Publications

2012
Chapter

Institutional Pressures and Organizational Characteristics: Implications for Environmental Strategy

By: Magali A. Delmas and Michael W. Toffel

A broad literature has emerged over the past decades demonstrating that firms' environmental strategies and practices are influenced by stakeholders and institutional pressures. Such findings are consistent with institutional sociology, which emphasizes the importance... View Details

Keywords: Management Practices and Processes; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Business and Stakeholder Relations; Natural Environment; Business Strategy

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October 2009
Case

Low-k Dielectrics at IBM

By: Willy C. Shih and Giovanni Carraro

Innovations at the frontiers of technology carry enormous risk of making wrong choices. This case examines a decision made by IBM in its semiconductor process technology strategy: a material to use as a dielectric insulator in its leading edge silicon chip technology.... View Details

Keywords: Competency and Skills; Decision Choices and Conditions; Technological Innovation; Product Development; Science; Creativity; Semiconductor Industry; United States

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04 May 2007
What Do You Think?

How Do Managers Think?

"Interesting to make analogies, but the basics of medical decision making are grounded in scientific fact whereas there is no unified body of knowledge based on science for the manager." As Todd Rhoad put it, " doctors are... View Details

Keywords: by Jim Heskett

28 Jan 2014
First Look

First Look: January 28

Publications August 2013 Princeton University Press Fortune Tellers: The Story of America's First Economic Forecasters By: Friedman, Walter A. Abstract—The period leading up to the Great Depression witnessed the rise of the economic forecasters, pioneers who sought... View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

2008
Article

The Gordon Research Conferences As Scientific Infrastructure

By: Arthur A. Daemmrich and Leah Shaper

Conferences serve as a crucial part of scientific infrastructure by offering participants the opportunity to announce novel findings, discuss research methods, and take part in a variety of networking activities. Presenting papers and learning about unpublished new... View Details

Keywords: Conferences; Interpersonal Communication; Infrastructure; Science-Based Business; Social and Collaborative Networks

October 2012
Teaching Plan

Vertex Pharmaceuticals and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: Venture Philanthropy Funding for Biotech (TP)

By: Robert F. Higgins

This is the teaching note related to HBS case 808005. In 2001, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated acquired the San Diego-based biotech company, Aurora Biosciences. The combination of Vertex's and Aurora's technologies would improve the flow of novel drug candidates... View Details

Keywords: Venture Philanthropy; Biotechnology; Funding Philanthropy Venture; Cystic Fibrosis; Foundations; Pharmaceuticals; Mergers and Acquisitions; For-Profit Firms; Venture Capital; Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Science-Based Business; Nonprofit Organizations; Pharmaceutical Industry; Biotechnology Industry; United States; San Diego

February 1997 (Revised May 1998)
Case

3M: Negotiating Air Pollution Credits (A)

By: Michael A. Wheeler and Thomas Dretler

A proposed trade of air pollution emission credits between 3M (now Imation) and Procter and Gamble is described. Though such trading is encouraged under federal environmental laws, 3M had adopted a company-wide policy against such deals. Procter and Gamble needs the... View Details

Keywords: Conflict of Interests; Negotiation Types; Pollutants; Negotiation Participants; Laws and Statutes; Policy; Government and Politics; United States

April 2006 (Revised November 2021)
Case

Endesa Chile: Raising the Ralco Dam (A)

By: Kathleen L. McGinn, Paula J. Laschober and Dina Pradel

Endesa Chile, the largest electricity generation company in Chile, is building a major power plant on the Biobio River in Southern Chile. A historic conflict involving the indigenous people of the Biobio River, the Chilean government, and international conservation... View Details

Keywords: Buildings and Facilities; Energy Generation; Government and Politics; Negotiation; Business and Community Relations; Natural Environment; Conflict and Resolution; Social Issues; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Environmental Sustainability; Energy Industry; Chile

15 Jun 2021
News

The Path Ahead

has taken the lead in coordinating and sharing case leads, and we saw remarkable progress this past year in the Required Curriculum of the MBA Program. COVID-19 has changed the way we operate in both business and social settings. What (if... View Details

2012
Article

Do Voters Demand Responsive Governments? Evidence from Indian Disaster Relief

By: Shawn Cole, Andrew Healy and Eric Werker

Using rainfall, public relief, and election data from India, we examine how governments respond to adverse shocks and how voters react to these responses. The data show that voters punish the incumbent party for weather events beyond its control. However, fewer voters... View Details

Keywords: Political Elections; System Shocks; Natural Disasters; Policy; Motivation and Incentives; Public Opinion; India

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2000
Chapter

Anticipating Greener Supply Chain Demands: One Singapore Company's Journey to ISO 14001

By: Michael W. Toffel

One major benefit of Jebsen & Jessen Packaging Pte Ltd (JJPS’s) implementation of ISO 14001 is that it acquired a third-party 'seal of approval' that will be used in its marketing efforts to meet the growing environmental concern of its customers within the electronics... View Details

Keywords: Supply Chain Management; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Standards; Environmental Sustainability; Singapore

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15 Nov 2018
Blog Post

Valuing an MBA: Beyond Dollars and “Sense"

motivated, diverse, socially minded peers with big dreams for one another. Personally, I am grateful for a community here that has challenged my thinking, honed my aspirations, and shared unforgettable new experiences. We are lucky that... View Details

01 Jun 2022
News

'Rooted' In Innovation

flows, how to analyze cash statements, and how to quantify progress was very helpful to me.” Ajanoh also found supportive communities at the Harvard i-lab and the Social Innovation and Change Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School,... View Details

Keywords: Deborah Blagg

06 Jan 2010
What Do You Think?

Is a Stringent Climate Change Agreement a Pot of Gold?

financing, a socially positive attitude toward entrepreneurship and the failure that it often entails, and a market for new ideas). If that's the case, countries that should be at the forefront in advocating more stringent rules regarding... View Details

Keywords: by Jim Heskett; Energy; Utilities

Web

Online Dynamic Teaming Course | HBS Online

learning from them and differentiate between basic, complex, and intelligent failure. Highlights Intelligent Failure Experimentation and Iteration Show Hide Details Concepts Failing Well Intelligent Failure Basic Failure and Blameless Reporting Complex Failure The... View Details

January 2024 (Revised April 2024)
Case

Target Malaria: Editing Mosquitoes through Gene Drives

By: Shikhar Ghosh and Shweta Bagai

Target Malaria, a non-profit research consortium, is exploring the application of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to combat malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its approach uses gene drives, a revolutionary tool, to suppress the population of malaria-carrying... View Details

Keywords: Health Disorders; Technological Innovation; Nonprofit Organizations; Business Strategy; Genetics; Ethics; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; United States; United Kingdom; Burkina Faso; Africa