Cable car companies are key players in alpine winter sports tourism and strongly affected by the consequences of climate change, including lower snowfall, higher snow lines and shorter snow seasons. Based on a survey of almost 100 Swiss cable car companies, this study analyzes adaptation measures and aims to identify typical strategic adaptation patterns based on cluster analysis, which identified four clusters: small conservative companies, sustainability-oriented medium-sized companies, proactive and diversified medium-sized companies and large innovative companies. The findings reveal that strategies vary by company size, influenced by factors such as revenue, altitude, and slope kilometers. The study highlights the need for tailored approaches and targeted support to enhance the industry’s resilience and secure the future of Alpine tourism.

This short case covers the recent strategic developments of Barnes & Noble, the largest US book chain, and puts them in the context of its peers worldwide (in the UK, Canada, Germany and France). The perspective of the case is the one of James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble since August 2019. Readers are put in his shoes and are asked to analyze Barnes & Noble's response strategy to an increasingly digital book market. This short case is intended to serve as part of a course session on digitalization strategies or strategic change responding to macro trends. The case can support a full 45-minute class session, or can be integrated into a 90-minute session that also includes theory input by the lecturer. The case questions are open-ended but intended to introduce frameworks to assess strategic change and response strategies to exogenous shocks.