William (Willis) M. Emmons III is investigating the interaction of public policy, markets, business strategy, and performance at the levels of firm, industry, and society. Emmons' approach draws heavily on economic theories of industrial organization, market failure, and property rights, which he applies to the behavior of firms and managers operating in environments shaped significantly by public policy. His research to date has focused on a number of industries that are typically subject to government intervention, including public utilities, telecommunications and the media, transportation, natural resources, and health care. Emmons' findings, which have been reported in a number of scholarly publications, including The RAND Journal of Economics,The Review of Economics and Statistics, and The Journal of Economic History, form the basis of the elective course, Capitalism Constrained: Public Policy and the Manager. Emmons is currently completing a book on the managerial challenges of deregulation and privatization based on extensive field research in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Willis M. Emmons
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration
Director, C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning
Senior Lecturer of Business Administration
Director, C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning
Contact Information
(617) 495-6851
WILLIAM (WILLIS) EMMONS is Senior Lecturer and Director of the C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning at Harvard Business School, a position he has held since 2004. As Director of the Christensen Center, Emmons oversees programs to promote and support teaching excellence and innovation within Harvard Business School and to provide leadership and expertise about case method teaching and participant-centered learning for instructors at other institutions in the United States and abroad.
From 1999-2004, Emmons was Associate Professor at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in the area of Strategy, Economics, Ethics and Policy, where he received the Graduate Teaching Award (2003). At Georgetown he taught courses on strategic management and international business. Emmons was a member of the Harvard Business School faculty from 1989-1999 where, as part of the Business, Government, and the International Economy (BGIE) unit, he taught courses in the M.B.A. and executive education programs. He also has taught extensively in corporate executive development programs and has consulted to corporations and governments on domestic and international issues relating to business strategy and government policy.
Emmons received the A.B. cum laude in Government (Phi Beta Kappa), the M.B.A. with high distinction (Baker Scholar), and the Ph.D. in Business Economics, all from Harvard University. His book, The Evolving Bargain: Strategic Implications of Deregulation and Privatization. (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2000), winner of the 2001 Alpha Sigma Nu Book Award, is based on extensive international research and offers a practical framework for understanding the challenges and potential rewards for established and new ventures in the face of domestic and international market liberalization. Emmons has published articles in a number of scholarly journals, including The RAND Journal of Economics, The Review of Economics and Statistics, and The Journal of Economic History. He is also the author of over thirty Harvard Business School case studies and conceptual notes in the field of business, government, and competition.
- Books
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- Emmons, Willis. The Evolving Bargain: Strategic Implications of Deregulation and Privatization. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2000. View Details
- Journal Articles
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- Emmons, Willis. "Review of Power Loss: The Origins of Deregulation and Restructuring in the American Electric Utility System, by Richard F. Hirsh." Journal of Economic Literature 39, no. 3 (September 2001): 941–943. View Details
- Emmons, Willis. "Review of The Politics of Power: Ontario Hydro and its Government, 1906-1995, by Neil B. Freeman." Journal of Economic History 57, no. 3 (September 1997): 749–750. View Details
- Emmons, Willis. "Implications of Ownership, Regulation, and Market Structure for Performance: Evidence from the U.S. Electric Utility Industry Before and After the New Deal." Review of Economics and Statistics 79, no. 2 (May 1997): 279–289. View Details
- Emmons, Willis, and Robin A. Prager. "The Effects of Market Structure and Ownership on Prices and Service Offerings in the Cable Television Industry." RAND Journal of Economics 28, no. 4 (winter 1997): 732–750. View Details
- Emmons, Willis. "Review of Understanding American Economic Decline, edited by Michael A. Bernstein and David E. Adler." Journal of Economic History 55, no. 2 (June 1995): 448–453. View Details
- Emmons, Willis. "Franklin D. Roosevelt, Electric Utilities, and the Power of Competition." Journal of Economic History 53, no. 4 (December 1993): 880–907. View Details
- Emmons, Willis. "Public Policy and the Evolution of Cable Television, 1950-90." Business and Economic History 21 (1992): 182–191. View Details
- Emmons, Willis. "Review of Technology and Transformation in the American Electric Utility Industry, by Richard F. Hirsh." Business History Review 64, no. 1 (spring 1990): 184–186. View Details
- Book Chapters
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- Emmons, Willis. "The Mexican Toll Roads Program." In Privatizing Monopolies: Lessons from the Telecommunications and Transport Sectors in Latin America, edited by Ravi Ramamurti. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996. View Details
- Cases and Teaching Materials
