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Show Results For
- All HBS Web
(3,202)
- People (5)
- News (372)
- Research (2,470)
- Events (10)
- Multimedia (9)
- Faculty Publications (2,082)
- February 2006
- Case
Bumble and bumble: Building a Successful Business in Beauty and Fashion
By: Nancy F. Koehn and Erica Helms
Explores the creation and subsequent rise of Bumble and bumble, a trend-setting hair-care company. Analyzes the vision and achievements of the founding entrepreneur, Michael Gordon, and charts the evolution of the company within the $230 billion global beauty industry.... View Details
Keywords: Corporate Entrepreneurship; Brands and Branding; Mergers and Acquisitions; Business Strategy; Financial Condition; Business Growth and Maturation; Success; Distribution; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry
Koehn, Nancy F., and Erica Helms. "Bumble and bumble: Building a Successful Business in Beauty and Fashion." Harvard Business School Case 806-084, February 2006.
- 02 Apr 2001
- Research & Ideas
Not All M&As Are Alike—and That Matters
however. The thousands of deals that academics, consultants, and businesspeople lump together as mergers and acquisitions actually represent very... View Details
Keywords: by Joseph L. Bower
- November 1992
- Case
Primerica: Sandy Weill and His Corporate Entrepreneurs
By: Andrall E. Pearson and Philip M. Rosenzweig
As CEO of Primerica, Sandy Weill has built a $6.6 billion company from acquisitions and underperforming firms. The case examines Weill's distinctive approach to building, managing, and leading an organization that seeks the benefits of scale without the problems of... View Details
Pearson, Andrall E., and Philip M. Rosenzweig. "Primerica: Sandy Weill and His Corporate Entrepreneurs." Harvard Business School Case 393-040, November 1992.
- November 2023
- Case
Copilot(s): Generative AI at Microsoft and GitHub
This case tells the story of Microsoft’s 2018 acquisition of GitHub and the subsequent launch of GitHub Copilot, a tool that uses generative artificial intelligence to suggest snippets of code to software developers in real time. Set in late 2021, when Copilot was... View Details
Keywords: Business Ventures; Strategy; AI and Machine Learning; Applications and Software; Product Launch; Information Technology Industry; Technology Industry; Web Services Industry; United States; California
Nagle, Frank, Shane Greenstein, Maria P. Roche, Nataliya Langburd Wright, and Sarah Mehta. "Copilot(s): Generative AI at Microsoft and GitHub." Harvard Business School Case 624-010, November 2023.
- 12 Aug 2009
- Working Paper Summaries
Culture Clash: The Costs and Benefits of Homogeneity
Keywords: by Eric J. Van den Steen
- June 2011 (Revised May 2012)
- Case
Reckitt Benckiser: Fast and Focused Innovation
By: Rebecca M. Henderson and Ryan Johnson
Since its 1999 merger Reckitt Benckiser (RB), a global consumer goods company, led by its CEO Bart Becht, RB developed a reputation for rapid product innovation and industry leading profit margins. RB's stated strategy was to focus on its Powerbrands and high growth... View Details
Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Global Strategy; Innovation Leadership; Leadership Style; Growth and Development Strategy; Brands and Branding; Product Development; Performance Improvement; Commercialization; Consumer Products Industry
Henderson, Rebecca M., and Ryan Johnson. "Reckitt Benckiser: Fast and Focused Innovation." Harvard Business School Case 311-116, June 2011. (Revised May 2012.)
- November 2024
- Article
Leadership and Plumbing
“Leadership” is a growth industry. Amazon lists over 60,000 books on the topic. Most focus on emotional intelligence, charisma, avoiding narcissism (usually someone else’s problem, according to these authors, not their problem) and other personality traits. But as... View Details
Keywords: Leadership Development
Cespedes, Frank V. "Leadership and Plumbing." Top Sales Magazine (November 2024), 26–27.
