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Show Results For
- All HBS Web
(378)
- News (23)
- Research (321)
- Events (1)
- Multimedia (1)
- Faculty Publications (208)
- September 1996 (Revised March 1999)
- Background Note
Sustaining Superior Profits: Customer and Supplier Relationships
Explains relationships between asset specificity, holdup, and vertical integration. In particular, it emphasizes solutions to the holdup problem through vertical integration and contracting. View Details
McGahan, Anita M. "Sustaining Superior Profits: Customer and Supplier Relationships." Harvard Business School Background Note 797-045, September 1996. (Revised March 1999.)
- November 2015
- Article
Multi-Sided Platforms
By: Andrei Hagiu and Julian Wright
We study the economic tradeoffs that drive organizations to position themselves closer to or further away from a multi-sided platform (MSP) business model, relative to three traditional alternatives: vertically integrated firms, resellers or input suppliers. These... View Details
Hagiu, Andrei, and Julian Wright. "Multi-Sided Platforms." International Journal of Industrial Organization 43 (November 2015): 162–174.
- 2015
- Working Paper
Multi-Sided Platforms
By: Andrei Hagiu and Julian Wright
We study the economic tradeoffs that drive organizations to position themselves closer to or further away from a multi-sided platform (MSP) business model, relative to three traditional alternatives: vertically integrated firms, resellers or input suppliers. These... View Details
Hagiu, Andrei, and Julian Wright. "Multi-Sided Platforms." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 15-037, November 2014. (Revised March 2015.)
- 08 Jan 2018
- Working Paper Summaries
Come Together: Firm Boundaries and Delegation
- February 1992 (Revised December 1994)
- Case
Birds Eye and the U.K. Frozen Food Industry (A)
By: David J. Collis
Describes the forty-year evolution of the U.K. frozen food industry, and traces the emergence, dominance, and the decline of Birds Eye. Its success is as a vertically integrated producer, distributor, and marketer of frozen foods that pioneers the industry in the U.K.... View Details
Keywords: Business Growth and Maturation; Industry Growth; Vertical Integration; Food and Beverage Industry; United Kingdom
Collis, David J. "Birds Eye and the U.K. Frozen Food Industry (A)." Harvard Business School Case 792-074, February 1992. (Revised December 1994.)
- 2010
- Working Paper
Trade Policy and Firm Boundaries
By: Laura Alfaro, Paola Conconi, Harald Fadinger and Andrew F. Newman
We study how trade policy affects firms' ownership structures. We embed an incomplete contracts model of vertical integration choices into a standard perfectly-competitive international trade framework. Integration decisions are driven by a trade-off between the... View Details
- 2009
- Other Paper
Trade Policy and Firm Boundaries
By: Laura Alfaro, Paola Conconi, Andrew F. Newman and Harald Fadinger
We examine how trade policy affects firms' organizational choices. We embed a model of firms' vertical integration decisions into a standard perfectly-competitive international trade framework. In the model, integration decisions are driven by a trade-off... View Details
Keywords: Trade; Policy; Ownership; Business and Government Relations; Vertical Integration; Boundaries
Alfaro, Laura, Paola Conconi, Andrew F. Newman, and Harald Fadinger. "Trade Policy and Firm Boundaries."
- October 1976 (Revised May 1985)
- Case
Raytheon Co.: Diversification
Centers on the question of whether Raytheon should enter the electronic component distribution industry in the context of its broad diversification approach and acquisition criteria. This industry represents a vertical integration area for Raytheon, so the analytical... View Details
Keywords: Acquisition; Policy; Market Entry and Exit; Distribution; Diversification; Vertical Integration; Distribution Industry; Electronics Industry
Porter, Michael E. "Raytheon Co.: Diversification." Harvard Business School Case 377-055, October 1976. (Revised May 1985.)
- 2012
- Working Paper
Information Technology and Boundary of the Firm: Evidence from Plant-Level Data
By: Chris Forman and Kristina McElheran
We study the relationship between different margins of information technology (IT) use and vertical integration using plant-level data from the U.S. Census of Manufactures. Focusing on the short-run decision of whether to allocate production output to downstream plants... View Details
Keywords: Information Technology; Technology Adoption; Production; Factories, Labs, and Plants; Vertical Integration; Supply Chain; Manufacturing Industry; United States
Forman, Chris, and Kristina McElheran. "Information Technology and Boundary of the Firm: Evidence from Plant-Level Data." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 12-092, April 2012.
- February 2003 (Revised May 2003)
- Case
Mobile Energy Services Company
By: Benjamin C. Esty and Aldo Sesia
When Al "Chainsaw" Dunlap became CEO of the Scott Paper Co., the company owned a large, vertically integrated production facility in Mobile, Alabama. Dunlap sold part of the production facility, a cogeneration power plant (later known as Mobile Energy Services Co.), to... View Details
Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Risk and Uncertainty; Contracts; Agreements and Arrangements; Investment; Projects; Vertical Integration; Energy Sources; Bonds; Ownership; Restructuring; Energy Industry; Alabama
Esty, Benjamin C., and Aldo Sesia. "Mobile Energy Services Company." Harvard Business School Case 203-061, February 2003. (Revised May 2003.)
- November 2016 (Revised March 2017)
- Case
Godrej Agrovet Ltd (GAVL)
By: Jose B. Alvarez, Anjali Raina and Rachna Chawla
Nadir Godrej, chairman, and B. Yadav, managing director of Godrej Agrovet Ltd (GAVL), grapple with the challenge of growing their cattle feed business—should they integrate vertically despite the challenges of the dairy industry and risk the profitability of the... View Details
Keywords: Agribusiness; Animal-Based Agribusiness; Vertical Integration; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; India
Alvarez, Jose B., Anjali Raina, and Rachna Chawla. "Godrej Agrovet Ltd (GAVL)." Harvard Business School Case 517-014, November 2016. (Revised March 2017.)
- December 2017
- Case
Molino Cañuelas: Serving Customers from Seed Development to the Kitchen Table
By: Jose B. Alvarez, Maria Fernanda Miguel and Mariana Cal
Molino Cañuelas was a vertically integrated food company with a management system that allowed it to innovate and grow systematically. With sales of $2 billion in 2016, the firm not only produced flour, vegetable oil, and packaged food products, it also owned a port... View Details
Keywords: Quality Management System; Food Industry; Molino Cañuelas; Argentina; Vertical Integration; Quality; Management Systems; Expansion; Global Range; Growth and Development Strategy; Agribusiness; Food and Beverage Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Argentina
Alvarez, Jose B., Maria Fernanda Miguel, and Mariana Cal. "Molino Cañuelas: Serving Customers from Seed Development to the Kitchen Table." Harvard Business School Case 518-046, December 2017.
- March 2002 (Revised January 2010)
- Case
BP and the Consolidation of the Oil Industry, 1998-2002
By: Forest L. Reinhardt, Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and David J Hanson
Examines the economics of the oil and gas industry with a focus on 1998 through 2001. Discusses the rationale behind using a growth in scale as a means to increase profitability and to gain competitive advantage. Also examines the classic strategic implications of... View Details
Keywords: Non-Renewable Energy; Growth and Development Strategy; Industry Structures; Competitive Advantage; Consolidation; Horizontal Integration; Vertical Integration; Energy Industry
Reinhardt, Forest L., Ramon Casadesus-Masanell, and David J Hanson. "BP and the Consolidation of the Oil Industry, 1998-2002." Harvard Business School Case 702-012, March 2002. (Revised January 2010.)
- June 2008
- Case
System on a Chip 2008: Global Unichip Corp.
By: Willy C. Shih, Chintay Shih, Chen-Fu Chien and Yuan-Chieh Chang
Though much of the semiconductor industry has shifted to a horizontal model, complexity driven by technological evolution is driving a shift in the perceived boundaries in the value chain. Global Unichip sees itself as a "virtual integrated device manufacturer," a... View Details
Keywords: Customer Value and Value Chain; Horizontal Integration; Vertical Integration; Boundaries; Semiconductor Industry
Shih, Willy C., Chintay Shih, Chen-Fu Chien, and Yuan-Chieh Chang. "System on a Chip 2008: Global Unichip Corp." Harvard Business School Case 608-159, June 2008.
- Research Summary
Previous research
Professor Piskorski's previous research examined the role of power and status in social networks in the venture capital industry. Prior to that, Professor Piskorski studied the role of power in profitability and vertical integration decisions in the US economy. View Details
- February 2001 (Revised September 2005)
- Case
Howard Schultz and Starbucks Coffee Company
By: Nancy F. Koehn
Investigates the entrepreneur's strategic initiatives to develop a mass market for specialty coffee in the 1980s and 1990s. These initiatives included the development of premium products, rapid expansion of company-owned stores--each with attractive retail environments... View Details
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Groups and Teams; Brands and Branding; Growth Management; Employee Relationship Management; Consumer Behavior; Organizational Design; Leadership Style; Customer Relationship Management; Competitive Advantage; Vertical Integration; Food and Beverage Industry
Koehn, Nancy F. "Howard Schultz and Starbucks Coffee Company." Harvard Business School Case 801-361, February 2001. (Revised September 2005.)
- 02 May 2014
- Video
Tomato Jos: 2014 New Venture Competition Social Enterprise Runner-Up
- September 1983 (Revised February 1989)
- Background Note
The Oil Tanker Shipping Industry in 1983
Describes the international oil tanker shipping industry both historically and in 1983. Designed to provide a vehicle for practicing industry analysis in a volatile commodity business, and for formulating strategy in such an environment. Also can be used to examine... View Details
Keywords: Strategic Planning; Globalized Markets and Industries; Goods and Commodities; Volatility; Vertical Integration; Supply and Industry; Shipping Industry
Porter, Michael E. "The Oil Tanker Shipping Industry in 1983." Harvard Business School Background Note 384-034, September 1983. (Revised February 1989.)
- February 1994 (Revised April 1995)
- Case
Asahi Glass Co.: Diversification Strategy
By: David J. Collis
Describes the history and diversification strategy of the Japanese manufacturer Asahi Glass Co. The company has diversified through internal growth, acquisition, and joint ventures from its origin in flat glass to a broad glass-materials, chemical, and electronics... View Details
Keywords: Acquisition; Joint Ventures; Diversification; Expansion; Vertical Integration; Manufacturing Industry; Japan
Collis, David J. "Asahi Glass Co.: Diversification Strategy." Harvard Business School Case 794-113, February 1994. (Revised April 1995.)
- 2017
- Working Paper
Explaining the Vertical-to-Horizontal Transition in the Computer Industry
This paper seeks to explain the technological forces that led to the rise of vertically integrated corporations in the late 19th century and the opposing forces that led to a vertical-to-horizontal transition in the computer industry 100 years later. I first model the... View Details
Keywords: Organizational Design; Business History; Vertical Integration; Horizontal Integration; Digital Platforms; Computer Industry
Baldwin, Carliss Y. "Explaining the Vertical-to-Horizontal Transition in the Computer Industry." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 17-084, March 2017.