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- Faculty Publications (421)
- February 1991
- Case
Burlington Northern: The ARES Decision (A)
By: Julie H. Hertenstein and Robert S. Kaplan
Burlington Northern's decision whether to invest in ARES, an automated train control system, is a ($350 million) strategic investment in information technology. Although set in a service industry (railroad) the issues around this decision arise in many organizations... View Details
Keywords: Investment; Rail Transportation; Information Technology; Competitive Strategy; Performance Evaluation; Performance Effectiveness; Cost vs Benefits; Technology Adoption; Technological Innovation; Customers; Quality; Rail Industry
Hertenstein, Julie H., and Robert S. Kaplan. "Burlington Northern: The ARES Decision (A)." Harvard Business School Case 191-122, February 1991.
- February 1991
- Case
Burlington Northern: The ARES Decision (B)
By: Julie H. Hertenstein and Robert S. Kaplan
The ARES team formally proposes that Burlington Northern implement the ARES system. The project meets resistance. In light of financial restructuring and high level of debt, executives wonder whether the company can afford ARES. Weak links during the ARES development... View Details
Keywords: Accounting Audits; Restructuring; Cost vs Benefits; Decision Choices and Conditions; Borrowing and Debt; Capital Budgeting; Projects; Technology Adoption; Service Industry
Hertenstein, Julie H., and Robert S. Kaplan. "Burlington Northern: The ARES Decision (B)." Harvard Business School Case 191-123, February 1991.
- February 1991 (Revised October 1991)
- Case
Fenchel Lampshade Co.
Describes the proposed purchase of a lampshade manufacturer by Steven and Michele Rogers, recent graduates of the Harvard Business School. Focuses on their plans to raise the capital necessary to buy the company. Among the issues raised are how to structure the deal... View Details
Keywords: Venture Capital; Financing and Loans; Negotiation Deal; Business or Company Management; Cost vs Benefits; Manufacturing Industry
Sahlman, William A. "Fenchel Lampshade Co." Harvard Business School Case 291-014, February 1991. (Revised October 1991.)
- November 1990 (Revised April 1999)
- Case
General Motors: Packard Electric Division
Packard Electric is the division of General Motors (GM) that does all of the electrical wiring and cabling for GM automobiles. They developed a new approach for passing the cables through the firewall between the engine and passenger compartments. The new technology... View Details
Keywords: Business Divisions; Cost; Management Style; Product Design; Product Development; Production; Projects; Groups and Teams; Conflict and Resolution; Technology; Auto Industry
Wheelwright, Steven C. "General Motors: Packard Electric Division." Harvard Business School Case 691-030, November 1990. (Revised April 1999.)
- July 1990 (Revised October 1997)
- Case
Siemens Electric Motor Works (A) (Abridged)
By: Robert S. Kaplan
Explores how a cost system can help support a firm's decision to change strategies. In the process, the students are introduced to a simple activity-based cost system. Siemens Electric Motor Works found itself facing an increasingly competitive environment and so made... View Details
Keywords: Activity Based Costing and Management; Cost Accounting; Cost; Adoption; Cost vs Benefits; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Production; Business Strategy; Electronics Industry; Manufacturing Industry
Kaplan, Robert S. "Siemens Electric Motor Works (A) (Abridged)." Harvard Business School Case 191-006, July 1990. (Revised October 1997.)
- March 1990 (Revised October 1999)
- Case
Turner Construction Company: Project Management Control Systems
By: Robert L. Simons and Hilary Weston
After providing a brief overview of Turner Construction Co.'s structure and project work, the case gives a detailed description of its project management control system, the IOR system. In addition to explaining the mechanics of the IOR system, the case identifies the... View Details
Keywords: Mission and Purpose; Cost Management; Performance Evaluation; Risk Management; Strategic Planning; Planning; Management Systems; Management Teams; Construction Industry
Simons, Robert L., and Hilary Weston. "Turner Construction Company: Project Management Control Systems." Harvard Business School Case 190-128, March 1990. (Revised October 1999.)
