Publications

April 2017
Case

China Hospitals Inc.: The Growth of Private Hospitals in China

By: Kevin Schulman, Xiao Yu and Ariel Hwang

This case examines the privatization of hospitals in China. China Hospitals, Inc. has become the largest for-profit hospital company in China, purchasing government owned hospitals in Tier 2 cities. The case profiles CEO Frank Hu. To build his company, he has to... View Details

Keywords: Privatization; For-Profit Firms; Growth and Development Strategy; Business Model; Health Industry; China

March 2001 (Revised September 2002)
Case

Merck Latin America (C): Brazil

By: Michael Beer and James Weber

Examines Merck's change effort in Brazil from the perspective of the local employees. View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Multinational Firms and Management; Employees; Operations; Perspective; Pharmaceutical Industry; Brazil

11 Dec 2007
First Look

First Look: December 11, 2007

in performance that persisted for at least five years. This decline was most pronounced among star analysts who moved to firms with lesser capabilities and those who moved solo, without other team members.... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

October 1996 (Revised March 2000)
Teaching Note

Intercon Japan TN

By: Roy D. Shapiro and Marie-Therese M. Flaherty

Teaching Note for (9-688-056). View Details

Keywords: Multinational Firms and Management; Production; Business Subsidiaries; Conflict and Resolution; Supply Chain; Manufacturing Industry; Japan

29 Mar 2010
Research & Ideas

Ruthlessly Realistic: How CEOs Must Overcome Denial

business model for decades. Shrewd observers knew it. The company did not transform itself because it could continue to coast along, living in the reflected aura of its past glory. GM's leadership acted in 2008 as if it were 1998 or 1988. It wasn't. View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Auto; Retail; Technology

January 2018
Case

Ak Gıda: IPO or Strategic Sale

By: Suraj Srinivasan and Eren Kuzucu

In 2015, Yıldiz Holding, one of the world’s largest producer of confections, biscuits and crackers, was at the end of its divestiture process from Ak Gida, one of the leading dairy companies in Turkey. The company had adopted a dual track process, pursuing an initial... View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Private Sector; For-Profit Firms; Business Model; Business Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Growth and Development Strategy; Value Creation; Decision Making; Growth Management; Mergers and Acquisitions; Initial Public Offering; Business Conglomerates; Business Exit or Shutdown; Family Business; Joint Ventures; Food and Beverage Industry; Turkey

18 Nov 2014
First Look

First Look: November 18

capital to pay fixed and variable costs affects choices firms make regarding export entry and operations, and, as a consequence, influence aggregate trade patterns. Financial... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

12 Jul 2010
Research & Ideas

Rocket Science Retailing: A Practical Guide

have a sufficiently deep understanding of operational details. Most operations—both within the firm and in the supply chain—are rife with "hidden" information and... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Retail; Auto

01 Jun 2008
News

America the Difficult

destination end up being so much less attractive despite the relative absence of this usual litany of investment obstacles? Part of the answer may lie precisely in how these obstacles tilt the playing field between local firms View Details

Keywords: Mihir A. Desai; foreign investors; Finance

11 May 2010
First Look

First Look: May 11

firm, minority shareholders fare poorly after listing. Parent firms often repurchase subsidiaries at large discounts to valuations at the time of listing and experience positive abnormal returns when... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

15 Oct 2012
Research & Ideas

Why Business IT Innovation is so Difficult

and Operations Management Unit at HBS. "The longer we take to figure this out, the more likely we're going to have a few of the best firms pulling way ahead based on this... View Details

Keywords: by Maggie Starvish

01 Dec 2012
News

Faculty Books

Banks as Multinationals edited by Geoffrey Jones (Routledge) This comparative, international study, edited by Geoffrey Jones, the Isidor Straus Professor of Business History, looks at the origins and... View Details

November 2007 (Revised August 2009)
Case

Iceland: Small fish in a global pond

By: Michael E. Porter and Christian H.M. Ketels

Describes the economic development of Iceland since 1945, focusing in particular on the years since 2000, when Iceland experienced strong growth and Icelandic companies aggressively internationalized. View Details

Keywords: Globalized Firms and Management; Competition; Macroeconomics; Iceland

10 Jun 2014
First Look

First Look: June 10

firms in primary markets. We characterize two effects on primary market firms caused by intermediaries entering secondary markets: the "cannibalization" and... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

February 1987 (Revised February 2000)
Case

Polysar Limited

By: Robert L. Simons

Canada's largest chemical company produces and markets butyl rubber in two divisions, each treated as a profit center. The new plant in the North American Division operates below capacity resulting in a significant volume variance and an operating loss. The European... View Details

Keywords: Loss; Profit; Financial Management; Volume; Performance Capacity; Financial Statements; For-Profit Firms; Market Participation; Chemical Industry; Rubber Industry; Canada