Publications

August 1995
Case

Slade Plating Department, The

By: Linda A. Hill

Describes a conflict between the values and norms of a segment of an internal social system and those of management and the wider culture. Includes decision opportunity. A rewritten version of an earlier case. View Details

Keywords: Conflict and Resolution; Values and Beliefs; Organizational Culture; Decision Making

Educators

08 May 2013
Research & Ideas

A Company’s Evolving View of Gender Equity

internal surveys conducted to find the answers. The learning that took place resulted in new beliefs that the firm's culture was inhospitable to women, and that "the problem was a 'firm problem' not a... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Accounting

30 Jan 2019
What Do You Think?

Who Will Measure up to These Two Remarkable Leaders?

leaders—there are plenty of fine people who can lead an organization. What these two did, as you point out, was create a culture around the mission of their organizations. Their employees live the mission in their work How do you teach... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett; Air Transportation; Financial Services

30 Apr 2019
First Look

New Research and Ideas, April 30, 2019

in contexts where gender diversity is viewed as “normatively” accepted. By normative acceptance, they mean a widespread cultural belief that gender diversity is important. In other words, View Details

Keywords: Dina Gerdeman

April 1984
Supplement

Johnson & Johnson (A): Philosophy & Culture, James Burke, Video

By: Francis Aguilar

James Burke, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, discusses the company's philosophy and culture, with particular emphasis on the significance of the Credo. View Details

Keywords: Organizational Culture; Values and Beliefs; Mission and Purpose; Management Teams; Pharmaceutical Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Consumer Products Industry

January 1998
Case

Sideco Americana S.A. (B)

By: Lynn S. Paine and Harold F. Hogan Jr

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Change; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Culture; Values and Beliefs; Moral Sensibility; Ethics; Argentina

January 1998
Case

Sideco Americana S.A. (C)

By: Lynn S. Paine and Harold F. Hogan Jr

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Change; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Moral Sensibility; Values and Beliefs; Ethics; Culture; Argentina

12 Oct 1999
Research & Ideas

Value Judgments: Business Ethics Across Borders

"As different cultural traditions meet in the marketplace and inside organizations, managers face tough choices about the values that they and their organizations will live by," HBS professor Lynn Sharp Paine told participants... View Details

Keywords: by Judith A. Ross

19 Dec 2014
Research & Ideas

China’s Complicated Relationship With Mother Nature

starting to come due for a culture not used to paying them. “Thousands of years of environmental degradation have put more strain on a finite amount of land than any other place on earth" "China has the longest political and... View Details

Keywords: Re: William C. Kirby; Manufacturing

06 Mar 2019
Sharpening Your Skills

Has the Glass Ceiling Been Broken (or at Least Cracked)?

because of social defenses at the organizational level, along with wider cultural beliefs that are resistant to change. Gender Stereotypes in Deliberation and Team DecisionsWomen are recognized less often... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

January 2022 (Revised April 2025)
Case

Steem Versus Hive: Testing Blockchain Governance

By: Shikhar Ghosh and Shweta Bagai

This case examines a pivotal governance conflict that occurred in 2020 when Justin Sun, founder of the TRON blockchain, acquired Steemit Inc., the company behind a popular social media platform operating on the Steem blockchain. Steem, launched in 2016 by Daniel... View Details

Keywords: Blockchain; Mergers and Acquisitions; Values and Beliefs; Corporate Governance; Organizational Culture; Social and Collaborative Networks; Technology Industry

Educators

12 Dec 2019
Research & Ideas

How to Turn Down the Boil on Group Conflict

Even as polarized political discussion appears to have frozen the possibility of compromise, new research suggests that divided sides can come together on many issues to make decisions. “Our research finds that inaccurate beliefs really... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

May 2008 (Revised September 2009)
Case

IBM's Dynamic Workplace

By: Rosabeth M. Kanter

IBM already competed for talent by being a best workplace. It was one of the first companies to provide paid vacations, health insurance, sick leave, job sharing, and domestic partner benefits. Its human resources portfolio included a full array of progressive policies... View Details

Keywords: Values and Beliefs; Globalized Firms and Management; Leading Change; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Organizational Culture; Social Enterprise

25 Aug 2008
Research & Ideas

HBS Cases: Walking Away from a $3 Billion Deal

billion. Is this a problem? In the case, Yudkoff describes his belief that ABRY's success is due in part to its culture and emphasis on service. He details how the firm has distinguished itself over the... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Financial Services

14 May 2019
Research & Ideas

Ethics Bots and Other Ways to Move Your Code of Business Conduct Beyond Puffery

helps cultivate the kind of behavior and culture the firm wants to support on a day-to-day basis,” Soltes says. “That requires a different and more innovative approach than many firms are currently deploying.” About the Author Michael... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

February 2017
Supplement

Truly Human Leadership at Barry-Wehmiller: Video Supplement

By: Jan Rivkin and Dylan Minor

Keywords: Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Values and Beliefs; Organizational Culture; Employees; Business Strategy; Manufacturing Industry

16 Apr 2013
First Look

First Look: April 16

prosocial spending did not provide an opportunity to build or strengthen social ties. Our findings suggest that the reward experienced from helping others may be deeply ingrained in human nature, emerging in diverse cultural and economic... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

December 1981 (Revised February 2010)
Case

Mike Miller (A)

Mike Miller, Harvard MBA '78, resigned his first job out of HBS within six months because he believed his personal values and learning objectives could not be accommodated. Students may discuss the problems of anticipating corporate culture, learning the ropes,... View Details

Keywords: Experience and Expertise; Values and Beliefs; Jobs and Positions; Organizational Culture; Personal Development and Career; Personal Characteristics

Educators