Publications

Article

Predictions, Prophets, and Restarting Your Business

By: Frank V. Cespedes

The first task of crisis management is a reasonably accurate view of the current situation and how it might evolve. There are many predictions about so-called “new normal” as a result of the semi-enforced social distancing necessitated by the coronavirus. But most are... View Details

Keywords: Health Pandemics; Crisis Management; Strategic Planning

Read Now

April 2017 (Revised July 2017)
Case

ISRO: Explore Space or Exploit CubeSats?

By: Prithwiraj Choudhury, Tarun Khanna, Karim Lakhani and Rachna Tahilyani

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) achieved global acclaim by launching successful missions to the moon and Mars at a fraction of the cost of prior Western missions. It is now faced with an important strategic dilemma—whether to continue exploring deep space... View Details

Keywords: Strategic Planning; Decision Choices and Conditions; Aerospace Industry; India

February 2017 (Revised March 2017)
Case

Link REIT

By: Siddharth Yog

Publicly listed in November 2005, Link REIT was the first real estate investment trust (REIT) in Hong Kong after the Hong Kong government decided to privatize a portfolio of community shopping malls, car parks, and fresh produce markets. Run by CEO George Hongchoy, the... View Details

Keywords: Hong Kong; REIT; Real Estate; Retail; Government; China; Housing; Public Company; Strategic Planning; Expansion; Public Equity; Real Estate Industry; Hong Kong; China

Article

The Second Face of Appropriability: Generative Appropriability and Its Determinants

By: Gautam Ahuja, Curba Morris Lampert and Elena Novelli

We distinguish between two forms of appropriability: primary appropriability—effectiveness in exploiting inventions as problem-solving mechanisms and capturing a share of their profits—and generative appropriability—effectiveness in exploiting inventions as concepts... View Details

Keywords: Innovation Management; Profit Management; Product Management; Resource Management; Strategic Alliances (Business); Strategic Planning; Innovation and Management

August 18, 2017
Other Article

How the U.S. Navy Is Responding to Climate Change

By: Forest Reinhardt and Michael W. Toffel

We talk about how a giant, global enterprise that operates and owns assets at sea level is fighting climate change—and adapting to it. We discuss what the private sector can learn from the U.S. Navy’s scientific and sober view of the world. We are also the authors of... View Details

Keywords: Environmental Sustainability; Leadership; Strategic Planning; Problems and Challenges; Operations; Logistics

01 Feb 2001
News

High Stakes: Springboard 2000 Comes to HBS

pitch their business plans at the Springboard 2000 New England venture-capital forum. Organizers of Springboard 2000, which is a series of events that debuted with sessions in Silicon Valley and Virginia, have an ambitious goal. "We want... View Details

Keywords: Singleton, Laura; Springboard 2000

August 2017 (Revised January 2023)
Case

Enel: The Future of Energy

By: Mark R. Kramer and Bhanuteja Nadella

Enel has transformed from the Italian state-owned energy monopoly into a global leader in renewable energy and shared value creation. Through its open innovation model, the company has catapulted to the cutting edge of electric mobility and distributed power... View Details

Keywords: Energy Generation; Renewable Energy; Growth and Development Strategy; Strategic Planning; Energy Industry

October 2005 (Revised June 2007)
Case

Volkswagen of America: Managing IT Priorities

Describes the efforts of Volkswagen of America, the U.S. subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, to arrive at a process for setting IT funding priorities so that they align with business priorities and the company's overall strategy. The process is carefully thought out and... View Details

Keywords: Strategic Planning; Business Subsidiaries; Resource Allocation; Information Technology; Alignment; Auto Industry; United States

June 1991 (Revised March 1995)
Case

Becton Dickinson (D): Strategic Human Resource Management Profiling

By: Michael Beer

Describes a strategic human resource management process applied at the business unit and corporate level. The purpose of the process is to provide a means for aligning human resource management policies and practices with strategy and to hold managers accountable for... View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Human Resources; Business or Company Management; Strategic Planning; Corporate Strategy; Health Industry

November 2006
Background Note

Technical Game Theory Note #1: Solving Bi-matrix Games

By: Dennis A. Yao

Explains how to solve bi-matrix games and introduces the Nash Equilibrium concept. View Details

Keywords: Game Theory; Mathematical Methods; Learning; Balance and Stability; Planning; Strategic Planning; Performance Improvement; Strategy; Games, Gaming, and Gambling

April 2002
Supplement

Grey Warner, Merck Latin America

By: Michael Beer

Grey Warner, the vice president of Merck's Latin America region, discusses the challenges raised in the case and the lessons learned. View Details

Keywords: Strategic Planning; Values and Beliefs; Change Management; Problems and Challenges; Management Teams; Pharmaceutical Industry; Latin America

November 2001
Case

Sigma Networks, Inc.

By: Thomas R. Eisenmann and Christina L. Darwall

Sigma Networks, a venture capital-based telecommunications start-up, provides metropolitan area networks (MANs) that use fiberoptic lines to connect local Internet service providers (e.g., ISPs, hosting firms) with a long-haul ("backbone") network. MANs represent a... View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Customers; Capital Budgeting; Venture Capital; Strategic Planning; Technology Networks; Telecommunications Industry

June 1991 (Revised February 1999)
Case

Willow Creek Community Church (A)

By: Leonard A. Schlesinger

Describes the historic evolution and current positioning of a Christian church which focuses on the attraction of "unchurched" individuals. Describes the church's strategic service vision and its current growth and leadership problems. View Details

Keywords: Mission and Purpose; Strategic Planning; Social Enterprise; Marketing Strategy; Growth Management; Religion; Service Industry

January 1996 (Revised October 1997)
Case

Americhem: The Gaylord Division (A)

By: David A. Garvin

The Gaylord Division of Americhem, a large chemical company, is in the midst of the first use of a new zero-base budgeting system. The general manager of the division leading the process is experiencing disagreement and conflict among the members of the senior... View Details

Keywords: Budgets and Budgeting; Leadership; Management Practices and Processes; Strategic Planning; Problems and Challenges

07 Apr 2014
Research & Ideas

Negotiation and All That Jazz

There's a saying in the military: "Plans go out the window at the first contact with the enemy." Even General Dwight Eisenhower—who oversaw the most ambitious military invasion in modern history—said, "Plans are worthless." But he added an important caveat: "Planning... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

January 1992
Teaching Note

Allen Distribution Company (TN)

By: W. Carl Kester

Teaching Note for (9-201-016). View Details

Keywords: Credit; Planning; Risk and Uncertainty; Service Industry

September 1983
Case

National Industrial Planning: France and the EEC, Course Module

By: Bruce R. Scott and Audrey T. Sproat

Keywords: Economics; Planning; Economy; Policy; France; European Union