Publications

Find at Harvard

28 Oct 2014
News

With midterm losses looming, what's left of Obama's power?

October 1996 (Revised February 1997)
Case

Upjohn Company, The: The Upjohn-Pharmacia Merger

By: Krishna G. Palepu and Amy P. Hutton

In August 1995, the Upjohn Co. and Pharmacia AB announced a "merger of equals." This case provides background information on the industry, the position of Upjohn, and Upjohn's rationale for the proposed merger. View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Financial Statements; Business Strategy; Annual Reports; Pharmaceutical Industry

July 2012
Case

Shut It Down?

By: Clayton Rose

Meredith, the head of a major division of a financial firm, must confront an unexpected response and challenge from a senior colleague when she proposes shutting down an underperforming unit. View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Collaboration; Business Units; Business Exit or Shutdown; Leadership; Strategy; Financial Services Industry

23 Apr 2008
Op-Ed

The Gap in the U.S. Treasury Recommendations

The U.S. Treasury recommendations for restructuring the nation's system of financial regulation are an important start in the process of strengthening the United States financial system. The proposal is to be commended for some of its... View Details

Keywords: by Dwight Crane; Banking; Construction; Real Estate; Financial Services

January 2004
Case

America Latina Logistica

Describes the turnaround of America Latina Logistica, a $200 million revenue, formerly state-owned, railway in Brazil that has been restored to profitability by its CEO, a recent MBA graduate. After successfully transforming the company's operations, finances, and... View Details

Keywords: Rail Transportation; Mergers and Acquisitions; Business Strategy; Rail Industry; Brazil

Find at Harvard

20 Feb 2013
Research & Ideas

Big Deal: Reflections on the Megamerger of American and US Airways

filed for bankruptcy protection in November 2011. For the smaller US Airways, it was a chance to bulk up to compete on an equal footing with the big domestic carriers on the tarmac, United and Delta. In their articles below, Harvard View Details

Keywords: Re: Rosabeth M. Kanter & Stuart C. Gilson; Air Transportation

July 2020 (Revised July 2023)
Case

Live Nation and Pharrell Williams

By: Anita Elberse and Kate Christensen

“We’re in business together, and whether we lose a few million dollars or make a few million dollars, let’s do this. If you think you can pull it off, I’m behind you.” Michael Rapino, chief executive officer of Live Nation, the world’s leading live entertainment... View Details

Keywords: Music; Entertainment; Superstars; Talent; Labor Economics; General Management; Music Entertainment; Media; Talent and Talent Management; Joint Ventures; Marketing; Strategy; Music Industry

January 2017 (Revised March 2021)
Case

Fitbit

By: Regina E. Herzlinger, Christine Snively and Sarah Mehta

In 2019, Fitbit lost its leadership in the wearable sensor market to Apple and to cheaper alternatives.
Why did it lose its market position?
How will the proposed acquisition affect it and Google? View Details

Keywords: Wearable Sensors; Smart Watches In Health Care; Google Acquisition; Health Care and Treatment; Information Technology; Acquisition

August 2010 (Revised January 2013)
Case

Urban Water Partners (A)

By: Karthik Ramanna, George Serafeim and Aldo Sesia

The case explores a new business venture to bring clean water to residents of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, who otherwise cannot afford it. Management has enough money to get the company through August 2010 but needs more capital thereafter. An HBS alumnus is interested in... View Details

Keywords: Accrual Accounting; Financial Statements; Business Startups; Social Entrepreneurship; Investment; Performance Evaluation; Dar es Salaam; Massachusetts

12 May 2015
Research & Ideas

How Crowds and Experts Kickstart the Arts

Business School. "That could be both potentially positive and negative. There is a lot of critically acclaimed artwork that could be systematically overlooked by crowds. On the other hand, you could imagine that experts aren't always good... View Details

Keywords: Re: Ramana Nanda; Entertainment & Recreation

30 Nov 2016
Op-Ed

Where Could More Regulation Help Small Businesses? Online Lending.

services where commonsense regulation is welcome and needed: online lending to businesses. Over the last few years online business lending has exploded. Dozens of “financial technology” (fintech) players such as OnDeck, Kabbage and... View Details

Keywords: by Karen Mills and Brayden McCarthy; Financial Services

07 Dec 2010
Working Paper Summaries

Towards an Understanding of the Role of Standard Setters in Standard Setting

Keywords: by Abigail Allen & Karthik Ramanna; Accounting

What You're Really Meant To Do: A Road Map for Reaching Your Unique Potential

Professor Kaplan's book is published by the Harvard Business Review Press, May 2013.

Drawing on his years of experience, Rob Kaplan proposes an integrated plan for identifying and achieving your goals. He outlines specific steps and exercises to help you... View Details

25 Jul 2011
News

Countdown in Washington

21 Feb 2012
Research & Ideas

Leadership Program for Women Targets Subtle Promotion Biases

organization, but was far from broken. "Women's progress has really leveled off, and has been stuck for at least 10 years," says Robin J. Ely, the Warren Alpert Professor of Business Administration at Harvard View Details

Keywords: by Maggie Starvish

October 2016 (Revised November 2018)
Case

Indigo Agriculture

By: Marco Iansiti, Michael W. Toffel and Christine Snively

Indigo Agriculture had successfully developed and launched its first commercial product, microbe-enhanced cotton seeds, on an accelerated product development timeline. In late 2016, as the company was about to launch its second product, winter wheat, the management... View Details

Keywords: Product Development; Agribusiness; Science-Based Business; Operations; Management; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Technology Industry

February 2001 (Revised March 2001)
Case

Apax Partners and Dialog Semiconductor: March 1998

By: G. Felda Hardymon, Josh Lerner, Antonio Alvarez-Cano and Borja Martinez

Apax Partners is considering a complex buyout of a semiconductor manufacturer. The firms must assess in a compressed timeframe the complex technological, financial, and operational risks that the proposed transaction poses. View Details

Keywords: Market Transactions; Leveraged Buyouts; Restructuring; Time Management; Production; Risk Management; Financial Services Industry; Semiconductor Industry