Publications

18 Dec 2019
Book

6 Skills That Wise Companies Harness for World-Changing Innovation

eventually evolved from manufacturing motorcycles to inventing a revolutionary light business jet—fulfilling a lifelong dream to improve mobility and exemplifying the longevity and continuous innovation that characterizes so many Japanese... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz

September 2013 (Revised August 2015)
Background Note

Leadership and Teaming

By: Ethan Bernstein

Small differences in the leadership of teams can have large consequences for the success of their efforts. Many initiatives fail not because of a fatal error in judgment or insufficient ideas, knowledge, motivation, or capabilities to deliver a solution. They fail... View Details

June 2001 (Revised March 2002)
Case

Ducati

Focuses on the turnaround and strategic repositioning of Ducati, an Italian maker of high-end sport motorcycles, and describes the current concerns with the growth prospects of the company. Federico Minoli, the CEO and strategic mind behind the turnaround, knew that... View Details

Keywords: Growth and Development Strategy; Competitive Strategy; Product Positioning; Management Teams; Brands and Branding; Motorcycle Industry

September 1983
Case

Harley-Davidson: Marketing Strategy for Motorcycles--1977

Incorporates material on AMF, Harley-Davidson's parent company. This information is designed to permit analysis of Harley-Davidson in the context of AMF's corporate strategy and overall business portfolio. A rewritten version of two earlier cases. View Details

Keywords: Marketing Strategy; Corporate Strategy; Motorcycle Industry

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June 2013
Teaching Note

Investindustrial Exits Ducati

By: Francois Brochet

Keywords: Accounting; Motorcycle Industry; Europe

June 2005 (Revised August 2006)
Case

Ducati Corse

By: Francesca Gino and Andrew P. McAfee

Ducati Corse, the racing arm of Ducati Motorcycles, has entered the Moto GP circuit with a completely new bike. This bike was designed and tested using a great deal of information technology. After a very successful initial season, the Ducati Moto GP team sees... View Details

Keywords: Design; Business Strategy; Product Marketing; Information Technology; Performance Improvement; Change Management; Research and Development; Motorcycle Industry; Italy

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August 2000 (Revised November 2000)
Case

Building Brand Community on the Harley-Davidson Posse Ride

The second Harley-Davidson Posse Ride, a grueling 2,300 mile, 10-day trek from South Padre Island, Tex., to the Canadian Border is billed "for serious riders only." Harley Owner's Group (H.O.G.) Director Mike Keefe must decide whether this rolling rally deserves a... View Details

Keywords: Relationships; Customer Focus and Relationships; Brands and Branding; Motorcycle Industry; United States

December 1981
Case

U.S. Cycle

By: Hirotaka Takeuchi

Keywords: Motorcycle Industry; United States

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21 Nov 2006
First Look

First Look: November 21, 2006

that future work should develop more precise and context-specific theories to help guide research and practice in disparate task and industry domains. Working paper not available. Why Do Firms Hold So Much Cash? A Tax-Based Explanation... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

February 2013 (Revised October 2013)
Case

Investindustrial Exits Ducati

By: Francois Brochet and Karol Misztal

In early 2012, Investindustrial, a European private equity group, publicly announced their intention to sell their 76.7% stake in Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., an iconic Italian producer of sport performance motorcycles. The decision followed a six-year turnaround... View Details

Keywords: Cost vs Benefits; Private Equity; Valuation; Investment Return; Brands and Branding; Financial Services Industry; Financial Services Industry; Hong Kong; Italy

26 Apr 2011
Op-Ed

HBS Faculty Comment on Environmental Issues for Earth Day

Earth Day focuses the world's attention on the both the dangers and opportunities facing the planet. But sustainability and the intersection between business and the environment are issues that need to be addressed all the time, as cities grow, resources diminish, and... View Details

Keywords: by Staff; Energy; Utilities

March 2006
Teaching Note

Harley-Davidson: Preparing for the Next Century (TN)

By: Richard L. Nolan and Suresh Kotha

Keywords: Motorcycle Industry

November 2000
Case

Building Brand Community on the Harley-Davidson Posse Ride (Multimedia Case)

Concerns the second Harley-Davidson Posse Ride, a grueling 2,300 mile, 10-day trek from South Padre Island, TX to the Canadian border that is billed "for serious riders only." Harley Owner's Group (H.O.G.) Director Mike Keefe must decide whether this rolling rally... View Details

Keywords: Customer Focus and Relationships; Brands and Branding; Motorcycle Industry

January 2017 (Revised November 2018)
Case

Navistar International: Competing Against PACCAR

By: Benjamin Esty, Eric Van den Steen and Jeffrey Boyar

In 2013, Navistar was in the midst of a deep crisis, having lost a third of its market share over the previous three years. Bill Kozek, the new president of Navistar North America Truck and Sales division needs to develop his division’s strategy as part of the... View Details

Keywords: Business Strategy; Alignment; Competitive Advantage; Segmentation; Transportation Industry; Transportation Industry

July 1999 (Revised October 2001)
Case

Corbin-Pacific

By: John A. Davis and Christina L. Darwall

Reviews the history of Mike Corbin's entrepreneurial career and describes in detail the successful organization he has created. Explores his management philosophy and leadership. Explores the usefulness of continuing family involvement in this business. View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Leadership Style; Business or Company Management; Management Practices and Processes; Management Teams; Success; Family Ownership; Business Strategy; Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry

20 Jul 2010
First Look

First Look: July 20

to Innovation: Zongshen Industrial Group Willy Shih and Nancy DaiHarvard Business School Case 610-057 As Zuo Zongshen drove the transformation of the Zongshen Industrial Group from an early imitator in the... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

09 Dec 2008
First Look

First Look: December 9, 2008

interest in a concept of competitive strategy more closely grounded in industrial organization economics; and third, with the development of a new course in entrepreneurial management more closely linked to business policy's concerns with... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

June 2008
Supplement

Mike Corbin: Closing the Corbin-Pacific Case - video

By: John A. Davis and Courtney Sampson

An interview with Mike Corbin wrapping up the Corbin-Pacific case. View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing Industry; Manufacturing Industry