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- Spar, Debora, Willis Emmons, Leonard A. Schlesinger, and Ruth Costas. "Beyond the Barricades: Chile 2023." Harvard Business School Case 324-005, August 2023. (Revised October 2023.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis, Leonard A. Schlesinger, and Ruth Costas. "Doing Business in Santiago, Chile." Harvard Business School Case 323-085, February 2023. (Revised June 2023.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, Michael E. Porter, and Spencer Wallace. "MassMEDIC: The Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council." Harvard Business School Case 706-498, June 2006. (Revised July 2009.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and Martin Calles. "Clear Communications Ltd. vs. Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Ltd. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 798-085, June 1998. (Revised December 2006.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Willis M. Emmons III. "Asociacion Colombiana de Industrias Plasticas (Acoplasticos)." Harvard Business School Case 703-437, February 2003. (Revised March 2006.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., Willis M. Emmons III, and Christian Fenner. "Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM)." Harvard Business School Case 703-438, February 2003. (Revised March 2006.) View Details
- Porter, Michael E., and Willis M. Emmons III. "Institutions for Collaboration: Overview." Harvard Business School Background Note 703-436, January 2003. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and Ed Simnett. "National Power and the Privatization of the British Power Generation Industry." Harvard Business School Case 796-066, November 1995. (Revised November 1999.) View Details
- Austin, James E., Willis M. Emmons III, and David Maue. "GLSTN 1996." Harvard Business School Case 797-038, September 1996. (Revised November 1999.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "ACT UP": Peter Staley, An Interview with Professor Willis Emmons, November 17, 1995. Harvard Business School Video Supplement 700-501, November 1999. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and Kevin W. W. Glasgow. "New Zealand: The Wonder Down Under." Harvard Business School Case 700-022, September 1999. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, Adele S. Cooper, and J. Richard Lenane. "1-800 Buy Ireland." Harvard Business School Case 799-132, April 1999. (Revised June 1999.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "GLSTN: Interview with Kevin Jennings, Executive Director and Founder, October 17, 1996." Harvard Business School Video Supplement 799-502, January 1999. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and Martin Calles. "Clear Communications Ltd. vs. Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 798-091, April 1998. (Revised July 1998.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "United States Financial Crisis of 1931, Note on Franklin D. Roosevelt, and A Keynesian Cure for The Depression,The Data Supplement." Harvard Business School Supplement 798-093, April 1998. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Reagan Plan, Update." Harvard Business School Supplement 798-095, April 1998. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (A), (B),(C) TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 797-082, March 1997. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Lucas vs. South Carolina Coastal Council (A)." Harvard Business School Case 794-029, September 1993. (Revised March 1997.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Paragould City Cable." Harvard Business School Case 794-030, October 1993. (Revised October 1996.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Paragould City Cable TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 797-058, October 1996. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "ENTel and the Privatization of Argentine Telecommunications." Harvard Business School Case 796-065, November 1995. (Revised April 1996.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and Atte Almas. "Phillips Petroleum Co. and Norwegian Oil Policy." Harvard Business School Case 795-034, May 1995. (Revised February 1996.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Public Policy and the Media Industry." Harvard Business School Background Note 793-027, December 1992. (Revised October 1995.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and David Riordan. "AT&T and the International Settlements Problem." Harvard Business School Case 795-035, October 1994. (Revised October 1995.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Bay State Gas Co.: Strategy for the 1990s (A)." Harvard Business School Case 792-005, September 1991. (Revised October 1995.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Bay State Gas Co.: Strategy for the 1990s (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 796-055, September 1995. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: General Background Information." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-072, December 1992. (Revised September 1995.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Pharmaceutical Industry Regulation TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-022, March 1993. (Revised September 1995.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 796-068, September 1995. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (C)." Harvard Business School Supplement 796-069, September 1995. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Public Policy and the Manager: Conceptual Framework." Harvard Business School Background Note 794-028, September 1993. (Revised July 1995.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, Monica Brand, and Greg Keller. "Dow Corning and the Breast Implant Controversy (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 795-048, June 1995. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, Monica Brand, and Greg Keller. "Note on Product Liability." Harvard Business School Background Note 795-049, May 1995. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, Monica Brand, and Greg Keller. "Dow Corning and the Breast Implant Controversy (A)." Harvard Business School Case 795-047, November 1994. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Pharmaceutical Industry Regulation." Harvard Business School Background Note 792-002, September 1991. (Revised August 1994.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Railroad and Trucking Regulation." Harvard Business School Background Note 793-041, September 1992. (Revised August 1994.