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- All HBS Web
(2,400)
- News (565)
- Research (1,471)
- Events (16)
- Multimedia (3)
- Faculty Publications (796)
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- February 2003 (Revised October 2003)
- Case
Cable Data Systems
By: Paul W. Marshall and Todd H Thedinga
Describes the operating challenges of Cable Data Systems (CDS), a minority-owned cable installation company with a dual mission of maximizing profits and providing employment opportunities to minorities in urban markets. Following the merger of two cable installation... View Details
Keywords: Selection and Staffing; Employment; Forecasting and Prediction; Urban Scope; Cost Management; Infrastructure; Labor Unions; Demand and Consumers; Demographics; Media and Broadcasting Industry; Telecommunications Industry; Boston
Marshall, Paul W., and Todd H Thedinga. "Cable Data Systems." Harvard Business School Case 803-132, February 2003. (Revised October 2003.)
- March 2001 (Revised March 2003)
- Case
Syncra Systems
Syncra Systems makes Internet-based software that allows supply chain partners to compare disparate forecasts and production plans, to uncover any discrepancies among them, and to address these issues. However, many potential Syncra customers perceive that they will... View Details
Keywords: Product Positioning; Internet and the Web; Supply Chain Management; Applications and Software; Sales
McAfee, Andrew P., and Mona Ashiya. "Syncra Systems." Harvard Business School Case 601-035, March 2001. (Revised March 2003.)
- 12 Jul 2007
- Working Paper Summaries
Toward a Theory of Behavioral Operations
Keywords: by Francesca Gino & Gary Pisano
- January 2008
- Article
Mastering the Management System
By: Robert S. Kaplan and David P. Norton
Companies have always found it hard to balance pressing operational concerns with long-term strategic priorities. The tension is critical: World-class processes won't lead to success without the right strategic direction, and the best strategy in the world will get... View Details
Keywords: Framework; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Management Systems; Operations; Performance Improvement; Strategy
Kaplan, Robert S., and David P. Norton. "Mastering the Management System." Special Issue on HBS Centennial. Harvard Business Review 86, no. 1 (January 2008): 62–77.
- October 1988 (Revised April 1993)
- Case
Seligram, Inc.: Electronic Testing Operations
Explores the obsolescence of a cost system when technology changes. In particular, it asks students to increase the number of cost center and allocation bases. The firm moves from a one-center, direct labor-hour system to a three-center, direct labor-hour and... View Details
Cooper, Robin. "Seligram, Inc.: Electronic Testing Operations." Harvard Business School Case 189-084, October 1988. (Revised April 1993.)
- November 2007 (Revised July 2010)
- Background Note
China: The Political System
Offers a detailed overview of the structure and operation of the Chinese political system today. Key issues that are discussed include: 1) the relationship between the Communist Party of China and the state; 2) the relationship between central and local levels of... View Details
Abrami, Regina M., and Weiqi Zhang. "China: The Political System." Harvard Business School Background Note 308-063, November 2007. (Revised July 2010.)
- July 2013
- Case
Jackson Automotive Systems
By: William E. Fruhan and Wei Wang
Jackson Automotive Systems produces automotive parts for advanced heating and air conditioning systems, engine cooling systems, fuel injection and transfer systems, and various other engine parts and it supplies them to the automotive industry primarily in Michigan.... View Details
Keywords: Production; Financial Crisis; Corporate Finance; Manufacturing Industry; Auto Industry; Michigan
Fruhan, William E., and Wei Wang. "Jackson Automotive Systems." Harvard Business School Brief Case 914-505, July 2013.
- March 1989
- Background Note
Industrial Distribution Systems
A comprehensive description of industrial distribution systems. Written from the perspective of industrial products manufacturers, concerned about building and managing channels systems for taking products from point of manufacture to point of use. Covers: 1) channels... View Details
Corey, E. Raymond. "Industrial Distribution Systems." Harvard Business School Background Note 589-101, March 1989.
- April 2004 (Revised November 2004)
- Background Note
Why Complex Systems Fail
Operationally excellent organizations create competitive opportunities for themselves that are not available to their peers. One view of the manager's competitive dilemma is to pick the right position for his organization, differentiating it, for example, as a... View Details
Spear, Steven J., and Bryce LaPierre. "Why Complex Systems Fail." Harvard Business School Background Note 604-083, April 2004. (Revised November 2004.)
- December 1999 (Revised September 2004)
- Case
Hermes Systems
By: Michael L. Tushman and Daniel Radov
Covers the history of Hermes, a large telecommunications and network equipment company, as it grows from a single business firm to a diversified firm from 1980-95. Examines the use of entrepreneurial subsidiaries for product development and fast growth. Other issues... View Details
Keywords: History; Leadership; Business Subsidiaries; Diversification; Growth Management; Business Growth and Maturation; Business Divisions; Problems and Challenges; Product Development; Technology Industry
Tushman, Michael L., and Daniel Radov. "Hermes Systems." Harvard Business School Case 400-056, December 1999. (Revised September 2004.)
- January 2018 (Revised May 2018)
- Case
AT&T Managing Technological Change and the Future of Telephone Operators in the 20th Century
By: Daniel P. Gross and William R. Kerr
By the 1930s, AT&T dominated the American phone industry, serving 10 million telephones and employing over 100,000 switchboard operators. But beginning in the mid-1910s, the company began changing from manually operated switchboards to mechanical switching systems that... View Details
Keywords: AT＆T; Bell Telephone; Phone Lines; Phone Operators; Mechanical Switching; Layoffs; Technological Change; Transition; History; Innovation and Invention; Technological Innovation; Information Technology; Disruption; Change Management; Communications Industry; Telecommunications Industry; United States
Gross, Daniel P., and William R. Kerr. "AT&T: Managing Technological Change and the Future of Telephone Operators in the 20th Century." Harvard Business School Case 718-486, January 2018. (Revised May 2018.)
