Publications

21 Jan 2021
News

imports 90 percent of its food supply, considered the uncertainties climate change is introducing into the global food market and set a target of fulfilling 30 percent of its nutritional needs domestically by 2030; alternative protein... View Details

September–October 2023
Article

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: The Effects of Common Ownership on Corporate Social Responsibility

By: Mark R. DesJardine, Jody Grewal and Kala Viswanathan

Common owners face an incredible investment challenge: managing systematic risk. Because common owners hold shares in multiple firms across an industry, an action (or inaction) by one firm that affects industry peers is felt more severely by common owners than by... View Details

Keywords: Common Ownership; Environmental Sustainability; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Institutional Investing; Corporate Governance; Risk and Uncertainty; Investment Return

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March 1999 (Revised March 2000)
Case

Cross Country Group, The: A Piece of the Rock (A)

By: Robert L. Simons and Indra Reinbergs

A new MBA graduate joins a privately held family business and sets ambitious growth goals for the next five years. To enhance motivation, he proposes a new incentive plan that will grant him a share of the wealth he creates. However, the family owners have a more... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Decisions; Motivation and Incentives; Business Strategy; Performance Efficiency; Risk and Uncertainty; Growth and Development; Planning; Accounting Industry; Employment Industry

2012
Article

The Excess Burden of Government Indecision

By: Francisco J. Gomes, Laurence J. Kotlikoff and Luis M. Viceira

Governments are known for procrastinating when it comes to resolving painful policy problems. Whatever the political motives for waiting to decide, procrastination distorts economic decisions relative to what would arise with early policy resolution. In so doing, it... View Details

Keywords: Saving; Risk and Uncertainty; Investment Portfolio; Decision Choices and Conditions; Retirement; Policy; Government and Politics

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August 2011 (Revised February 2012)
Background Note

A Note on Water

By: Robert G. Eccles, Amy C. Edmondson, George Serafeim and Sarah E. Farrell

This note provides background on the complex issues regarding the supply and consumption of water and how this natural resource is at increasing risk, resulting in significant economic, political and environmental issues. View Details

Keywords: Economics; Government and Politics; Demand and Consumers; Supply and Industry; Risk and Uncertainty; Natural Environment; Pollutants; Environmental Sustainability

22 Sep 2020
Research & Ideas

Recessions Push Some Entrepreneurs to Launch Too Soon

uncertainty regarding the virus itself (when can we expect a vaccine?), and the pandemic has hit countries and regions in very different ways. In the meantime, we are faced with trade disputes, consumers are changing habits, and companies... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

04 Apr 2018
Op-Ed

Op-Ed: Why Private Investors Must Fund 'New Nuclear' Power Right Now

Drbouz In June 2016, I gave a TED Talk called We Need Nuclear Power to Solve Climate Change. The talk discussed the world’s realistic options for reducing fossil CO2 emissions soon enough to contain climate change’s more severe effects. To my surprise, that talk has... View Details

Keywords: by Joseph Lassiter; Energy; Green Technology

25 Apr 2012
What Do You Think?

How Will the “Age of Big Data” Affect Management?

potential for competitive advantage associated with data analytics. This all raises many questions. Will the age of big data eliminate most or all uncertainty from business decisions for those most able to make effective use of "all the... View Details

Keywords: Re: James L. Heskett

15 Oct 2001
Research & Ideas

Rethinking E-Leadership

boomers—the current economic uncertainty makes their wisdom and experience all the more valuable. Still, it's easy to get too caught up in this perceived intergenerational clash. As Harvard Business School professor D. Quinn Mills writes... View Details

Keywords: by Melissa Raffoni

18 Sep 2000
Research & Ideas

Big Deals: Financing Large-Scale Investments

for additional billion-dollar investments in Mozambique." Given the level of uncertainty involved with these projects, however, they require years of negotiation and careful allocation of risk among the various parties.... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Hanna

Article

Business, Governments and Political Risk in South Asia and Latin America since 1970

By: G. Jones and Rachael Comunale

This article contributes to the literature on political risk in business and economic history by examining both new perspectives (risk encountered by companies domestically, rather than risk for foreign investors) and new settings (emerging markets economies in Latin... View Details

Keywords: Political Risk; Emerging Market; Bribery; Business ＆ Government Relations; Turbulence; Violence; Risk and Uncertainty; Emerging Markets; Crime and Corruption; Business and Government Relations; Business History; India; Latin America

September 2008
Case

Samoa Tala

By: Joshua D. Coval, Bhagwan Chowdhry and Konark Saxena

This case examines currency risks faced by Microfinance Institutions, and evaluates strategies to hedge them in countries with pegged currency regimes and no derivatives markets. An MFI based in Western Samoa borrows in different currencies like the US dollar and the... View Details

Keywords: Cash Flow; Currency Exchange Rate; Microfinance; Risk and Uncertainty; Financial Services Industry; Samoa

December 2003 (Revised May 2004)
Case

Blockbuster Inc. & Technological Substitution (A): Achieving Dominance in the Video Rental Industry

Provides a comprehensive background of the video rental industry and home entertainment giant, Blockbuster Inc. Follows the life of Blockbuster Inc. from its first days under founder Wayne Huizenga to its most recent developments under 2003 CEO John Antioco. By looking... View Details

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Decisions; Technological Innovation; Competition; Change Management; Economics; Service Industry; Motion Pictures and Video Industry

04 Nov 2020
News

The Long View: Persevering Through Past Crises

Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Spotify More Skydeck episodes “We are only as good as our experiences. I think of every setback as an experience to make me stronger, more marketable and a better executive or entrepreneur. While I wouldn't wish COVID on anyone, since... View Details

June 2002 (Revised April 2004)
Case

Studio, The

By: Walter J. Salmon and Wendy Carter

The founders and proprietors of a successful 23-year old women's apparel store are facing a critical issue. Can they grow by adding a second store that will not compete with their existing operation? If so, where should it be located, what managerial changes are... View Details

Keywords: Expansion; Risk and Uncertainty; Business Growth and Maturation; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Retail Industry

December 2000 (Revised May 2001)
Supplement

State of South Carolina

By: Randolph B. Cohen

Spreadsheet to (9-201-061). Presents exhibits 1 and 2. Download only. View Details

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Capital Markets; Investment Return; South Carolina

spring 1990
Article

Earnings and Risk Changes Surrounding Primary Stock Offers

By: Paul M. Healy and Krishna G. Palepu

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Business Earnings; Change; Stocks

January 2000 (Revised November 2001)
Case

Mavesa (A): Business Strategy Amid Economic and Political Turmoil

Examines Mavesa's response to external liberalization in 1989. The consumer packaged goods firm, which had been extensively vertically integrated, completely revamps its business strategy in the 1990s. View Details

Keywords: Risk and Uncertainty; Economy; Business Strategy; Government and Politics