Publications

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June 1984 (Revised March 1993)
Background Note

Securities Law and Public Offerings

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Michael J. Roberts

Describes the relevant securities laws which pertain to the public offering of securities, as well as the business issues and process of a public offering. View Details

Keywords: Laws and Statutes; Capital Markets; Initial Public Offering; Public Administration Industry

December 2004 (Revised October 2005)
Case

Innovation Corrupted: The Rise and Fall of Enron (B)

By: Malcolm S. Salter

Presents a brief historical overview of Enron's rise, its strategic successes and failures, the evolution of its business model, and the organizational processes relied upon by Enron's management to drive and monitor the business. A rewritten version of an earlier... View Details

Keywords: Transition; Risk Management; Management Practices and Processes; Success; Business Model; Strategy; Business History; Governance Controls; Innovation and Management; Failure; Business Processes; Energy Industry; United States

August 2014 (Revised August 2015)
Supplement

Opening the Valve: From Software to Hardware (B)

By: Ethan Bernstein, Francesca Gino and Bradley Staats

Valve, one of the world's top video game software companies, has also become an iconic example of an organization with virtually no hierarchy. A 400-person organization, Valve's unique organizational form (described in detail in the case and accompanying employee... View Details

September–October 2024
Article

Why Multibusiness Strategies Fail and How to Make Them Succeed

By: Bharat Anand and David J. Collis

Enterprises that own multiple businesses often have a flawed approach to strategy: They focus too much on the makeup of their portfolios and too little on enhancing the businesses in them.
Strategies for adding value to a corporation’s businesses fall on a... View Details

Keywords: Value Creation; Corporate Strategy; Organizational Structure; Management Systems

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19 Jul 2010
News

In a Partnership of Unequals, a Start-Up Suffers

12 Apr 2013
News

Robert Kaplan Tells You How to Reach Your Unique Potential

July–August 2021
Article

Why Do So Many Strategies Fail?

By: David J. Collis

THE PROBLEM: Seemingly successful new companies struggle to turn a healthy profit. Established firms get disrupted by upstarts. Companies that excel at serving their markets can’t adapt when customers’ tastes shift. THE ROOT CAUSE: All too often, business leaders focus... View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Strategic Planning; Business Model; Value; Value Creation; Opportunities

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13 Jul 2011
News

Ethics become blurred when end justifies the means

September 2000 (Revised January 2001)
Case

Managing IBM Research in Internet Time

IBM must adapt its research process to the volatility of the Internet market. Issues include incentives, research charter, reward systems, and linkages to business units and customers. View Details

Keywords: Internet and the Web; Research and Development; Information Technology Industry

July 2001 (Revised August 2005)
Case

Medicines Company, The

By: John T. Gourville

It is early 2001 and the Medicines Co. just received FDA approval to market Angiomax, a blood thinner to be used during angioplasties and heart procedures. It is intended to be a better alternative to Heparin, an 80-year-old drug that costs less then $10 per dose. The... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Change Management; Decision Choices and Conditions; Cost Management; Price; Product Marketing; Product Launch; Product Development; Risk and Uncertainty; Health Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry

16 Jan 2018
Blog Post

How Can I Prepare to Apply for Financial Aid at HBS?

While the financial aid process begins after you’ve been accepted at HBS, there is a lot you can do in the months (and even years) beforehand to put yourself in the best position to access funding. HBS will help you meet your full... View Details

25 Mar 2016
Video

Martin Sinozich, Founding Partner, Venn Capital

05 Sep 2013
News

Who Will Radically Disrupt American Health Care?

07 Jul 2008
Research & Ideas

Innovation Corrupted: How Managers Can Avoid Another Enron

noticeably lacking at Enron. These processes include: Liberating evaluation processes by adding qualitative judgment to whatever standard quantitative measures of performance that View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Energy; Utilities

December 2004 (Revised October 2005)
Case

Innovation Corrupted: The Rise and Fall of Enron (A)

By: Malcolm S. Salter

Presents a brief historical overview of Enron's rise, its strategic successes and failures, the evolution of its business model, and the organizational processes relied upon by Enron's management to drive and monitor the business. A rewritten version of an earlier... View Details

Keywords: Adaptation; Success; Business Model; Business History; Growth Management; Governance Controls; Innovation and Management; Failure; Business Processes; Energy Industry; United States

September 2014
Case

Google Inc. in 2014 (Abridged)

By: Benjamin Edelman and Thomas R. Eisenmann

Describes Google's history, business model, governance structure, corporate culture, and processes for managing innovation. Reviews Google's recent strategic initiatives and the threats they pose to Yahoo, Microsoft, and others. Asks what Google should do next. View Details

Keywords: Search Engines; Google; Online Advertising; Internet and the Web; Network Effects; Business Model; Competition; Information Technology Industry; Advertising Industry