• October 2021
• Article

Overcoming the Cold Start Problem of CRM Using a Probabilistic Machine Learning Approach

By: Nicolas Padilla and Eva Ascarza

The success of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) programs ultimately depends on the firm's ability to understand consumers' preferences and precisely capture how these preferences may differ across customers. Only by understanding customer heterogeneity, firms can... View Details

Keywords: Customer Management; Targeting; Deep Exponential Families; Probabilistic Machine Learning; Cold Start Problem; Customer Relationship Management; Programs; Consumer Behavior; Analysis

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Padilla, Nicolas, and Eva Ascarza. "Overcoming the Cold Start Problem of CRM Using a Probabilistic Machine Learning Approach." Journal of Marketing Research (JMR) 58, no. 5 (October 2021): 981–1006.

• Research Summary

The Political Power of Weak Interests

By: Gunnar Trumbull

One of the most broadly accepted theoretical claims of public policy is the proposal that interests shared by a large set of actors tend to be under-represented in public policy. From Mancur Olson to George Stigler to James Q. Wilson, our most influential theorists... View Details

• 2025
• Book

The World Is Your Office: How Work from Anywhere Boosts Talent, Productivity, and Innovation

By: Prithwiraj Choudhury

A research-based look at a growing phenomenon—companies allowing their employees to work from anywhere in the world—and how those who adopt this model can boost talent, innovation, and productivity.
In recent years, companies in a wide range of industries have... View Details

Keywords: Remote Work; Telecommuting; Employees; Business Offices; Organizational Culture; Retention; Recruitment; Policy; Competitive Advantage

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Choudhury, Prithwiraj. The World Is Your Office: How Work from Anywhere Boosts Talent, Productivity, and Innovation. Harvard Business Review Press, 2025.

• March 2023 (Revised January 2024)
• Case

Deepa Bachu (A): Design Thinking at Pensaar Design

By: Thomas Graeber, Joshua Schwartzstein and Amram Migdal

In this case, set in June 2019 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Deepa Bachu of Pensaar Design and her team work with client ITC Ltd. to use design thinking and behavioral experiments to improve workplace safety and strive toward the company’s zero-accident goal. The... View Details

Keywords: Buildings and Facilities; Design; Education; Training; Working Conditions; Business or Company Management; Production; Business Processes; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Outcome or Result; Performance Improvement; Programs; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Groups and Teams; Labor and Management Relations; Rank and Position; Safety; Attitudes; Behavior; Motivation and Incentives; Trust; Well-being; Consulting Industry; Pulp and Paper Industry; Manufacturing Industry; India

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Graeber, Thomas, Joshua Schwartzstein, and Amram Migdal. "Deepa Bachu (A): Design Thinking at Pensaar Design." Harvard Business School Case 923-026, March 2023. (Revised January 2024.)

• 11 Jan 2010
• Research & Ideas

Mixing Open Source and Proprietary Software Strategies

has its die-hard supporters. Meanwhile, other firms try to maximize profits by keeping a tight, proprietary hold on all intellectual property. Increasingly, however, software companies are taking a "best of both worlds" approach by creating View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Web Services

• December 1998
• Case

Pioneer Hi-Bred: Turning Seeds Into Factories

By: F. Warren McFarlan and Melissa Dailey

The agricultural sector is among the preeminent information technology users in our economy," exclaimed an August 1998 Forbes ASAP survey of the U.S. economy's best and worst users of information technology (IT). The survey designated Pioneer Hi-Bred International,... View Details

Keywords: Agribusiness; Multinational Firms and Management; Information Management; Infrastructure; Business Strategy; Information Technology; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Iowa

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McFarlan, F. Warren, and Melissa Dailey. "Pioneer Hi-Bred: Turning Seeds Into Factories." Harvard Business School Case 399-095, December 1998.

• March 2021 (Revised January 2022)
• Case

Philips: Redefining Telehealth

By: Regina E. Herzlinger, Alec Petersen, Natalie Kindred and Sara M. McKinley

As one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, Philips sought to reach beyond the walls of the hospital and expand its hospital-to-home program to gain future competitive advantage through technology solutions combining predictive analytics with care delivery. By... View Details

Keywords: Health Care; Philips; Visicu; Telemedicine; eICU; Accountable Care Organization; ACO; Bundled Payment; Hospital To Home; Patient Monitoring Devices; Home Health Care; Health Care and Treatment; Communication Technology; Quality; Safety; Performance Productivity; Performance Capacity; Performance Efficiency; Consumer Behavior; Emerging Markets; Health Industry; Telecommunications Industry; Netherlands

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Herzlinger, Regina E., Alec Petersen, Natalie Kindred, and Sara M. McKinley. "Philips: Redefining Telehealth." Harvard Business School Case 321-135, March 2021. (Revised January 2022.) (As companion reading for this case, see: Regina E. Herzlinger and Charles Huang. "Note on Bundled Payment in Health Care," HBS Background Note 312-032.)

• 07 Nov 2005
• What Do You Think?

Is Less Becoming More?

Summing Up Less is increasingly more, at least in the minds of customers, according to nearly every respondent to this month's column. However, some cite product complexity as the cause of rising real and psychological consumer... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett; Consumer Products

• 25 Sep 2006
• Research & Ideas

How Software Platforms Revolutionize Business

springboards that allow specialized producers to leverage their infrastructure and create new innovations and by bringing digital technology to a wide variety of sectors and users, again by providing flexible infrastructures that make it... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Video Game; Web Services

• 12 Feb 2008
• First Look

First Look: February 12, 2007

data in a variety of business analysis and valuation contexts. The fourth edition of Business Analysis and Valuation: Using Financial Statements allows you to undertake financial statement analysis using a four-part framework—(1) business... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

• 17 Jul 2007
• First Look

First Look: July 17, 2007

Autor, William R. Kerr, and Adriana D. Kugler Periodical:Economic Journal 117 (2007): F189-F217 Abstract Theory predicts that mandated employment protections may reduce productivity by distorting production... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

• 08 Jul 2011
• Working Paper Summaries

Delegation in Multi-Establishment Firms: Adaptation vs. Coordination in I.T. Purchasing Authority

Keywords: by Kristina McElheran

• September–October 2013
• Article

Learning from Customers: Individual and Organizational Effects in Outsourced Radiological Services

By: Jonathan R. Clark, Robert S. Huckman and Bradley R. Staats

The ongoing fragmentation of work has resulted in a narrowing of tasks into smaller pieces that can be sent outside the organization and, in many instances, around the world. This trend is shifting the boundaries of organizations and leading to increased outsourcing.... View Details

Keywords: Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Medical Specialties; Health Care and Treatment; Customer Focus and Relationships; Learning; Customer Satisfaction; Health Industry

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Clark, Jonathan R., Robert S. Huckman, and Bradley R. Staats. "Learning from Customers: Individual and Organizational Effects in Outsourced Radiological Services." Organization Science 24, no. 5 (September–October 2013): 1539–1557.

• 17 Oct 2023
• HBS Case

With Subscription Fatigue Setting In, Companies Need to Think Hard About Fees

single flat price, where customers pay a fixed rate at regular intervals no matter how much they use a product or service. A “freemium” option, in which the base tier is free, while other more advanced tiers include escalating charges.... View Details

Keywords: by Jay Fitzgerald; Consumer Products; Consumer Products; Consumer Products