Publications

28 Oct 2014
First Look

First Look: October 28

October 2014 Review of Financial Studies Corporate Investment and Stock Market Listing: A Puzzle? By: Asker, John, Joan Farre-Mensa, and Alexander Ljungqvist Abstract—We investigate whether short-termism distorts the investment decisions... View Details

Keywords: Carmen Nobel

March 2014
Case

Babcock International Plc

By: John R. Wells and Galen Danskin

In 2013, Babcock International Plc (Babcock) was the largest engineering services provider in the UK with sales of over £3 billion. Under the leadership of CEO Peter Rogers, Babcock had grown revenues and profits nearly tenfold over the previous decade as it benefited... View Details

Keywords: Strategic Change; Strategy And Leadership; Diversification; United Kingdom; Military; Nuclear Power; Nuclear; Engineering And Construction; Conglomerates; Strategic Planning; Competitive Strategy; Global Strategy; Corporate Strategy; Construction Industry; Energy Industry; United Kingdom

May 2016
Case

The Inexorable Rise of Walmart? 1988—2016

By: John R. Wells and Gabriel Ellsworth

In October 2015, Walmart surprised investors by announcing that it expected flat sales growth for 2015 and growth of only 3% to 4% over the coming three years. Profits would also fall due to significant investments in people and technology. The company’s stock price... View Details

Keywords: Asda; Costco; David Glass; Convenience Stores; Discount Retailing; Dollar Stores; Doug McMillon; E-commerce; Online Retail; General Merchandise; Grocery; Lee Scott; Mike Duke; Multichannel Retailing; Omnichannel; Neighborhood Market; Sam Walton; Sam's Club; Store Formats; Supercenter; Supermarket; Warehouse Clubs; Merchandising; Walmart; Wal-Mart; Globalized Firms and Management; Competitive Strategy; Corporate Strategy; Growth and Development Strategy; Business Units; Business Divisions; Business Growth and Maturation; Business Model; Business Organization; For-Profit Firms; Film Entertainment; Television Entertainment; Banks and Banking; Price; Profit; Revenue; Food; Global Range; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Global Strategy; Business History; Compensation and Benefits; Employees; Human Capital; Labor Unions; Wages; Business or Company Management; Goals and Objectives; Management Succession; Brands and Branding; Product Positioning; Distribution; Supply Chain; Supply Chain Management; Public Ownership; Problems and Challenges; Labor and Management Relations; Strategy; Adaptation; Business Strategy; Competition; Competitive Advantage; Diversification; Expansion; Segmentation; Information Technology; Internet; Mobile Technology; Online Technology; Web; Web Sites; Retail Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; Distribution Industry; Banking Industry; United States; Arkansas; Bentonville

01 Dec 2022
News

Full Court Press

organization required a very specific kind of leader, and he had one in mind: former classmate Williams, who led corporate and investment banking for African markets at South Africa’s Standard Bank. “He’s always been a real strategic,... View Details

Keywords: Dan Morrell

Web

Sustainable Investing Course | HBS Online

strategies Gain insights into the climate risk inherent in investment opportunities Discover how to integrate risks into financial models Think critically about how and where to add value while avoiding “impact washing” Who Will Benefit... View Details

12 Mar 2013
First Look

First Look: March 12

use of limited malaria medications and preventing increased resistance to first-line malaria treatment. However, despite the evident potential benefits of RDTs, many clinicians in Zambia do not use them or simply ignore their results. Why... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

11 Oct 2016
First Look

October 11, 2016

Fails—and What to Do about It By: Beer, Michael, Magnus Finnström, and Derek Schrader Abstract—U.S. corporations spend enormous amounts of money—some $456 billion globally in 2015 alone—on employee training and education, but they aren't... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

01 Dec 2018
News

Innovation Outside the Boundaries

organizations they will work for and the communities they will live in stand to benefit enormously from that kind of background.” “When I talk to current HBS students and recent graduates, they often cite their global immersion trip as... View Details

23 Apr 2018
Research & Ideas

Sponsorship Programs Could Actually Widen the Gender Gap

FabioFilzi Key aspects of corporate sponsorship programs, while designed to advance women’s careers, may end up widening the gender gap rather than narrowing it, according to new experimental research. “We’re not trying to say that... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel

Web

A Tradition of Philanthropy - Alumni

mission to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. On behalf of all who benefit from the School’s work, we are grateful to the donors who believe in and help shape this institution. 1908 Harvard's Graduate School of Business... View Details

Web

Sustainable Business Strategy Course | HBS Online

do in your career to become a purpose-driven leader Who Will Benefit Purpose-Driven Professionals CSR and Consulting Professionals Leaders and Entrepreneurs Learn how businesses can effect change, and how you can influence others using a... View Details

April 2009
Case

Merck: Managing Vioxx (A)

By: Robert L. Simons, Kathryn Rosenberg and Natalie Kindred

This two-class case series allows students to stand in the shoes of CEO Ray Gilmartin during the unfolding stages of a reputational crisis. Merck's mission statement claims to "put patients first," but the company is widely criticized for putting profit before patient... View Details

Keywords: Ethics; Crisis Management; Reputation; Decision Choices and Conditions; Customers; Business or Company Management; Cost vs Benefits; Corporate Accountability; Business and Shareholder Relations; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Customer Focus and Relationships; Pharmaceutical Industry

13 Mar 2005
Research & Ideas

The Tricky Business of Nonprofit Brands

brands establish this incredible level of trust? A: Trust is essential for nonprofits. The purchasers or donors are not the ones receiving or benefiting from the nonprofit organization's services and programs. Since the purchasers cannot... View Details

Keywords: by Manda Salls

Web

Disruptive Innovation Online Course | HBS Online

disruptive scope Gain confidence articulating complex viewpoints Who Will Benefit Innovative Leaders Forward-Thinking Strategists Aspiring Entrepreneurs Align your resources, processes, and financial strategy to position your business for... View Details

02 Apr 2007
Lessons from the Classroom

Making the Move to General Manager

think and improving their business judgment is what GMP is really all about, says Esty. For faculty it's exciting, he said, because the teaching imperative mirrors the participants' experiences because faculty teach outside their own area of expertise. Esty, for... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

May 2024
Supplement

Forest Park Capital (B)

By: Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff

During the Covid-19 Pandemic in 2020, Betsy Harbison formed the search fund Forest Park Capital with the intention of purchasing a small business. The case conveys the details of Betsy’s final decision at the terminus of her search, between a software company... View Details

Keywords: Search Fund; Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition; Acquisition; Small Business; Cost vs Benefits; Decisions; Business Education; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Leadership Style; Leading Change; Business or Company Management; Problems and Challenges; Tourism Industry; Web Services Industry; North America; Missouri