Publications

August 2006 (Revised May 2007)
Case

Management Levels at Staples (A): Company and Organization

By: David A. Garvin and Lynne Levesque

One of six cases that describe the roles and responsibilities of managers at each of the hierarchical levels of management within the U.S. Stores business unit of Staples, the world's largest office supply company. Together, the cases form a complete integrated... View Details

Keywords: Cost vs Benefits; Leadership; Management Practices and Processes; Managerial Roles; Operations; Performance Effectiveness; Strategic Planning; Perspective; Retail Industry

December 1999
Teaching Note

Ellis International Division: Patrick O'Brian TN

By: David A. Garvin and Jeffrey Berger

January 1991
Teaching Note

Intercon International (B), Teaching Note

By: David A. Garvin and Norman Klein

December 1990 (Revised February 1991)
Teaching Note

Note on the Aerospace Industry and Industrial Modernization, Teaching Note

By: David A. Garvin and Norman Klein

January 1991
Teaching Note

Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp., Teaching Note

By: David A. Garvin and Norman Klein

August 1996
Case

Watermill Ventures

By: David A. Garvin and Artemis March

Watermill Ventures acquires and turns around an underperforming business. The case describes the criteria the company uses to identify acquisition candidates, its screening and selection process, and the way it introduces strategic thinking at the business it acquires.... View Details

Keywords: Acquisition; Transformation; Standards; Performance Improvement; Business Strategy; Web Sites

September 1994
Supplement

Time Life, Inc. (B)

By: David A. Garvin and Jonathan West

Provides a brief update to the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Publishing Industry

May 2012 (Revised November 2015)
Case

The National Geographic Society (A) (Abridged)

By: David A. Garvin and Annelena Lobb

In January 2010, John Fahey, president, CEO, and chairman of the board of trustees' executive committee of the Washington, D.C.–based National Geographic Society (NGS), must decide how best to organize the 121-year old mission-driven organization for a world of... View Details

Keywords: General Management; Change Management; Media And Publishing; Digital Convergence; Strategy Development; Business Models; Information Publishing; Online Technology; Business Model; Organizational Structure; Business Strategy; Publishing Industry

December 2011
Supplement

Bergerac Systems: The Challenge of Backward Integration, Instructor Spreadsheet (Brief Case)

By: David A. Garvin and Sunru Yong

Keywords: Management; Strategy

December 2011
Teaching Note

Bergerac Systems: The Challenge of Backward Integration (Brief Case)

By: David A. Garvin and Sunru Yong

Teaching Note for Product # 4381 View Details

Keywords: Financial Analysis; Manufacturing Strategy; Strategy; Production; Analysis; Supply Chain Management; Vertical Integration; Finance

August 2006 (Revised May 2007)
Supplement

Management Levels at Staples (B): General Manager

By: David A. Garvin and Lynne Levesque

Keywords: Management; Jobs and Positions; Retail Industry

November 2005 (Revised June 2006)
Case

Strategic Planning at United Parcel Service

By: David A. Garvin and Lynne Levesque

In March 2005, CEO Michael Eskew has asked the Corporate Strategy Group to recommend changes to the strategic process to ensure it allows United Parcel Service (UPS) to continue to transform itself over the next several years. Describes the evolution of UPS's strategic... View Details

Keywords: Change; Decisions; Globalization; Growth and Development Strategy; Managerial Roles; Strategic Planning; Creativity; Corporate Strategy

December 2004 (Revised February 2006)
Case

Executive Decision Making at General Motors

By: David A. Garvin and Lynne Levesque

Describes the evolution of General Motors' strategy, organizational structure, and management processes from its founding to the present day. Focuses on the role of GM's management committee—the senior-decision-making body at the company, now called the Automotive... View Details

Keywords: Globalized Firms and Management; Management Practices and Processes; Organizational Structure; Competitive Strategy; Decision Making; Management Teams; Auto Industry

January 2000 (Revised June 2002)
Teaching Note

A Thousand Days, Thirteen Days (TN)

By: David A. Garvin and Jeffrey Berger

Keywords: Management

March 1995
Teaching Note

Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation (Abridged) TN

By: David A. Garvin and Norman Klein

Teaching Note for (9-695-023). View Details

Keywords: Steel Industry

April 1993
Background Note

Note on High-Commitment Work Systems

By: David A. Garvin and Norman Klein

Describes the history, theory, and practice of high-commitment work systems. The history reviews classical approaches (i.e. Frederick Taylor), the human relations movement, the human resources approach, quality of work life, and empowerment. The theory examines the... View Details

Keywords: Design; Human Resources; Innovation and Invention; Managerial Roles; Work-Life Balance; Problems and Challenges; Strategy