The Applied Business Analytics Casebook: Applications in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, and Operations Research

Case 10. Aluminum Versus Plastic: A Life-Cycle Perspective on the Use of These Materials in Laptop Computers¹

1 Although this case is based on discussion with managers from an actual company, the name of the company and data have been disguised. Additionally, the team meeting was fictional and based partially on conversations with managers from our contact company. Thus, no conclusions should be drawn about the sustainability aspects of aluminum versus plastic; instead, the case was developed as a learning tool for future students.

Ryan Luchs, Drew Lessard, and Robert P. Sroufe Duquesne University

Introduction

In recent years, trends in the marketplace have made aluminum an important material in product design due to its light weight, durability, ...