SuGoPetite: The Sourcing Decision
Richard Metters
Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, USA
Volume 18: 2024, pp. 43-48; ABSTRACT
This female protagonist case concerns alignment of operational processes with product maturity – a
classic example of the well-known “Product-Process Matrix”. The decision maker has designed a new
product: dresses for petite women made from environmentally conscious materials. She now must decide
on the contract manufacturer. Two choices are presented: a low cost, high volume oriented assembly
line manufacturer in a distant country, and a high cost, low volume, craft production domestic
manufacturer in the same city where the designer lives. The decision maker must decide between
the competing priorities of cost, response time, and quality. This is a case meant to be read
and discussed during class, and takes roughly 30 minutes of class time.
Keywords: protagonist case, product-process matrix, outsourcing production, mini case.
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