Publications

April 1980 (Revised September 1985)
Background Note

The Disposable Diaper Industry in 1974

Describes the rapidly growing disposable diaper industry in 1974, a period in which Procter and Gamble's industry leadership faced strong challenges from Kimberly Clark, Johnson and Johnson, and Union Carbide. The latter two firms were in the process of entry into the... View Details

Keywords: Market Entry and Exit; Competition; Consumer Products Industry

March 1980 (Revised February 1987)
Case

Sweco, Inc. (A)

By: Michael E. Porter and George S. Yip

Describes Sweco's decision about whether to enter the mud-processing equipment industry (used in oil well drilling). This is an internal entry decision, and the case describes Sweco's existing businesses as well as the mud-processing industry and competitors. The case... View Details

Keywords: Cost vs Benefits; Decisions; Forecasting and Prediction; Cost; Analytics and Data Science; Market Entry and Exit; Competition

February 1980 (Revised April 1981)
Case

Poland Spring Bottling Corp.

By: Benson P. Shapiro

Poland Spring is a small domestic bottler of mineral water trying to compete in a rapidly expanding market against Perrier, the dominant brand, and 20 other foreign and domestic waters. Company management must decide how to position and promote its product with limited... View Details

Keywords: Product Marketing; Product Positioning; Competition; Globalized Markets and Industries; Food and Beverage Industry; Distribution Industry; United States

January 1980 (Revised August 1986)
Case

General Electric vs. Westinghouse in Large Turbine Generators (A)

Describes the U.S. large turbine generator industry in early 1963, a period of severe price cutting and depressed industry conditions. Presents data to allow a structural analysis of the industry and an analysis of the strategies of the major players since 1946. The... View Details

Keywords: Transformation; Customer Focus and Relationships; Machinery and Machining; Cost Management; Price; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Marketing Strategy; Industry Structures; Competition; Manufacturing Industry; United States

January 1980 (Revised April 1994)
Case

New Balance Athletic Shoes

By: Kim B. Clark

Faced with growth exceeding 100% per year, James Davis, president of New Balance, must decide how to meet the need for additional capacity. Several factors contribute to a climate of extreme uncertainty. Several options are considered, ranging from a second shift to... View Details

Keywords: Factories, Labs, and Plants; Forecasting and Prediction; Financial Strategy; Information; Growth Management; Organizational Design; Performance Capacity; Risk and Uncertainty; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Republic of Ireland

January 1, 1980
Article

Strategies of Multinational Firms: New Third World Multinationals

By: L. T. Wells Jr.

Keywords: Strategy; Business Ventures; Global Range

October 1979 (Revised March 1986)
Case

PC&D, Inc.

By: Evelyn T. Christiansen and Richard G. Hamermesh

Covers history of PC&D from 1960 to 1975 as it grows from a single business firm to a diversified firm. Emphasizes the use of subsidiaries for product development and fast growth. Other issues include problems of a new CEO in keeping control of fast growing divisions. View Details

Keywords: Leadership; Business Subsidiaries; Diversification; Growth Management; Product Development

Article

How to Compete in Stagnant Industries

By: Richard G. Hamermesh

Keywords: Competition; Business Ventures

1979
Book

Financial Strategy

By: W. E. Fruhan Jr.

Keywords: Finance; Strategy

1979
Chapter

Strategic Management: A New View of Business Policy and Planning

By: Joseph L. Bower and Yves L. Doz

Keywords: Business Strategy; Business Plan; Business or Company Management; Policy

May 1979 (Revised April 1987)
Case

Great Lakes Diversified Corp.: The Detroit Plant

By: W. Earl Sasser and David C. Rikert

Keywords: Buildings and Facilities; Planning; Production; Strategy; Michigan

May 1979 (Revised January 1994)
Exercise

Hedging Exercises

By: David E. Bell

Keywords: Financial Strategy; Investment Funds

Article

Marketing and Distribution Strategies for International Organizations

By: John C. Pattison and John A. Quelch

April 1979 (Revised October 1983)
Case

U.S. Securities Industry in 1979

Keywords: Competitive Strategy; Financial Services Industry; United States

April 1979 (Revised July 1985)
Case

Receiving Tube Industry in 1967-78

Keywords: Competition; Competitive Strategy

April 1979 (Revised June 1988)
Case

Chain Saw Industry in 1978

By: Michael E. Porter and David J. Collis

For use on the second day of a two-day sequence on the U.S. chain saw industry. Describes the evolution of the industry since 1974. Illustrates issues in industry evolution, the forces causing evolution, and the strategic issues raised by evolution. The discussion can... View Details

Keywords: Competition; Industry Growth; Manufacturing Industry; United States

April 1979 (Revised April 1986)
Case

Mexico: Development Strategies and Performance

By: James E. Austin

Keywords: Developing Countries and Economies; Growth and Development Strategy; Mexico

March–April 1979
Article

Choosing Strategies for Change

By: Leonard A. Schlesinger and John P. Kotter

"From the frying pan into the fire," "let sleeping dogs lie," and "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" are all well-known sayings born of the fear of change. When people are threatened with change in organizations, similar maxims about certain people and departments... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Strategy; Change Management

April 1979
Article

Communication Patterns, Project Performance, and Task Characteristics: An Empirical Evaluation and Integration in an R&D Setting

By: Ralph Katz and Michael Tushman

Keywords: Communication; Projects; Performance; Information; Integration; Research and Development