Publications

November 2015 (Revised June 2017)
Case

Mission Impossible? Yummy77 Delivers Groceries within the Hour

By: Benjamin Edelman

Yummy77 considers alternative operational models to reduce cost, improve speed, and increase appeal. Can one of these approaches succeed where others have failed? View Details

Keywords: Grocery Delivery; Operations; Platforms; Logistics; Distribution; Food; Food and Beverage Industry; Retail Industry; China

05 Jul 2006
Working Paper Summaries

The Motion Picture Industry: Critical Issues in Practice, Current Research & New Research Directions

Keywords: by Jehoshua Eliashberg, Anita Elberse & Mark A. A. M. Leenders; Entertainment & Recreation; Motion Pictures & Video; Advertising

22 Jan 2001
Research & Ideas

Control Your Inventory in a World of Lean Retailing

Manufacturers generally classify products in terms of broad product lines, developing a single marketing strategy and production plan for each line. That makes sense for marketing, but it's a mistake for production. Different SKUs [stock-keeping units] within a product... View Details

Keywords: by Frederick H. Abernathy, John T. Dunlop, Janice H. Hammond & David Weil; Consumer Products

December 2024 (Revised March 2025)
Case

KLog.co—Charting the Course of Its Future

By: Juan Alcácer, Jorge Tirado and Thomas Occhipinti

Keywords: Freighting; Logistics; Trade; Latin America; Chile

19 Jul 2010
Research & Ideas

How Mercadona Fixes Retail’s ’Last 10 Yards’ Problem

logistics and profitability while making life much better for workers. Mercadona offers the lowest prices in Spain, and its operational performance exceeds that of comparable Spanish and foreign chains. In 2008, Mercadona's sales per... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Retail; Food & Beverage

12 Jul 2010
Research & Ideas

Rocket Science Retailing: A Practical Guide

describes how investors can—and do—pay closer attention to retailers' inventory levels. “When it comes to implementing science in retailing, the 'missionary' is more important than the scientist.” Raman, who specializes in operations management, is the UPS Foundation... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Retail; Auto

Walter H. Annenberg

Annenberg built a fledgling, debt-burdened newspaper business into a publishing empire. He introduced Seventeen in 1944 – sparking a new trend in targeted publications to America’s youth. In 1953, he overcame numerous logistical... View Details

Keywords: Publishing & Print Media

April 2003 (Revised March 2009)
Case

Operational Execution at Arrow Electronics

By: Ananth Raman and Zeynep Ton

Distribution center operations (from order taking to order fulfillment) and the importance of attending to process details at Arrow Electronics, a large distributor of electronic components and computer products are described. The case also details the actions the... View Details

Keywords: Information; Distribution; Logistics; Strategy; Electronics Industry

01 Jun 2013
News

It's Show Time, Folks

For the School's newest alumni, Commencement marks the culmination of hours of hard work and the promise of new beginnings. For staff working behind the scenes to welcome thousands of visitors from all over the world, it's a logistical... View Details

Keywords: infographic; commencement; Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services; Hospitality

01 Dec 2016
News

Summing Up the New Students

been an investment banker for seven years, which was so intimidating.” Anja Anliker Brooklyn Park, Minnesota CV: Logistics officer, US Navy, San Diego (active duty) “I drove over 5,000 miles this summer. From San Diego, I detoured north... View Details

Keywords: Julia Hanna

May 2018
Supplement

Video Supplement to Toyota Motor Manufacturing, U.S.A. case (693-019): An updated video of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Georgetown, KY site showing seat installation

By: Willy C. Shih

This is an updated video of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) assembly facility in Georgetown, KY. It is meant to be paired with the 693-019 Toyota Motor Manufacturing U.S.A. case, but with higher quality video. The vidoe shows a line tour of Assembly Two... View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing; Manufacturing Strategy; Lean Management; Toyota Production System; Just-in-time; Lean Production; Automotive Industry; Automobile Manufacturing; Automotive; Automotive Supply Chain; Production; Operations; Logistics; Auto Industry; United States

2008
Case

Cycleon (A): Postal Networks for Reverse Logistics.

By: David F. Drake, Atalay Atasu and Luk N. Van Wassenhove

Keywords: Logistics; Distribution Channels; Entrepreneurship

21 Oct 2010
News

Hell? Maybe Not.

part of the 25 employees of MBA Career and Professional Development. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation,” says Director of Employer Relations Kristen Fitzpatrick (MBA ’03). Logistics and prepping aside, the week represents a prime... View Details

Keywords: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools; Educational Services; Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services; Professional Services

Profile

Anja Anliker

decision.” Her grandfather, who had been similarly inspired by Pearl Harbor, had served as a “storekeeper” in the Navy. Anja followed in his footsteps, not just by enlisting in the Navy, but by taking on the contemporary equivalent of his role by becoming a View Details

Web

Infrastructure Club | MBA

HBS students interested in transportation, infrastructure, and logistics (TIL) to connect with each other and with the broader TIL community. Annual Events Speaker Series Networking Events Club Email Address til@studentclubs.hbs.edu Club... View Details

December 1995 (Revised January 2008)
Case

Lenzing AG: Expanding in Indonesia

By: Debora L. Spar

In 1994, Lenzing AG, the world's largest rayon manufacturer, is deciding whether to expand production in South Pacific Viscose, its Indonesian subsidiary. Indonesia is a booming market for rayon, but management still has some concerns about the expansion. First, for... View Details

Keywords: Competition; Production; Expansion; Logistics; Manufacturing Industry; Indonesia