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Burroughs Wellcome and AZT (A), (B), (C) TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-023, March 1993. (Revised January 1994.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Pricing and Public Policy." Harvard Business School Background Note 794-027, September 1993. (Revised December 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group C, Utility #3." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-083, December 1992. (Revised November 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "New Jersey Solid Waste Crisis, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-026, June 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Bay State Gas Co.: Strategy for the 1990s TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-025, May 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "USSR--1990." Harvard Business School Case 390-155, March 1990. (Revised May 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Cable Television Regulation TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-024, April 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Note on Cable Television Regulation." Harvard Business School Background Note 391-022, October 1990. (Revised March 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "New Jersey Solid Waste Crisis: Interview with Mr. Steven Govel, Director, Division of Solid Waste, Video." Harvard Business School Video Supplement 793-508, March 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Tambrands Inc.: The Femtech Soviet Joint Venture (B) TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-021, March 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, and Monica Brand. "Empresas ICA and the Mexican Road Privatization Program." Harvard Business School Case 793-028, September 1992. (Revised March 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Empresas ICA and the Mexican Road Privatization Program (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-123, March 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 793-085, March 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Tambrands, Inc.: The Femtech Soviet Joint Venture (A), Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 391-104, January 1991. (Revised March 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Tambrands, Inc.: The Femtech Soviet Joint Venture (B)." Harvard Business School Case 792-020, August 1991. (Revised March 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "USSR--1990, Supplement." Harvard Business School Supplement 391-161, February 1991. (Revised March 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Burroughs Wellcome and AZT (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 793-114, March 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Burroughs Wellcome and AZT (C)." Harvard Business School Supplement 793-115, March 1993. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Burroughs Wellcome and AZT (A)." Harvard Business School Case 792-004, September 1991. (Revised February 1993.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group A, Utility #1." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-073, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group A, Utility #2." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-074, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group A, Utility #3." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-075, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group A, Utility #4." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-076, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group B, Utility #1." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-077, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group B, Utility #2." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-078, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group B, Utility #3." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-079, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group B, Utility #4." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-080, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group C, Utility #1." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-081, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group C, Utility #2." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-082, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Negotiation Exercise on Tradeable Pollution Allowances: Group C, Utility #4." Harvard Business School Exercise 793-084, December 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "New Jersey Solid Waste Crisis." Harvard Business School Case 792-003, November 1991. (Revised November 1992.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Tambrands, Inc.: An Interview with Mr. G.A.M. (Tony) Butterworth of Tambrands, Inc., Video." Harvard Business School Video Supplement 792-515, July 1992. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Exercise on Waste Reduction Strategies for the Harvford Exam System." Harvard Business School Exercise 792-027, September 1991. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Tambrands, Inc.: The Femtech Soviet Joint Venture (A)." Harvard Business School Case 390-159, March 1990. (Revised August 1991.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Tambrands, Inc.: The Femtech Soviet Joint Venture (A), Supplement." Harvard Business School Supplement 390-160, March 1990. (Revised August 1991.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "Zenith and the Color Television Fight, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 792-006, August 1991. View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III. "USSR--1990 (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 391-103, January 1991. (Revised March 1991.) View Details
- Emmons, Willis M., III, Richard H.K. Vietor, and David B. Yoffie. "Global Telecommunications Equipment Industry." Harvard Business School Background Note 391-020, October 1990. View Details
- Research Summary
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- Areas of Interest