Publications

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

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October 2016
Case

Malenti Strings: Intrapreneurship within FLG, Inc.

By: David A. Garvin and Rachel Gordon

This case follows Jenica Fletcher as she rebuilds her company's guitar strings division from the ground up. Convinced that she could turn the division around if given complete independence from corporate headquarters, Fletcher relocated the group, rebranded it as... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Management Style; Management Practices and Processes; Restructuring; Business Divisions; Consumer Products Industry

September 2015
Teaching Note

Sustainability at IKEA Group

By: Michael W. Toffel

Can IKEA Group double its global sales within a decade by expending in emerging markets while implementing on its ambitious sustainability strategy that included focusing on raw material sourcing and suppliers’ production processes? The case focuses on IKEA Group’s... View Details

Keywords: Supply Chain Management; Emerging Markets; Environmental Sustainability; Globalized Markets and Industries; Consumer Products Industry

August 1994 (Revised May 1997)
Case

Olympus Optical Company, Ltd. (A): Cost Management for Short Life Cycle Products

Explores Olympus Optical's strategic response to major losses in its camera business. Key to Olympus's recovery were its extensive product planning process, a quality improvement program, and an aggressive cost-reduction program. In particular, the case details... View Details

Keywords: Cost Management; Product Design; Business Strategy; Product Development; Consumer Products Industry

September 2013
Case

Management Levels at Staples (A): Company and Organization (Abridged)

By: David A. Garvin

Abridged version of one of six cases that describe the roles and responsibilities of managers at each of the hierarchical levels of management within the U.S. Stores business unit of Staples, the world's largest office supply company. Together, the cases form a... View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Managerial Roles; Organizational Design; Management Practices and Processes; Job Design and Levels; Business Processes; Consumer Products Industry; United States

October 8, 2012
Column

Henkel's Culture Shift

By: Robert Simons

This case descriibes a CEO-led organizational transformation driven by stretch goals, performance measurement, and accountability. When Kasper Rorsted became CEO of Henkel, a Germany-based producer of personal care, laundry, and adhesives products, in 2008, he was... View Details

Keywords: Strategy Execution; Culture; New CEO; Change; Performance Measures; Accountability; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Corporate Accountability; Leading Change; Competitive Strategy; Organizational Culture; Performance Evaluation; Consumer Products Industry; Germany

14 May 2012
Talk

Capitalism at Risk: Rethinking the Role of Business

By: Lynn S. Paine and Joseph L. Bower

Keywords: Capital Markets; Innovation; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Innovation Leadership; Consumer Products Industry

April 2010
Teaching Note

Dr. John's Products, Ltd. (TN)

By: William A. Sahlman

Teaching Note for [803063]. View Details

Keywords: Innovation and Invention; Production; Distribution; Entrepreneurship; Consumer Products Industry

August 2009
Teaching Note

Procter & Gamble in the 21st Century (A): Becoming Truly Global (TN)

By: Rosabeth M. Kanter and Matthew Bird

Teaching Note for [309030]. View Details

Keywords: Mission and Purpose; Value; Multinational Firms and Management; Change Management; Mergers and Acquisitions; Problems and Challenges; Decision Making; Consumer Products Industry

2008
Case

Corning Inc.: The Growth and Strategy Council

By: Rebecca Henderson and C. Reavis

Keywords: Expansion; Business Growth and Maturation; Consumer Products Industry

April 2008
Teaching Note

Indesit Company: Does Global Matter? (TN)

By: Joseph L. Bower and Sonja Ellingson Hout

Teaching Note for [308071]. View Details

Keywords: Consumer Products Industry

February 2008 (Revised September 2008)
Case

Indesit Company: Does Global Matter?

By: Joseph L. Bower

In 2007, the leadership of the Indesit Company is focused on long-term corporate strategy. After 3 decades, the company has emerged as the number 2 home appliance producer in Europe. Should they invest further to be number 1, or should they focus on the global market,... View Details

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Global Strategy; Growth and Development; Business or Company Management; Brands and Branding; Markets; Problems and Challenges; Corporate Strategy; Consumer Products Industry

2008
Other Teaching and Training Material

Interview with Reuben Mark, Chairman & CEO, Colgate Palmolive Co.

By: Joseph L. Bower

Keywords: Leadership; Management Succession; Consumer Products Industry

September 2007
Supplement

Corning: Convertible Preferred Stock (CW)

By: Malcolm P. Baker and James Quinn

Keywords: Stocks; Consumer Products Industry

March 2007
Teaching Note

Lamoiyan Corporation of the Philippines: Challenging Multinational Giants (TN)

By: Peter J. Coughlan, Jordan I. Siegel and John R. Wells

Teaching note to 704405. View Details

Keywords: Competitive Strategy; Multinational Firms and Management; Growth and Development Strategy; Going Public; Product Development; Trade; Consumer Products Industry; Philippines

April 2005 (Revised March 2006)
Case

Change at Whirlpool Corporation (A)

By: Jan W. Rivkin, Dorothy A. Leonard and Gary Hamel

In 1998, the CEO of Whirlpool Corp. decides to change the company's strategy significantly to escape an increasingly unattractive "stalemate" in the appliance industry. The change he proposes involves a fundamental shift in the company's focus--from manufacturing to... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Change Management; Competitive Advantage; Strategic Planning; Production; Brands and Branding; Management Teams; Consumer Products Industry; United States

September 2003
Case

Executive Compensation at Reckitt Benckiser plc

By: V.G. Narayanan, Krishna G. Palepu and Lisa Brem

Investors felt betrayed by the increasingly lucrative pay packages awarded to CEOs and other top executives at multinational companies. Yet, board members charged with adequately rewarding executives were forced to compete with rising packages of salaries and stock... View Details

Keywords: Design; Stock Options; Investment Activism; Corporate Accountability; Compensation and Benefits; Employee Stock Ownership Plan; Management Teams; Business and Shareholder Relations; Consumer Products Industry; Netherlands; United States

September 2003 (Revised February 2004)
Case

Alessi: Evolution of an Italian Design Factory (B)

By: Youngme E. Moon, Vincent Dessain and Anders Sjoman

Since the 1970s, world-renowned architect and designer, Alessandro Mendini, has acted as adviser and counselor to Alessi, the Italian household goods design factory. By discussing Mendini's role as art director, the case introduces the artistic side of Alessi, where... View Details

Keywords: Design; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Leadership Style; Business or Company Management; Goals and Objectives; Consumer Products Industry; Italy