- March 1994 (Revised August 1997)
- Case
Raychem Corp.: Interconnection Systems Division
By: Clayton M. Christensen
Describes the highly successful efforts of a management team to turn around the performance of a $30 million Raychem division that manufactures electronic connectors. The original manufacturing system was a batch operation, with a broad product line, high inventories,... View Details
Keywords: Cost Management; Time Management; Production; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Success; Performance; Strategy; Competitive Strategy; Electronics Industry
Christensen, Clayton M. "Raychem Corp.: Interconnection Systems Division." Harvard Business School Case 694-063, March 1994. (Revised August 1997.)
- May 1992 (Revised January 2000)
- Case
Asea Brown Boveri: The ABACUS System
By: Robert L. Simons
Describes the computer-based information system (ABACUS) used to monitor and control business operations in a complex, global company. Describes the technical attributes of the database system, financial reporting requirements, target setting and profit calculations on... View Details
Keywords: Financial Reporting; Profit; Business Growth and Maturation; Analytics and Data Science; Design; Accounting Audits; Growth and Development; Globalized Firms and Management; Complexity; Technology Industry
Simons, Robert L. "Asea Brown Boveri: The ABACUS System." Harvard Business School Case 192-140, May 1992. (Revised January 2000.)
- June 1995
- Case
Polaroid Corporation: European Distribution System
By: Janice H. Hammond and Afroze A Mohammed
Describes distribution operations in Polaroid Europe. In the late 1980s, Polaroid senior management in the United States proposed moving from a system of 12 decentralized warehouses to a centralized distribution system in which all inventory for European retailers... View Details
Keywords: Distribution; Operations; Risk Management; Distribution Channels; Logistics; Transition; Strategy; Problems and Challenges; Industry Structures; Consumer Products Industry; Europe; European Union; United States
Hammond, Janice H., and Afroze A Mohammed. "Polaroid Corporation: European Distribution System." Harvard Business School Case 695-038, June 1995.
- September 1994
- Case
American Airlines: Object Oriented Flight Dispatching Systems
By: F. Warren McFarlan and Espen Andersen
American Airlines Describes has organized and developed their Systems Operation Control (SOC) center in Dallas, from which the day-to-day running of the airline takes place. This case details the decision support system used by the flight dispatchers, and the... View Details
Keywords: Technological Innovation; Product Development; Programs; Complexity; Technology Adoption; Air Transportation; Air Transportation Industry; United States
McFarlan, F. Warren, and Espen Andersen. "American Airlines: Object Oriented Flight Dispatching Systems." Harvard Business School Case 195-046, September 1994.
- August 2019 (Revised October 2019)
- Case
Systems Design West
By: Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff
Jenn Braus (HBS 2013) was halfway through the 90-day exclusivity period for her proposed acquisition of Systems Design West (SDW). She had completed her business and accounting due diligence. Just as she was about to ask her lawyer to begin drafting the purchase... View Details
Ruback, Richard, and Royce Yudkoff. "Systems Design West." Harvard Business School Case 220-004, August 2019. (Revised October 2019.)
- February 1990 (Revised July 1990)
- Case
Internal Revenue Service: Automated Collection System
By: Nitin Nohria
Describes how the IRS's collection operations changed from a largely manual system (COF) to an automated system (ACS). A central aspect of ACS was the electronic scheduling and maintaining of work. While with ACS the IRS accomplished significant improvements in the... View Details
Keywords: Sovereign Finance; Revenue; Information Technology; Taxation; Change Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Design; Human Resources; Public Administration Industry; United States
Nohria, Nitin. "Internal Revenue Service: Automated Collection System." Harvard Business School Case 490-042, February 1990. (Revised July 1990.)
- March 2010 (Revised June 2010)
- Case
Dassault Systemes
By: Stefan H. Thomke and Daniela Beyersdorfer
Dassault Systèmes, a leader in product lifecycle management software, has enjoyed a very profitable business model in 3D engineering design. In the past, it has successfully managed market disruptions and opportunities through acquisition and organic innovations. Its... View Details
Keywords: Business Model; Innovation and Invention; Product Development; Product Marketing; Technology Industry
Thomke, Stefan H., and Daniela Beyersdorfer. "Dassault Systemes." Harvard Business School Case 610-080, March 2010. (Revised June 2010.)
- June 2003
- Case
Rise and Fall (?) of Palm Computing in Handheld Operating Systems,The
Describes the evolution of the handheld operating system market. Describes the rise to dominance of Palm's operating system and the significant challenge to that dominance posed by Microsoft's Windows CE. View Details
Keywords: Competition; Information Infrastructure; Applications and Software; Network Effects; Information Technology Industry; Computer Industry
Corts, Kenneth S., and Deborah Freier. "Rise and Fall (?) of Palm Computing in Handheld Operating Systems,The." Harvard Business School Case 703-519, June 2003.
- December 2017
- Supplement
Data-Driven Manufacturing: The Kutesmart System
By: Willy C. Shih
This supplementary video shows the Kutesmart System at Redcollar Group. It is an example of a mass customization system that is data-driven, but is predominantly based on manual operations. It is offered as a contrast to highly automated data-driven manufacturing. View Details
Keywords: Data-driven Manufacturing; Clothing; Bespoke Manufacturing; Production; Manufacturing Industry; Apparel and Accessories Industry; China
Shih, Willy C. "Data-Driven Manufacturing: The Kutesmart System." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Supplement 618-702, December 2017.