Publications

July 2017 (Revised September 2017)
Case

GM's Capital Allocation Framework

By: C. Fritz Foley, F. Katelynn Boland and Michael Lemm

In March of 2015, General Motors announced the details of a newly established capital allocation framework. This framework provided a target for return on invested capital, guidelines for capital structure choices, and policies related to payouts. Senior managers face... View Details

Keywords: Performance Metrics; Capital Budgeting; Capital Structure; Performance Evaluation; Measurement and Metrics; Auto Industry; Transportation Industry; United States

March 2015 (Revised September 2016)
Case

Terrapin Laboratory

By: Richard G. Hamermesh and Joseph B. Fuller

Describes the formation and rapid growth of a drug testing company. The company needs to decide whether to enter the painkiller testing market, in addition to growing its drug treatment center business. The associated teaching materials provide students the opportunity... View Details

Keywords: Business Growth; Entrepreneurial Management; Entrepreneurship; Growth Strategy; Market Entry; Venture Capital; Growth Management; Expansion; Financing and Loans; Health Care and Treatment; Health Testing and Trials; Business Startups; Pharmaceutical Industry; Health Industry

February 1995
Case

Promus Companies, The: Harrah's Casinos

By: Stephen P. Bradley and Takia Mahmood

Provides an overview of the U.S. gambling industry and the rapid expansion of gambling beyond Nevada and New Jersey since 1988. Focuses on Harrah's, a traditional top-tier casino company, which was the first to aggressively expand into emerging gaming markets and that... View Details

Keywords: Emerging Markets; Competitive Advantage; Corporate Strategy; Expansion; Las Vegas; New Jersey

August 1992 (Revised September 2002)
Case

Star Distributors, Inc. (A)

By: David A. Thomas

Depicts the conflict and organizational problems that emerged in a franchise operation owned by Paul Logan, an African American, and John Heyman, a white American. Provides the opportunity to examine the ways in which race influences managerial behavior and... View Details

Keywords: Conflict Management; Performance Effectiveness; Franchise Ownership; Race; Management Style; Conflict and Resolution; Business and Stakeholder Relations

December 1980 (Revised January 1994)
Case

International Foodstuffs

By: David E. Bell

Describes three fairly routine instances in which considerations of risk exposure in foreign exchange are necessary. The three are a delayed payment for a grain shipment, a foreign subsidiary facing devaluation of its domestic currency, and a foreign acquisition. The... View Details

Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate; Risk and Uncertainty; International Relations; Mergers and Acquisitions; Money; International Finance; Financial Services Industry

Find at Harvard

24 May 2017
News

J.Crew Boss Mickey Drexler Confesses: I Didn’t Get the Web

06 Mar 2012
News

America's industrial policy

15 Sep 2020
Video

Competing in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation

Research Summary

Overview

Andrea Hugill's research is an effort to understand how international political forces can shape and are shaped by the forces of business. This work incorporates business strategy, most importantly, but also institutional economics, international business, political... View Details

30 Jun 2022
HBS Case

Peloton Changed the Exercise Game. Can the Company Push Through the Pain?

treadmills, both of which had touchscreens for Peloton-produced digital workout videos featuring glamorous trainers with loyal followings. Growth was brisk: Revenue in 2019 was some $915 million, doubling that of 2018. The pandemic View Details

Keywords: by Lane Lambert; Media & Broadcasting; Health; Bicycle

10 Jan 2007
HBS Case

The Challenge of Managing National Security

only beginning to learn about these matters. And by the way, we don't have security clearances. The case is based on publicly available documents and information. The role of this case is not to assess how well the intelligence community is doing. Rather, its purpose... View Details

Keywords: by Garry Emmons; Service

01 Apr 2024
In Practice

Navigating the Mood of Customers Weary of Price Hikes

products. Developing new products. The development of new products can take several years. Anticipating the trends in consumer price sensitivity can provide producers with a significant edge in determining whether a new product is... View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne; Retail; Consumer Products

Web

MBA Experience - Global

Canadian Club Central & Eastern European Club European Club Global Business Club Greater China Club LatAm Club Middle East & North Africa Club South Asian Business Association Southeast Asia Club Canadian Fellowship The John H. McArthur Fellowship View Details

19 Nov 2018
Working Paper Summaries

Lazy Prices

Keywords: by Lauren Cohen, Christopher J. Malloy, and Quoc Nguyen; Financial Services

September 1975 (Revised June 1983)
Background Note

Note on the Structural Analysis of Industries

By: Michael E. Porter

Provides a framework for the analysis of industry structure. Identifies the major structural features that influence the profit potential in industries and some illustrative implications of these for strategy formulation. Can be used as a reference note for business... View Details

Keywords: Industry Structures; Business Strategy; Profit

February 1986 (Revised March 1989)
Background Note

Note on Foreign Exchange

Describes the operation of foreign exchange markets, including bid-offer spreads, cross rates, reciprocal rates, and forward rates. Provides several examples to demonstrate calculation of outright forward rates using discount and premium points quoted in the London... View Details

Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate; Capital Markets

October 2004 (Revised February 2007)
Background Note

Foreign Exchange Markets and Transactions

By: Mihir A. Desai, Christina Pham, Kathleen Luchs and Yanjun Wang

Provides information on the foreign exchange market and exchange rate movements. Describes the different types of foreign exchange transactions, including spot transactions, forwards, swaps, futures, and options. Includes worked examples to help students understand the... View Details

Keywords: Currency Exchange Rate