Publications

20 Feb 2019
Research & Ideas

Rocket-tunity: Can Private Firms Turn a Profit in Space?

As entrepreneurial rocket companies come closer to shooting the first space tourist into the void, perhaps even this year, another reality is dawning: The business of space is no different than new industries everywhere else. It’s tough to launch. Up until now,... View Details

Keywords: by Scott Wallask; Aerospace; Tourism; Transportation

11 Jan 2017
Working Paper Summaries

Populism and the Return of the 'Paranoid Style': Some Evidence and a Simple Model of Demand for Incompetence as Insurance Against Elite Betrayal

Keywords: by Rafael Di Tella and Julio J. Rotemberg

December 2011 (Revised May 2012)
Case

Heavy Metal (A): Baosteel Enters Brazil

What is Baosteel, a top Chinese steelmaker, doing in Brazil? The company is responding to the Chinese government's "go global" policy and to the possible rise in iron ore input costs. But steel mills are complex, capital-intensive projects, and Brazil is an emerging... View Details

23 Jan 2013
Research & Ideas

Three-Dimensional Strategy: Winning the Multisided Platform

When start-up thredUP launched its peer-to-peer online exchange for used children's clothes two and a half years ago, its creators were the latest generation of entrepreneurs competing online as multi-sided platforms (MSPs), alongside... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna

12 May 2015
Conference Presentation

Shared Value and Strategy

By: Michael E. Porter

The best companies don't compete to be the best—they compete to be unique. Harvard Business School's Prof. Michael E. Porter applies his classic strategy framework to shared value as a differentiating strategy to enhance competitiveness. This slide presentation was... View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Society; Competitive Advantage; United States

Read Now

August 2008 (Revised May 2009)
Background Note

Note on Trade Secrets and Covenants not to Compete: Comparison of Law in the United States and the European Union

By: Robert C. Pozen and Megan Barbero

This note details the use and treatment of Covenants not to Compete in the United States, United Kingdom and France to compete or trade secrets versus patents as alternative ways to protect a business' intellectual property. View Details

Keywords: Competition; Law; Strategy; Intellectual Property; France; United Kingdom; United States

11 Dec 2020
Research & Ideas

Economic Jitters Push Pandemic Job Seekers to Big Companies, Not Startups

need money, because then you’re in the best position to do so,” Bernstein notes. “Similarly, your ability to attract talent today might shift quite dramatically down the road,” he says. “So, if you have opportunities, better to seize them as soon as you can, because... View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne

March 2022 (Revised August 2022)
Case

LooksRare: The Decentralized, Tokenized, NFT Marketplace

By: Scott Duke Kominers, Shai Bernstein and George Gonzalez

LooksRare launched a decentralized and anonymous organization to compete against NFT marketplace leader OpenSea. By launching its own cryptocurrency, LooksRare attempted to lure users with a digital rewards program. The nature of the organization and its business... View Details

Keywords: NFTs; Alternative Assets; Blockchain; Cryptocurrency; Customer Relationship Management; Market Entry and Exit; Business Model; Marketing

March 1993 (Revised December 2011)
Case

Crown Cork & Seal in 1989

By: Stephen P. Bradley

Describes the structure and recent trends of the metal container industry, Crown's successful strategy for competing in the industry, and John Connelly's leadership over more than 20 years. In 1989, William Avery succeeded Connelly as CEO and is forced to consider new... View Details

Keywords: Leadership; Five Forces Framework; Management Succession; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Structure; Competitive Strategy

13 Jun 2011
HBS Case

Mobile Banking for the Unbanked

profitable. The banking partnership proved problematic in that it was hard for a second-tier bank to compete with its larger brethren, which by 2008 were forced by government mandate to offer low-cost banking options for the poor. But... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Banking; Communications; Telecommunications

January 1996
Background Note

The Motivation for Creativity in Organizations

By: Teresa M. Amabile

People will be most creative when they feel motivated primarily by the interest, enjoyment, satisfaction, and challenge of the work itself--when they are driven by a deep involvement in their work and a passion for it. This note describes the ways in which creativity... View Details

Keywords: Compensation and Benefits; Managerial Roles; Organizations; Creativity; Motivation and Incentives; Satisfaction