Publications

August 2012
Case

Messer Griesheim (A) (Abridged)

By: Josh Lerner, Eva Lutz and Kerry Herman

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

Keywords: Germany; Energy; Private Equity; Venture Capital; Energy Industry; European Union

16 Dec 2021
Blog Post

African American Student Union Spotlight on STEM

The HBS African American Student Union (AASU) strives to be an extended family for its members from the moment they decide to attend HBS, through the transition to second year, and beyond graduation. Here we profile four AASU members with... View Details

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

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

31 Oct 2014
News

Business in the blood

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

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

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

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

April 2021 (Revised June 2021)
Supplement

Balancing Act: Deborah Lovich (C)

By: David G. Fubini and Patrick Sanguineti

This case provides further updates on Deborah Lovich's decision, as well as reflections from her family and mentors on her path. View Details

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

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

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

Register to Read

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

18 Nov 2019
Video

Adi Godrej

Adi Godrej describes the way leaders are nurtured and developed in India-based consumer products Godrej Group, and the necessity of upholding professional standards in a family business.

View Details

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

06 Feb 2023
Blog Post

African American Student Union Spotlight on HBCUs

The HBS African American Student Union (AASU) strives to be an extended family for its members from the moment they decide to attend HBS, through the transition to second year, and beyond graduation. Here we profile two AASU members who... View Details

2008
Working Paper

Attracting Flows by Attracting Big Clients: Conflicts of Interest and Mutual Fund Portfolio Choice

By: Lauren Cohen and Breno Schmidt

We explore a new channel for attracting inflows using a unique dataset of corporate 401(k) retirement plans and their mutual fund family trustees. Families secure substantial inflows by being named trustee of a 401(k) plan. This affords the plan sponsor potential... View Details

Keywords: Investment Funds; Investment Portfolio; Conflict of Interests; Financial Services Industry

Read Now

February 2009 (Revised March 2013)
Case

Messer Griesheim (A)

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

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

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Restructuring; Venture Capital; Private Equity; Corporate Governance; Family Ownership; Chemical Industry; Industrial Products Industry; Europe

May 2, 2023
Editorial

Onboarding NextGens

By: Christina R. Wing and Rohit K. Gera

The process of onboarding the next generation into a family business can be both fulfilling and challenging. In many cases, the NextGen feel that they have been a part of the family business for their entire lives, and taking their place within the company feels... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Family and Family Relationships; Employees