Publications

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21 Jul 2009
First Look

First Look: July 21

must stabilize its operations at home, where a devalued peso, economic uncertainty, and political instability still linger from the devastating financial crisis. Purchase this case: http://hbsp.harvard.edu/b01/en/common/item_detail.jhtml?id=710407 Australia: The Riches... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

June 1999 (Revised April 2003)
Case

Zucamor S.A.: Global Competition in Argentina

By: V. Kasturi Rangan

Describes the evolution of Zucamor and its business strategy, particularly after the opening of the Argentine economy in 1992 and 1993. Traces the action that led to its association with U.S. paper giant Union Camp. Poses some of the critical challenges faced by the... View Details

Keywords: Business Strategy; Global Strategy; Value; Problems and Challenges; Business or Company Management; Goods and Commodities; Alliances; Pulp and Paper Industry; Argentina; United States

May 1995
Background Note

Note on Product Liability

By: Willis M. Emmons III, Monica Brand and Greg Keller

This note provides an overview to the evolution and current state of product liability law in the United States. View Details

Keywords: Goods and Commodities; Legal Liability; Safety; Product Marketing; Business Strategy; Policy; Government and Politics; United States

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18 Apr 2005
Research & Ideas

Tips to Reinvent the Department Store

a designer's line and pick from it the point of view we want to represent," while a vendor's own store will typically offer an entire line of products. "[But] there are certain commodity items. A Prada handbag is a Prada... View Details

Keywords: by Julie Jette; Retail

Research Summary

Overview

Hisano’s research addresses the social and cultural implications of technological development and economic changes mainly in the twentieth-century United States. By analyzing the regulation, manipulation, and presentation of food color, her current book project links... View Details

Keywords: Business History; Consumer Behavior; Agribusiness; Food And Environment; Business Strategy; Commercialization; Business And Government; Advertising; Goods and Commodities; Food; History; Government and Politics; Marketing; Business and Government Relations; Advertising Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; Chemical Industry; United States

September 1984 (Revised May 1985)
Teaching Note

Federated Industries (A) TN

By: Robert J. Dolan

Teaching Note for (9-585-104). View Details

Keywords: Supply and Industry; Market Entry and Exit; Price; Goods and Commodities; Competition; Consumer Products Industry; United States

02 Feb 2010
First Look

First Look: Feb. 2

that aims to explain what determines country risk (defined as the difference between the yield of a sovereign's bonds and the risk-free rate). In this paper, we contribute to the discussion by arguing that an important explanatory factor is the impact that View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

26 Jun 2019
Research & Ideas

Why the US-China Tariff Standoff Hurts American Companies More

Cavallo suggests that American companies—and more recently, consumers—are bearing the brunt of the trade war with China, whose government has been retaliating with its own import tax increases. US exporters, particularly farmers selling View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost; Retail; Manufacturing; Steel

Profile

Jeremy Burnham

the promotion would increase overall store traffic. Summarizing the value of the FIELD 2 experience, Jeremy says, “Coming from a commodity industry, I didn’t know anything about marketing. In Argentina, I was forced to apply what I’ve... View Details

November 2014
Case

Nestlé SA, 2014

By: John R. Wells and Galen Danskin

In 2014, Nestlé was the largest producer of packaged foods and beverages in the world. 2013 revenues were $103.7 billion and operating profits $16.1 billion (15.5% of sales). The company owned 29 mega brands, each generating more than Euro 1 billion ($1.25 billion).... View Details

Keywords: Consumer Products; Acquisitions; Strategy; Goods and Commodities; Nutrition; Emerging Markets; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Competitive Strategy; Consumer Products Industry; Europe

26 Apr 2011
First Look

First Look: April 26

examine a prominent justification for capital income taxation: goods preferred by those with high ability ought to be taxed. In an environment where commodity taxes are allowed to be nonlinear functions of income and consumption, we... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

Summer 2018
Article

Why High-Tech Commoditization Is Accelerating

By: Willy C. Shih

Knowledge embedded within state-of-the-art production and design tools is a powerful force that is leveling the global technology playing field. It democratizes innovation and makes future competition more challenging. This paper describes the knowledge flows through... View Details

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May 1988 (Revised March 1990)
Case

Matsushita Electric Industrial (MEI) in 1987

By: Christopher A. Bartlett and Sumantra Ghoshal

Describes the development of Matsushita's international operations and the building of its dominant competitive position in the consumer electronics industry. Picks up the major challenges facing the company in 1987 as both its product focus and geographic posture are... View Details

Keywords: Global Strategy; Goods and Commodities; Product Positioning; Problems and Challenges; Business Strategy; Competitive Strategy; Value; Electronics Industry

08 Oct 2013
News

The Green Giant

including director of scientific and international programs, prior to taking over the World Wildlife Fund. At WWF, Roberts's strategy has been to forge partnerships with major business players and governments in key regions and resource areas. The organization has also... View Details

Keywords: Ralph Ranalli; World Wildlife Fund

01 Apr 1997
News

Critical Information: MIS Monitors the Ever-Changing World of IT

"Multimedia and the Boundaryless Organization." With the creation of services such as online newspapers and television home shopping, information has become a commodity itself, replacing physical products and services. Associate Professor... View Details

Keywords: Elaine Gottlieb

17 Nov 2022
News

Blockchain for Good

settlement, all while requiring less computational power and using far less energy than many current blockchains. Dyer says they have also tested the first public stablecoin (a cryptocurrency that has its value pegged to a commodity or... View Details

Keywords: Ralph Ranalli

01 Jun 2022
News

Eyes in the Skies

after analyzing supply chains and integrating geospatial intelligence with AI-driven analysis at companies such as IHS Markit, DigitalGlobe, and CAPE Analytics. With satellites scoping the same terrestrial locations up to 15 times a day, BlackSky’s Spectra AI analytics... View Details

Keywords: Alexander Gelfand

October 1991 (Revised November 1993)
Case

Play Time Toy Co.

By: Thomas R. Piper

The president of a toy company is considering the adoption of level production in a business characterized by highly seasonal sales. The issues include balancing the cost savings and the inventory risk, estimating the seasonal financing need, and determining the... View Details

Keywords: Production; Cost Management; Banks and Banking; Sales; Goods and Commodities; Financial Management; Risk Management; Entertainment and Recreation Industry

October 1994
Background Note

Note on Crude Oil and Crude Oil Derivatives Markets

By: Andre F. Perold, Wai Lee and Kuljot Singh

Briefly describes the crude oil markets and common derivatives contracts written on oil. The contracts are oil forward and futures contracts, and over-the-counter oil price swaps. View Details

Keywords: Non-Renewable Energy; Futures and Commodity Futures; Credit Derivatives and Swaps; Contracts; Energy Industry