Publications

December 2011 (Revised April 2013)
Case

Akamai's Edge (A)

By: Eric Van den Steen

In 2009, Paul Sagan, CEO of Akamai, the leading online content delivery network with a 60% market share, needs to decide how to respond to aggressive entry in its market, whether and how to pursue the explosive growth in online video, and whether to stay with its... View Details

Keywords: Competitive Advantage; Market Entry and Exit; Business Model; Competitive Strategy; Values and Beliefs; Business Strategy; Internet

December 2008
Supplement

Procter & Gamble in the 21st Century (B): Welcoming Gillette (Abridged)

By: Rosabeth M. Kanter and Matthew Bird

A.G. Lafley and P&G leaders decided to approach the Gillette integration differently from previous mergers. Using P&G's purpose, values, and principles (PVP) it treated the acquisition as a merger which sought to take the "best of both" from each company. In the... View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Integration; Mission and Purpose; Values and Beliefs; Change Management; Organizational Change and Adaptation

January 2008
Article

How to Change the World

By: Howard H. Stevenson

Alan Wilson has a decision to make. The CEO of his company, Grepter, wants him to relocate to Zurich, where he can gain valuable experience for a rise to the top. Karl, his best friend, hopes to lure him to a hedge fund that promises big money fast. Shiori, an enticing... View Details

Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Values and Beliefs; Compensation and Benefits; Personal Development and Career; Power and Influence

Find at Harvard

16 Apr 2013
First Look

First Look: April 16

different economic systems. In particular, two equilibria might arise: one with low taxes and a belief that the income-generating process is "fair" because effort is important (an "American" equilibrium) and another... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

11 Mar 2014
Research & Ideas

Book Excerpt: ’Entrepreneurship and Multinationals’

both the pace of globalization in today's world, and the reappearance of multiple critics. This book is motivated by the belief that it is important to provide robust historical evidence on which to inform opinions and judgment about both... View Details

Keywords: Re: Geoffrey G. Jones

21 Mar 2012
Op-Ed

Finding the Right Jeremy Lin Storyline

we may turn against him if or when he fails? The Privileged Underdog Story: If the storyline is how Lin's relative privilege as a Harvard graduate worked against him, the questions we ignore are about our beliefs about the role of college... View Details

Keywords: by Lakshmi Ramarajan; Entertainment & Recreation

01 Jun 2011
News

America the Unequal

people with zero net worth, and even negative net worth, can still believe that they are living the American dream, doing “better” than their parents did while keeping up with the Joneses. Second, poorer Americans’ belief in social... View Details

Keywords: income disparity; class mobility

01 Dec 2009
News

Taking the Plunge

Americans to wash with water after using the toilet. Another is a change in beliefs — Americans do not view toilets as a consumer electronic. Finally, American homes aren’t built with electrical outlets next to the toilet, a necessity for... View Details

Keywords: Julia Hanna; Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing; Manufacturing

17 Apr 2025
Blog Post

From Tech to Coaching: Empowering Women and Minority Leaders with Yue Zhao (MBA 2013)

learning directly from VCs and experienced entrepreneurs. Being surrounded by people taking risks and building companies reinforced my belief that I wanted to work at the intersection of business, technology, and impact. Climbing the... View Details

22 Jan 2014
Research & Ideas

High-Tech Immigrant Workers Don’t Cost US Jobs

many cases, the firm ends up sponsoring the immigrant for permanent residency, which strengthens the worker's ties with the firm even more. “I don't have the belief that firms are using this to reduce the wage level that they have to pay... View Details

Keywords: by Dina Gerdeman; Computer; Financial Services

30 Apr 2007
Research & Ideas

All Eyes on Slovakia’s Flat Tax

Slovakia highlights the fact that the beliefs and views of a country on what is fair [do] matter for the long-term sustainability of reforms," says Alfaro. Alfaro, Dessain, and Jensen joined forces for an e-mail interview with HBS... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace

July 1972 (Revised September 1985)
Case

Saturday Evening Post (Revised)

Permits analysis of the need for adapting strategy to environmental change and for choosing among strategic alternatives in the light of new environmental opportunities. Management and board failures in these areas may be traced to some of the underlying causes,... View Details

Keywords: Journals and Magazines; Management Style; Values and Beliefs; Governing and Advisory Boards; Adaptation; Leadership Style; Media and Broadcasting Industry; United States

June 1996
Case

Armscor: Life After Apartheid?

After taking office, South Africa's new president, Nelson Mandela, must decide whether to dismantle or support Armscor, South Africa's state-owned arms company, which has been a pillar of the apartheid regime. Complicating matters is the fact that the arms industry was... View Details

Keywords: Values and Beliefs; Competitive Advantage; State Ownership; Government Administration; Business and Government Relations; Public Administration Industry; South Africa