- September 2018 (Revised January 2019)
- Case
Sobha Group Real Estate: Backward Integration for Quality
By: John Macomber and Alpana Thapar
From humble beginnings in Kerala, India, Mr. PNC Menon built a reputation for quality, detail, and trustworthiness, earning him major construction commissions in the Gulf region. This paved the way for venturing into real estate development in Dubai, UAE. Striving to... View Details
Keywords: Real Estate; Backward Integration; Land Acquisition; Raising Capital; Construction; Family Business; Decision Making; Joint Ventures; Quality; Real Estate Industry; Construction Industry; India; Middle East; Dubai
Macomber, John, and Alpana Thapar. "Sobha Group Real Estate: Backward Integration for Quality." Harvard Business School Case 219-034, September 2018. (Revised January 2019.)
- April 2020
- Supplement
Cisco Systems and OpenDNS: Strategic Integration (B)
By: Andy Wu and David Wang
With more than 72,000 employees and revenues approaching the $50B mark, Cisco Systems is one of the largest information technology and networking firms globally. As the company grew and expanded into different lines of businesses, Cisco consistently looked outwards for... View Details
Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Integration; Corporate Strategy; Change Management; Entrepreneurship; Organizational Culture; Information Technology Industry
Wu, Andy, and David Wang. "Cisco Systems and OpenDNS: Strategic Integration (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 720-466, April 2020.
- November 2011
- Case
Pacific Grove Spice Company
By: William E. Fruhan and Craig Stephenson
Pacific Grove Spice Company is a profitable, rapidly growing manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of quality spices and seasonings. The company's business model requires significant investment in accounts receivable, inventory, and fixed assets to support sales.... View Details
Keywords: Capital Expenditures; Investments; Acquisitions; Securities Analysis; Debt Securities; Opportunities; Cost of Capital; Valuation; Investment; Capital Budgeting; Business Model; Cash Flow; Financing and Loans; Acquisition; Food and Beverage Industry; Food and Beverage Industry
Fruhan, William E., and Craig Stephenson. "Pacific Grove Spice Company." Harvard Business School Brief Case 114-366, November 2011.
- March 1989 (Revised October 1994)
- Case
Philip Morris Companies and Kraft, Inc.
Gives students the opportunity to explore the effect of substantial free cash flow on corporate acquisition and operating strategies. Students are also given the opportunity to extract information from the common stock prices of the participating firms. A variety of... View Details
Ruback, Richard S. "Philip Morris Companies and Kraft, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 289-045, March 1989. (Revised October 1994.)
- February 2010
- Case
Burt's Bees: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (Multimedia)
By: Christopher Marquis
The case examines sustainability initiatives at Burt's Bees, with video segments that detail the company's history, leadership, and implementation of ambitious 2020 sustainability goals. The company traces its roots to 1984, when Roxanne Quinby and Burt Schavitz teamed... View Details
Keywords: Balance and Stability; Leadership; Problems and Challenges; Business or Company Management; Growth Management; Organizational Culture; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Environmental Sustainability; Mergers and Acquisitions; Social Enterprise; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Ethics
Marquis, Christopher. "Burt's Bees: Balancing Growth and Sustainability (Multimedia)." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Case 410-704, February 2010.
- Article
Power Imbalance, Mutual Dependence and Constraint Absorption: A Closer Look at Resource Dependence Theory
By: Tiziana Casciaro and Mikolaj Jan Piskorski
Despite ubiquitous references to Pfeffer and Salancik's classic volume, The External Control of Organizations, resource dependence theory is more of an appealing metaphor than a foundation for testable empirical research. We argue that several ambiguities in the... View Details
Casciaro, Tiziana, and Mikolaj Jan Piskorski. "Power Imbalance, Mutual Dependence and Constraint Absorption: A Closer Look at Resource Dependence Theory." Administrative Science Quarterly 50, no. 2 (June 2005): 167–199.
