Publications

2007
Report

Competitiveness at the Crossroads: Choosing the Future Direction of the Russian Economy

By: Michael E. Porter and Christian H.M. Ketels

The report synthesizes, interprets, and draws implications about Russia's economic progress, applying the Porter competitiveness framework. It is part of a Strategic Audit of the Russian Federation, a broader set of research activities coordinated by CSR to provide a... View Details

Keywords: Macroeconomics; Microeconomics; Globalized Economies and Regions; Policy; Business and Government Relations; Competitive Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Russia

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November 1993 (Revised September 1994)
Case

Food Distribution in Russia: The Harris Group and the LUX Store

By: David E. Bell, Walter J. Salmon and Dinny Starr

Discusses the challenges facing businesses entering the Russian business environment, especially focusing on food retailing and distribution in that country. Highlights one small, entrepreneurial company, The Harris Group, which, with the help of both Russian partners... View Details

Keywords: Business Ventures; Marketing Strategy; Market Entry and Exit; Distribution; Partners and Partnerships; Expansion; Food and Beverage Industry; Retail Industry; Russia

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Profile

Aspa Lekka

delivery company, Delivery Hero, expanded both the geographic reach and skills depth of her career, taking her from Russia to Malaysia to Singapore then back to Germany again, but now with the experience of managing over 100 employees... View Details

Keywords: Consulting

Profile

Kimball Thomas

Argentina’s repudiation of its national debt. The professor asked the class to consider the options. Suddenly, someone from Argentina spoke up about what life was really like when currency was devalued. Then someone from Russia talked... View Details

Profile

David Kang

David Kang's passion for travel has taken him all over the world: London, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Russia and Japan. It also led him to a school where his global interests would continue to expand: HBS. "My three... View Details

June 2023
Case

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine in 2022: Consequences for Agriculture

By: José B. Alvarez and Natalie Kindred

Russia's brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine that begain in February 2022 caused major destruction to Ukraine's agriculture sector, one of the most productive and important in the world. This note provides a brief overview of certain singificant moments and moments... View Details

Keywords: Food; Agribusiness; War; Disruption; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Shipping Industry; Ukraine; Russia

March 2022
Supplement

Ukraine: On the Border of Europe and Eurasia (B)

By: Rawi Abdelal, Jonathan Schlefer and Cressida Arkwright

Supplements the (A) case. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 raised questions about democratization and a possible reshaping of the global order. It arose from deep roots in the history of both nations but also turned on contingent decisions by their... View Details

Keywords: Global Order; Social Issues; Government Administration; History; War; Ukraine; Russia

March 2023 (Revised August 2023)
Supplement

Russia: A Drama in Three Acts (B)

By: Rawi Abdelal, Kateryna Olkhovyk and Davit Gasparyan

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Russia; Ukraine

May 2009 (Revised January 2011)
Case

Enel: Power, Russia, and Global Markets

By: Rawi E. Abdelal, Richard H.K. Vietor and Sogomon Tarontsi

Although the global trend toward liberalization of electric utilities forced Enel, the largest power company in Italy, to give up some of its assets in its home base, it also opened up many opportunities abroad, including in Russia, one of the largest electricity... View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Energy Generation; Foreign Direct Investment; Global Strategy; Globalized Firms and Management; Globalized Markets and Industries; Business and Government Relations; Utilities Industry; Russia; Italy

April 3, 2018
Article

Insight on Syria: What Are Putin's Motives?

By: Rawi Abdelal and Alexandra Vacroux

Russia’s direct entry into the Syrian conflict in September 2015 was spurred by a plethora of motivations. Russian scholars Rawi Abdelal and Alexandra Vacroux unpack the various rationales. View Details

Keywords: Syrian Civil War; Vladimir Putin; War; International Relations; Russia; Syria

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January 2017 (Revised December 2020)
Case

Turkey and Russia: Dangerous Liaisons

By: Rawi Abdelal, Esel Çekin, Eren Kuzucu and Gamze Yucaoglu

The case opens in November 2015, after the Turkish military’s shooting down of a Russian military airplane over the Turkish-Syrian border. The incident threatened to undermine the countries’ political and economic ties, and starting from late 2015, the dialogue between... View Details

Keywords: Business ＆ Government Relations; Politics; Natural Gas; Natural Resources; Nuclear Power; Business and Government Relations; Energy Policy; Infrastructure; Energy; Strategy; International Relations; Russia; Turkey

September 2006 (Revised November 2006)
Supplement

SUN Brewing (A) (CW)

The Khemka family of India--founders, managers, and majority owners of Russia-based SUN Brewing--faces a difficult decision in 1998. Following the ruble's massive devaluation in August 1998, the stock price of SUN brewing, which is publicly listed on the Luxemburg... View Details

Keywords: Financial Crisis; Emerging Markets; Family Business; Financing and Loans; Capital Markets; Decision Choices and Conditions; Food and Beverage Industry; India; Russia

26 Apr 2011
First Look

First Look: April 26

School Case 711-026 Russian and German energy firms initiated the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline project with strong political support from their home governments but encountered resistance from other states. Although the pipeline would connect View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

26 Mar 2007
Research & Ideas

Learning from Failed Political Leadership

China, and the European Union). The sequence in which the threats occur will be determined by the economic prospects of other major powers. The final order that Steve and I arrived at is likely to be a surprise to many. Russia is now... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

21 Dec 2022
News

HBS Community Comes Together in Wake of Ukraine Invasion

decreased supply of traditional food exports of wheat and corn from Russia and Ukraine will also result in rising prices, Shih said. "You'll pay more for everything that uses wheat and corn and flour.” Harvard Ukrainian Research... View Details

01 Dec 2011
News

Inside MTV’s Global Fame

building a global business strategy to establish markets in countries such as Russia and China, which American business interests had largely ignored. Starting out, he crafted a pan-European approach, believing his young audiences wanted... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne; Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries; Arts, Entertainment

August 2008 (Revised July 2009)
Supplement

Gazprom (C): The Ukrainian Crisis and Its Aftermath

By: Rawi E. Abdelal, Sogomon Tarontsi and Alexander Jorov

The case describes the resolution to the January 2006 gas crisis, precipitated by the decision of Gazprom, the largest natural gas producer in the world, to cut off gas supply to Ukraine because of disagreement on the terms of future trade. The case also narrates the... View Details

Keywords: Trade; Non-Renewable Energy; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Conflict Management; Reputation; Energy Industry; Russia; Ukraine