- March 1990 (Revised May 1993)
- Case
USSR--1990
Describes the political, economic, and social development of the USSR from 1921-90. Particular emphasis is placed on 1) institutional change, 2) the costs and benefits of central economic planning, and 3) the political economy of perestroika under Mikhail Gorbachev.... View Details
Emmons, Willis M., III. "USSR--1990." Harvard Business School Case 390-155, March 1990. (Revised May 1993.)
- September 1989
- Background Note
Performance Curves: Costs, Prices, and Value
By: Robert J. Dolan and Benson P. Shapiro
Explains the concept of a family of performance curves. The most well known is the price/performance curve relating the prices of items in a product line to their performance. Also discusses the cost/performance curve and its impact on product positioning, product line... View Details
Dolan, Robert J., and Benson P. Shapiro. "Performance Curves: Costs, Prices, and Value." Harvard Business School Background Note 590-010, September 1989.
- January 1989 (Revised June 1993)
- Case
General Electric: Compliance Systems
By: Robert L. Simons
After General Electric (GE) is indicted in 1985 for defrauding the Department of Defense, Chairman John F. Welch takes dramatic steps to prevent a recurrence. This case documents the new systems and procedures that are put in place to ensure that all GE employees are... View Details
Keywords: Policy; Contracts; Business or Company Management; Communication; Business History; Behavior; Boundaries; Management Style; Cost Management; Electronics Industry
Simons, Robert L. "General Electric: Compliance Systems." Harvard Business School Case 189-081, January 1989. (Revised June 1993.)
- October 1988
- Case
Harris Seafoods Leveraged Buyout
Describes set of issues confronting Alison Lassiter, who is trying to help Charlie Harris arrange a leveraged buyout of the shrimp company he runs, a division of a publicly traded company, Katy Industries. Lassiter has prepared a memorandum discussing and analyzing the... View Details
Keywords: Leveraged Buyouts; Venture Capital; Financing and Loans; Equity; Cost vs Benefits; Negotiation Tactics; Negotiation Preparation; Financial Management; Strategy; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Planning; Food and Beverage Industry; Industrial Products Industry
Sahlman, William A. "Harris Seafoods Leveraged Buyout." Harvard Business School Case 289-019, October 1988.
- 1988
- Chapter
Defined Benefit versus Defined Contribution Pension Plans: What are the Real Tradeoffs
By: Zvi Bodie, Alan J. Marcus and Robert C. Merton
Bodie, Zvi, Alan J. Marcus, and Robert C. Merton. "Defined Benefit versus Defined Contribution Pension Plans: What are the Real Tradeoffs." In Pensions in the U.S. Economy, edited by John B. Shoven and David A. Wise. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1988.
- May 1988 (Revised June 2023)
- Case
National Cranberry Cooperative, 1996
By: Roy D. Shapiro
Describes the continuous flow process used to process cranberries into juice and/or sauce. Requires student to analyze process flows to determine where the bottlenecks are and to decide how, and whether, to expand capacity. Original version written by J.G. Miller and... View Details
Keywords: Logistics; Performance Capacity; Performance Improvement; Supply Chain; Mathematical Methods; Cost vs Benefits; Production
Shapiro, Roy D. "National Cranberry Cooperative, 1996." Harvard Business School Case 688-122, May 1988. (Revised June 2023.)
- May 1987 (Revised November 1998)
- Case
John Deere Component Works (A)
By: Robert S. Kaplan
The division has recognized the inadequacies of its existing, traditional cost system for estimating product costs. Describes the innovative activity-based system that was developed to more accurately trace overhead costs to individual products. Provides students with... View Details
Keywords: Activity Based Costing and Management; Cost Accounting; Cost Management; Cost vs Benefits; Production; Budgets and Budgeting; Innovation and Invention; Innovation and Management; Consumer Products Industry
Kaplan, Robert S. "John Deere Component Works (A)." Harvard Business School Case 187-107, May 1987. (Revised November 1998.)
- March 1987 (Revised July 1996)
- Case
Kansas City Zephyrs Baseball Club, Inc.
