Publications

August 2011 (Revised July 2012)
Case

Sealed Air Corporation: Deciding the Fate of VTID

By: Elie Ofek

In mid 2010 the Sealed Air Corporation has to decide on next steps for its novel video tracking technology (called VTID) after unsuccessful attempts to market it in three different industry settings. The company must determine whether its most recent target market, the... View Details

Keywords: Budgets and Budgeting; Customer Focus and Relationships; Decision Choices and Conditions; Technological Innovation; Marketing Strategy; Problems and Challenges; Commercialization; Service Industry

February 23, 2022
Article

Can WEB3 Bring Back Competition to Digital Platforms?

By: Christian Catalini and Scott Duke Kominers

Like the early Internet, blockchain and Web3 applications promise a new wave of decentralization and competition—yet at the same time, it is unclear which of the dynamics that drove concentration in online platforms and services will remain in force under the Web3... View Details

Keywords: Web3; Blockchain; Interoperability; Internet and the Web; Technological Innovation; Competition; Digital Platforms

Read Now

July 2006 (Revised December 2007)
Case

Strategic Outsourcing at Bharti Airtel Limited

By: Francisco de Asis Martinez-Jerez, V.G. Narayanan and Michele Jurgens

Faced with exponential growth and a competitive telecom environment, Bharti looks for ways to better manage its capital expenditures for telecommunications and information technology. One option is to hand over management of its telecom and IT networks to its vendors.... View Details

Keywords: Innovation and Management; Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Competitive Advantage; Technology Networks; Telecommunications Industry; India

04 Oct 2004
What Do You Think?

Does Speed Trump Intellectual Property?

intellectual property? Does it discourage innovation by limiting the rewards to such efforts? Should it be discouraged by either new laws or the more diligent application of existing ones? Or does it provide a spur to the development of... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

January 2022
Supplement

Somatus: Value-Based Kidney Care (B)

By: Ariel D. Stern, Robert S. Huckman and Sarah Mehta

Set in early 2020, this (B) case provides an update to the (A) case (no. 622-009) and provides additional context regarding the challenges facing Somatus. View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Disruption; Entrepreneurship; Health; Health Care and Treatment; Health Disorders; Medical Specialties; Innovation and Invention; Disruptive Innovation; Management; Strategy; Business Strategy; Value; Value Creation; Health Industry; United States; Virginia

08 Jan 2001
What Do You Think?

Have We Extended the Boundaries of the Firm Too Far?

results for those engaged in it. Those organizations thought to be most able to extend their boundaries are those able to work in a "componentized" manner, with "certain pieces of technology or innovation that can be... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

07 Dec 2010
First Look

First Look: Dec. 7

PublicationsSeven Strategy Questions: A Simple Approach for Better Execution Author:Robert L. Simons Publication: Harvard Business Press, 2010 Abstract To stay ahead of the pack, you must translate your organization's competitive View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

26 Mar 2008
First Look

First Look: March 26, 2008

Working PapersDiffusing Management Practices within the Firm: The Role of Information Provision Authors:Michael J. Lenox and Michael W. Toffel Abstract A key role of corporate managers is to encourage subsidiaries to adopt innovative... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

10 Feb 2016
News

Investing in Sustainability

produced in the United States is never eaten; 3.8 million gallons of fuel are wasted everyday from unnecessary idling. The nonprofit’s investment strategy is far less typical. Sustainable America makes direct investments with the goal of... View Details

01 Jun 2008
News

Faculty Research Online

HBS Working Knowledge is an online forum for innovation in business practice, offering a first look at new thinking from HBS faculty. Read the complete articles summarized below by visiting their Web links. Reducing Risk with Online... View Details

Keywords: Business Schools & Computer & Management Training; Educational Services

September 1998 (Revised August 1999)
Case

IBM's Lotus Development in 1999

By: Stephen P. Bradley and Kelley Porter

Describes Lotus' acquisition by IBM, its movement from proprietary standards to open standards, and its current market position. Microsoft is gaining ground with its Exchange Server, and Lotus has received unfavorable press. View Details

Keywords: Acquisition; Technological Innovation; Growth and Development Strategy; Growth Management; Product Marketing; Competition; Competitive Strategy; Information Technology Industry; Web Services Industry

March 2000 (Revised October 2004)
Background Note

Adding Voice to the Web: A Note on Start-ups

By: Clayton M. Christensen and Tara Donovan

A study of start-up companies that have leveraged the technology of Internet Protocol (IP) telephony to develop applications that are positioned to have an impact on the offerings of traditional telecommunications organizations. View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Internet and the Web; Communication Technology; Technological Innovation; Innovation Strategy; Telecommunications Industry; Information Technology Industry