Publications

August 2008 (Revised July 2011)
Case

Consumer Payment Systems — United States

By: Benjamin Edelman and Andrei Hagiu

In 2008, the U.S. consumer payments landscape was characterized by the ongoing prevalence of credit and debit card networks, the decline of checks, the rise of stored value cards, and the growth of new payment methods such as PayPal, Bill Me Later, and decoupled debit.... View Details

Keywords: Borrowing and Debt; Financial Management; Personal Finance; Digital Platforms; Motivation and Incentives; Competitive Strategy; Internet and the Web; United States

January 1994 (Revised October 1995)
Background Note

Renewable Energy in the United States

By: Richard H.K. Vietor

March 2004 (Revised May 2006)
Background Note

Corporate Reform in the United States

By: Lynn S. Paine and Kim Bettcher

The spate of corporate misdeeds revealed to the American public in 2001 to 2002 prompted corrective action in many quarters of the U.S. economy. The note summarizes some of the steps taken by lawmakers, regulators, law-enforcement officials, companies, investors,... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Governance; Capital Markets; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Trust; United States

February 1962 (Revised August 1994)
Case

Second Bank of the United States

April 1979 (Revised January 1992)
Case

United States vs. Arno Kasper Haupt

January 1991 (Revised May 1991)
Case

Hoechst in the United States (B)

24 Oct 2023
Cold Call Podcast

How the United States Air Force Accelerated AI Adoption

Keywords: Re: Maria P. Roche

17 Sep 2022

MBA Tour: Western United States

HBS Admissions representatives will be at this virtual event to meet prospective MBA candidates. This event is an opportunity to connect with admissions reps, alumni, and students from top business schools. View Details

27 Sep 2022

MBA Tour: Eastern United States

HBS Admissions representatives will be at this virtual event to meet prospective MBA candidates. This event is an opportunity to connect with admissions reps, alumni, and students from top business schools. View Details

20 Jul 2021

MBA Tour: Midwest United States

Join Harvard Business School as we take part in the MBA Tour. The MBA Tour events will introduce you to admissions representatives, students and alumni from a wide variety of schools. Our HBS team will be online and looking forward to meeting you to discuss our MBA... View Details

Article

Investment in United States Government Securities by State Governments

By: Joseph L. Bower

Keywords: Investment; Financial Instruments; Government and Politics

August 1997 (Revised March 2008)
Background Note

Trends in the United States Steel Market,1980-1996

By: Clayton M. Christensen and Bret J. Baird

Provides a brief background on the history and structure of the steel industry in the United States. Focuses in some depth on the technological changes that have been difficult for the leading steel companies to implement. Shows that they stumbled when confronted with... View Details

Keywords: History; Technology; Trends; Steel Industry; United States

February 2019
Background Note

Mexican Farmworkers in the United States

By: Forest Reinhardt and Jonathan Schlefer

This note discusses the centuries-long history and current situation of Mexican farmworkers north of the border—documented or undocumented, resident or temporary, and increasingly indigenous. The story provides the background for discussion of dilemmas facing... View Details

Keywords: Migrant Farmworkers; Mexican Farmworkers; Agribusiness; Labor; History; Policy; Problems and Challenges; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; United States

February 1993 (Revised March 1993)
Background Note

United States from 1897 to 1969

By: Benson P. Shapiro

Keywords: United States

January 2014 (Revised May 2014)
Background Note

Rail Transportation in the United States

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Matthew Guilford

In the 20th century, automobiles and airlines pushed rail into the background as an often-troubled and neglected mode. After a review of the long history of rail in the U.S., this paper examines the situation in the 21st century, including the rail market structure,... View Details

Keywords: Railroad History; History; Rail Transportation; Rail Industry

September 2019 (Revised December 2022)
Background Note

African American Inequality in the United States

By: Janice H. Hammond, A. Kamau Massey and Mayra G. Garza

This note describes how historical and on-going policies and practices that discriminate against African Americans led to present-day inequality. Topics include slavery, segregation, Jim Crow laws, “black codes,” and policies and practices relating to criminal justice,... View Details

Keywords: African Americans; Justice; Slavery; Discrimination; Race; Equality and Inequality; Prejudice and Bias; Policy; History; United States

March 1983
Case

United States Steel Industry in 1983

By: George C. Lodge

Keywords: Steel Industry; United States

Article

Credit Access and Social Welfare: The Rise of Consumer Lending in the United States and France

By: Gunnar Trumbull

Research into the causes of the 2008 financial crisis has drawn attention to a link between growing income inequality in the United States and high household indebtedness. Most accounts trace the U.S. idea of credit-as-welfare to the period of wage stagnation and... View Details

Keywords: Household Finance; Welfare State; Credit; Personal Finance; Welfare; Borrowing and Debt; France; United States