Publications

August 2017 (Revised March 2020)
Case

Flex Hungary: Launching Production (A)

By: Willy Shih

This case examines design choices in the construction of flow lines. Flow lines are a popular way of arranging production because they are simple and inherently efficient. Equipment or workstations are arranged according to the sequence of steps in which a product is... View Details

Keywords: Manufacturing; Line-balancing; Flow Line; Conveyor-paced Line; Consumer Goods; Consumer Products; Production Management; Production Planning; Production Scheduling; Operations; Production; Management; Supply Chain; Design; Analysis; Goods and Commodities; Consumer Products Industry; Manufacturing Industry; European Union

July 2011
Background Note

Just an MOU or a Real Deal?

By: Lena G. Goldberg and Mary Beth Findlay

Notwithstanding the professed intention of a party to an MOU, a "preliminary" agreement can have binding effect. This note explores the circumstances under which MOUs may give rise to binding and enforceable agreements. View Details

Keywords: Curriculum and Courses; Contracts; Legal Liability; Management; Risk Management

April 1995 (Revised August 1995)
Case

World Trade Organization, The: Toward Free Trade or World Bureaucracy?

By: George C. Lodge and Jack High

In January 1995, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) evolved into the World Trade Organization (WTO), which faced the task of implementing the recently approved Uruguay Round of international trade agreements. This case describes the development of GATT,... View Details

Keywords: Trade; Agreements and Arrangements; Negotiation Process; Business and Government Relations

06 Aug 2014
News

Constant challenges, no certainties for new CEOs at Market Basket

October 2009 (Revised May 2011)
Case

Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group

By: Lynn S. Paine and Lara Adamsons

Richard Wingfield considers whether to continue a cooperative agreement with industry peers in the deep-sea parcel tanker shipping industry. What are the economic and strategic implications of ending the agreement? What are the legal implications of continuing? Where... View Details

Keywords: Lawfulness; Lawsuits and Litigation; Agreements and Arrangements; Alliances; Cooperation; Ship Transportation; Shipping Industry

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September 1993 (Revised December 1997)
Case

Loctite Corp.: International Distribution

By: John A. Quelch

Loctite Corp., dissatisfied with the sales growth achieved by its independent distributor in Hong Kong, is considering whether to find a new distributor or acquire a controlling interest in a wholly owned subsidiary covering Hong Kong and possibly other markets.... View Details

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Marketing; Distribution Channels; Globalization; Market Participation; Industrial Products Industry; Hong Kong

29 Apr 2021
News

Why Virtual Away Days May Be Here to Stay

15 Jul 2015
News

Greece bailout includes a €50 billion asset fund. Here’s how to avoid wasting it

14 Nov 2013
News

Work-Family Conflict is Not the Problem. Overwork Is.

October 1996 (Revised November 1996)
Case

Boston Beer Company: Samuel Adams, Brewmaster Leading a Revolution

By: Ray A. Goldberg and Mollie H. Carter

Boston Beer Co. revolutionized the beer industry by identifying and responding to a new consumer segment. Using the excess capacity in the brewing industry to establish contract brewing arrangements and an extremely capable sales force, the company opened the... View Details

Keywords: Transformation; Leadership; Product Marketing; Product Development; Production; Quality; Salesforce Management; Segmentation; Food and Beverage Industry

26 Apr 2010
News

The Pay Problem

June 2017
Article

The Surprising Effectiveness of Hostile Mediators

By: Ting Zhang, Francesca Gino and Michael I. Norton

Contrary to the tendency of mediators to defuse negative emotions between adversaries by treating them kindly, we demonstrate the surprising effectiveness of hostile mediators in resolving conflict. Hostile mediators generate greater willingness to reach agreements... View Details

Keywords: Mediation; Conflict; Negotiation; Hostility; Negotiation Style; Emotions; Conflict and Resolution

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Read Now

March 1993 (Revised June 1998)
Case

Commercial Fixtures, Inc.

Two equal partners arrange a sealed bid auction to decide which one buys out the other's interest in a lighting fixture company started by their fathers. After 25 years together, they had developed irreconcilable differences over how to manage the company. A rewritten... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Business or Company Management; Auctions; Partners and Partnerships

Scott Kirsner profiles the sequence of events that led to my undertaking research on noncompete agreements (with Lee Fleming and Deborah Strumsky). He also discusses the "chilling effect" of noncompetes based on discussions with local labor lawyers. View Details

February 2000 (Revised August 2005)
Case

Deep Sight Technology, Inc.

By: Henry B. Reiling and Catherine M. Conneely

The founders of a deep sea technology company must refine their tentative capital structure and founders agreement in response to tax factors. Some parties are conveying partnership assets, others are conveying rights to an invention, another will be primarily... View Details

Keywords: Contracts; Agreements and Arrangements; Capital Structure; Alliances; Taxation; Entrepreneurship; Technology Industry

20 Jul 2021
News

How Adidas Helped Monetize the Olympics (Preview Video)

August 2006 (Revised July 2007)
Background Note

Fundamentals of Family Business System Governance

By: John A. Davis

Reviews the purposes and ingredients in the governance (or steering) of a family business system. Explores at a high level the governance of the family business, its owners, and the family. Focuses on how these governance structures, processes, plans, and agreements... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Corporate Governance; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Family Ownership