Publications

May 1994 (Revised January 1995)
Case

Warner Cable (A) and (B) (Condensed)

The new general manager of Warner Cable's Medford, Massachusetts complex faces a number of turnaround challenges in 1985, including service deficiencies, customer complaints, high turnover, and low employee morale. By 1988 he has turned the situation around, but some... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Management Style; Change Management; Performance Improvement; Telecommunications Industry; Massachusetts

11 Jul 2005
Research & Ideas

The New International Style of Management

Chinese national, and deliver it to him in person. Recalls Klump, "I had achieved success, was enjoying rapid promotions, and worked well with my manager. When it came time for him to receive feedback, he encouraged direct... View Details

Keywords: by Garry Emmons

06 Feb 2007
First Look

First Look: February 6, 2007

and economist Warren Persons, gained international renown for its three-curve A-B-C chart, which rendered business fluctuations as the ebb and flow of speculation (A), business (B), and banking (C). The service was directed by C. J.... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

Article

Operational Efficiency and Effective Management in the Catheterization Laboratory

By: Grant W. Reed, Michael L. Tushman and Samir R. Kapadia

Operational efficiency is a core business principle in which organizations strive to deliver high-quality goods or services in a cost-effective manner. This concept has become increasingly relevant to cardiac catheterization laboratories, as insurers move away from... View Details

Keywords: Cath Lab; Catheterization Laboratory; Health Care and Treatment; Performance Efficiency; Management; Performance Productivity; Cost Management; Health Industry

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Forthcoming
Article

Should Human Capital Development Programs Be Voluntary or Mandatory? Evidence from a Field Experiment

By: Jason Sandvik, Richard Saouma, Nathan Seegert and Christopher Stanton

In a field experiment, we find large differences in productivity treatment effects between voluntary and mandatory workplace mentorship programs. A significant portion of this difference is due to the best employees opting into the program when it is voluntary and... View Details

Keywords: Mentoring; Mentorship Programs; Randomized Controlled Trial; Performance Productivity; Employees; Talent and Talent Management; Programs

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19 Jun 2018
First Look

New Research and Ideas, June 19, 2018

Can companies bet that a reunion would last? Purchase this case:https://hbsp.harvard.edu/product/717035-PDF-ENG Harvard Business School Case 518-056 Amazon Buys Whole Foods The June 2017 news that e-commerce giant Amazon was paying $13.7... View Details

Keywords: Dina Gerdeman

22 Mar 2011
First Look

First Look: March 22

PublicationsForward: The Future of Consumer Credit and Mortgage Finance Authors:Nicolas P. Retsinas and Eric Belsky, eds. Publication:Brookings Institution Press and Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, 2011 Abstract... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

16 Dec 2015
Research & Ideas

Why ‘Sleep on It’ No Longer Sounds Like Great Advice

chosen bag, to give them some skin in the game and make them more serious about their choice. Then, the students were excused for 12 hours. Some did the initial selection of a bag at night and were told to come back in the morning, after... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding; Retail

21 May 2001
Research & Ideas

From Tigers to Kaleidoscopes: Thinking About Future Leadership

differences as well as their collective identity and goals, she advises. Encourage mutual support as well as confrontation within the group. Focus on the performance at hand in addition to opportunities for... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

18 Jul 2005
Research & Ideas

Identify Emerging Market Opportunities

Companies are increasingly looking to emerging markets like China as a vital source of growth. The problem is these companies often lack an effective strategy for identifying which countries to do business with. In a June Harvard Business... View Details

Keywords: by Tarun Khanna, Krishna G. Palepu & Jayant Sinha

May 2009 (Revised June 2011)
Case

Going to the Oracle: Goldman Sachs, September 2008

By: Clayton S. Rose and David Lane

On September 23, 2008, in the midst of an historic crisis in the U.S. financial markets, Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs. Goldman CEO, Lloyd Blankfein, said: "We are pleased that given our longstanding relationship, Warren... View Details

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Financial Crisis; Capital Structure; Financial Liquidity; Financial Markets; Investment; Performance Capacity; Financial Services Industry; United States

2008
Working Paper

The Ontological Foundations of Leadership and Performance: Being a Leader, and the Effective Exercise of Leadership, A New Model

By: Werner Erhard, Michael C. Jensen, Steve Zaffron and Kari L. Granger

This paper is the (pre-course) introduction document to an experimental course developed by the authors and taught at the U. of Rochester Simon School of Business. The intention of the course is to leave the participants actually being leaders and being able to... View Details

Keywords: Transformation; Business Education; Knowledge; Leadership Development; Leadership Style; Performance Effectiveness; Attitudes; Behavior; Perspective

12 Oct 2011
First Look

First Look: October 12

and geographies are communicating to their stakeholders their initiatives and performance within the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) domains. Disclosure of non-financial reports has generated heated debates about whether such... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

12 Jun 2019
Research & Ideas

Investors Have More Than Money to Offer Entrepreneurs

first-time CEO, or other member of the C-suite. I’ve seen investors coach leaders on everything from how to lead their teams and handle challenging employees to how to run a great board meeting. I’ve also seen investors support and sometimes even View Details

Keywords: by Julia Austin

01 Feb 2008
What Do You Think?

How Sustainable Is Sustainability in a For-Profit Organization?

which concerns itself with research in supply chain management. The paper attempts to provide some context for those addressing issues of sustainability. Its intent is to get us beyond questions such as, Is sustainability desirable? or... View Details

Keywords: by Jim Heskett

September 1996 (Revised April 1998)
Case

Mobil USM&R (B): New England Sales and Distribution

By: Robert S. Kaplan

The general manager of a local gasoline/distillate sales and distribution business unit must communicate a new strategy to the unit's 300 employees. An initial strategic planning exercise identified a high-priority list of opportunities that blended the parent... View Details

Keywords: Balanced Scorecard; Adoption; Strategic Planning; Customization and Personalization; Management Practices and Processes; Growth and Development Strategy; Measurement and Metrics; Motivation and Incentives; Performance Evaluation; Energy Industry; Mining Industry; United States

20 Sep 2004
Research & Ideas

How Consumers Value Global Brands

forgiven Shell for what they [did] with that oil rig." An Australian argued: "McDonald's pays back locally, but it is their duty. They are making so much money, they should be giving back."... View Details

Keywords: by Douglas B. Holt, John A. Quelch & Earl L. Taylor

23 Jul 2001
Research & Ideas

How Relationships are Building Biotech

career relationships help to build up organizations. The study of careers seems to act as a powerful lens for examining the birth of biotech. Higgins, who specializes in research, teaching, and course development surrounding the field of... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace & Mallory Stark

November 2011
Case

Comfort Class Transport: Does Customer Service Need an Overhaul?

By: Michael J Roberts and Paul E. Morrison

The general manager of a chauffeured limousine transport company is concerned about underperformance at the company's customer service call center. The eight-person call center handles almost all customer interaction including discussing company services with... View Details

Keywords: Capacity Utilization; Supply ＆ Demand; Operations Management; Customer Service; Management; Demand and Consumers; Service Operations; Order Taking and Fulfillment; Performance Capacity; Customer Satisfaction; Transportation Industry