Publications

August 2017
Case

Data-driven Manufacturing: The Kutesmart System

By: Willy Shih and Nancy Hua Dai

The data-driven manufacturing system at this Chinese bespoke mens' suit manufacturer illustrates the use of information technology to support mass customization in a largely manual production environment. It contrasts sharply with some of the Industrie 4.0... View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing; Garment Manufacturing; Mass Customization; Data-driven Management; Data-driven Manufacturing; Operations; Production; Product; Customization and Personalization; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; China

September 2017
Case

Give Us a 'C'! Killing Knock-offs with Copyright?

By: Lena G. Goldberg

Varsity Brands, the leading manufacturer of cheerleading uniforms in the United States, obtained copyright protection for certain designs of stripes, chevrons, color blocks and lines on cheerleading uniforms. Star Athletica, a newcomer in the field, used those designs... View Details

Keywords: Intellectual Property; Law; Lawsuits and Litigation; Design; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

September 2014 (Revised July 2018)
Case

adidas Group: IT Multi-Sourcing

By: Lynda M. Applegate, Martin Wiener, Carol Saunders and Grandon Gill

This case describes the design and implementation of an IT-multi-sourcing strategy at a large global sportswear company, the adidas Group, which is headquartered in Germany. To help increase the benefits and reduce the risks of its sourcing arrangements, adidas... View Details

Keywords: IT Strategy; Outsourcing; Organizational Structure; Information Technology; Strategy; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Germany

March 2014
Teaching Note

Transforming Tommy Hilfiger (A) and (B)

By: Raffaella Sadun

Teaching Note for "Transforming Tommy Hilfiger (A)" and "Transforming Tommy Hilfiger (B)" View Details

Keywords: Turnaround; Private Equity; Private Ownership; Diversification; Acquisition; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; United States; Europe

April 2009
Case

Supply Chain Optimization at Hugo Boss (A)

By: Ananth Raman, Nicole DeHoratius and Zahra Kanji

We evaluate the impact of a supply chain pilot implemented at Hugo Boss. This pilot entailed altering the way in which Hugo Boss orders from its suppliers. We explore the challenge of assessing the impact of supply chain change, the link between operational performance... View Details

Keywords: Order Taking and Fulfillment; Logistics; Supply Chain Management; Performance Evaluation; Sales; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Europe

January 2009 (Revised February 2010)
Case

Gucci Group in 2009

By: David B. Yoffie and Renee Kim

The Gucci Group had transformed itself into the world's third largest luxury retailer with multiple brands. The company had performed well even after the departure of star designer Tom Ford and former CEO Domenico De Sole. However, the challenging global economic times... View Details

Keywords: Financial Crisis; Brands and Branding; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Luxury; Corporate Strategy; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

October 2006 (Revised February 2009)
Teaching Note

Spyder Active Sports - 2004 (TN)

By: Belen Villalonga and Dwight B. Crane

Teaching Note to (206-027). View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Business Exit or Shutdown; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

February 2001 (Revised April 2001)
Case

Warnaco Group, Inc. (B)

By: David F. Hawkins

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Financial Statements; Financial Reporting; Restructuring; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

Find at Harvard

July 1995
Teaching Note

Sport Obermeyer, Ltd. TN

By: Janice H. Hammond and Ananth Raman

Teaching Note for (9-695-022). View Details

Keywords: Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; United States; Hong Kong

October 1981
Case

Career Women's Clothing Store

By: Hirotaka Takeuchi

Keywords: Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

Find at Harvard

January 1989
Case

Benetton S.p.A.

By: Howard H. Stevenson

Focuses on the strategic/organizational development of Benetton. Examines the organizational structure which has allowed the company to expand into a world scale company from its small entrepreneurial base. Examines the functional strategies which have allowed a huge... View Details

Keywords: Marketing Strategy; Organizational Structure; Growth and Development; Business Strategy; Performance Effectiveness; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

October 1984
Case

NIKE (E1): The Announcement

Details changes in the senior management roster at Nike, focusing on the appointment of Robert Woodell as the company's new president. View Details

Keywords: Management Succession; Management Teams; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

October 1984 (Revised March 1999)
Case

NIKE (B)

Describes Nike's corporate culture and looks closely at individual key senior and middle managers, outlining the processes by which the management group conducts its business and noting the values which bind the management group together. The teaching objective is to... View Details

Keywords: Values and Beliefs; Management Practices and Processes; Organizational Culture; Management Teams; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry

November 2010
Supplement

Esquel Group: Building a Sustainable Partnership with Cotton Farmers in Xinjiang (B)

By: James K. Sebenius and Jason Cheng Qian

Details and evaluates results in Esquel's 2002 initiative to negotiate long-term partnerships with often-exploited farmers in Xinjiang (western China) to procure a superior cotton variety. View Details

Keywords: Contracts; Agreements and Arrangements; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Outcome or Result; Leasing; Business and Community Relations; Business and Government Relations; Partners and Partnerships; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Hong Kong; Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu

02 Mar 2015
Research & Ideas

Retail Reaches a Tipping Point—Which Stores Will Survive?

say "there is no way I'm going to buy apparel online". But now over 10 percent of apparel is purchased online. This may not seem like a lot but this level of penetration for ecommerce is often enough to... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Retail

26 Mar 2008
First Look

First Look: March 26, 2008

http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml?id=808107 Parks Capital-Investment in US Retail, Inc. Harvard Business School Case 208-104 Parks Capital acquired a Children's Apparel Manufacturer, American Child Clothing... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

05 Mar 2019
Working Paper Summaries

The Impacts of Increasing Search Frictions on Online Shopping Behavior: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Keywords: by Donald Ngwe, Kris J. Ferreira, and Thales Teixeira; Apparel & Accessories; Apparel & Accessories; Apparel & Accessories

06 Jan 2014
Working Paper Summaries

Mechanisms of Technology Re-Emergence and Identity Change in a Mature Field: Swiss Watchmaking, 1970-2008

Keywords: by Ryan Raffaelli; Apparel & Accessories; Apparel & Accessories; Apparel & Accessories

March 1999 (Revised March 2001)
Case

Nike, Inc.--Entering the Millennium

By: William E. Fruhan Jr.

Traces the evolution of Nike from 1987 through 1998. Through a series of eight assignment questions, it examines how the company has created and sustained a competitive advantage, and how that competitive advantage is reflected in growth, profitability, and share price... View Details

Keywords: Competitive Advantage; Profit; Corporate Strategy; Business Growth and Maturation; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry