Love School of Business professors publish case study

International business professor Carri Tolmie and Love School of Business founding dean Thomas Tiemann published a case through the Ivey Business School Foundation.

Carri Tolmie, assistant professor of international business, and Thomas Tiemann, professor emeritus of economics, co-authored a case study challenging students to consult a North Carolina business, Steel String Brewery, on whether it should begin its own bottling processes, based on its sales history and the associated costs.

The case, titled “Steel String: To Bottle or Not to Bottle,” appears on the Ivey Publishing website, where faculty, publishers, and corporations can purchase it for use in their classrooms, textbooks, and seminars. 

Steel String Brewery is a small business located in Carrboro, North Carolina. Students are tasked to analyze and compute a net present value based on various costs associated with the business to determine if the company should begin bottling its own beers.

The case is filled with information about current sales strategies, craft beer pricing, and the competitive market.

In addition to the financial aspects of this case, there is also a section on corporate social responsibility. Students are asked to develop ideas to further Steel String Brewery’s triple-bottom line.

Tolmie, assistant professor of international business, joined Elon in 2013 after completing her doctorate in international business and marketing from Saint Louis University.  She teaches courses in international business at the graduate and undergraduate level, as well as global marketing and business strategy. Her research focuses on corporate social responsibility, environmental sustainability and ethics, in particular how these concepts are influenced by culture, consumer perceptions and identification.

Tiemann, professor emeritus of economics, joined Elon in 1984. He served as chair of the Department of Economics; director of General Studies, now known as the Elon Core Curriculum; dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; and director of the Business Fellows program.

Ivey Publishing selectively accepts cases for publication. The publishing company is a leader in providing business case studies with a global perspective.