Publications

03 Apr 2019
News

Africa rising? A historical perspective

20 Dec 2011
Keynote Speech

How Expats Should Lead in China

By: Lynn S. Paine

Keywords: Leadership; China

April 2024 (Revised February 2025)
Teaching Note

eBee: Affordable Mobility for Africa

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, Gamze Yucaoglu and Jordan Mitchell

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 724-360.The case opens in March 2023, as Sten van der Ham and Jaap Maljers, CEO and co-founder of eBee, an electric bike (e-bike) company in Africa, are contemplating the different avenues for growth and path to profitability for the... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Value Creation; Competition; Expansion; Logistics; Profit; Resource Allocation; Corporate Strategy; Business Startups; Growth and Development Strategy; Business Strategy; Product Marketing; Entrepreneurial Finance; Bicycle Industry; Africa; Kenya

29 Jun 2010
News

Google Alters China Access In Bid To Keep License

2021
Working Paper

The Emergence of Mafia-like Business Systems in China

By: Meg Rithmire and Hao Chen

A large literature on state-business relations in China has examined the political role of capitalists and collusion between the state and the private sector. This paper contributes to that literature, and our understanding of the internal differentiation among China’s... View Details

Keywords: China's Political Economy; State-business Relations; Business Groups; Financial Systems; Economy; Government and Politics; Business and Government Relations; Finance; System; China

Read Now

25 Jun 2011
News

It's Africa calling for mobile operators

12 Sep 2023

HBS Perspectives from Africa

Please join us in this virtual event to meet Harvard Business School students from Africa and learn more about our MBA Program from their perspective. View Details

25 Mar 2014
Research & Ideas

Book Excerpt: ‘Can China Lead?’

nurtured in different educational and institutional settings. The question, then, is this: does China have a good institutional framework for innovation? Our answer at present is no: the governance... View Details

Keywords: Re: William C. Kirby & F. Warren McFarlan; Education; Technology

February 2020 (Revised June 2020)
Background Note

China Commerce 2020

By: William R. Kerr, Daniel O'Connor and Nathaniel Schwalb

China's digital commerce platforms engage billions of consumers daily across a number of routine tasks from banking, retail purchases, travel, gaming, payments, and more. These platforms are the most sophisticated/informed and highest performing/capable in the world.... View Details

Keywords: Platforms; Strategy; Leadership; E-commerce; Digital Platforms; Retail Industry; Technology Industry; Consumer Products Industry; China

04 Aug 2015

HBS & HKS Information Session in South Africa

Hosted by the Africa Business Club, this event is designed for prospective students to learn about HBS, HKS, and the joint degree program from a student and alumni perspective. The event will include a presentation and reception.... View Details

20 Jul 2008
News

'Development in China is top down'

June 2019 (Revised October 2019)
Case

Kenya Railways: China's Belt and Road in Africa

By: Caroline M. Elkins, Prithwiraj Choudhury and Tarun Khanna

Keywords: Kenya; Africa

August 2017 (Revised August 2018)
Case

Veracity Worldwide: Evaluating FCPA-Related Risks in West Africa

By: Aldo Musacchio and Sophus A. Reinert

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Business and Government Relations; Crime and Corruption; Emerging Markets; Africa

September 2011
Case

Veracity Worldwide: Evaluating FCPA-Related Risks in West Africa

By: Aldo Musacchio

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Business and Government Relations; Crime and Corruption; Emerging Markets; Africa

February 2025
Supplement

eBee: Affordable Mobility for Africa

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, Gamze Yucaoglu and Jordan Mitchell

The case opens in March 2023, as Sten van der Ham and Jaap Maljers, CEO and co-founder of eBee, an electric bike (e-bike) company in Africa, are contemplating the different avenues for growth and path to profitability for the young and ambitious company. In 2023, the... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Value Creation; Competition; Logistics; Profit; Resource Allocation; Expansion; Business Strategy; Growth and Development Strategy; Bicycle Industry; Africa; Kenya

March 2014
Article

Why China Can't Innovate

By: Regina M. Abrami, William C. Kirby and F. Warren McFarlan

A look at how innovation is happening in China—from the top down, from the bottom up, through acquisition, and through education. Sheds light on the complexities of the issue, highlighting the promise and the problems China faces in its quest to become the world's... View Details

Keywords: Failure; Innovation and Invention; China

Find at Harvard

February 2024
Case

Tony Elumelu Foundation: Democratizing Luck Across Africa

By: Paul A. Gompers and Samir Saxena

Founded in 2010, The Tony Elumelu Foundation is Africa’s leading philanthropy working to support entrepreneurs in Africa with access to seed capital, business management training, mentorship, and access to networks. Through a $100 million commitment by its founder,... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Innovation Leadership; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Mission and Purpose; Education Industry; Nigeria; Africa

Article

The Emergence of Mafia-like Business Systems in China

By: Meg Rithmire and Hao Chen

A large body of literature on state–business relations in China has examined the political role of capitalists and collusion between the state and the private sector. This paper contributes to that literature and understanding of the internal differentiation among... View Details

Keywords: China's Political Economy; State-business Relations; Business Groups; Financial System; Business and Government Relations; Finance; Economic Systems; China