Corporate Disasters ─ What Went Wrong and Why

This reference collects 100 overview essays written in plain language accessible to more prepared high school juniors and seniors and up. Encompassing all industries, from retail to finance, the essays reveal what we can learn from bad decisions in marketing, strategy, and management. Most of the book's examples focus on disruptive influences that have dramatically changed industries and markets, such as globalization and technology. Most deal with events in the 20th and 21st centuries, although a few look back at earlier eras (such as when Western Union passed on the telephone patent). The essays are presented alphabetically by company name. The book also contains a thematic table of contents grouping articles by numerous themes, such as bankruptcy, consumer health concerns, downsizing, economic bubbles, environmental catastrophes, failure to innovate, lawsuits, leadership, real estate and mortgage lending, safety regulations and recalls, and shifting markets and consumer trends. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)