Publications

May 2017
Supplement

Battle for the Soul of Capitalism: Unilever and the Kraft Heinz Takeover Bid (B)

By: William W. George and Amram Migdal

This (B) case describes the aftermath of Unilever’s February 2017 rejection of Kraft Heinz Company’s (KHC)/3G Capital’s (3G) unsolicited $143 billion takeover offer. In an effort to defend itself against future attempts by KHC/3G or other suitors, Unilever announced on... View Details

Keywords: Value Creation; Restructuring; Performance Improvement

2006
Working Paper

Managing Governments: Unilever in India and Turkey, 1950-1980

By: Geoffrey Jones

Read Now

February 2005
Article

European Integration and Corporate Restructuring: The Strategy of Unilever c1957-c1990

By: Geoffrey Jones and Peter Miskell

This article examines the role of the large Anglo-Dutch consumer products company in promoting European integration. It shows that Unilever contributed financially to campaigns to support the creation of the European Union, and its subsequent expansion, despite a... View Details

Keywords: Horizontal Integration; Organizations; Policy; Expansion; Market Transactions; Geographic Location; Restructuring; Competition; Brands and Branding; Production; Capital Structure; Value; Consumer Products Industry; European Union; United States

04 Jul 2023
News

How Unilever Is Preparing for the Future of Work

2011
Module Note

Social and Environmental Responsibility: Case Study of Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

By: Shashank Shah and Shashank Shah

Keywords: Social Responsibility Of Business; Corporate Social Responsibility; Environmental And Social Sustainability; Consumer Products Industry; India; United Kingdom

December 2010
Teaching Note

Back to the Future: Redeveloping Unilever House (TN)

By: Arthur I Segel and Andrew Pierson Terris

Teaching Note for 211038. View Details

Keywords: London

December 2007
Article

Learning to Live with Governments: Unilever in India and Turkey, 1950-1980

By: G. Jones

A noteworthy characteristic of the contemporary global economy is the uneven distribution of world foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2007 three-quarters of world FDI was located in developed countries. The residual was concentrated in a small number of emerging... View Details

Keywords: Developing Countries and Economies; Ethics; Foreign Direct Investment; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Business and Community Relations; Business and Government Relations; Consumer Products Industry; India; Turkey

December 2005 (Revised January 2007)
Case

Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission & Brand within Unilever

By: James E. Austin and James Quinn

In the months after Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever, Ben & Jerry's head social mission faces challenges and opportunities unique in the company's history, including: how to manage employee morale; whether to include synthetic ingredients to meet consumer... View Details

Keywords: Brands and Branding; Problems and Challenges; Mergers and Acquisitions; Mission and Purpose; Social Enterprise; Management Teams; Governing and Advisory Boards; Value Creation; Corporate Governance; Employee Relationship Management; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Retail Industry; United States

25 May 2018
News

As consumer giants struggle, Unilever rises above the pack

February 2005 (Revised June 2007)
Case

Unilever in India: Hindustan Lever's Project Shakti--Marketing FMCG to the Rural Consumer

By: V. Kasturi Rangan and Rohithari Rajan

With liberalization of India's economy and the opening up of markets to foreign multinationals such as Procter & Gamble, the Indian subsidiary of Unilever--Hindustan Lever Ltd. (HLL)--was under pressure to grow revenues and profits. HLL had a long and stellar record of... View Details

Keywords: Economy; Market Entry and Exit; Business Subsidiaries; Revenue; Profit; Market Participation; Programs; Rural Scope; Poverty; Multinational Firms and Management; Consumer Products Industry; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; India

Article

Control, Performance, and Knowledge Transfers in Large Multinationals: Unilever in the United States, 1945-1980

By: G. Jones

This article considers key issues relating to the organization and performance of large multinational firms in the post-Second World War period. Although foreign direct investment is defined by ownership and control, in practice the nature of that "control" is far from... View Details

Keywords: Multinational Firms and Management; Governance Controls; Performance; Business or Company Management; Ownership; Consumer Products Industry; Manufacturing Industry; United States

September 2008
Teaching Note

Ben & Jerry's: Preserving Mission & Brand within Unilever (TN)

By: James E. Austin

Teaching Note for [306037]. View Details

Keywords: Consumer Products Industry

September 2006 (Revised June 2007)
Teaching Note

Unilever in India: Hindustan Lever's Project Shakti--Marketing FMCG to the Rural Consumer (TN)

By: V. Kasturi Rangan

Keywords: Marketing; India

2006
Journal Article

L'innovazione nella grande impresa: l'esperienza della Unilever dal 1960 al 1990

By: G. Jones

24 Oct 2022
Podcast

Unilever CEO Alan Jope Maintains a Long History of Doing Good

Alan Jope of Unilever leads a company with a historical commitment to doing good. This massive company sells more than 400 brands. It started back in 1885 with a bar of beauty soap. Jope says navigating with a deep purpose makes his company stronger and more... View Details

29 Nov 2018
News

Unilever Names New CEO as Big Brands Regroup, Tackling Consumer Shift

16 Oct 2023
Podcast

Former Unilever CEO Paul Polman on Business as a Force for Social Change

Paul Polman is the legendary former CEO of Unilever and a global leader in combating climate change and promoting corporate responsibility. Reflecting on his career during and after Unilever, Polman explains how a company can achieve robust financial performance while... View Details

October 2007 (Revised March 2008)
Case

Dove: Evolution of a Brand

By: John A. Deighton

Examines the evolution of Dove from functional brand to a brand with a point of view after Unilever designated it as a masterbrand, and expanded its portfolio to cover entries into a number of sectors beyond the original bath soap category. The development causes the... View Details

Keywords: History; Expansion; Marketing Strategy; Social Marketing; Digital Marketing; Brands and Branding; Consumer Products Industry; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry