Publications

06 May 2024
Research & Ideas

The Critical Minutes After a Virtual Meeting That Can Build Up or Tear Down Teams

however, the US team was more open to hearing their suggestions for improving the situation, including the notion of putting a Chinese-speaking liaison on the US team to facilitate communication. “They invested more in these moments to... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

2021
Working Paper

Spiritual Philanthropy in Emerging Markets

By: Valeria Giacomin and G. Jones

This working paper discusses the ethics and drivers of philanthropic foundations in emerging markets. A foundation organizes assets to invest in philanthropic initiatives. Previous scholarship has largely focused on developed countries, especially the United States,... View Details

Keywords: Foundations; Philanthropy; Business Leaders; Spirituality; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Emerging Markets; Ethics; Values and Beliefs

06 Aug 2007
Research & Ideas

High Hills, Deep Poverty: Explaining Civil War in Nepal

to prevent them. "The main conclusion from this whole stream of research is that investing in poverty reduction strategies not only has direct economic benefits but also political benefits," says Lakshmi Iyer, a Harvard Business... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

September 2008 (Revised October 2008)
Case

Shareholder Activists at Friendly Ice Cream (A1)

By: Fabrizio Ferri, V.G. Narayanan and James Weber

Two activist investors, one a founder and one a hedge fund manager, seek to improve board oversight at a chain restaurant company. Prestley Blake founded Friendly Ice Cream in 1935 with his brother, and the two created a chain of full-service restaurants. In 1979, they... View Details

Keywords: Investment Activism; Governing and Advisory Boards; Lawsuits and Litigation; Business or Company Management; Business and Shareholder Relations; Conflict of Interests; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

19 Dec 2006
First Look

First Look: December 19, 2006

of all organizational units. Download working paper: http://www.hbs.edu/research/pdf/07-030.pdf Future Lock-in: Or, I'll Agree to do the Right Thing Next Week Authors:Todd Rogers and Max H. Bazerman Abstract When making decisions a person... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

August 2014
Article

What Makes Annuitization More Appealing?

By: John Beshears, James J. Choi, David Laibson, Brigitte C. Madrian and Stephen P. Zeldes

We conduct and analyze two large surveys of hypothetical annuitization choices. We find that allowing individuals to annuitize a fraction of their wealth increases annuitization relative to a situation where annuitization is an "all or nothing" decision. Very few... View Details

Keywords: Annuity; Pension; Retirement Income; Framing; Annuities; Retirement

Find at Harvard

12 Sep 2023
Book

Successful, But Still Feel Empty? A Happiness Scholar and Oprah Have Advice for You

Schedule your downtime and leisure just as you would work. Set goals that focus on service to others and earned success. Take your vacations. Invest more in family, friendships, and faith Many work-addicted strivers toil for external... View Details

Keywords: by Avery Forman

05 Jul 2006
Research & Ideas

Reinventing the Dowdy Savings Bond

In the family of investment products, a U.S. savings bond might be cast as boring old Uncle Ned, snoozing away in the corner after dinner. There's nothing wrong with that—but HBS professor Peter Tufano envisions a more meaningful role for... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Banking; Financial Services

17 Jan 2023
In Practice

8 Trends to Watch in 2023

As 2023 begins, businesses and employees face an uncertain economy and labor market, as the twin dilemmas of inflation and interest rates weigh on forecasts. Harvard Business School faculty share the top trends that they believe will shape the workplace and markets... View Details

Keywords: by Avery Forman

21 Nov 2023
Research & Ideas

Employee Negativity Is Like Wildfire. Manage It Before It Spreads.

their groups. “You need to broadcast information in a way that helps people build narratives that reduce emotions.” Leaders of large organizations typically can’t provide personalized support to every employee. In these instances, “You... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz

28 Jan 2019
Research & Ideas

Forget Cash. Here Are Better Ways to Motivate Employees

programs for employees whatsoever, so employers need to catch up,” Whillans says. Companies with strong recognition programs enjoy increased productivity, lower job turnover, and greater returns on investment than other companies in the... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman

2022
Working Paper

Transferable Skills? Founders as Venture Capitalists

By: Paul A. Gompers and Vladimir Mukharlyamov

In this paper we explore whether or not the experience as a founder of a venture capital-backed startup influences the performance of founders who become venture capitalists (VCs). We find that nearly 7% of VCs were previously founders of a venture-backed startup.... View Details

Keywords: Founders; Venture Capital; Entrepreneurship; Performance; Personal Development and Career; Success

Find at Harvard

09 Oct 2018
First Look

New Research and Ideas, October 9, 2018

(website) Uninformed Consent By: John, Leslie K. Abstract—Companies want access to more and more of your personal data—from where you are to what’s in your DNA. Can they unlock its value while respecting consumers’ privacy? Publisher's... View Details

Keywords: Dina Gerdeman

18 Apr 2022
HBS Case

Dick’s Sporting Goods Followed Its Conscience on Guns—and It Paid Off

murder of 17 students and teachers in Parkland. And with those words, Stack, a gun owner and gun rights supporter, set in motion a series of corporate actions that may serve as a model for other CEOs trying to balance their personal... View Details

Keywords: by Jay Fitzgerald

August 2013 (Revised November 2015)
Case

Prudential Financial - General Motors Pension Risk Transfer: Back to the Future?

By: Luis M. Viceira and Emily A. Chien

In November 2012, Prudential Financial and General Motors closed on a $25.1B pension risk transfer (PRT) transaction, the largest of its kind to date by an order of magnitude both in the U.S. market and globally. In exchange for an in-kind transfer of $25.1B in... View Details

Keywords: Risk Management; Asset Management; Insurance; Retirement; Financial Services Industry; Insurance Industry

May 2003 (Revised March 2006)
Case

Carol Fishman Cohen: Professional Career Reentry (A)

By: Myra M. Hart, Robin J. Ely and Susan Wojewoda

Explores the career challenges facing highly successful women who leave the full-time workforce for several years to manage family commitments. Carol Cohen is a 1985 Harvard MBA who has professional line experience in a manufacturing environment, followed by a... View Details

Keywords: Work-Life Balance; Family and Family Relationships

30 Mar 2021
Research & Ideas

Commuting Hurts Productivity and Your Best Talent Suffers Most

more telecommuting, at least among more distant employees.” While some firms, such as Goldman Sachs and IDG, are eyeing full office returns in the summer or fall, many others are considering either hybrid or full-time remote work setups long term, even after the... View Details

Keywords: by Lane Lambert

20 Jun 2005
Research & Ideas

Creating a Positive Professional Image

she says. "It is only wise to add your voice in framing others' theories about who you are and what you can accomplish." There are plenty of books telling you how to "dress for success" and control your body language. But keeping on top of your... View Details

Keywords: by Mallory Stark

April 2004 (Revised July 2005)
Case

Offshoring at Global Information Systems, Inc.

By: William E. Fruhan Jr.

This case explores the topic of offshoring high-tech jobs several perspectives. The issues presented include determining the stock price consequences of offshoring, examining the economic consequences of the offshore job to both the transferring and receiving... View Details

Keywords: Economy; Stocks; Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Personal Development and Career; Competition