaceful lives on a healthy planet. With less than a decade to go, we need to ask if we are laying the right foundation to achieve the SDGs. How “SDG-smart” are we?

Published 27 May 2021

Reference 6604

Topic Responsibility

Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverages Production

Region Global

Are Chocolate Eaters Really SDG Smart?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot, Sarah Dewilde, Thomas Breugem
Published 27 May 2021
Reference 6604
Topic Responsibility
Region Global
Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverages Production

Since its inception in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has provided a blueprint for shared prosperity in a sustainable world — a world where all people live productive, vibrant, and peaceful lives on a healthy planet. With less than a decade to go, we need to ask if we are laying the right foundation to achieve the SDGs. How “SDG-smart” are we?

Against All Odds: The World Food Programme’s Use of Amphibious Vehicles in Humanitarian Logistics Operations

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Boas Meijer, Paul Dettmer

In 2017, the World Food Programme decided to procure six amphibious all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as a way to achieve ‘last-mile’ delivery to the most remote or disaster-hit areas on the planet. After two successful pilots, it is looking to incorporate ATVs into its disaster response operations as well as its ongoing development operations.

Published 20 May 2021

Reference 6581

Topic Operations

Industry Logistics and Supply Chain

Region Global

Against All Odds: The World Food Programme’s Use of Amphibious Vehicles in Humanitarian Logistics Operations

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Boas Meijer, Paul Dettmer
Published 20 May 2021
Reference 6581
Topic Operations
Region Global
Industry Logistics and Supply Chain

In 2017, the World Food Programme decided to procure six amphibious all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as a way to achieve ‘last-mile’ delivery to the most remote or disaster-hit areas on the planet. After two successful pilots, it is looking to incorporate ATVs into its disaster response operations as well as its ongoing development operations.

Banking on EIB to Lead Sustainable Finance to Impact the Climate Emergency

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Ravi Fernando

The 2015 Paris Agreement, signed by all 195 UN signatory nations, put a global focus on the impending climate emergency, with a mandate to achieve nationally determined commitments (NDCs) to exit fossil fuels and accelerate financing of global sustainability projects.

Published 23 Apr 2021

Reference 6632

Topic Responsibility

Industry Financial Services, Banking

Region Europe

Banking on EIB to Lead Sustainable Finance to Impact the Climate Emergency

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Ravi Fernando
Published 23 Apr 2021
Reference 6632
Topic Responsibility
Region Europe
Industry Financial Services, Banking

The 2015 Paris Agreement, signed by all 195 UN signatory nations, put a global focus on the impending climate emergency, with a mandate to achieve nationally determined commitments (NDCs) to exit fossil fuels and accelerate financing of global sustainability projects.

Praesens Care’s Mobile Laboratories: An Innovative Service for Diagnostic Testing in Africa

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Boas Meijer

Praesens Care, a start-up based in Belgium, has developed a mobile laboratory with the aim of safely testing people for a wide range of killer diseases. Its mobile laboratories enable monitoring of infectious diseases and improve diagnostic capabilities in remote areas in Africa.

Published 23 Mar 2021

Reference 6598

Topic Operations

Industry Biotechnology

Region Global

Praesens Care’s Mobile Laboratories: An Innovative Service for Diagnostic Testing in Africa

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Boas Meijer
Published 23 Mar 2021
Reference 6598
Topic Operations
Region Global
Industry Biotechnology

Praesens Care, a start-up based in Belgium, has developed a mobile laboratory with the aim of safely testing people for a wide range of killer diseases. Its mobile laboratories enable monitoring of infectious diseases and improve diagnostic capabilities in remote areas in Africa.

EMMA Safety Footwear (A): Designing a Circular Shoe

By Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne-Marie Carrick, Anne Nai-tien Huang

Tom Hermans, CEO of EMMA Safety Footwear, is excited about the idea of developing the world’s first circular safety shoe – one that adheres to the cradle-to-cradle design principles. This could be a transformational strategy, differentiating EMMA from the crowded safety shoe market in Europe and extending a long tradition of social responsibility since its establishment in 1931.

Published 09 Mar 2021

Reference 6501

Topic Responsibility

Region Europe

EMMA Safety Footwear (A): Designing a Circular Shoe

By Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne-Marie Carrick, Anne Nai-tien Huang
Published 09 Mar 2021
Reference 6501
Topic Responsibility
Region Europe

Tom Hermans, CEO of EMMA Safety Footwear, is excited about the idea of developing the world’s first circular safety shoe – one that adheres to the cradle-to-cradle design principles. This could be a transformational strategy, differentiating EMMA from the crowded safety shoe market in Europe and extending a long tradition of social responsibility since its establishment in 1931.

EMMA Safety Footwear (B): Implementing the Circular Business

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne Nai-Tien Huang

This case is the continuation of EMMA Safety Shoes (A): Designing a Circular Shoe. EMMA reached 100% circularity in shoe design at the end of 2019, but this impressive achievement did not mean its journey to the circular economy was over.

