Publications

13 Jan 2009
First Look

First Look: January 13, 2009

sacrifice long-term growth to boost short-term performance. We investigate 495 transactions with a focus on one form of long-term activities, namely investments in innovation as measured by patenting activity. We find no evidence that... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

01 Dec 2020
News

The Camel and the Unicorn

capitalist by day. I teach entrepreneurship with the Middlebury Institute for International Studies. I often ask my students where they think the root of venture capital is. They'll often tell me they think it's Silicon Valley. The reality is it's much older. It comes... View Details

15 Dec 2015
First Look

December 15, 2015

which industry entrants will succeed. Unfortunately, the theory has also been widely misunderstood, and the “disruptive” label has been applied too carelessly anytime a market newcomer shakes up well-established incumbents. In this... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

March 1996 (Revised August 1996)
Case

Open Market, Inc.: Managing in a Turbulent Environment

By: Lynda M. Applegate and Janis Lee Gogan

Presents the story of Open Market, Inc., one of numerous companies formed in 1994 to engage in electronic commerce over the Internet. This case examines the company's development--its business strategy and organization evolution--as the company increased in size and... View Details

Keywords: Business Strategy; Growth and Development; Business Startups; Internet and the Web; Change; Growth and Development Strategy; Organizations; Web Services Industry

12 Apr 2004
Research & Ideas

What Great American Leaders Teach Us

have easily monopolized the marketplace with his discovery, Fairburn instead made the patented process available to the entire industry at no cost. His gesture sent the match industry on a reinvigorated... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

03 Sep 2013
First Look

First Look: September 3

Netflix and Blockbuster in the DVD rental market and, later, Netflix's subsequent growth (and strategic challenges) in video streaming. The case is set in September 2011, after Netflix announced the unbundling of its DVD rental and... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

01 Dec 2007
News

Lighten Up

trade organization, the Outdoor Industry Association. In 1999 GoLite introduced its first line of products. They consisted of Jardine designs to be used together: backpack, sleeping pad and bag, insulated clothing, tent, umbrella, and... View Details

Keywords: Kathryn Jones; Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, and Book Stores; Retail Trade

September 2008 (Revised May 2010)
Supplement

GE's Imagination Breakthrough: The EVO Project

By: Christopher A. Bartlett, Brian J. Hall and Nicole Bennett

This video features interviews with case protagonists John Dineen, Brett Begole, and Pierre Compte expressing their views on the decision framed by the case. In a second part of the tape the protagonists describe what they decided to do. A third segment features John... View Details

Keywords: Communication Strategy; Decision Choices and Conditions; Innovation and Management; Leading Change; Growth and Development Strategy; Outcome or Result; Green Technology Industry

28 Jun 2016
First Look

June 28, 2016

resource endowment explanation. The paper argues that the ecotourism industry was a co-creation of the public, private, and tertiary sectors. While the role of the government and conservation NGOs is acknowledged in the existing... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

March 1998 (Revised December 1999)
Case

Bronner Slosberg Humphrey

By: David E. Bell and Donald M Leavitt

Bronner Slosberg Humphrey has succeeded by providing integrated direct marketing solutions for major service companies such as AT&T, American Express, and FedEx. A new CEO takes over from the company's founder and is wondering how to grow the company. Options include... View Details

Keywords: Marketing; Growth and Development Strategy; Leading Change; Global Strategy; Service Operations; Competitive Strategy; Information Technology; Salesforce Management; Marketing Communications; Service Industry

23 Apr 2019
Blog Post

HBS Shares Their Favorite Books for HR Leaders

a culture that provides excellent service, as well as attracts and retains talent that will embody what your company represents. The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and View Details

Keywords: All Industries

January 2011 (Revised November 2015)
Case

The National Geographic Society (A)

By: David A. Garvin and Carin-Isabel Knoop

In January 2010, John Fahey, president, CEO, and chairman of the board of trustees' executive committee of the Washington, D.C.-based National Geographic Society (NGS), must decide how best to organize the 121-year old mission-driven organization for a world of... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Information Publishing; Leadership Style; Leading Change; Growth and Development Strategy; Managerial Roles; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Organizational Structure; Internet; Publishing Industry

June 2010
Teaching Note

American Well: The Doctor Will E-See You Now (TN)

By: Elie Ofek

Teaching Note for 510061. View Details

Keywords: Health Care and Treatment; Information Technology; Innovation and Invention; Online Technology; Revenue; System; Opportunities; Technology Adoption; Growth and Development; Brands and Branding; Business Model; Health Industry; United States

May 2010
Supplement

Tim Westergren of Pandora Radio

By: Willy C. Shih and Halle Alicia Tecco

Pandora Radio is at a crossroads. Founder Tim Westergren has just been told by a well known VC to get rid of his unprofitable customers in order to get his costs down, but Westergren is not sure that such actions are consistent with his company's business model.... View Details

Keywords: History; Business Model; Customers; Venture Capital; Internet and the Web; Cost Management; Outcome or Result; Customization and Personalization; Growth and Development Strategy; Music Industry

February 2010
Teaching Note

Sealed Air China (TN)

By: Regina M. Abrami, William C. Kirby and F. Warren McFarlan

Teaching Note for [308051]. View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Investment; Growth and Development Strategy; Experience and Expertise; Market Entry and Exit; Production; Performance Efficiency; Factories, Labs, and Plants; Service Industry; China; Shanghai

04 Mar 2013
Lessons from the Classroom

Lessons from Running GM’s OnStar

third party, the human equivalent of Switzerland," he says. Moreover, GM had recently sent Huber to the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, where he became the first private sector civilian to graduate from a program aimed at... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Auto

01 Jun 2011
News

Mr. Start-Up

not very good; we had to change direction significantly. But I believe in getting into the game, getting into an industry, even if your concept isn’t perfect. Then, as you figure out that your idea may be flawed, you’re also learning what’s missing in the View Details

Keywords: Deborah Blagg; News, Library, Internet, and Other Services; Information

01 Mar 2008
News

Alumni Books

most innovative, successful biotech firm ever, Amgen led its industry in revenue and sales growth in 2007. Binder, the firm’s CEO during 1988–2000, describes Amgen’s climb to success, revealing the highs and... View Details

Keywords: Noel Capon; Publishing Industries (except Internet); Publishing Industries (except Internet)

April 2008 (Revised May 2009)
Case

Robert Wessman and Actavis' "Winning Formula"

Robert Wessman took over Actavis in 1999 when it was a failing 90-person domestic generic pharmaceutical maker in Iceland. Within 7 years he had brought Actavis to number 5 worldwide, with 11,000 people, active in 40 countries, global manufacturing, and $1.6 billion.... View Details

Keywords: Globalized Firms and Management; Business Growth and Maturation; Success; Transformation; Business Strategy; Pharmaceutical Industry; Iceland