As the leadership team at a consumer products company debated its digital strategy, two opposing views emerged. To stay competitive, some argued, the company needed to invest several hundred million dollars to automate its existing network of large regional plants.

Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are working on a project designed to show that homes and vehicles could be powered by fuel made from seaweed grown at large-scale offshore farms.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has a solution for retailers doing battle with Amazon.com Inc.: join forces to give shoppers an alternative.