Published 09 Mar 2021

Reference 6501

Topic Responsibility

Region Europe

EMMA Safety Footwear (B): Implementing the Circular Business

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne Nai-Tien Huang
Published 09 Mar 2021
Reference 6501
Topic Responsibility
Region Europe

This case is the continuation of EMMA Safety Shoes (A): Designing a Circular Shoe. EMMA reached 100% circularity in shoe design at the end of 2019, but this impressive achievement did not mean its journey to the circular economy was over.

EcoVadis: A Sustainability Rating Company Goes Global

By Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne Nai-Tien Huang

Corporations are increasingly held responsible for the products they source and the sustainability of their supply chains. It was to meet this need that EcoVadis, a sustainability rating agency, was founded in 2007 by Pierre-François Thaler (INSEAD MBA, 1999) and Frédéric Trinel to bridge the information gap between corporate buyers and their suppliers.

Published 20 Jan 2020

Reference 6535

Topic Responsibility

Region Global

EcoVadis: A Sustainability Rating Company Goes Global

By Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne Nai-Tien Huang
Published 20 Jan 2020
Reference 6535
Topic Responsibility
Region Global

Corporations are increasingly held responsible for the products they source and the sustainability of their supply chains. It was to meet this need that EcoVadis, a sustainability rating agency, was founded in 2007 by Pierre-François Thaler (INSEAD MBA, 1999) and Frédéric Trinel to bridge the information gap between corporate buyers and their suppliers.

The Trembling Iron Island: The 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Joachim Mikalsen, Wouter Nientker

In the aftermath of the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in 2018, lives are at stake, infrastructure is damaged, coordination is limited and information is scarce. It is in this environment that humanitarian organizations have to operate in order to assist affected people in disaster-struck areas.

Published 25 Mar 2019

Reference 6479

Topic Operations

Industry Logistics and Supply Chain, Non-Profit Organization Management

The Trembling Iron Island: The 2018 Sulawesi Earthquake and Tsunami

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Joachim Mikalsen, Wouter Nientker
Published 25 Mar 2019
Reference 6479
Topic Operations
Industry Logistics and Supply Chain, Non-Profit Organization Management

In the aftermath of the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in 2018, lives are at stake, infrastructure is damaged, coordination is limited and information is scarce. It is in this environment that humanitarian organizations have to operate in order to assist affected people in disaster-struck areas.

From Fast Fashion to Sustainable Apparel: The Making of the SAC

By Mark Hunter, Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove

This case focuses on the contribution of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an American trade organization based on an industry-wide collaboration and a multi-stakeholder approach, to the fashion industry. The Higg Index is a self-assessment tool that aims to measure and reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel supply chains.

Published 19 Dec 2018

Reference 6437

Topic Responsibility

Industry Textiles, Apparel and Fashion

Region Global

From Fast Fashion to Sustainable Apparel: The Making of the SAC

By Mark Hunter, Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove
Published 19 Dec 2018
Reference 6437
Topic Responsibility
Region Global
Industry Textiles, Apparel and Fashion

This case focuses on the contribution of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC), an American trade organization based on an industry-wide collaboration and a multi-stakeholder approach, to the fashion industry. The Higg Index is a self-assessment tool that aims to measure and reduce the environmental and social impacts of apparel supply chains.

Tony's Chocolonely: The Road to 100% Slave-Free Chocolate?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot

As late as 2020, the supply chain of the global chocolate industry was characterized by modern slavery and child labour, poverty, dire living conditions and deforestation. While players in the cocoa industry had launched certification and in-house sustainability programmes, experts claimed that these have had limited impact.

Published 06 Jul 2021

Reference 6616

Topic Responsibility

Region Global

Tony's Chocolonely: The Road to 100% Slave-Free Chocolate?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot
Published 06 Jul 2021
Reference 6616
Topic Responsibility
Region Global

As late as 2020, the supply chain of the global chocolate industry was characterized by modern slavery and child labour, poverty, dire living conditions and deforestation. While players in the cocoa industry had launched certification and in-house sustainability programmes, experts claimed that these have had limited impact.

Are Chocolate Eaters Really SDG Smart?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot, Sarah Dewilde, Thomas Breugem

Since its inception in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has provided a blueprint for shared prosperity in a sustainable world — a world where all people live productive, vibrant, and peaceful lives on a healthy planet. With less than a decade to go, we need to ask if we are laying the right foundation to achieve the SDGs. How “SDG-smart” are we?

Published 27 May 2021

Reference 6604

Topic Responsibility

Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverages Production

Region Global

Are Chocolate Eaters Really SDG Smart?

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Viktor Pot, Sarah Dewilde, Thomas Breugem
Published 27 May 2021
Reference 6604
Topic Responsibility
Region Global
Industry Consumer Goods, Food and Beverages Production

Since its inception in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) has provided a blueprint for shared prosperity in a sustainable world — a world where all people live productive, vibrant, and peaceful lives on a healthy planet. With less than a decade to go, we need to ask if we are laying the right foundation to achieve the SDGs. How “SDG-smart” are we?

