Publications

June 1999 (Revised May 2001)
Case

CardioThoracic Systems

CardioThoracic Systems, a company that has developed a new system for performing heart surgery on a beating heart, is facing marketing challenges. Discusses the numerous reasons for the system's low penetration (including existing techniques, surgeon resistance, and a... View Details

Keywords: Problems and Challenges; Technological Innovation; Situation or Environment; Marketing Strategy; Sales; Health Care and Treatment; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; United States

October 1986 (Revised November 1989)
Case

Becton Dickinson & Co.: VACUTAINER Systems Division

By: Frank V. Cespedes

Concerns negotiations between managers of Becton Dickinson's (BD) VACUTAINER division (which manufactures and sells blood collection products) and managers of a large hospital buying group. Recent changes in the health care industry are the background for the... View Details

Keywords: Distribution; Negotiation Participants; Negotiation Process; Price; Sales; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; United States

01 Nov 2024
In Practice

Layoffs Surging in a Strong Economy? Advice for Navigating Uncertain Times

decision about entrepreneurship Starting your own company after a layoff is a significant decision. While it may seem like an opportune time, research suggests there are some important considerations. “Entrepreneurs coming from high-tech sectors such as biotechnology... View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne; Technology; Information Technology

March 1994 (Revised January 1995)
Case

Cardinal Health, Inc.

By: Jay W. Lorsch

Robert D. Walter, chairman and CEO of Cardinal Health, Inc., responds to questions regarding Cardinal's board and its influence on the acquisition of and merger with Whitmire Distribution. View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Governing and Advisory Boards; Power and Influence; Management Teams; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

Find at Harvard

March 2022 (Revised July 2022)
Case

Nexleaf Analytics: Saving the World Using the Internet of Things

By: Frank Nagle

In 2019, a decade after co-founding Nexleaf Analytics, CEO Nithya Ramanathan faced an important decision that would impact the ability of the small, but growing, not-for-profit organization to thrive for another decade. Their sensor technologies and big data analytics... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Strategy; Collaborative Innovation and Invention; Technological Innovation; Nonprofit Organizations; Competitive Strategy; Patents; Expansion; Information Technology; Health Industry; Information Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Technology Industry

25 Sep 2018
First Look

New Research and Ideas, September 25, 2018

from Medical Device Recalls By: Ball, George P., Jeffrey T. Macher, and Ariel Dora Stern Abstract—When innovations are successfully commercialized into new products, they can create value for both consumers... View Details

Keywords: Dina Gerdeman

April 1998 (Revised May 2000)
Case

Guidant Corporation: Shaping Culture Through Systems

By: Robert L. Simons and Antonio Davila

Guidant is a successful IPO start-up selling pacemakers and defibrillators. The case describes how managers install systems to balance innovation and control. Three parts of a shareholder value strategy are described. Controls include incentive systems, beliefs... View Details

Keywords: Innovation Strategy; Corporate Strategy; Motivation and Incentives; Planning; Risk Management; Management Systems; Business Strategy; Value Creation; System; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry

01 Apr 2015
Research & Ideas

The Slow, Steady Battle to Fix Cancer Care

After a cancer patient's first 30 days in the American medical system, the bills start stacking up—right next to the pile of paperwork explaining benefits. "It's very hard for patients to match these things up," says Dr. Thomas... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel; Health

15 Jul 2014
First Look

First Look: July 15

tied to their competitors via shared intermediary organizations. To test our theory, we examine every relationship between entrepreneurial firms and their venture capital investors in the minimally invasive surgical segment of the medical... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

29 May 2007
First Look

First Look: May 29, 2007

the group is considering increasing its investment focus to include a broader range of technologies, including emerging technologies (for example, mobile and RFID technologies) and non-information technologies (including medical View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

05 Jul 2016
First Look

July 5, 2016

healthcare providers are associated with a significant reduction in medical device patenting. Tort reforms have the strongest impact in medical fields in which the probability... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

15 Jun 2016
Research & Ideas

These VC Partners May Make Your Firm Less Innovative

of students, the researchers surmised it may dampen innovation among competitive companies. To test that hypothesis, McDonald, Pahnke, Hallen and Wang looked at close to 200 medical device startups that... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Financial Services; Banking

05 Dec 2006
First Look

First Look: December 5, 2006

Medical Device Industry Council Harvard Business School Case 706-498 Purchase this case: http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml?id=706498 Patrimonio Hoy: A Financial Perspective Harvard... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

01 Nov 2016
First Look

First Look - November 1, 2016

(B): Vitalia Brasil This case should be distributed only after "Vitalia Franchise" (HBS Case No. 311-035) is distributed and discussed. Purchase this case: https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/product/317022-PDF-ENG Harvard Business School Case 315-045 CV... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

25 Feb 2015
Lessons from the Classroom

Scholars and Students Unpack the Digital Business Revolution

transformation to digital is being driven by two primary factors, according to Iansiti: the explosion of connected devices and expanded computing capacity in the cloud. The study of innovation and business is still in its infancy.... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna; Education; Technology

January 2018
Teaching Note

Suominen Wipes the Slate Clean

By: Boris Groysberg, Kalle Heikkinen, Michael Norris and James Barnett

In 2016, after successfully turning around Finnish nonwovens manufacturer Suominen, CEO Nina Kopola faces a decision on the company’s strategy moving forward. View Details

Keywords: Nonwovens; Female Protagonist; Turnaround; Strategy; Mergers and Acquisitions; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Europe; United States; Finland

June 2005 (Revised July 2006)
Background Note

Note on the Convergence Between Genomics & Information Technology

By: David B. Yoffie, Dharmesh M Mehta and Rachel Sha

Focuses on the convergence between the genomics and semiconductor industries, in particular organ printing, DNA computing, biomolecular sensory networks, and DNA microarrays. Explains what this newly converged world looks like based on current research and findings in... View Details

Keywords: Genetics; Information Technology; Business Model; Disruptive Innovation; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry; Medical Devices and Supplies Industry