Publications

November 1993
Case

Presents the problem facing a newly appointed high-school principal. Raises issues about interpersonal and group behavior including lack of open conflict resolution and the need to intervene in an interpersonal conflict. Also raises the issue of intergroup conflict... View Details

Keywords: Problems and Challenges; Conflict and Resolution; Employee Relationship Management; Secondary Education; Groups and Teams; Education Industry

April 2006 (Revised November 2021)
Case

Endesa Chile: Raising the Ralco Dam (A)

By: Kathleen L. McGinn, Paula J. Laschober and Dina Pradel

Endesa Chile, the largest electricity generation company in Chile, is building a major power plant on the Biobio River in Southern Chile. A historic conflict involving the indigenous people of the Biobio River, the Chilean government, and international conservation... View Details

Keywords: Buildings and Facilities; Energy Generation; Government and Politics; Negotiation; Business and Community Relations; Natural Environment; Conflict and Resolution; Social Issues; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Environmental Sustainability; Energy Industry; Chile

Research Summary

Research Interests

Budgeting and planning, forecasting, incentives, management control systems, conflicts of interst in accounting. View Details

October 1971 (Revised September 1983)
Case

Sturdivant Electric Corp.

By: Richard L. Nolan

A unit manager on a field computer installation job is faced with recurring conflict between a programmer and his immediate supervisor. View Details

Keywords: Planning; Rank and Position; Problems and Challenges; Conflict and Resolution; Attitudes; Jobs and Positions; Management Teams; Managerial Roles; Public Relations Industry; Computer Industry

November 1999 (Revised November 1999)
Case

Goodyear: The Aquatred Launch (Condensed)

Goodyear is planning to launch an innovative new tire in a price sensitive and highly competitive category. The case deals with channel conflicts and management issues arising in mature product categories. View Details

Keywords: Conflict Management; Product Launch; Auto Industry; Rubber Industry

February 1998
Background Note

Contracting and Control in Venture Capital

By: Paul A. Gompers

Discusses the control mechanisms and contracts utilized by venture capitalists. The emphasis is on understanding potential conflicts of interest and how the contracts mitigate those conflicts. View Details

Keywords: Venture Capital; Governance Controls; Contracts; Business or Company Management; Conflict of Interests

20 Mar 2019
Research & Ideas

Gender-Diverse Companies Thrive Only Where Diversity is Embraced

Do gender-diverse companies make more money than businesses run primarily by men? If research says they perform better, that could bolster the argument that women should have more access to top positions in organizations. But previous studies have produced View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

2018
Other Teaching and Training Material

Finance Reading: Corporate Governance

By: John Coates and Suraj Srinivasan

Core Curriculum Readings in Finance cover the fundamental concepts, theories, and frameworks in finance. This reading presents an overview of corporate governance, focusing on for-profit businesses that are privately owned by dispersed investors—that is, not owned by a... View Details

Keywords: Finance; Corporate Governance; For-Profit Firms; Private Ownership; Conflict of Interests

May 2008
Case

Thomas Green: Power, Office Politics and a Career in Crisis

By: W. Earl Sasser Jr. and Heather Beckham

The case describes the dilemma of a marketing manager, Thomas Green, who, after being rapidly promoted, is harshly criticized by his boss, Frank Davis. Green and Davis disagree on work styles and market projections. Green believes the sales goals set by Davis are based... View Details

Keywords: Superior ＆ Subordinate; Performance Management; Personal Strategy ＆ Style; Management Style; Conflict Management; Communication; Rank and Position; Personal Characteristics; Power and Influence

2009
Working Paper

Opening Up or Shutting Down? The Effects of Multiple Identities on Problem Solving

By: Lakshmi Ramarajan

Across three studies, I investigate the distinct effects of multiple identity conflict and enhancement within people on two crucial aspects of resolving problems with others: integrative behavior and openness. The results of two studies support the hypotheses that... View Details

Keywords: Interpersonal Communication; Problems and Challenges; Behavior; Conflict Management; Identity; Integration

08 Apr 2015
News

The Assertive Girl's Guide To Getting What You Want

01 Mar 2017
Video

Negotiating Peace in Canada's Largest Rainforest — Wally Eamer (MBA 1979)

Profile

Ben Faw

deep personal interest of mine to wean ourselves from oil. When you have friends and colleagues who have given their lives in conflicts related to oil interests, you’re motivated to find ways to reduce oil dependency.” Ben came to HBS... View Details

Keywords: Nonprofit / Government; Technology; Manufacturing

June 1990
Supplement

In the Shadow of the City, Video

Depicts the site and operation of an international development project. A serious conflict has developed between the two principals, an Ethiopian woman and a British entrepreneur. The film shows the stakes involved. View Details

Keywords: Conflict and Resolution

January 2004 (Revised April 2005)
Background Note

Personal Values and Professional Responsibilities

By: Joseph L. Badaracco Jr.

Describes some of the classic conflicts managers face in trying to live and work by their personal values and uses Hirschman's "exit, loyalty, and voice" framework to suggest ways for resolving these conflicts. View Details

Keywords: Values and Beliefs; Personal Development and Career; Conflict of Interests; Conflict and Resolution

06 Jun 2005
Research & Ideas

Don’t Listen to “Yes”

decisions. But conflict does not mean browbeating. In his new book, Why Great Leaders Don't Take Yes for an Answer: Managing for Conflict and Consensus (Wharton School Publishing), Roberto describes the toll... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

27 Mar 2014
Video

Responding to Different Interpersonal Styles

December 2010
Supplement

Everything or Nothing: Martti Ahtisaari and the Aceh Negotiations (B)

By: James K. Sebenius and Alex Green

Describes Martti Ahtisaari's negotiating strategies and tactics along with the results of his efforts to end the decades-long conflict between Acehnese insurgents and the Indonesian government that had claimed thousands of lives. View Details

Keywords: Government and Politics; Agreements and Arrangements; Negotiation Tactics; Conflict of Interests; Strategy; Indonesia

August 1992 (Revised February 1998)
Supplement

Star Distributors, Inc. (B)

By: David A. Thomas

Presents the dilemma of Don Waters, vice president of Franchise Operations at Belmont Beverages. Waters must must decide what to do about the conflict between two partners in one of Belmont's franchises. View Details

Keywords: Management Teams; Conflict Management; Franchise Ownership; Partners and Partnerships; Distribution Industry; Food and Beverage Industry