Publications

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2014
Working Paper

De Gustibus non est Taxandum: Heterogeneity in Preferences and Optimal Redistribution

By: Benjamin B Lockwood and Matthew Weinzierl

The prominent but unproven intuition that preference heterogeneity reduces redistribution in a standard optimal tax model is shown to hold under the plausible condition that the distribution of preferences for consumption relative to leisure rises, in terms of... View Details

Keywords: Spending; Policy; Taxation; Theory; United States

SSRN

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2005
Book

A Portrait of the Visual Arts: Meeting the Challenges of a New Era

By: Kevin F. McCarthy, Elizabeth A. Ondaatje, Arthur C. Brooks and András Szántó

Providing information about developments in the visual arts world, this book provides an analysis of the sector, describing the characteristics of visual arts consumers, artists, finances, and organization. View Details

Keywords: Visual Arts; Arts; Policy; United States

14 Feb 2023
Cold Call Podcast

Does It Pay to Be a Whistleblower?

Keywords: Re: Jonas Heese; Banking

January 2018
Case

Merck CEO Ken Frazier Quits President Trump's Advisory Council

By: Andy Zelleke and Brian Tilley

In the first six months of Donald Trump’s presidency, Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier appeared alongside Trump at least three times at press events, one of which commemorated the first and only meeting of the president’s Manufacturing Job Initiative (better known at the... View Details

Keywords: CEO Role; Politics; Corporate Governance; Moral Sensibility; Managerial Roles; United States

September 2012 (Revised March 2013)
Teaching Note

Ultimate Fighting Championship: License to Operate (A) & (B) (TN)

By: George Serafeim

The case describes the challenges that Ultimate Fighting Championship faced as a result of regulatory opposition and loss of the license to operate. The genesis of the business idea, the subsequent growth, and the fall of the UFC are described. The case concludes with... View Details

Keywords: Governance Compliance; Ethics; Judgments; Investment; Sports Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; United States

30 Jan 2017
Research & Ideas

Vanguard, Trian And The Problem With 'Passive' Index Funds

Group, Inc. in 2015: Celebrating 40. Co-written with HBS finance professor Adi Sunderam along with Allison M. Ciechanover (HBS MBA 2002), director of the HBS California Research Center, the case looks at the current state of Vanguard,... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Financial Services

01 Jun 2003
News

Dean Clark Addresses Journalists

meet market measures of success, he said, sound judgment and principles were suspended by individuals and governance institutions alike. In seeking solutions to these problems, Clark suggested a two-pronged approach. “The first step will... View Details

Keywords: Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices; Management

18 Aug 2009
First Look

First Look: August 18

http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/product/609016-PDF-ENG Dharavi: Developing Asia's Largest Slum Harvard Business School Case 710-004 Maharashtra state is accepting bids to redevelop Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia. A real estate developer... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

September 2014
Article

OSHA Inspections Should Be Welcome: Results from a Natural Field Experiment in California

By: David I. Levine and Michael W. Toffel

For companies with strong internal occupational safety and health auditing programs, OSHA inspections might seem a formality that risk uncovering, at most, nitpicky deviations from the thousands of pages of safety regulations. For those with poor safety practices, OSHA... View Details

Keywords: Business and Government Relations; Operations; Safety; Governance Compliance; United States; California

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01 Mar 2009
News

Letters to the Editor

States has seen a marked improvement in energy efficiency, but solar has proven not to be the most promising alternative energy source. In contrast to his call for energy independence, other voices put environmental protection first, with... View Details

Keywords: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services; Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information

June 2025
Case

Crossing Borders, Dividing Politics: U.S. Immigration Policy and Political Polarization

By: Marco Tabellini and Alexis Lefort

This case explores the history and political dynamics of U.S. immigration policy, focusing on its evolution from the 18th century to 2025. It traces key legislative milestones, such as the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, DACA, and the 2025 Laken Riley Act,... View Details

Keywords: Immigration; National Security; Government Legislation; United States

January 2018
Case

Blue Harbour's Activism at Babcock & Wilcox

By: Suraj Srinivasan and Quinn Pitcher

The case describes Blue Harbour Group's investment in Babcock & Wilcox and its transformation into BWX Technologies. In 2004, activist hedge fund Blue Harbour Group invested in Babcock & Wilcox, an energy and construction company. Blue Harbour developed an investment... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Governance; Investment Activism; Leading Change; Energy Industry; Construction Industry; United States

September 1992 (Revised October 1994)
Case

Pesticide Export Reform Act of 1990

By: Lynn S. Paine

Keywords: Environmental Sustainability; Government Legislation; United States

Portrait Project

Viroopa Volla

Two babies were born in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant government hospital at 11:38 p.m. one Monday in 1991. The father in the other room left as soon as he saw that it was a girl. My father stayed and believed that I was the most... View Details

2001
Book

TechVenture: New Rules on Value and Profit from Silicon Valley

By: Mohanbir S. Sawhney, Ranjay Gulati and Anthony Paoni

Keywords: Information Technology; Business Ventures; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Value; Profit; California

01 Apr 1999
News

Time to Vote in University Elections

will elect five members of the University's Board of Overseers and six directors of the Harvard Alumni Association. Candidates for Overseer The Board of Overseers is one of Harvard's two governing boards, the other being the President and... View Details

01 Sep 2014
News

Ask the Expert: Byte-Testing Bitcoin

intend to navigate the regulatory environment? In particular, how could they educate governments and ease concerns about the various types of risk pertaining to payments and currency? —Caleb Reeves (GMP 16, 2014) Even though there are... View Details

Keywords: alumni; Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services; Information

April 2010 (Revised May 2012)
Background Note

Note: Disclosure, Regulation, and Taxation of Hedge Funds versus Mutual Funds in the U.S.

By: Lena G. Goldberg, Robert C. Pozen and Melissa Anne Hammerle

This note provides students with an explanation of the regulatory and tax framework for hedge funds vs. mutual funds in the U.S. View Details

Keywords: Investment Funds; Corporate Disclosure; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Taxation; Financial Services Industry; United States