Publications

March 1990 (Revised November 1999)
Case

MCI Communications: Planning for the 1990s

By: Robert L. Simons and Hilary Weston

Concentrates on the evolution of MCI's strategy-setting process following a period of dramatic growth. Opportunistic strategies during MCI's early years have given top managers a dislike of formal strategic planning and a strongly-held belief in top down strategy... View Details

Keywords: Globalization; Growth and Development; Planning; Strategic Planning; Growth Management; Business or Company Management; Competition; Alignment; Communications Industry

February 1998 (Revised August 2006)
Case

House of Tata, 1995: The Next Generation (A)

By: Tarun Khanna, Krishna G. Palepu and Danielle Melito Wu

The Tata Group began the 1990s as a confederation of loosely coupled firms. This case considers the rise to prominence of the new CEO of Tata Group, Ratan Tata, and his attempts to strengthen the inter-relationships among the group companies at a time when critics... View Details

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Business Conglomerates; Organizations; Corporate Strategy; Consolidation; Business Strategy; Alignment; Consumer Products Industry; Service Industry

2009
Article

Synthesis by Microbes or Chemists? Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing in the Antibiotic Era

By: Arthur A. Daemmrich

This article presents a case study of the rise of Pfizer as a leading pharmaceutical company, with a focus on changing relationships between manufacturing technology and R&D between the mid-1940s and the mid-1960s. Pfizer first moved into pharmaceuticals through... View Details

Keywords: Research and Development; Production; Technology; Transformation; Relationships; Success; Organizations; Programs; Chemicals; Alignment; Pharmaceutical Industry; United States

Find at Harvard

01 Jun 2004
News

Alumni Bookshelf

cofounded a telecommunications company. I Quit, and Choose Work That Aligns with My Soul by Karyn Pettigrew (MBA 1990) (KPConsulting) A motivational speaker, coach, and consultant, Pettigrew helps people View Details

Keywords: Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information

September 2009 (Revised September 2012)
Case

United Way

By: Allen S. Grossman and Cathy Ross

After United Way CEO Brian Gallagher began shifting the organization's focus from old-school fundraising to community impact, Gallagher and local leaders like Elise Bulk, CEO of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, faced a series of challenges regarding how to best... View Details

Keywords: Investment Funds; Business or Company Management; Problems and Challenges; Civil Society or Community; Social Issues; Alignment; Los Angeles

May 2009
Teaching Note

Equity International: The Second Act (TN)

By: Nicolas P. Retsinas and Ben Creo

Teaching Note for [209110]. View Details

Keywords: Private Equity; Investment; Alignment; Leadership Style; Experience and Expertise; Globalization; Interests; Brazil; Mexico

21 Apr 2014
News

Giving back is part of the social contract for any business

Ravi Venkatesan (MBA 1992), former chairman of Microsoft India, discusses how a company should be aligned with the objectives of its host community or country. (Published April 2014) View Details

Career Coach

Whit Collier

Whit Collier (HBS ’04, Harvard College ’99) advises students on their paths towards alignment and fulfillment in career and life. He guides clients through transitions, challenges and inflection points, bringing a balance of thoughtful... View Details

01 Apr 2002
News

Charting the Luminary Leadership in Professional Service Firms

Charting the Luminary Leadership in Professional Service Firms In their new book Aligning the Stars: How to Succeed When Professionals Drive Results (Harvard Business School Press), HBS professor Jay W. Lorsch and former Bain & Company... View Details

Keywords: professional service firms; Publishing Industries (except Internet); Information

November 2002 (Revised January 2004)
Case

Gary Rodkin At Pepsi-Cola North America (B) (Abridged)

By: David A. Thomas, Gina Carioggia and Ayesha Kanji

After assuming the position of CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America (PCNA), Gary Rodkin faces organizational problems within PCNA and external friction between PCNA and its largest bottler, the Pepsi Bottling Group. In addition to the challenge of organizational alignment,... View Details

Keywords: Restructuring; Leadership; Brands and Branding; Problems and Challenges; Situation or Environment; Conflict Management; Alignment; Food and Beverage Industry; North America

18 Jun 2007
Op-Ed

Leveling the Executive Options Playing Field

true economic performance is. The evolution of the 2 parallel universes of financial and accounting reporting systems appears to be a historical accident rather than a manifestation of 2 competing views of what profits should be. Aligning... View Details

Keywords: by Mihir Desai

John E. Swearingen

Swearingen took over the inefficient Standard Oil of Indiana in 1960. He streamlined its operations and aligned its business units while expanding Standard’s exploration of both domestic and foreign oil. By the end of his tenure, he had... View Details

Keywords: Utilities & Energy

November 2002 (Revised January 2004)
Case

Gary Rodkin at Pepsi-Cola North America (B)

By: David A. Thomas, Gina Carioggia and Ayesha Kanji

After assuming the position of CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America (PCNA), Gary Rodkin faces organizational problems within PCNA and external friction between PCNA and its largest bottler, the Pepsi Bottling Group. In addition to the challenge of organizational alignment,... View Details

Keywords: Restructuring; Leadership; Brands and Branding; Problems and Challenges; Situation or Environment; Conflict Management; Alignment; Food and Beverage Industry; North America

October 2002 (Revised July 2003)
Case

Gary Rodkin at Pepsi-Cola North America (A)

By: David A. Thomas, Gina Carioggia and Ayesha Kanji

After assuming the position of CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America (PCNA), Gary Rodkin faces organizational problems within PCNA and external friction between PCNA and its largest bottler, the Pepsi Bottling Group. In addition to the challenge of organizational alignment,... View Details

Keywords: Restructuring; Leadership; Brands and Branding; Problems and Challenges; Situation or Environment; Conflict Management; Alignment; Food and Beverage Industry; North America

01 Dec 2008
News

The CEO and the Functions of Leadership

coordination across activities and units. Both structure and processes must align with strategy. Commitment: An organization’s leadership has to provide financial and other incentives that align with... View Details

June 2000
Case

Rebirth of the Swiss Watch Industry, 1980-1992 (B): Hayek and Thomke at SMH

By: Michael L. Tushman and Daniel Radov

Describes the course pursued by Hayek, Thomke, and others in the formation of SMH. Discusses the new strategy and its implementation, charting the dramatic recovery of the large Swiss watchmakers. Ends with an exploration of Hayek's efforts to build on SMH's successes. View Details

Keywords: Strategy; Organizational Structure; Cost Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Change Management; Alignment; Success; Asia; Hong Kong

24 Jul 2014
Blog Post

Create a Content Marketing Strategy for your Talent Acquisitions Team

strategy and is looking to manage at minimum a team of 5 employees. Creating personas will help personalize your segments and consequently create content that best aligns with their interests. Tell stories each segment will want to... View Details

October 2011
Teaching Note

CNOOC: Building a World-class Energy Company (TN)

By: Joseph L. Bower

Teaching Note for 311-074. View Details

Keywords: Natural Environment; Employees; Markets; Alignment; Decisions; Leadership Development; Resource Allocation; Competition; Non-Renewable Energy; Energy Industry; China