Publications

September 1975 (Revised June 1983)
Background Note

Note on the Structural Analysis of Industries

By: Michael E. Porter

Provides a framework for the analysis of industry structure. Identifies the major structural features that influence the profit potential in industries and some illustrative implications of these for strategy formulation. Can be used as a reference note for business... View Details

Keywords: Industry Structures; Business Strategy; Profit

summer 1975
Article

Simulation of Bond Portfolio Strategies: Laddered vs. Barbell Maturity Sturctures

By: D. B. Crane and Stephen P. Bradley

Keywords: Bonds; Investment; Strategy

May 1975 (Revised October 1985)
Case

Marks and Spencer Ltd.

By: Joseph L. Bower

This business policy and retailing strategy case focuses on the unique corporate strategy and philosophy of a leading English retailer. Emphasizes expansion plans. View Details

Keywords: Learning; Policy; Management; Corporate Strategy; Expansion; Retail Industry

March 1975
Article

Optimal Strategies in Repeated Games with Incomplete Information

By: Elon Kohlberg

Keywords: Games, Gaming, and Gambling; Strategy; Information

November 1974 (Revised May 1994)
Case

Science Technology Co.

By: Thomas R. Piper

The president of a medium-sized electronics company is evaluating the financial forecasts and proposed financing program submitted by the chief financial officer. The forecasts are prepared in constant dollars, on which basis the proposed financing plan seems... View Details

Keywords: Currency; Financial Strategy; Forecasting and Prediction; Inflation and Deflation; Risk and Uncertainty; Outcome or Result; Technology Industry; Electronics Industry

Article

Population and Nutrition: A Case for Integration

By: James E. Austin and F. James Levinson

Keywords: Nutrition; Integration; Groups and Teams

spring 1974
Article

The Optimality of a Competitive Stock Market

By: Robert C. Merton and Marti G. Subrahmanyam

Keywords: Competition; Stocks; Markets

December 1973 (Revised November 1993)
Case

Cooper Industries, Inc.

By: Thomas R. Piper

The executive president of a major industrial company must decide 1) whether to acquire a small hand tool company and, if so, 2) the value and form that the acquisition package should take. View Details

Keywords: Decisions; Valuation; Acquisition; Management Teams; Consumer Products Industry

September 1973 (Revised October 1980)
Case

Sea Pines Racquet Club

By: W. Earl Sasser

The student is required to develop a strategy for a tennis club of a large resort area. The tennis director must decide how many courts he needs to build within the next three years, what surface they should have, and how much he should charge for their use.... View Details

Keywords: Price; Service Operations; Organizations; Performance Capacity; Planning; Strategy; Accommodations Industry; Sports Industry

January 1973 (Revised September 1990)
Case

Carrefour S.A.

By: William E. Fruhan Jr.

Involves a very rapidly growing retail chain that is financing itself in an unusual (and at first glance) risky fashion. View Details

Keywords: Growth and Development Strategy; Financing and Loans; Risk and Uncertainty; Retail Industry

November 1972 (Revised July 2023)
Case

Benihana of Tokyo

By: W. Earl Sasser

Discusses the development of a chain of "theme" restaurants. The student is asked to evaluate the current operating strategy and suggest a long-term expansion strategy. View Details

Keywords: Expansion; Business Strategy; Brands and Branding; Food and Beverage Industry; Food and Beverage Industry

spring 1971
Article

A Model for Integrating Sampling Objectives in Auditing

By: Robert S. Kaplan and Yuri Ijiri

Keywords: Integration

summer 1970
Article

Marketing Strategy and Bank Service Interaction: A Probability Model

By: D. B. Crane

Keywords: Marketing; Strategy; Banks and Banking

March 1969 (Revised January 2000)
Case

Industrial Products, Inc.

By: Joseph L. Bower and John W. Rosenblum

Involves the decision of whether to construct a new plant in another part of the country for a line of fire protection equipment. Capital funds set aside for the construction are blocked by Fireguard's continued record of substantial operating losses and divisional... View Details

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Factories, Labs, and Plants; Capital; Construction; Financing and Loans; Expansion; Business Earnings; Markets; Product; Manufacturing Industry

July 1967 (Revised September 1982)
Case

Head Ski Co., Inc.

By: Howard H. Stevenson

Describes the development of the company to its present preeminence in high-priced skis and the avenues that it can follow to obtain new growth. View Details

Keywords: Business Growth and Maturation; Growth and Development Strategy; Manufacturing Industry; Sports Industry

December 1961 (Revised January 1994)
Case

Plowman Poultry Farm

By: Samuel L. Hayes III

A poultry farmer wanted to expand production greatly and sought a large extension of his line of credit from his bank in addition to his existing loan on which he had not made payment. The Board of Directors must review a detailed account of events leading to this... View Details

Keywords: Governing and Advisory Boards; Animal-Based Agribusiness; Expansion; Decision Choices and Conditions; Financing and Loans; Commercial Banking; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry