Publications

01 Feb 2021
News

The Recession Exposes the US’ Failures on Worker Retraining

03 Aug 2009
Research & Ideas

Corporate Social Responsibility in a Downturn

societal issues and at the same time enhance business success, yielding a "double bottom line." And there's no time like the present, he adds. "Effective... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

22 Jun 2015
News

Boston 2024's New Olympic Strategy: Harvard Biz Prof Wonders If Regionalization Will Hurt or Help?

23 Sep 2014
News

We Cool? Your Guide to Avoiding Fights at Work

November 2020 (Revised February 2021)
Case

Integrating Beam Suntory (A)

By: David G. Fubini, Rawi Abdelal and David Lane

The spring 2014 acquisition of U.S. alcoholic spirits maker Beam Inc. by Japan’s Suntory Holdings vaulted Suntory from 15th to third-largest international spirits company in the world. Yet Suntory had borrowed nearly the entire $16 billion purchase price, and relied on... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Communication; Borrowing and Debt; Globalization; Corporate Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards; Retention; Leadership; Supply Chain; Organizational Structure; Ownership; Relationships; Conflict and Resolution; Integration; Value Creation; Food and Beverage Industry; Japan; United States; Chicago

Research Summary

Current Research

By: William C. Kirby

Doing business in China in the early 21st century

Chinese companies and consumer markets

Chinese Universities: Leaders of the 21st Century?

The enduring role of State-Owned Enterprises in China

Business, political, and cultural... View Details

March 2009
Article

The Impact of Shareholder Activism on Financial Reporting and Compensation: The Case of Employee Stock Options Expensing

By: F. Ferri and Tatiana Sandino

We examine the economic consequences of more than 150 shareholder proposals to expense employee stock options (ESO) submitted during the proxy seasons of 2003 and 2004, the first case in which the SEC allowed a shareholder vote on an accounting matter. Our results... View Details

Keywords: Shareholder Activism; Shareholder Votes; Stock Option Expensing; Executive Compensation; Financial Reporting; Employee Stock Ownership Plan; Corporate Governance; Business and Shareholder Relations; Investment Activism

SSRN

Find at Harvard

September 2014
Case

Havas: Change Faster

By: Karim R. Lakhani and Michael L. Tushman

As of 2013, Havas was the 6th largest global advertising, digital, and communications group in the world. Headquartered in Paris, France, the group was highly decentralized, with semi-independent agencies in more than 100 countries offering a variety of services. The... View Details

Keywords: Advertising Agency; Open Innovation; Commercials; Digital Media; Digital Transition; Advertising; Digital Marketing; Advertising Campaigns; Acquisition; Change Management; Disruption; Transformation; Communications Industry; Communications Industry

31 May 2021
News

How Three Survivors of the Tulsa Race Massacre Continue to Fight for Reparations 100 Years Later

March 2021 (Revised April 2021)
Case

Wirecard: The Downfall of a German Fintech Star

By: Jonas Heese, Charles C.Y. Wang and Tonia Labruyere

Wirecard was a German fintech company, member of the DAX30, that provided payment processing and related services. Wirecard had enjoyed large growth rates over the years and most investors and analysts were enthusiastic about the company's prospects. Wirecard's... View Details

Keywords: Accounting Fraud; Scandal; Accounting Audits; Accounting; Financial Reporting; Financial Institutions; Financial Markets; Corporate Governance; Governance Compliance; Corporate Accountability; Governance Controls; Financial Services Industry; Germany; Singapore; Dubai

October 2001 (Revised April 2002)
Case

Calgene, Inc.

By: Ray A. Goldberg and John T. Gourville

In 1993, Calgene is on the verge of introducing the world's first genetically engineered plant product--a tomato will taste better and stay fresh longer. At the same time, it is using biotechnology to produce improved plant products for the cottonseed and the... View Details

Keywords: Information Technology; Marketing Strategy; Market Entry and Exit; Product Launch; Innovation Strategy; Social Issues; Production; Problems and Challenges; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry

06 Jul 2016
News

For small businesses, a good guide is a good start

04 Oct 2022
What Do You Think?

Have Managers Underestimated the Need for Face-to-Face Contact?

GenZers’ need for “connection” be any less than that of preceding generations? Has the pandemic so affected their outlook and behavior that they in turn will affect the way work is performed and View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

13 Aug 2020
News

Nationwide search launched for University chief of police

18 Jul 2017
News

Political Roundtable: Russia, Polls, Health Care & Lawyers Gone Wild

12 Feb 2011
News

Egyptian activist creates image issues for Google

Robert Simons

Robert Simons is a Baker Foundation Professor at Harvard Business School. For over 35 years, Simons has taught accounting, management control, and strategy execution courses in both the Harvard MBA and Executive Education Programs. For 2024/25, he is teaching a... View Details

2006
Chapter

The History of Corporate Ownership in China: State Patronage, Company Legislation, and the Issue of Control

By: William Goetzmann and Elisabeth Koll

Keywords: History; Governance Controls; Laws and Statutes; Ownership; Government and Politics; Business and Government Relations; China