EMMA Safety Footwear (A): Designing a Circular Shoe

By Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne-Marie Carrick, Anne Nai-tien Huang

Tom Hermans, CEO of EMMA Safety Footwear, is excited about the idea of developing the world’s first circular safety shoe – one that adheres to the cradle-to-cradle design principles. This could be a transformational strategy, differentiating EMMA from the crowded safety shoe market in Europe and extending a long tradition of social responsibility since its establishment in 1931.

Published 09 Mar 2021

Reference 6501

Topic Responsibility

Region Europe

EMMA Safety Footwear (A): Designing a Circular Shoe

By Andre Calmon, Luk Van Wassenhove, Anne-Marie Carrick, Anne Nai-tien Huang
Published 09 Mar 2021
Reference 6501
Topic Responsibility
Region Europe

Tom Hermans, CEO of EMMA Safety Footwear, is excited about the idea of developing the world’s first circular safety shoe – one that adheres to the cradle-to-cradle design principles. This could be a transformational strategy, differentiating EMMA from the crowded safety shoe market in Europe and extending a long tradition of social responsibility since its establishment in 1931.

Humanitarian Agility in Action (A): The 2015 Yemen Crisis

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Charles Delagarde, Joachim Mikalsen

Agility is often mentioned but seldom defined or clearly illustrated. This case discusses UNICEF’s response to the sudden disruption of its aid supply chain to Yemen after the bombing started in 2015. It illustrates how a forwarding hub was quickly established in Djibouti and dhow vessels were used to reach small Yemeni ports from there.

Published 15 Dec 2017

Reference 6315

Topic Operations

Industry Facilities Services, Hospital & Health Care, Logistics and Supply Chain

Region Middle-East

Humanitarian Agility in Action (A): The 2015 Yemen Crisis

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Charles Delagarde, Joachim Mikalsen
Published 15 Dec 2017
Reference 6315
Topic Operations
Region Middle-East
Industry Facilities Services, Hospital & Health Care, Logistics and Supply Chain

Agility is often mentioned but seldom defined or clearly illustrated. This case discusses UNICEF’s response to the sudden disruption of its aid supply chain to Yemen after the bombing started in 2015. It illustrates how a forwarding hub was quickly established in Djibouti and dhow vessels were used to reach small Yemeni ports from there.

Max Foundation (A): Saving Children’s Lives Through Business Model Innovation

By Martijn Thierry, Luk Van Wassenhove

Case A describes how a couple who lost a child create a social venture - the Max Foundation - by applying sound business principles to maximize the impact per-euro-spent. Case B discusses the growth challenges facing the organisation today.

Published 31 Aug 2011

Reference 5788

Topic Responsibility

Industry Education Management

Region Asia

Max Foundation (A): Saving Children’s Lives Through Business Model Innovation

By Martijn Thierry, Luk Van Wassenhove
Published 31 Aug 2011
Reference 5788
Topic Responsibility
Region Asia
Industry Education Management

Case A describes how a couple who lost a child create a social venture - the Max Foundation - by applying sound business principles to maximize the impact per-euro-spent. Case B discusses the growth challenges facing the organisation today.

Safety in Numbers: Reducing Road Risk with Danida’s Multi-sector Partnership

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Aline Gatignon

The Fleet Safety project was developed in response to the needs of the members of the Fleet Forum, an informal collaborating body and independent knowledge centre for fleet management in the humanitarian sector.

Published 27 Mar 2009

Reference 5589

Topic Operations

Region Global

Safety in Numbers: Reducing Road Risk with Danida’s Multi-sector Partnership

By Luk Van Wassenhove, Aline Gatignon
Published 27 Mar 2009
Reference 5589
Topic Operations
Region Global

The Fleet Safety project was developed in response to the needs of the members of the Fleet Forum, an informal collaborating body and independent knowledge centre for fleet management in the humanitarian sector.

Moving the World: The TPG-WFP Partnership - Looking for a Partner

By Rolando Tomasini, Luk Van Wassenhove, Ramina Samii

The case narrates the internal processes of choosing and implementing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. It illustrates the process of choosing a cause, selecting partners, creating a working plan, and finally getting the company's executive board's commitment.

Published 06 Jan 2004

Reference 5187

Topic Responsibility

Industry Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation/Trucking/Railroad

Region Global

Moving the World: The TPG-WFP Partnership - Looking for a Partner

By Rolando Tomasini, Luk Van Wassenhove, Ramina Samii
Published 06 Jan 2004
Reference 5187
Topic Responsibility
Region Global
Industry Logistics and Supply Chain, Transportation/Trucking/Railroad

The case narrates the internal processes of choosing and implementing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. It illustrates the process of choosing a cause, selecting partners, creating a working plan, and finally getting the company's executive board's commitment.

Supply Chain Management