Publications

02 Nov 2005
Conference Presentation

Wage Policies and Incentives to Invest in Firm-Specific Human Capital

By: George P. Baker, Nancy D. Beaulieu and Cristian Voicu

Keywords: Wages; Policy; Motivation and Incentives; Human Capital

1996
Chapter

Zum Konflikt zwischen intrinsischer Motivation und umweltpolitischer Instrumentenwahl [The Conflict Between Intrinsic Motivation and the Choice of Environmental Policy Instruments]

By: Felix Oberholzer-Gee and Bruno S. Frey

07 Mar 2014
News

The Importance of Giving Credit

Keywords: management; communication; incentive; employee motivation

19 Jul 2017
News

Why Government 'Nudges' Motivate Good Citizen Behavior

November 2001 (Revised December 2003)
Case

Incentive Pay for Portfolio Managers at Harvard Management Company

By: Brian J. Hall and Jonathan Lim

This case describes the compensation system for portfolio managers at Harvard's portfolio management company, including its formulaic and bonus bank features. Harvard Management Co. President Jack Meyer explains the philosophy behind the incentive pay at his company. View Details

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Investment Portfolio; Compensation and Benefits; Financial Services Industry

Educators

01 Apr 2002
News

Underwater Options May Not Sink Incentives

motivated when payoff requires such a daunting climb? A clear temptation, and a path pursued by many firms, is to reduce strike prices or award new options reflecting lower stock values. But, as HBS... View Details

Keywords: Lisa Muelbroek; Li Jin; Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

August 1989
Case

New Zealand Dairy Board: Coordination and Incentives in a Cooperative

By: Ray A. Goldberg

Keywords: Cooperative Ownership; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; New Zealand

21 Jul 2017
Working Paper Summaries

Organizational Structures and the Improvement of Working Conditions in Global Supply Chains: Legalization, Participation, and Economic Incentives

Keywords: by Yanhua Z. Bird, Jodi L. Short, and Michael W. Toffel

November 2020 (Revised March 2022)
Teaching Note

Social Salary Setting at Spiber

By: Ashley Whillans and John Beshears

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 920-050. The case tells the story of Spiber, a Japanese technology start-up company. To reflect the company’s values, the leadership team implemented a new and unique salary-setting process: each employee had the authority to choose their... View Details

Keywords: Compensation; General Management; Employee Benefits; Incentives; Motivation; Compensation and Benefits; Fairness; Motivation and Incentives; Management; Happiness; Negotiation; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Japan

04 Jan 2016
Blog Post

5 Ways to Motivate Employees After the Holiday Season

The holiday season brings a flurry of fun and stress for all employees. It can be a tough adjustment to get back in the swing of things as many are feeling the post-holiday blues. Here are 5 ways to keep employees View Details

Keywords: All Industries

August 8, 2003
Comment

A Better Way to Motivate Staff

By: Roberto G. Mendoza, Peter Hancock and Robert C. Merton

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Employees

August 2009
Case

Life Stories of Recent MBAs: Motivations

By: Nitin Nohria, Matthew D. Breitfelder and Daisy A Wademan Dowling

Keywords: Business Education; Motivation and Incentives

Educators

2013
Article

Achievement Motivation, Strategic Orientations and Business Performance in Entrepreneurial Firms: How Different are Japanese and American Founders?

By: Rohit Deshpandé, Amir Grinstein, Elie Ofek and Sang-Hoon Kim

Purpose: There is lack of research on the link between the personal disposition of an entrepreneurial firm's founder, the firm's strategic orientation, and its performance outcomes. Also, there is lack of cross-national research on entrepreneurial firms' strategic... View Details

Keywords: Motivation; Entrepreneurs; Japan; Motivation and Incentives; Entrepreneurship; Japan; United States

November–December 2012
Article

Toward a Theory of Extended Contact: The Incentives and Opportunities for Bridging Across Network Communities

By: Maxim Sytch, Adam Tatarynowicz and Ranjay Gulati

This study investigates the determinants of bridging ties within networks of interconnected firms. Bridging ties are defined as nonredundant connections between firms located in different network communities. We highlight how firms can enter into these relationships... View Details

Keywords: Motivation and Incentives; Opportunities