Publications

2014
Working Paper

Linguistic Complexity in Firm Disclosures: Obfuscation or Information?

By: Brian J. Bushee, Ian D. Gow and Daniel Taylor

Prior research argues that the linguistic complexity of a firm’s disclosures reflects managerial obfuscation. However, complex language can be used either to obfuscate or to convey information, with the effect likely depending on the incentives of the source. We... View Details

Keywords: Communication; Financial Reporting

April 2016 (Revised May 2016)
Case

Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais, Partners In Health in Haiti

By: Robert S. Kaplan, Bipin Mistry and Karla Bertrand

The case describes the application of Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) at a new tertiary hospital, operated by Partners in Health in Mirebelais, Haiti. A project team mapped the clinical processes for use in estimating the direct costs of personnel,... View Details

Keywords: Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing; Activity Based Costing and Management; Cost Accounting; Developing Countries and Economies; Health Care and Treatment; Health Industry; Haiti

06 Oct 2016
News

You may not have to haggle for the next car you buy

2023
Working Paper

Deep Responsibility and Irresponsibility in the Beauty Industry

By: Geoffrey Jones

This working paper employs the concept of deep responsibility to assess the social responsibility of the beauty industry over time. It shows that many of today’s problems with the industry have deep historical roots. Products have carried too many health hazards.... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Corporate Accountability; Ethics; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry

SSRN

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10 Apr 2020
News

Why Atlanta apartment landlords are faring better than others in many U.S. metros

October 2007 (Revised May 2009)
Case

Offering the Right Service in the Right Place: Growing Orthopedics at the Brigham and Women's/Faulkner (BW/F) Hospitals

By: V.G. Narayanan, Michael G. Wilson and Rachel Gordon

After the merger of two local hospitals, hospital leaders much decide how to reorganize services to take advantage of newly created efficiencies. Focuses on the Orthopedics department at one of the hospitals. View Details

Keywords: Cost Accounting; Mergers and Acquisitions; Cost vs Benefits; Service Operations; Organizational Structure; Performance Efficiency; Competitive Advantage; Health Industry

August 1999 (Revised May 2001)
Case

Catanese and Vulcan (A)

By: V.G. Narayanan and Sanjay Pothen

A small CPA firm puts in a new performance measurement system, and profits increase by 350% in less than a year. This case illustrates the reasons for improved profitability as well as the sustainability of levels of growth, the opportunities, and the threats that... View Details

Keywords: Cost Accounting; Performance Evaluation; SWOT Analysis; Profit

12 Apr 2010
Research & Ideas

One Report: Better Strategy through Integrated Reporting

a moment in time of its financial position. In buying a share on any stock exchange, the purchaser makes an assessment of the economic value of a company. The assessment... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

13 Jun 2017
Blog Post

MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences – A Q&A with Professor Robert Howe

The first MS/MBA: Engineering Sciences cohort will enroll in the MS/MBA program in August of 2018.The program is a major collaboration between HBS and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and... View Details

July 2006 (Revised March 2008)
Case

Changan Automobile Co., Ltd.

By: Dennis Campbell and Donglin Xia

Chairman Yin Jiaxu must communicate that the company's extraordinary reported performance in 2002 reflects Changan's unique strategy within the competitive dynamics of China's automobile industry. Changan's 2002 annual report demonstrated an extraordinary level of... View Details

Keywords: Financial Reporting; Ethics; Corporate Disclosure; Media; Business and Shareholder Relations; Auto Industry; China

Find at Harvard

15 Apr 2022
Blog Post

How I Spent My HBS 2+2 Deferral: Kelly Ogiesoba

months into my first job in Chicago that I wanted another work experience before enrolling at HBS. What job(s) did you have during your deferral? BCG, Associate, 18 months: I worked mainly in heavy industry and industrial goods across the rust belt out View Details

December 2010
Case

Digital Divide

By: Sunil Gupta

In November 2010, Charles Henry, chief marketing officer of a major consumer packaged goods company, was trying to convince his senior managers to enhance the digital presence of the company's brands by significantly increasing their online marketing budget. However,... View Details

Keywords: Budgets and Budgeting; Digital Marketing; Marketing Communications; Marketing Strategy; Information Technology

May 1998
Case

Octane Service Station

By: David F. Hawkins

The owner of a gas station must prepare financial statements. View Details

Keywords: Practice; Financial Statements

October 1992 (Revised May 1993)
Background Note

Standard Costs and Variances

By: William J. Bruns Jr.

An introduction to standard costs and cost variances. Discussion, formulae, and examples introduce the idea of comparing actual costs to those that were expected. View Details

Keywords: Cost; Accounting

21 May 2019
News

Making Change Payments, Perspectives, and Politics

November 1995
Technical Note

Analyzing Standard Costs: Technical Note

By: V.G. Narayanan

Explains variance analysis. Concepts of price variance and quantity variance are introduced to analyze prime cost variances. Spending variance and capacity variance are used to analyze overhead variance. Consistent with conducting variance analysis in an activity-based... View Details

Keywords: Cost Accounting; Cost; Analysis