Publications

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Research Summary

The Unexpected Effects of Workplace Transparency

By: Ethan S. Bernstein

Workplace transparency provides a foundation for learning and control, and therefore for satisfaction and productivity. Yet my research shows that an obsession with transparency-enhancing tools and structures can backfire, producing the unintended consequences of... View Details

Keywords: Transparency; Privacy; Productivity; Field Experiments; Organizational Design; Organizational Structure; Behavior; Social and Collaborative Networks; Human Resources; Leadership; United States; Europe; China; Japan

Web

Podcasts - Managing the Future of Work

interventions—incorporated in day-to-day workflow—can help organizations tap more of the talent pool. ETS’s Amit Sevak makes the case for continuous assessment 18 JUN 2025 |... View Details

December 1990
Case

Allen-Bradley's ICCG: Repositioning for the 1990s

By: Nitin Nohria

Allen-Bradley's Industrial Computer and Communication Group (ICCG) underwent a period of rapid transformation in the 1980s, instituting a wide array of innovations from product development to information systems. In 1990 the Ohio-based group announced a major... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Technological Innovation; Information Technology; Organizational Culture; Business Organization; Problems and Challenges; Information Technology Industry

March 2004 (Revised June 2004)
Case

Massport (A): The Aftermath of 9/11

This case looks at the turnaround at the Massachusetts Port Authority after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It begins with the situation during the immediate aftermath of 9/11 and then describes how the new CEO restructures the public agency to operate much more like a... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Change Management; Corporate Accountability; National Security; Governance Controls; Organizational Culture; Public Administration Industry; Massachusetts

17 Feb 2015
News

HBS Cases: The Battle for San Francisco

June 2009 (Revised February 2010)
Case

Cirque du Soleil -- The High-Wire Act of Building Sustainable Partnerships

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Maxime Aucoin

The case describes the history and business model of Cirque du Soleil (CdS). The case allows for a rich discussion and analysis of Cirque du Soleil's business model with an emphasis on how it interacts with that of MGM Mirage. Le Cirque and MGM's business models... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Investment; Profit; Globalized Markets and Industries; Growth and Development Strategy; Market Entry and Exit; Partners and Partnerships; Trust; Entertainment and Recreation Industry

15 Apr 2022
News

Professor Amy Edmondson: Memorable

January 2018
Case

Flying into the Future: HondaJet

By: Gary P. Pisano and Jesse Shulman

This cases examine Honda’s diversification into the light jet market. In 1985, Honda initiated a secret program to develop a small jet. Over the years, the program had many ups and downs (it was almost canceled several times). Then, a breakthrough in the configuration... View Details

Keywords: Diversification; Technological Innovation; Growth and Development Strategy; Innovation and Management; Air Transportation Industry

14 Nov 2007
Research & Ideas

Growing CEOs from the Inside

HBS case study mentioned in Bower's book, Mulcahy drew counsel from a wide constituency of friends and acquaintances at the company to help set its future direction based on color printers and office... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Employment

September 2023 (Revised March 2025)
Teaching Note

Accelerating AI Adoption in the U.S. Air Force

By: Maria P. Roche

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 723-429. View Details

Keywords: AI; ＂USA,＂; Military; Strategy; Innovation; Economic Growth; Organizational Design; Technology

March 2022
Teaching Note

Allianz Customer Centricity: Is Simplicity the Way Forward?

By: Eva Ascarza

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 522-008. View Details

June 2022
Teaching Plan

Daimler - Betting on the Future of Mobility

By: Jurgen Weiss

Teaching Plan for HBS Case No. 722-006. View Details

February 2016 (Revised July 2017)
Case

Race, Justice, and the Jury System in Postbellum Virginia

By: David Moss and Dean Grodzins

In December 1877, an all-white grand jury in Patrick County, Virginia, indicted two black teenagers, Lee and Burwell Reynolds, for killing a white man. After a series of trials, an all-white trial jury convicted Lee of second-degree murder and sentenced him to prison.... View Details

Keywords: Rights; Courts and Trials; Fairness; Race; Government and Politics; History; Virginia

Program

Competing in the Age of Digital Platforms

you via email with the Admissions Committee’s decision. Fee, Payment, and Cancellations The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals.... View Details

19 Apr 2004
Research & Ideas

Birth of the American Salesman

new recruits. They often even instructed salesmen how to stand while talking with a customer, or how to hand over the pen at "closing." The revolution in selling had consequences beyond individual... View Details

Keywords: by Laura Linard

01 Sep 2017
News

Putting lifelong learning on the CEO agenda

March 1990 (Revised June 1993)
Case

Analog Devices, Inc.: The Half-Life System

By: Robert S. Kaplan

The company has committed to major improvements in quality, cost, and on-time delivery performance. Despite strong senior management support, however, the actual rate of improvement was disappointing until a new measurement philosophy was introduced. The new approach... View Details

Keywords: Quality; Performance Improvement; Earnings Management; Financial Reporting; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Performance Productivity; Business or Company Management; Cost Management; Measurement and Metrics; Management Teams; Semiconductor Industry

May 2000 (Revised June 2000)
Case

German Financial System in 2000, The

Describes the evolution and current situation of Germany's financial system. Based on a discussion of the German economy in the postwar period, the case highlights the impact of financial globalization and EU policies on Germany's domestic system of banking and... View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Corporate Governance; Banks and Banking; Germany

June 2009
Case

The Rise of President Barack Hussein Obama

By: David A. Thomas, Laura Morgan Roberts and Stephanie Creary

This case profiles President Barack Hussein Obama's rise to the presidency as an "improbable candidate." The case illustrates the ways in which he overcame criticism from those who questioned his credibility and his values, and skepticism from those who were unsure... View Details

Keywords: Ethnicity; Race; Political Elections; Leadership; Personal Development and Career; Creativity; Trust