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- All HBS Web
(962)
- News (89)
- Research (739)
- Events (1)
- Multimedia (3)
- Faculty Publications (324)
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- October 2007 (Revised January 2009)
- Background Note
Analyzing Relative Costs
By: Hanna Halaburda and Jan W. Rivkin
Introduces students to the technique of relative cost analysis, a core technique of strategists. Among the intricate quantitative analyses that strategists undertake, relative cost analysis may be the most common. The goal of a relative cost analysis is simply to... View Details
Keywords: Cost; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Mathematical Methods; Competition; Competitive Advantage
Halaburda, Hanna, and Jan W. Rivkin. "Analyzing Relative Costs." Harvard Business School Background Note 708-462, October 2007. (Revised January 2009.)
- August 1982 (Revised September 1991)
- Case
Rockwell International (A)
Describes the competitive situation facing Rockwell International, the market leader in the U.S. water meter industry. The industry is undergoing structural change, and competitor activity is intensifying. Rockwell must decide what, if any, actions are necessary to... View Details
Keywords: Transformation; Decisions; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Markets; Industry Structures; Business Strategy; Competition; Manufacturing Industry; United States
Porter, Michael E. "Rockwell International (A)." Harvard Business School Case 383-019, August 1982. (Revised September 1991.)
- August 2015 (Revised June 2021)
- Case
Amazon.com, 2021
By: John R. Wells, Benjamin Weinstock, Gabriel Ellsworth and Galen Danskin
In February 2021, Amazon announced 2020 operating profits of $22,899 million, up from $2,233 million in 2015, on sales of $386 billion, up from $107 billion five years earlier (see Exhibit 1). The shareholders expressed their satisfaction (see Exhibit 2), but not all... View Details
Keywords: Strategic Analysis; Retail; E-commerce; Amazon; Internet; Amazon.com; AmazonFresh; Jeff Bezos; Cloud Computing; Marketplaces; Streaming; E-reader Market; Digital Media; Mobile App; Online Retail; Shipping; Database; Tablet; Kindle; Kindle Fire; Smartphone; Delivery; Digital Platforms; Competition; Internet and the Web; Corporate Strategy; Digital Marketing; Business Growth and Maturation; Business Model; Business Organization; For-Profit Firms; Film Entertainment; Games, Gaming, and Gambling; Music Entertainment; Television Entertainment; Profit; Revenue; Global Strategy; Multinational Firms and Management; Taxation; Business History; Human Resources; Resignation and Termination; Books; Human Capital; Working Conditions; Business or Company Management; Goals and Objectives; Growth and Development Strategy; Growth Management; Management Practices and Processes; Industry Growth; Industry Structures; Media; Distribution; Distribution Channels; Order Taking and Fulfillment; Infrastructure; Logistics; Product Development; Supply Chain; Supply Chain Management; Organizational Culture; Public Ownership; Work-Life Balance; Problems and Challenges; Labor and Management Relations; Strategy; Adaptation; Business Strategy; Competitive Strategy; Diversification; Expansion; Integration; Horizontal Integration; Vertical Integration; Information Infrastructure; Information Technology; Mobile and Wireless Technology; Price; Applications and Software; Marketing; Marketing Strategy; Working Capital; Customer Focus and Relationships; Customer Value and Value Chain; Retail Industry; Advertising Industry; Distribution Industry; Electronics Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Information Technology Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Motion Pictures and Video Industry; Music Industry; Publishing Industry; Shipping Industry; Technology Industry; Video Game Industry; Web Services Industry; United States; Washington (state, US); Seattle
Wells, John R., Benjamin Weinstock, