Philippe Haspeslagh

The case describes the context faced by the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Boerse (DB), the German Stock Exchange, following its hostile bid to acquire the London Stock Exchange (LSE), notably the events that led to a confrontation with UK hedge funds (TCI, Atticus) seeking to derail DB’s plans.

Published 24 Jan 2020

Reference 6568

Topic Strategy

Industry Financial Services

Region Europe

View case
The case discusses a conflict over strategy between the Management and Supervisory Board of Stork, a Dutch diversified company active in Aerospace, Food Systems, Technical Services and Prints, and two hedge funds, Centaurus and Paulson, which since 2004 have build a sizeable stake in the company.

Published 01 Sep 2007

Reference 5452

Topic Strategy

Region Europe

View case
The case focuses on the Nielsen Company, formerly known as VNU, facing investor opposition to its acquisition of IMS Health for euro 5.8 billion. It first describes the history of VNU and strategy of its CEO Robert van den Bergh as it redeploys its assets between 2000 and 2005 towards Marketing Information, and away from print media.

Published 01 Apr 2007

Reference 5433

Topic Strategy

Region Europe

View case
This case focuses on the conflict between the Hedge Funds and the Board and Management of Deutsche Börse, following Deutsche Börse's hostile offer for the London Stock Exchange. It allows participants to role play the perspectives of the Supervisory Board, led by Dr. Breuer, the CEO, Werner Seifert, the Hedge Funds (TCI, Atticus) and traditional investors (including Fidelity and Merrill Lynch).

Published 01 Jan 2007

Reference 5409

Topic Strategy

Region Europe

View case
By early 1999, NTL was the third-largest and fastest-growing cable TV and telephony company in the UK, measured by homes under franchise; only Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Telewest were larger. CWC's parent wanted to exit the industry, and was in advanced negotiations with Telewest.

Published 01 Mar 2005

Reference 5267

Topic Strategy

Region Europe

View case
International acquisitions have become an extremely important vehicle for growth for multinational companies. A key task for many MNC managers is the planning of such acquisitions and the integration of acquired companies in a manner that enhances the company's overall competitive advantage vis-à-vis other global, regional and national players.

Published 08 Jan 2005

Reference 123

Topic Strategy

Region Europe

View case
By early 1999, NTL was the third-largest and fastest-growing cable TV and telephony company in the UK, measured by homes under franchise; only Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) and Telewest were larger. CWC's parent wanted to exit the industry, and was in advanced negotiations with Telewest.

Published 03 Jan 2005

Reference 5267

Topic Strategy

Region Europe

View case
This (A) case describes how Guy Wyser-Pratte, a pro-active investor and corporate governance advocate, puts pressure on Royal Vendex KBB, the leading non-food retailer in the Netherlands, to alter its corporate governance system.

Published 06 Jan 2004

Reference 5212

Topic Responsibility

Region Europe

View case
Fresh from his victory for increased shareholder rights, corporate raider Wyser-Pratte, together with a coalition of active investors, tries in this (B) case to use their newfound rights to influence the strategic direction of the Vendex company.

Published 06 Jan 2004

Reference 5212

Topic Responsibility

Region Europe

View case
The case describes the strategic planning process and performance management system implemented at DSM, a global chemical company. In particular, it describes how the company's Value Based Business Steering system is designed to create alignment between strategy formulation and execution through strategic value contracts.

Published 01 Jan 2004

Reference 5165

Topic Strategy

Industry Chemicals

Region Europe

View case