Publications

Product Management 101 (PM 101) is a project-based MBA elective that uses a learning-by-doing approach to teach the basics of the high-tech product manager role. Student teams design and supervise development of a software application, and then launch... View Details

20 Apr 2021
Book

A Simple Question That Can Guide Companies to Epic Success

everybody does? My colleague Professor Raffaella Sadun has wonderful research that shows just how slowly even key managerial practices diffuse. All of a sudden, being a good manager confers a lasting competitive advantage. Kost: You end... View Details

Keywords: by Danielle Kost

August 1996 (Revised January 1999)
Background Note

Achieving and Sustaining Superior Profits

A basic premise of strategy is that superior profits occur when a corporation secures favorable positions in attractive industries, and pursues economies of scope across business units. This note draws on research that documents the importance of industry, positioning,... View Details

Keywords: Competition; Profit

February 1999 (Revised August 2004)
Case

Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)

By: Stephen A. Greyser

Chronicles the background of the founding of the WNBA, its basic business concept, some of the key research information used by the NBA in launching it, and other related information. Students must analyze the "basic business model" involved and compare it to that of... View Details

Keywords: Business Model; Research; Outcome or Result; Sports; Gender; Sports Industry

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14 Feb 2013
Working Paper Summaries

Fostering Translational Research: Using Public-Private Partnerships to Improve Firm Survival, Employment Growth, and Innovative Performance

Keywords: by Sen Chai & Willy C. Shih; Education

December 1998
Background Note

Note on Low-Tech Marketing Math

By: Robert J. Dolan

Describes basic calculations useful in marketing analysis, break-even analysis, and price-volume relationships. View Details

Keywords: Mathematical Methods; Finance

23 Aug 2010
News

Toward A Real Science Of Leadership

24 Oct 2013
News

When 3+1 is more than 4

28 Aug 2020
Video

Stata Reproducible Reporting (DynDoc) Demo

April 1990
Case

Clark Material Handling Group-Overseas: Brazilian Product Strategy (A&B) (Condensed)

By: Robert J. Dolan

Assumes some knowledge of conjoint analysis. Permits analysis of basic results and dynamic market simulations in one class session. View Details

Keywords: Mathematical Methods; Marketing

The nature of work is changing. As companies grapple with forces—such as rapid technological change, shifting global product and labor markets, evolving regulatory regimes, outsourcing, and the fast emergence of the gig economy—they must overcome challenges and... View Details

February 2003 (Revised March 2006)
Case

Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM)

By: Michael E. Porter, Willis M. Emmons III and Christian Fenner

Le Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A. (CSEM)--the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology--was a major nonprofit research institution located in Neuchatel, Switzerland, with roots in the Swiss watch industry. CSEM maintained close links to... View Details

Keywords: Cooperation; Information Technology; Alliances; Research and Development; Performance Productivity; Innovation and Invention; Nonprofit Organizations; Electronics Industry; Switzerland

September–October 2017
Article

Why Do We Undervalue Competent Management?: Neither Great Leadership Nor Brilliant Strategy Matters Without Operational Excellence

By: Raffaella Sadun, Nicholas Bloom and John Van Reenen

A recurring message in business education is that you can’t compete on the basis of management processes because they’re easily copied. Operational effectiveness is table stakes in the competitive universe, it is often assumed, and thus cannot serve as a sustainable... View Details

Keywords: Management; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Management Practices and Processes; Performance Effectiveness

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01 Nov 2013
News

Does Management Really Work?

25 Jan 2022
Research & Ideas

More Proof That Money Can Buy Happiness (or a Life with Less Stress)

particularly important now, as inflation eats into the ability of many Americans to afford basic necessities like food and gas, and COVID-19 continues to disrupt the job market. Buying less stress The inspiration for View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

13 Apr 2023
HBS Seminar

Bhaven Sampat, Columbia

Research Summary

Experiential Learning and Knowledge Mentors

By: Dorothy A. Leonard

Dorothy Leonard’s research on innovation and knowledge transfer has always emphasized learning by doing. During the past several years, she has been exploring how organizations can foster faster skills learning. While there are generational differences in... View Details

April 2012 (Revised May 2012)
Case

Merck: Operating Science-Based Business

By: Ananth Raman, Inga Maurer and William Schmidt

Merck is known for its commitment to investing in basic R&D. Are Merck's long-term investments justifiable when the firm faces extreme earnings pressure? View Details

Keywords: Science-Based Business; Management; Research and Development; Business and Shareholder Relations; Operations; Pharmaceutical Industry; United States