Publications

June 16, 2014
Article

Working With Your In-Laws Isn't Always a Terrible Idea

By: Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer

This article delves into the complex dynamics involving in-laws within family-owned enterprises. In-laws often face a challenging dual role as they must conform to the same professional standards as non-family employees while concurrently grappling with perceptions of... View Details

Keywords: Family and Family Relationships; Family Ownership; Employees

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November 2003 (Revised July 2007)
Case

Ottawa Devices, Inc. (A)

By: Henry B. Reiling and Harry Clegg Midgley IV

A master plan accommodating two retiring brothers, the brother who will remain as president, third-generation family members, employees, philanthropic interests, and company imperatives must be developed by second-generation brothers who are controlling shareholders... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Change Management; Transition; Management Succession; Management Teams; Retirement; Conflict of Interests

28 Apr 2020
Blog Post

HBS African American Student Union

We recently connected with the new leadership from the African-American Student Union (AASU) – here’s what they had to say about their club. --------------------------------------- AASU strives to be an extended family for its members... View Details

April 2021 (Revised June 2021)
Supplement

Balancing Act: Deborah Lovich (B)

By: David G. Fubini and Patrick Sanguineti

This case provides updates on Deborah Lovich's decision and how she navigated her work and family responsibilities over the following decade. View Details

Keywords: Work/life Balance; Work/family Balance; Work-Life Balance; Family and Family Relationships; Personal Development and Career

31 Oct 2014
News

Business in the blood

19 Jun 2022
Blog Post

Celebrating our Student Fathers

Today and every day, we celebrate our student parents who balance academic requirements, career pursuits, and family life while at HBS. Our campus is a community, and we strive to create a welcome and inspiring environment not just for... View Details

10 Dec 2020
Blog Post

A New Case at Harvard Business School Highlights the Real-World Issues for Latinx Considering an MBA

Harvard Business School (HBS) case protagonist Esperanza Perez jogs along the River Walk in San Antonio, Texas, weighing the pros and cons of an MBA. Questions and fears swarm in her mind—concerns of alienating family members who don’t... View Details

December 2019 (Revised July 2020)
Case

Ray White

By: Boris Groysberg and Tricia Gregg

Ray White is an Australian real estate business that has been owned and operated by the White family for four generations. The business has expanded and prospered. However, as the industry faces new challenges and opportunities, how should the White family respond?... View Details

Keywords: Crisis; COVID-19; Pandemic; Family Business; Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Disruption; Information Technology; Health Pandemics; Crisis Management; Real Estate Industry; Australia

September 2018
Case

Advent International: Kroton Investment

By: Victoria Ivashina, Ruth Kostas and Priscilla Zogbi

Keywords: Private Equity; Acquisition; IPO; Valuation; Education; Distance Learning; Turnaround; Growth; Exit; PE; Buyer; Middle-class; Low Income; K-12; Entrepreneur; Family Business; University; College; Consolidation; Fragmentation; Penetration; Value; Shares; Control; Negotiation; Equity; Transaction; Board; Majority; Minority; Post-secondary; Leverage; Campus; Deal; Shareholder; Tag Along; Brazil; Latin America

21 Jan 2021
Video

José Alejandro Cortés

José Alejandro Cortés, President of the Colombia-based diversified business group Grupo Bolìvar, describes the evolution of the business, the significant role that his family plays, and how succession is handled. View Details

05 Jun 2025
Blog Post

Alumni Career Video | Camron Yarber (MBA 2016)

try { var kalturaPlayer = KalturaPlayer.setup({ targetId: "kaltura_player_903895386", provider: { partnerId: 1423662, uiConfId: 56210002 } }); kalturaPlayer.loadMedia({entryId: '1_k7pd03kc'}); } catch (e) { console.error(e.message) } Camron Yarber (MBA 2016) reflects... View Details

February 2009
Case

Paresh Patel: Building a Life in the Context of Global Business - October 2007

By: Howard H. Stevenson and Shirley Spence

This case tells the story of Paresh Patel, born in Boston to an Indian immigrant family, as he develops an entrepreneurial career, participates in the Indian diaspora, and builds a family life. It provides background on Paresh's heritage, describes his youth and... View Details

Keywords: Diasporas; Work-Life Balance; Personal Development and Career; Entrepreneurship; Boston; Mumbai

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February 2009 (Revised March 2013)
Supplement

Messer Griesheim (B)

By: Josh Lerner, Ann-Kristin Achleitner, Eva Lutz and Kerry Herman

In 2001, Allianz Capital Partners and Godlman Sachs acquired a majority stake in Messer Greisheim, a European industrial gas concern held by Hoeschst. The dealmakers faced several challenges, including delicate corporate governance issues due to partial family... View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Private Equity; Stock Options; Stock Shares; Corporate Governance; Governance Controls; Family Ownership; Problems and Challenges; Energy Industry; Europe

November 1997
Supplement

Washington Post Company,The: Conversation Between Katharine and Don Graham (Video)

By: Louis B. Barnes and John A. Davis

Presents a conversation between a mother and son about such issues as family business, going public, the son coming into the business, and succession. View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Family Business; Interpersonal Communication; Management Succession; Going Public; Family and Family Relationships