- October 2010 (Revised January 2012)
- Case
Hony, CIFA, and Zoomlion: Creating Value and Strategic Choices in a Dynamic Market
By: Josh Lerner and Yiwen Jin
The private equity group Hony Capital considers what to do with their investment in Zoomlion, which has been successful to date. The question is whether to take their money off the table or to invest in their acquisition of a large Italian competitor. View Details
Keywords: Private Equity; Financial Strategy; Investment; Emerging Markets; Financial Services Industry; China
Lerner, Josh, and Yiwen Jin. "Hony, CIFA, and Zoomlion: Creating Value and Strategic Choices in a Dynamic Market." Harvard Business School Case 811-032, October 2010. (Revised January 2012.)
- 2005
- Book
Renewing Unilever: Transformation and Tradition
By: Geoffrey Jones
This book examines the history of Unilever over the last half century. Managing such a firm in the era of globalization posed enormous challenges. The book covers the company's strategies and provides compelling evidence of its decision-making, marketing, brand... View Details
Keywords: Business History; Decision Making; Organizational Culture; Globalization; Transformation; Human Resources; Business Strategy; Brands and Branding; Innovation and Invention; Consumer Products Industry
Jones, Geoffrey. Renewing Unilever: Transformation and Tradition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005.
- Awards
Journal of Financial Economics. Jensen Prize. Second Place
By: Malcolm P. Baker
Second Place Winner of the 2012 Jensen Prize for the Best Corporate Finance Paper Published in the Journal of Financial Economics for "The Effect of Reference Point Prices on Mergers and Acquisitions" (with Xin Pan and Jeffrey Wurgler, October 2012). View Details
- June 2023
- Exercise
Clash of Two Giants Simulation Exercise Instructions
By: Feng Zhu and Marco Iansiti
Many markets are organized around platforms that connect consumers with complimentary applications and services. These platforms are two-sided because both sides - consumers and those providing applications or services - need access to the same platform to interact. A... View Details
Keywords: Platform Strategies; Technology Platform; Customer Acquisition; Network Effects; Digital Platforms; Marketplace Matching; Strategy
Zhu, Feng, and Marco Iansiti. "Clash of Two Giants Simulation Exercise Instructions." Harvard Business School Exercise 623-092, June 2023.
- April 2025
- Case
Sharon Goldberg and BastionZero
By: Jeffrey J. Bussgang, James Barnett and Maxim Pike Harrell
In December 2023, BastionZero co-founder and CEO Sharon Goldberg considered her startup’s future. Established in 2017 as a blockchain company focused on improving the security of cryptocurrency trading, in March 2020 the VC-backed startup shifted focus to a new... View Details
Keywords: Business Startups; Entrepreneurial Finance; Technological Innovation; Business Strategy; Business Exit or Shutdown
Bussgang, Jeffrey J., James Barnett, and Maxim Pike Harrell. "Sharon Goldberg and BastionZero." Harvard Business School Case 825-102, April 2025.
- October 2011
- Case
Strategy and Governance at Yahoo! Inc.
By: Krishna G. Palepu, Suraj Srinivasan, David Lane and Ian McKown Cornell
Yahoo! faces a number of governance and strategic challenges in late 2011 as it tries to compete with rivals such as Google and find ways to monetize its shareholding and business links with Alibaba Group in China and Yahoo! Japan. The company is now valued at almost... View Details
Palepu, Krishna G., Suraj Srinivasan, David Lane, and Ian McKown Cornell. "Strategy and Governance at Yahoo! Inc." Harvard Business School Case 112-040, October 2011.
- 2020
- Working Paper
Social Networks, Ethnicity, and Entrepreneurship
By: William R. Kerr and Martin Mandorff
We study the relationship between ethnicity, occupational choice, and entrepreneurship. Immigrant groups in the United States cluster in specific business sectors. For example, Koreans are 34 times more concentrated in self-employment for dry cleaning than other... View Details
Keywords: Self-employed; Occupation; Entrepreneurship; Social Entrepreneurship; Industry Clusters; Ethnicity; Immigration; Networks; United States
Kerr, William R., and Martin Mandorff. "Social Networks, Ethnicity, and Entrepreneurship." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 16-042, October 2015. (Revised November 2020. NBER Working Paper Series, No. 21597, September 2015)