Agribusiness - Publications - Faculty & Research

17 Jul 2020
News

Support System

In Africa, shea butter is sometimes known as “women’s gold.” Used for everything from skin care to stretch marks to diaper rash, it’s a go-to product in high demand. And it offers employment opportunities for women willing to survey shea-nut trees across the wilds of... View Details

Keywords: Maureen Harmon

January 2024
Case

Frank Cornelissen: The Great Sulfite Debate (A)

By: Tiona Zuzul and Susan Pinckney

In 2018, artisanal Italian vineyard Frank Cornelissen was one of the world’s leading natural wine vineyards. Its founder, Frank Cornelissen, faced weather related conditions that forced him to have to decide between staying true to the tenets of the natural wine... View Details

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December 2006 (Revised December 2007)
Case

The Convention on Biological Diversity: Engaging the Private Sector

By: David E. Bell and Mary L. Shelman

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was a U.N. treaty that by 2006 had been signed by virtually every country in the world except for the United States. The treaty established three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of... View Details

Keywords: Agribusiness; Private Sector; Business and Community Relations; Business and Government Relations; Genetics; Environmental Sustainability

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01 Mar 2018
News

Democratizing Data to Favor Farmers

illustration by Jon Krause In 2006, Palo Alto native Charles Baron (MBA 2013) decided to join a future brother-in-law on his central Nebraska farm for the duration of the year’s corn harvest. It was what farmers would call a mixed operation: corn, soybeans, wheat, and... View Details

Keywords: Sasha Issenberg

01 Sep 2015
News

@Soldiers Field

Two hives, installed on the first-floor roof of Batten Hall, are home to Italian honeybees that have the capacity to produce 10 pounds of honey annually. They will be maintained by a local nonprofit dedicated to researching bee health. Young Me and the Moons, an ’80s... View Details

Keywords: Dwyane Wade

December 2021 (Revised June 2022)
Case

Darden Restaurants: The Nine Square Feet

By: Joshua D. Margolis and James Barnett

In June 2021, Darden Restaurants CEO Gene Lee contemplates how to position the world’s biggest full-service restaurant more than one year into the COVID-19 pandemic. View Details

Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic; Agribusiness; Change; Decision Making; Food; Human Resources; Leadership; Operations; Strategy; Health Pandemics; Opportunities; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

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October 2013 (Revised February 2019)
Case

Chobani: Growing a Live and Active Culture (Abridged)

By: Joshua D. Margolis and Matthew Preble

Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of the Greek yogurt company Chobani, Inc., was reflecting on what explained his young company's meteoric rise. The company held over half of the U.S. Greek yogurt market and nearly 20% of the total yogurt market. The company's innovative approach to... View Details

Keywords: Innovation; Culture; Growth Strategy; Growth Management; Yogurt; Innovation Strategy; Leadership; Organizational Culture; Entrepreneurship; Marketing; Growth and Development Strategy; Agribusiness; Manufacturing Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; Canada; Australia

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03 Jan 2013
Working Paper Summaries

The Value of Advice: Evidence from Mobile Phone-Based Agricultural Extension

Keywords: by Shawn A. Cole; Agriculture & Agribusiness

October 2006 (Revised May 2007)
Case

Academia Barilla

By: David E. Bell and Mary L. Shelman

Barilla, the world's largest pasta company, has introduced a new high-quality, high-priced product line that features a range of authentic Italian food products sourced from artisan producers. Management believes the line will appeal to consumers seeking healthier... View Details

Keywords: Supply Chain; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Brands and Branding; Decision Choices and Conditions; Family Ownership; Nutrition; Product Development; Investment; Food and Beverage Industry; Italy

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January 2025
Case

Negotiating a Legacy at Sustainable Harvest (A)

By: Jillian Jordan, Julian Zlatev, Alicia Dadlani and Martha Hostetter

The specialty coffee importer Sustainable Harvest was the first certified B Corp in the coffee industry due to its investments in building coffee farmers’ capacity and livelihood. But in 2022, after coffee prices plummeted and the company’s bank declined to extend its... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation; Mergers and Acquisitions; Trust; Ethics; Plant-Based Agribusiness; Volatility; Futures and Commodity Futures; Social Enterprise; Valuation; Business Model; Credit; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; Europe

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August 2014 (Revised May 2016)
Case

Husk Power

By: Joseph B. Lassiter III and Sid Misra

In late 2013, Husk Power Systems found itself falling further and further behind plan. The founding CEO had decided to resign. His co-founder is faced with the decision of quitting his corporate job in the US to head to India and help form a new management team. Husk... View Details

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01 Dec 2022
News

Educating, Connecting, and Mobilizing Around Climate Change

third in three years addressing climate and sustainability topics that faculty and the BEI have developed. BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD IN SOCIETY READ MORE STORIES BUSINESS AS A FORCE FOR GOOD IN SOCIETY READ MORE STORIES Additionally, Executive Education offers... View Details

Keywords: Jennifer Gillespie

21 May 2019
News

Confronting the Future of Climate Change in the Midwest

the sector, as well. Putting a price on carbon was also mentioned as a key element in motivating changes that would have a meaningful impact for agribusiness and society, overall. View Details

Keywords: Agriculture

November 2003 (Revised January 2004)
Case

XS, Inc.

By: Ray A. Goldberg and Joan McRobbie

XS, Inc. created a seller and buyer Internet for the $200 billion farm supply industry. How can this start-up remain the nonpartisan hub of this network, and how will it aid in the traceability of the U.S. food system? View Details

Keywords: Internet and the Web; Food; System; Business Startups; Agribusiness; United States

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Article

Fixing Market Failures or Fixing Elections? Elections, Banks and Agricultural Lending in India

By: Shawn A. Cole

Keywords: Failure; Voting; Banks and Banking; Agribusiness; India

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July 2021
Teaching Plan

Shorefast: A Strange and Familiar Way to Reimagine Capitalism

By: Brian Trelstad, Wendy Smith and Natalie Slawinski

Teaching Plan for HBS Case No. 320-098. In 2006, Zita Cobb and two of her brothers, Alan Cobb and Tony Cobb, native Newfoundlanders, launched Shorefast to help grow another leg of Fogo Island’s economy. Like so many rural communities, Fogo Island’s fate was tied... View Details

Keywords: Place Making; Non-profit; Hotel; Economic Development; Tourism; Social Entrepreneurship; Nonprofit Organizations; Development Economics; Economic Systems; Tourism Industry; Canada

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13 Jun 2017
First Look

First Look at New Research and Ideas, June 13

Monsanto Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant must guide his global agribusiness technology company into an uncertain future where food security, food safety, sustainability, and climate change will all impact the global food system. Purchase this... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne