Publications

August 2009 (Revised February 2013)
Case

Eddie Bauer (A)

By: Paul Healy, Sharon Katz and Aldo Sesia

In June 2005, Eddie Bauer, the specialty apparel retailer, emerged from bankruptcy. Under the plan of reorganization former creditors converted their debt into common shares, taking 100% ownership in the reconstituted company. Large banks-including Bank of America and... View Details

Keywords: Financial Statements; Mergers and Acquisitions; Restructuring; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Stock Shares; Valuation; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Retail Industry; United States

January 2014
Case

Maricopa, Inc.: Finding the Right Treatment for Growth

By: William A. Sahlman, Thomas R. Eisenmann, Joseph B. Fuller and Shikhar Ghosh

The founders of Maricopa, Inc., a startup that sold proprietary hair-care products directly to salons, were preparing a board presentation to address the young company's inability to meet financial projections. While the products had caught on with customers, the... View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Financial Condition; Venture Capital; Financial Strategy; Financing and Loans; Expansion; Planning; Fashion Industry; Iowa

Web

Business & Environment

Farmers Grow More and Lose Less By: Shawn Cole 02 Jul 2025 | VoxDev Carbon Reporting Urgently Needs Fixing—Here’s How to Do It Re: Robert Kaplan 15 Jun 2025 | Financial Times Is Boston Losing Its Biotech Crown? Bio Conference Takes Place... View Details

Program

Driving Corporate Performance

responsibilities, including business unit heads, chief operating officers, chief financial officers, strategic planning officers, and controllers Attendance by multiple company representatives will foster... View Details

July 2003 (Revised January 2004)
Case

Carol Brewer's Investments

By: Richard S. Ruback and Julia Stevens

Following her husband's death in 1994, Carol Brewer took over the management of her family's investments. This case describes the decisions Brewer made during this process, including her choice to seek active account management, her selection of an investment firm, and... View Details

Keywords: Investment Funds; Investment Portfolio; Retirement; Decision Choices and Conditions; Financial Management; Personal Finance; Investment Banking; Investment Return

04 Jan 2012
First Look

First Look: January 4

Does Planning Regulation Protect Independent Retailers? Author:Raffaella Sadun Abstract Entry regulations against big-boxes have been introduced in many countries to protect independent retailers. Analyzing a View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

February 1992 (Revised April 1993)
Case

Acid Rain: The Southern Co. (A)

By: Forest L. Reinhardt

The Southern Co., an electric utility, is planning its compliance with the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act. The Act established a system of tradeable permits for sulfur dioxide emissions. The company must decide whether to install pollution control equipment and... View Details

Keywords: Energy Generation; Business Strategy; Environmental Sustainability; Cost vs Benefits; Financial Management; Strategic Planning; Investment Return; Government Legislation; Wastes and Waste Processing; Utilities Industry; Energy Industry; United States

29 Oct 2019
Blog Post

Merging the Worlds of Finance, Investing, and Environmental Impact

investment firm, Novus Energy Partners, and for close to two decades now, I’ve been investing in companies that deliver both financial and environmental returns. What was your plan coming into HBS? I had... View Details

Program

Building a Legacy

insights to build a professional family office Establish the right structure, governance, and organizational design for a family office Make savvier financial decisions based on a deeper understanding of family wealth management Set clear... View Details

10 Nov 2011
HBS Case

HBS Cases: Making Lincoln Center Cool Again

groups of constituents and board members, using technology wisely, and planning for a future in the digital world. It also shows that there are alternative paths for a CEO to take—and that a strong organizational leader can make up for... View Details

Keywords: by Kim Girard; Entertainment & Recreation

25 Jan 2024
Research & Ideas

Being a Team Player: Why College Athletes Succeed in Business

commitment means there are things that you learn that are hard to learn otherwise.” Co-authors on the paper include George Hu, a doctoral student in the Harvard Department of Economics; Natee Amornsiripanitch, senior financial economist... View Details

Keywords: by Rachel Layne

September 1992 (Revised March 2007)
Case

Kaiser Steel Corporation, 1987

By: Timothy A. Luehrman

Kaiser Steel entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in early 1987. Nine months later it still faces several difficult obstacles to reorganization, including litigation, environmental liabilities, and pension and medical benefits for retired employees. Students are... View Details

Keywords: Business Plan; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Employee Relationship Management; Resource Allocation; Opportunities; Conflict and Resolution; Steel Industry; United States

15 Mar 2024
HBS Case

Let's Talk: Why It's Time to Stop Avoiding Taboo Topics at Work

the company’s succession strategy. Keep the goal in mind. Do you just want to be heard, or do you want to accomplish something specific? Your approach should reflect your desired outcome. Steve wants to know if there’s a succession plan... View Details

Keywords: by Avery Forman

Web

Accounting & Management - Faculty & Research

segments both reflected and shaped Microsoft’s strategy, culture, and financial communication. The case provides rich quantitative exhibits (segment revenue, operating income, margins, cloud KPIs) and qualitative material (CEO commentary,... View Details

Article

The Ownership and Trading of Debt Claims in Chapter 11 Restructurings

By: Victoria Ivashina, Benjamin Iverson and David C. Smith

What is the ownership structure of bankrupt debt claims? How does the ownership evolve though bankruptcy? And how does debt ownership influence Chapter 11 outcomes? To answer these questions, we construct a data set that identifies the entire capital structure for 136... View Details

Keywords: Ownership Structure; Distressed Debt; Trading In Bankruptcy; Restructuring; Capital Structure; Insolvency and Bankruptcy; Ownership; Borrowing and Debt; United States

July 2010
Case

Fidelity Retires in Canada

By: Robert C. Pozen and Edward Warren Scott

The head of Fidelity Canada was faced with a decision about what to do with its retirement business there. Although Fidelity as a fund manager has made some headway in Canada, the competition has been very tough for the administration of retirement plans—a separate... View Details

Keywords: Business Exit or Shutdown; Investment Funds; Globalized Firms and Management; Growth and Development Strategy; Retirement; Competition; Financial Services Industry; Canada; United States