A CASE STUDY CHALLENGE ON WATER CONCERNS IN SUPPLY CHAIN

MANAGEMENT
Water is an essential resource to human life. The importance of water has been growing given
the increase in the scarcity of this precious resource. Also, the importance has been growing
due to the expansion of a variety of industries and their unmeasured utilization of the water.
Businesses are facing risks as climate change, population growth, urbanization and other
factors are increasing the strain on water supplies. Discussions regarding the nexus of water
sustainability and business sustainability has been here for some time now. The companies
are making efforts to showcase their commitment towards mitigating water risks associated
with their operations. However these efforts are sporadic and are majorly influenced by the
quantum of risk associated.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
To identify the water issues associated with the supply chains of various companies, this will
also determine if there is the possibility for collective action around issues of water quality
and quantity in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Water is of particular interest given its
increasing scarcity and the important role that it plays in agriculture and manufacturing
processes. This Water Feasibility Assessment will identify company areas of operations, water
issues and where there may be overlapping interests.
You may study the supply chain of any ONE company from the list given below:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

SAB Miller
Hindustan Unilever
Mars/Wrigleys
Nestle
Levis

Outline of the expected outcomes: (Please note that the below list is not comprehensive)

1. Geographical mapping of the operations of these companies in Uttar Pradesh

(Example: Sourcing of raw materials from factories, farmers, etc.)
2. What is the water risk for each commodity or processing facility important to the
company?
3. How is water connected to other supply chain risks (i.e. livelihood, food security, etc.)?
4. What activities are already underway to address water related risks? What are the
gaps in current activities and technical knowledge of the water basin that would
benefit from a more coordinated effort?
5. Who are the key actors in the region that would need to be engaged in order to
accomplish sustainability objectives, particularly water sustainability?
6. What are potential short and long term outcomes of a collective action initiative, and
would they add up to more than what is already underway?
7. What policy support is present in the region and what is its potential to support any
coordinated efforts in response to the water risks?
8. How can the water needs of both agriculture and industry be met sustainably in Uttar
Pradesh?
9. What water data is readily available for effective policy and decision-making? What
can be done to make real-time data available?

CASH PRIZES
The top 2 best teams will receive cash prizes sponsored by ASI:
1st prize: INR 10,000
2nd prize: INR 5,000

GUIDELINES
Rules:
1. All students in their first or second year of post graduate program in management are
eligible.
2. A team should consist of minimum 2 and maximum 4 participants.
3. Participants of a team must be from the same institute.
4. A person cannot be part of more than one team.
5. Participants are expected to stick to the context provided in problem statement.
6. Decisions made by the organizing committee will be final and binding.
Registration:
All teams are required to register in the link provided in the mail.
Deadline for registration is 23:59:59 4th October 2015
Submission guidelines:
1. Submission should be in PowerPoint format.
2. Presentation should contain a maximum of 15 slides (including the title and thank
you slides).
3. Title slide should include team name, team member names, email- id, contact
number of each member and title of case study
4. Last date of submission is 7th October 2014 by 23:59:59. Mail your submissions
at igfab@iiml.ac.in.
5. Presentation should adhere to the naming convention given below
i. Name of the Presentation: [teamname_institute.ppt] or
[teamname_institute.pptx]
ii. Subject line of the mail: [TeamName]_LAKSHYA_Submission
6. The qualifying teams for the finalists will be declared within 2 days after
submissions
7. Outstation finalist teams final presentation will take place through video
conferencing if the team is unable to reach the IIM Lucknow campus on the day of
final presentation

To keep track of the latest updates on LAKSHYA, like our page:

https://www.facebook.com/IGFAB
For more information regarding the project please contact:
Arun Bharti - +91 9956402063
Ankita Raj- +91 9451893953