Publications

February 1998 (Revised May 1998)
Case

Merck-Medco: Vertical Integration in the Pharmaceutical Industry

By: V. Kasturi Rangan and Marie Bell

Records the analyses and actions taken by Merck Pharmaceuticals in its acquisition of Medco, a channel intermediary (called "pharmacy benefit manager"). While many of its competitors seem to be faring poorly, Merck seems to have managed the Medco integration superbly. View Details

Keywords: Vertical Integration; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Competitive Strategy; Marketing Channels; Mergers and Acquisitions; Pharmaceutical Industry

23 Jul 2015
News

How Pharma Can Offer More than Pills

Keywords: healthcare; pharma; services; Ambulatory Health Care Services; Health, Social Assistance

07 May 2018
Research & Ideas

Why Online Retailers Should Hide Their Best Discounts

to adapt it to an online environment,” says Ngwe. Their study gauges the effect of so-called search frictions that make it harder to find discounted items or require additional clicks by consumers to find bargains. “We want to see how... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Retail

11 Jun 2014
Research & Ideas

In the Future of Sports Investing, Media Is the Best Bet

focuses on a new adaptation of an older sport: auto racing. In December, the partners invested $21 million toward Formula E Holdings, the management team behind an all-electric racecar circuit that will launch its inaugural championship... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Sports; Financial Services

26 Aug 2024
Research & Ideas

Can AI Match Human Ingenuity in Creative Problem-Solving?

When ChatGPT and other large language models began entering the mainstream two years ago, it quickly became apparent the technology could excel at certain business functions, yet it was less clear how well artificial intelligence could handle more creative tasks. Sure,... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Information Technology; Information; Technology

Web

Bringing the Next Pandemic Vaccine to Your Doorstep with MIMIX - Blog: Health Supplement

competitions. A decade later, Vaxess has adapted and innovated our business model. COVID-19 showed us that to be prepared for the next global pandemic, we need to make a fundamental paradigm shift in the method of vaccine delivery in two... View Details

01 Sep 2011
News

Breaking Free from Fear of Change

perform perfectly. They focus myopically on success. That drive can lead to tremendous professional achievements. But as careers progress, continued success requires the ability to change and adapt to new conditions, to take the risk of... View Details

Keywords: Deborah Blagg; Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information

05 Nov 2021
Op-Ed

How to Tap the Talent Automated HR Platforms Miss

As the global staffing shortage grinds on, corporate recruiters everywhere are relying on their online hiring platforms and automated systems to deliver the candidates they need. Too often, these tools will fail them, sidelining many qualified workers in the process.... View Details

Keywords: by Joseph B. Fuller

02 Mar 2015
Research & Ideas

‘Retail Revolution’ Excerpt: The Scale of the Ecommerce Threat

forgoing an inspection of the trees. And many trees in the retail forest, that is, many brick-and-mortar stores, are in ill health. Like trees, retail stores are long-lived, often with leases lasting ten or more years, and are unable to rapidly View Details

Keywords: Re: Rajiv Lal; Retail

01 Nov 2012
Research & Ideas

Book Excerpt: Judgment Calls

translated to another—he hit upon a pair of tweezers that was being used on the assembly line of an electronics company. He was able to adapt these tweezers to the more medical use of removing splinters. Time passed and the idea took... View Details

Keywords: by Thomas H. Davenport & Brook Manville; Consumer Products

14 Apr 2009
First Look

First Look: April 14, 2009

Ubel Publication: Health Psychology 27, no. 6 (November 2008): 669-675 Abstract Objective: The authors addressed a lingering concern in research on hedonic adaptation to adverse circumstances. This research typically relies on self-report... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

01 Jun 2025
News

Navigating Uncertainty: Dean Datar on HBS’s Path Forward

students, beginning in Fall 2025. While this issue is determined in the courts, how are you adapting your thinking about the coming year as a result? SD: International students make up 35% of enrollments in the MBA Program and 40% in the... View Details

2011
Article

Strategic Change and the Jazz Mindset: Exploring Practices That Enhance Dynamic Capabilities for Organizational Improvisation

By: Ethan S. Bernstein and Frank J. Barrett

How can leaders adopt a mindset that maximizes learning, remains responsive to short-term emergent opportunities, and simultaneously strengthens longer-term dynamic capabilities of the organization? This chapter explores the organizational decisions and practices... View Details

Keywords: Dynamic Capabilities; Strategic Change; Jazz; Jazz Mindset; Improvisation; Innovation; Change Management; Collaborative Innovation and Invention; Innovation and Management; Innovation Leadership; Knowledge Use and Leverage; Leading Change; Leadership Style; Leadership; Management; Management Style; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Organizations; Creativity; Strategy; Auto Industry; Banking Industry; Bicycle Industry; Computer Industry; Consulting Industry; Consumer Products Industry; Education Industry; Electronics Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Financial Services Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; Health Industry; Information Technology Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Music Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry; Retail Industry; Semiconductor Industry; Service Industry; Technology Industry; United States; Japan; Taiwan; Europe; Asia

Read Now

05 Feb 2008
First Look

First Look: February 5, 2008

perspective, organizational ecology, presents evidence suggesting that most organizations are largely inert and ultimately fail. A second perspective argues that some firms do learn and adapt to shifting environmental contexts. Recently,... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

November 2008 (Revised October 2009)
Case

American Cancer Society: Access to Care

By: Robert L. Simons and Kathryn Rosenberg

CEO John Seffrin decides to radically change the strategy of the American Cancer Society. The new Access to Care strategy relies on advocacy to change public policy and increase the number of Americans eligible for cancer prevention and treatment. The new strategy... View Details

Keywords: Values and Beliefs; Governance Controls; Leading Change; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Structure; Nonprofit Organizations; Business Strategy; Health Industry; United States

July 1976 (Revised April 1983)
Case

Corning Glass Works: The Electronic Products Division (A)

By: Michael Beer

Describes a division of Corning Glass Works that finds itself with deep financial and organizational problems. Severe conflict and lack of coordination exist between functional groups. Employees do not have a sense of direction and morale is low. Provides sufficient... View Details

Keywords: Business Divisions; Change Management; Transformation; Employees; Working Conditions; Business or Company Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation