Sustainable Operations - Publications - Faculty & Research

05 Jun 2018
First Look

New Research and Ideas, June 5, 2018

mechanical watchmaking industry had rematerialized to become the world’s leading exporter (in monetary value) of watches. This study reveals the process and mechanisms associated with technology reemergence, i.e., the resurgence of substantive and View Details

Keywords: Dina Gerdeman

10 Nov 2015
First Look

November 10, 2015

valuation estimates to examine whether analysts reliably assess the risk surrounding a firm's fundamental value. We find that the spread in analysts' state-side contingent valuations captures the riskiness of operations and predicts the... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

10 Jun 2002
Research & Ideas

Disruption: The Art of Framing

required by that framing. We don't pretend to have all the answers to this vexing problem, but examining what sets the winners apart does offer some provisional lessons. Separate for better performance. Across the newspaper industry, high performers had one thing in... View Details

Keywords: by Clark Gilbert & Joseph L. Bower

29 Mar 2016
First Look

March 29, 2016

requests to their city government. Users who viewed photos of the city workers responding to their service requests were more likely to continue using the app over the ensuing 13 months, demonstrating that operational transparency led to... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

Web

Policy - Business & Environment

Hawaii, and New York City to name a few. Innovation Increasingly, business leaders from many sectors are taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their operations and supply chains—and some are going further to urge... View Details

09 Nov 2009
Research & Ideas

Come Fly with Me: A History of Airline Leadership

evolution of the industry through the introduction of key service elements like flight attendants, in-flight meals, and loyalty programs. Each of these service elements, which are common today, was introduced as a key differentiator by a specific airline. To View Details

Keywords: by Sarah Jane Gilbert; Air Transportation

27 Nov 2006
Research & Ideas

Manly Men, Oil Platforms, and Breaking Stereotypes

questions: How do men construct masculine identity in high-hazard workplaces that emphasize safety and effectiveness, and what organizational features support and sustain these efforts? To address these questions, we studied offshore oil... View Details

Keywords: by Sarah Jane Gilbert; Energy; Utilities

Fall 2013
Article

Engaging Supply Chains in Climate Change

By: Chonnikarn Fern Jira and Michael W. Toffel

Suppliers are increasingly being asked to share information about their vulnerability to climate change and their strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their responses vary widely. We theorize and empirically identify several factors associated with suppliers... View Details

Keywords: Knowledge Sharing; Motivation and Incentives; Risk Management; Climate Change; Supply Chain Management; Environmental Sustainability

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January 1989 (Revised March 1995)
Case

Du Pont Freon Products Division (A)

By: Richard H.K. Vietor and Forest L. Reinhardt

In 1988, the Du Pont Co. is abruptly confronted with solid scientific evidence that chlorofluorocarbons are destroying the earth's ozone shield. Du Pont, with its Freon brand product line serving markets for foam insulation, electronics solvents, and especially... View Details

Keywords: Business Divisions; Policy; Management; Brands and Branding; Production; Service Operations; Natural Environment; Competition; Corporate Strategy; Environmental Sustainability

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Web

Challenges and Opportunities in the Restaurant Industry - Course Catalog

trillion economic impact and approximately 10% of the US gross domestic product. While scaled restaurant operations are frequently featured, interestingly approximately 70% of restaurants are single unit operations. Restaurants have also... View Details

January 2025
Case

GE Appliances 2025: Energizing Change

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Jacob A. Small

At the turn of 2025, Kevin Nolan, CEO of GE Appliances following its acquisition by Chinese appliance giant Haier in 2016, is reviewing progress toward his net zero carbon vision for homes, which would otherwise exacerbate the global warming climate crisis. An... View Details

Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Transformation; Climate Change; Environmental Sustainability; Technological Innovation; Leading Change; Product Development; Organizational Culture

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01 Dec 2017
News

Developing Insightful Global Leaders

HBS is committed to developing future leaders equipped with the cultural intelligence and skills required to operate in today’s globalized world. Key to this effort is creating opportunities for members of the School’s increasingly... View Details

13 Jun 2013
News

Learning Curve

and principals; negotiating partnerships with private-sector organizations to help cover the district's budget shortfall; and managing and supporting the partnership's 37 Home Office employees, including Director of School Operations Carl... View Details

Keywords: Educational Support Services; Educational Services; Elementary and Secondary Schools; Educational Services; Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations; Personal Services

24 Jul 2007
First Look

First Look: July 24, 2007

consider which, if any, aspects of BYD's operations constitute sources of sustainable competitive advantage for the company. Purchase this case:... View Details

Keywords: Martha Lagace

19 Jul 2011
News

Brightening the Future

rural, off-grid Philippine villages. The well-publicized “Ride for Light” was intended to call the country’s attention to the need for safe, sustainable power alternatives to the widespread reliance on kerosene, wood, and batteries, which... View Details

Keywords: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations; Personal Services

24 Aug 2016
Research & Ideas

Can Obamacare Be Saved?

Aetna’s move is not consumer friendly, it does make financial sense–at least for the time being. According to CEO Mark Bertolini, Aetna sustained more than $430 million in pre-tax losses since January 2014 in the individual health... View Details

Keywords: by John A. Quelch and Emily Boudreau; Insurance; Health

November 2019
Case

Hapag-Lloyd AG:Complying with IMO 2020

By: Benjamin C. Esty, Mette Fuglsang Hjortshoej and Emer Moloney

A new environmental regulation known as IMO 2020 was creating what one industry analyst called “the biggest shakeup for the oil and shipping industries in decades.” According to the new regulation, all ocean-going ships would have to limit their sulfur emissions by... View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Ship Transportation; Strategic Planning; Game Theory; Pollutants; Supply Chain; Corporate Accountability; Capital Budgeting; Environmental Sustainability; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Governance Compliance; Shipping Industry; Transportation Industry; Germany

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22 Jul 2021
News

Mentoring Fashion Startups in Singapore; Rising Star Accolades for Mid-Career Women

the textile industry brings wealth to the local economies. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce technologies and new businesses to these markets so they will be able to adopt sustainable practices.” In addition to Mansukhani and... View Details

Keywords: Margie Kelley

February 2011 (Revised November 2012)
Case

Product Development at OPOWER

By: Thomas Eisenmann and Rob Go

OPOWER, a software startup that helps utilities engage their customers in ways that reduce energy consumption, is scaling rapidly. The company's new head of product management has designed a system to address a point of constant tension: whether to build custom... View Details