By: Kenneth A. Merchant, Krishna G. Palepu and Joseph P. Mulloy
Describes a dispute between the owners of the major league baseball teams and the players' union about the profitability of the baseball teams. The issue is important because of the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. A consultant is brought in to decide... View Details
Keywords: State Ownership; Compensation and Benefits; Entrepreneurship; For-Profit Firms; Accounting; Activity Based Costing and Management; Resource Allocation; Cost Accounting; Cost Management; Labor and Management Relations; Financial Management; Sports; Sports Industry; Kansas
Merchant, Kenneth A., Krishna G. Palepu, and Joseph P. Mulloy. "Kansas City Zephyrs Baseball Club, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 187-088, March 1987. (Revised July 1996.)
- January 1987 (Revised January 2002)
- Case
Baker Precision Instruments, Inc.
By: Ramchandran Jaikumar, Roy Shapiro, Donald Rosenfield and Kathryn E. Stecke
A rapidly growing machine parts manufacturer is trying to decide whether to acquire an advanced Flexible Manufacturing System or Systems. The selection decisions must address the impact of new technology, the effect of setup times on production planning and capacity,... View Details
Keywords: Information Technology; Cost vs Benefits; Machinery and Machining; Production; Decision Choices and Conditions; Management Systems; Manufacturing Industry; Industrial Products Industry
Jaikumar, Ramchandran, Roy Shapiro, Donald Rosenfield, and Kathryn E. Stecke. "Baker Precision Instruments, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 687-052, January 1987. (Revised January 2002.)
- September 1986 (Revised November 1994)
- Case
Lotus Development Corp. Channel Choice: Direct vs. Distribution
Lotus Development Corp., the number one microsoftware firm has traditionally sold to its customers through a distributor-retail dealer network. In early 1986, the company is considering the option of selling direct to large corporate customers. Students are expected to... View Details
Keywords: Cost vs Benefits; Marketing Channels; Distribution Channels; Sales; Software; Information Technology Industry; United States
Rangan, V. Kasturi. "Lotus Development Corp. Channel Choice: Direct vs. Distribution." Harvard Business School Case 587-078, September 1986. (Revised November 1994.)
- August 1986 (Revised May 2005)
- Case
Mike Finkelstein (B)
By: Carliss Y. Baldwin, Charles Bryan and Ken Leet
Following his successful turnaround of WTXX, Waterbury, Mike Finkelstein joined Odyssey Partners with a mandate to build a communications company. From 1982-1985, he acquired three more stations, financing each as an independent partnership. However, increasing... View Details
Keywords: Business Exit or Shutdown; Cash; Business or Company Management; Bonds; Cost vs Benefits; SWOT Analysis; Alignment; Acquisition; Financial Strategy; Corporate Finance; Communications Industry
Baldwin, Carliss Y., Charles Bryan, and Ken Leet. "Mike Finkelstein (B)." Harvard Business School Case 287-021, August 1986. (Revised May 2005.)
- June 1986
- Case
Premier Furniture Co.
By: Thomas R. Piper
A credit analyst for a furniture manufacturer is confronted with two customers who have exceeded their credit limits. The financial performance of each has been weak, and one of the customers has a highly leveraged balance sheet. Industry conditions are weak; the... View Details
Piper, Thomas R. "Premier Furniture Co." Harvard Business School Case 286-130, June 1986.
- May 1985 (Revised October 2001)
- Case
Comdisco, Inc.
By: Carliss Y. Baldwin and Rita J. Seymour
Comdisco, the largest independent dealer and lessor of computers and peripheral equipment, needs financing in order to match its market's growth of 20-30% per year. The company has access to two types of risk capital, but there are substantial costs and risks... View Details
Keywords: Business or Company Management; Strategy; Cost vs Benefits; Capital Structure; Financing and Loans; Financial Strategy; Corporate Finance; Growth and Development Strategy; Computer Industry; Distribution Industry
Baldwin, Carliss Y., and Rita J. Seymour. "Comdisco, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 285-109, May 1985. (Revised October 2001.)
- April 1985
- Case
SEEQ Technology--1984
By: Kim B. Clark
Examines a decision about product and process technology facing a small, three-year old semiconductor company. The company must decide between pursuing a well-defined technology (N-MOS) with significant short-term advantages or an advanced technology (CMOS) that has... View Details