Questions:

1. Explain why this is such an unusual labor action.
2. Based on John A. Davis’ blog, what could the board chairman do to help rebuild family unity and commitment to Market Basket?
3. At this point, Market Basket as a continuing entity is hemorrhaging financially. From a corporate governance standpoint, do you think that the families in business have an obligation to their many stakeholders to reconcile or do you think they should focus on a new ownership solution?
4. Prepare a qualitative cost/benefit analysis of the family business or family capitalism.

Sources:

Seelye, K.Q. (2014). Across a Grocery Chain, a Labor Protest in Support of a Manager. The New York Times, July 18 (Retrievable online at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/19/us/across-a-grocery-chain-a-labor-protest-in-support-of-a-manager.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As%2C%7B%221%22%3A%22RI%3A6%22%7D&_r=0)

WCVB Channel 5, Boston. (2014). Arthur T. pushes back in Market Basket battle.YouTube, Aug. 10 (Retrievable online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6tvfl2MK_U)

Davis, J.A. (2014). Market Basket Shows the Best and Worst of Family Business. Harvard Business Review Blog, Aug. 4(Retrievable online at http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/08/market-basket-shows-the-best-and-worst-of-family-business/)