CASE STUDY
An in-depth description of a firm’s approach to an IT management issue (intended for MBA and executive education)
Working Paper: Case Study
Pharmco: Becoming a Data Science-Driven Company
This case study describes key milestones in Pharmco’s development and use of data science and artificial intelligence.
Abstract
In the mid-2010s, Pharmco, an anonymized pharmaceutical company, identified data science and artificial intelligence as an important tool for achieving its objective of “helping people live healthier lives.” But the company needed to invest heavily and commit to long-term development of a data science capability. Pharmco began to generate measurable benefits from its efforts, although it was early in the company’s journey. This case study describes key milestones in Pharmco’s development and use of data science and artificial intelligence.
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This case study was prepared by Jeanne W. Ross and Kate Moloney of the MIT Sloan Center for Information Systems Research (CISR) and Cynthia M. Beath of the University of Texas at Austin. The case was written for the purposes of class discussion, rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a managerial situation. The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the participants in the case study. © 2019 MIT Sloan Center for Information Systems Research. All rights reserved to the authors.
About the Authors
MIT CENTER FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH (CISR)
Founded in 1974 and grounded in MIT's tradition of combining academic knowledge and practical purpose, MIT CISR helps executives meet the challenge of leading increasingly digital and data-driven organizations. We work directly with digital leaders, executives, and boards to develop our insights. Our consortium forms a global community that comprises more than seventy-five organizations.
AlixPartners
Avanade
Cognizant
Collibra
IFS
The Ogilvy Group
Alcon Vision
Amcor
ANZ Banking Group (Australia)
AustralianSuper
Banco Bradesco S.A. (Brazil)
Banco do Brasil S.A.
Bank of Queensland (Australia)
Barclays (UK)
BlueScope Steel (Australia)
BNP Paribas (France)
Bupa
CarMax
Caterpillar, Inc.
Cemex (Mexico)
Cencora
CIBC (Canada)
Cochlear Limited (Australia)
Commonwealth Superannuation Corp. (Australia)
Cuscal Limited (Australia)
CVS Health
Dawn Foods
DBS Bank Ltd. (Singapore)
Doosan Corporation (Korea)
Fidelity Investments
Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B., de C.V.
Fortum (Finland)
Genentech
Gilbane Building Co.
International Motors
Jewelers Mutual
Kaiser Permanente
Keurig Dr Pepper
King & Wood Mallesons (Australia)
Mater Private Hospital (Ireland)
Nasdaq, Inc.
NN Insurance Eurasia NV
Nomura Holdings, Inc. (Japan)
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. Systems Consulting Division (Japan)
Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark)
OCP Group
Pacific Life Insurance Company
Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Posten Bring AS (Norway)
Principal Life Insurance Company
QBE
Ramsay Health Care (Australia)
Reserve Bank of Australia
RTX
Saint-Gobain
Scentre Group Limited (Australia)
Schneider Electric Industries SAS (France)
Tabcorp Holdings (Australia)
Telstra Limited (Australia)
Terumo Corporation (Japan)
Tetra Pak (Sweden)
Truist Financial Corporation
UniSuper Management Pty Ltd (Australia)
Uniting (Australia)
USAA
Vanguard
Westpac Banking Corporation (Australia)
WestRock Company
Xenco Medical
Zoetis Services LLC
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