Publications

March 2007 (Revised April 2007)
Case

Micro Insurance Agency: Helping the Poor Manage Risk

By: Michael Chu and Jean Hazell

The notable success of insurance products for low-income clients of its microfinance network leads Opportunity International to launch the first global specialized microinsurance company, the Micro Insurance Agency (MIA). Building on the experience in 10 countries... View Details

Keywords: Developing Countries and Economies; Cost Management; Microfinance; Globalization; Growth and Development Strategy; Risk Management; Infrastructure; Nonprofit Organizations; Competition; Financial Services Industry; Africa; Asia; Latin America

December 2006 (Revised February 2007)
Case

Opportunity International: Measurement and Mission

By: Herman B. Leonard, Marc J. Epstein and Melissa Tritter

After a "first career" in business, HBS graduate Christopher Crane becomes CEO of a worldwide microfinance network. The organization's twin challenges are: 1) developing metrics to give it an accurate picture of its situation and impacts, and 2) generating rapid... View Details

Keywords: Microfinance; Measurement and Metrics; Problems and Challenges; Growth and Development Strategy; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Business Model; Nonprofit Organizations; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Financial Services Industry

03 Oct 2006
First Look

First Look: October 3, 2006

Working PapersRacial Diversity Initiatives in Professional Service Firms: What Factors Differentiate Successful from Unsuccessful Initiatives? Authors:Modupe Akinola and David A. Thomas Abstract Diversity continues to be a key focus for... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

Web

Print View - Course Catalog

July 2022
Case

FIJI Water: Carbon Negative? (Abridged)

By: Michael W. Toffel, George Serafeim, Francesca Gino, Stephanie Van Sice and Tom Quinn

In the midst of increasing press scrutiny of the bottled water industry’s environmentally harmful practices, FIJI Water made a series of sustainability promises. The boldest of these was a pledge to go “carbon negative.” The company said that not only would they offset... View Details

Keywords: Carbon Footprint; Carbon Offsetting; Environmental Accounting; Climate Change; Environmental Sustainability; Pollution; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Misleading and Fraudulent Advertising; Non-Governmental Organizations; Brands and Branding; Food and Beverage Industry; Fiji; United States

06 Jan 2010
What Do You Think?

Is a Stringent Climate Change Agreement a Pot of Gold?

asked whether the objectives of the kind of agreement being discussed are even relevant to the world's needs. While suggesting that major government initiatives will be needed, Phil Clark suggested a different direction for them. He said,... View Details

Keywords: by Jim Heskett; Energy; Utilities

30 Apr 2019
News

Leading Schools That Change Lives

Kennealey, who embraces the school’s emphasis on spiritual awareness, social responsibility, and academic excellence (98 percent of graduates are college-bound). He accepted the post at a challenging time. Salesianum had experienced... View Details

Keywords: Deborah Blagg; Educational Support Services; Educational Services

31 Aug 2020
Research & Ideas

State and Local Governments Peer Into the Pandemic Abyss

employment slowly recovered to pre-recession levels. Now, despite an initial round of federal aid dispersed to cities and states in March, and a considerable bounce-back of consumer spending following the reopening of local economies,... View Details

Keywords: by Kristen Senz

Web

Rewiring the Workplace: Behavioral Economics and the Future of Inclusive Organizations - Blog: RGE Report

informed by heuristics or shortcuts, which can be shaped by socialized prejudices or misperceptions. The biases that appear in our decision-making processes present clear barriers to achieving equity that we can unpack through behavioral... View Details

01 Dec 2022
News

Case Study: Your Call Is Important to Us

the existing target markets. Great enterprise selling happens at the intersection of true customer pain and a credible solution. Play to win the game! —Rob Biederman (MBA 2014) is a managing partner of Asymmetric VC, the chairman and... View Details

Keywords: Computer Systems Design and Related Services; Professional Services

July 2002 (Revised August 2002)
Case

Washington Hospital Center (D): Emergency Medicine After September 11

By: Rosabeth M. Kanter and Michelle Heskett

The all-risks-ready emergency room prototype project becomes widely accepted as a need after September 11, 2001. The already operational medical informatics system, Insight, comes under heavy demand after its strong performance during crises and is noticed by various... View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Health Care and Treatment; Nonprofit Organizations; Medical Specialties; Organizational Culture; Crisis Management; Technological Innovation; Higher Education; Performance Productivity; Health Industry; District of Columbia