Publications

Read Now

01 Sep 2017
News

The Big Business of Returns

(illustration by Chris Philpot) Sources: (1) National Retail Federation; (2) Industry analyst Kurt Salmon; (3) Inbound Logistics; (4) B-Stock Solutions View Details

Keywords: Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores; Retail Trade

December 2017 (Revised May 2018)
Case

Amazon Buys Whole Foods

By: José B. Alvarez, David Lane and Joni Coughlin

The June 2017 news that e-commerce giant Amazon was paying $13.7 billion for organic supermarket chain Whole Foods precipitated a broad sell-off in the shares of grocery retailers and suppliers. Behind the precipitous declines lay recognition that Amazon’s bold move... View Details

Keywords: Amazon; Whole Foods; Grocery; Grocery Delivery; Mergers ＆ Acquisitions; Business Models; Food Value Chain; Agribusiness; Mergers and Acquisitions; Operations; Competitive Strategy; E-commerce; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Retail Industry; Web Services Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

19 May 2003
Lessons from the Classroom

Business Plan Winner Targets India Dropouts

answer. Q: What is the basic business model for Gyaana? Why will this model work when government-led or other plans to improve education in India have not been successful? A:... View Details

Keywords: by Carla Tishler; Financial Services

14 Aug 2014
News

How U.S. states can get small businesses growing (again)

Web

Business & Environment - Faculty & Research

Many global companies have made public commitments to sustainability targets. Fulfilling these commitments will require firms to transform their business models and organizational architectures. A few... View Details

Web

Harvard Business School Online Courses & Learning Platforms

Choose a subject area: Digital Transformation Marketing Business Essentials Leadership & Management Entrepreneurship & Innovation Strategy Finance & Accounting Business in Society Now Offering Launching Tech... View Details

January 2016
Case

Sentient Jet: The Uber of Private Jets

By: Anat Keinan and Sandrine Crener

Founded in 1999 in the Boston area, Sentient Jet had become a leading private aviation company in the United States. Its success was built on the introduction of a groundbreaking membership program that offered business travelers the flexibility and convenience of... View Details

October 2017 (Revised October 2022)
Case

Jumia Nigeria: from Retail to Marketplace (A)

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Namrata Arora

Founded in 2012, Jumia Nigeria, a startup effort by Germany-based Rocket Internet, aimed to become an African Amazon. The company entered the nascent market and immediately enjoyed an uptick in consumer spending fueled by the strength of Nigeria’s oil-based economy. By... View Details

Keywords: Retail; Marketplace; Inventory; Ecommerce; Funding; Business Ecosystem; Business Ecosystems; Competition; Business Model; Globalization; Emerging Markets; Expansion; Logistics; Competitive Strategy; E-commerce; Retail Industry; India; Nigeria; Africa

04 Jul 2005
What Do You Think?

How Can Business Schools Be Made More Relevant?

whether business schools in general have lost their relevance by following "the scientific model" of graduate schools of arts and science as opposed to "the professional model" of medical and law schools. The... View Details

Keywords: by James Heskett

Article

How Local Context Shapes Digital Business Abroad

By: William R. Kerr

This article identifies how digital businesses need to be adapted to the local environment in which they are being applied. Core ideas include the development of strong barriers to entry, the types of network effects encountered, and the localization of business... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Information Technology; Geographic Location; Market Entry and Exit; Adaptation; Entrepreneurship; Network Effects

Register to Read

September 2003 (Revised June 2005)
Case

Learning from LeapFrog: Creating Educational and Business Value

By: Lynda M. Applegate, Christopher Dede and Susan Saltrick

Explores the success factors leading to one's company's rise to the number three ranking in the aggressively competitive toy industry. LeapFrog has made the strategic decision to exploit its educational model in two industry sectors: consumer toys and educational... View Details

Keywords: Transformation; Decisions; Education; Entrepreneurship; Innovation and Invention; Growth Management; Media; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Research; Value Creation

November 1999 (Revised November 2000)
Case

International Business Machines Corporation (C)

By: David F. Hawkins

A financial analyst is examining IBM's 1998 tax note to understand better how the company's 1998 tax note was determined. Teaching purpose: Illustrates deferred tax accounting. View Details

Keywords: History; Earnings Management; Taxation; Decision Making; Business Model; Business Earnings; Information Infrastructure; Mathematical Methods; Private Sector; Accounting Audits; Accounting Industry; Computer Industry

27 Feb 2019
HBS Seminar

David Robinson, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University

01 Jun 2007
News

New Program for Science-Based Businesses

scientific discoveries from the lab to the market. The program is designed for executives with strong science backgrounds as well as nontechnical managers with key business responsibilities. HBS faculty will lead sessions on topics such... View Details

Keywords: Business Schools & Computer & Management Training; Business Schools & Computer & Management Training

09 Jan 2024
In Practice

Harnessing AI: What Businesses Need to Know in ChatGPT’s Second Year

accessible, differentiation becomes crucial. Businesses need to look beyond standard applications and “best practices” and develop unique, tailored AI models and applications to stand out from competitors... View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne; Information Technology

July 2009 (Revised February 2010)
Course Overview Note

Competing Through Business Models: Introductory Note for Students

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell

To aid students in the EC course, “Competing Through Business Models.” View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Competitive Strategy