Publications

December 1989
Case

Managerial Decision Making and Ethical Values, Instructor's Manual

By: Mary C. Gentile, Kenneth E. Goodpaster and Thomas R. Piper

Keywords: Decision Making; Values and Beliefs; Ethics

June 1985 (Revised December 2002)
Background Note

Basic Ratio Analysis and Equity Valuation

By: David F. Hawkins

Describes the use of common financial ratios to analyze a firm's performance and financial condition. Discusses fundamentals of equity valuation. Based on an earlier note by the same author. View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Financial Condition; Equity

Portrait Project

Kelly O’Neil

I will find value in what the world discards. As a child, I dreaded taking out the compost. Walking all the way across the yard with a bucket of fresh smelly food for the compost heap was absolute torture. I couldn't believe that putrid... View Details

Profile

Jay Khil

culture is different," Jay notes. "To learn and develop yourself, to build your network, it's easier to start in the U.S. After you establish your credentials in America, you’ll be more valued in Asia." Jay initially hoped... View Details

18 Jun 2014
News

Robert (MBA 1964) and Lynn Burt

value of loyalty,” he continues. “The Marines taught me to judge people by a simple rule: If you’re running up a hill under fire, will the person at your side stand by you? This value has determined how I’ve... View Details

John C. Emery, Sr.

Emery was a pioneer in the early air freight business – first renting space on existing carrier routes and later developing a full line of dedicated aircraft. For almost 40 years, Emery was the largest freight carrier in the world. During his last ten years as CEO,... View Details

Keywords: Transportation

Web

VBHCD Initiative - Institute For Strategy And Competitiveness

HBS ISC About Michael Porter About Michael Porter A Letter from Michael Porter Biography The Essential Porter Honors & Awards Affiliated Organizations & Institutions VBHCD Initiative VBHCD Initiative Cost Measurement Research The Value... View Details

August 2023
Supplement

Apple: Privacy vs. Safety (C)

By: Henry McGee, Nien-hê Hsieh and Kerry Herman

In September 2021, Apple decided to delay updates to iOS and iPadOS that included features to fight child sexual abuse. While many—including prominent privacy and security experts—praised Apple, others were opposed. They saw Apple introducing features that risked... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Values and Beliefs; Public Opinion; Applications and Software; Leadership

October 2019 (Revised December 2019)
Case

BC Partners: Acuris

By: Victoria Ivashina and Terrence Shu

This case follows Nikos Stathopoulos, Managing Partner of BC Partners, as he and his team evaluate the potential sale of one of BC Partners’ portfolio companies, Acuris. Acuris was a global financial intelligence, news, and data company that had been acquired by BC... View Details

Keywords: Fund Management; Fund Raising; Leveraged Buyout; Buyout; Portfolio Management; Operations Improvement; Exit; Exit Strategy; Valuation Ratios; Finance; Private Equity; Leveraged Buyouts; Operations; Performance Improvement; Acquisition; Valuation

June 2014 (Revised March 2016)
Teaching Note

Starbucks Coffee Company: Transformation and Renewal

By: Nancy F. Koehn

February 2013 (Revised October 2013)
Case

Investindustrial Exits Ducati

By: Francois Brochet and Karol Misztal

In early 2012, Investindustrial, a European private equity group, publicly announced their intention to sell their 76.7% stake in Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., an iconic Italian producer of sport performance motorcycles. The decision followed a six-year turnaround... View Details

Keywords: Cost vs Benefits; Private Equity; Valuation; Investment Return; Brands and Branding; Financial Services Industry; Motorcycle Industry; Hong Kong; Italy

Article

Earnings and Ratings at Google Answers

By: Benjamin Edelman

I analyze all questions and answers from the inception of the Google Answers service through November 2003, and I find notable trends in answerer behavior: more experienced answerers provide answers with the characteristics askers most value, receiving higher ratings... View Details

Keywords: Service Delivery; Opportunities; Behavior; Value; Jobs and Positions; Wages; Business Earnings

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February 2001 (Revised August 2001)
Case

WholesalerDirect

By: Alan D. MacCormack and Kerry Herman

Describes the development of WholesalerDirect, a B2B electronic commerce venture in the plumbing, heating, cooling, and piping industry. Adam Berger, the CEO, is trying to raise funding to roll out the company's e-commerce platform to the industry's more than 3,000... View Details

Keywords: Internet and the Web; Valuation; Business Plan; Financing and Loans; Financial Strategy

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December 1980 (Revised January 1992)
Case

Savannah West

By: William J. Poorvu and John H. Vogel Jr.

Allison Porter, a loan officer for Chemical Bank, must decide whether to make a construction loan on a 216-unit apartment building to be built in Savannah, Georgia. In teaching this case, one begins by looking at the economics, marketing data, etc., of the proposed... View Details

Keywords: Credit; Property; Financing and Loans; Banks and Banking; Housing; Risk Management; Valuation; Real Estate Industry; Banking Industry; Georgia (state, US)

January 1994 (Revised November 1997)
Case

Aberlyn Capital Management: July 1993

By: Josh Lerner and Peter Tufano

Aberlyn Capital Management, a venture leasing firm specializing in providing capital to biotechnology firms, proposes to introduce a new product. Aberlyn will base a lease on an intangible product: the patent of a biotechnology firm. This poses a series of short and... View Details

Keywords: Financing and Loans; Valuation; Product Launch; Problems and Challenges; Patents; Financial Instruments; Financial Services Industry; Biotechnology Industry

July 1982 (Revised July 2004)
Case

Esmark, Inc. (B)

By: William E. Fruhan Jr.

Esmark's management sells its most valuable business and its most unattractive business in an effort to reposition itself and maximize shareholder value. View Details

Keywords: Business Exit or Shutdown; Product Positioning; Business and Shareholder Relations; Reputation; Value

January 2013 (Revised December 2024)
Case

MuMaté

By: Thomas Eisenmann and Alex Godden

MuMaté, a fictional cult beverage company, requires capital to fund national expansion. Its cofounders, who have bootstrapped to this point, are now negotiating with venture capital firms to raise a $3 million funding round. The case describes MuMaté's inception, early... View Details

Keywords: Venture Capital; Growth Management; Negotiation; Expansion; Valuation; Entrepreneurship; Organizational Culture; Business Startups; Food and Beverage Industry

September 2001 (Revised December 2003)
Case

Eskimo Pie Corporation (Abridged)

By: Richard S. Ruback

In early 1991, Reynolds Metals, the makers of aluminum products, decided to sell its holding of Eskimo Pie, a marketer of branded frozen novelties. Reynolds had an offer from Nestle to acquire Eskimo Pie. However, Reynolds decided instead to make an initial public... View Details

Keywords: Food; Initial Public Offering; Cost of Capital; Valuation; Business Divisions; Brands and Branding; Food and Beverage Industry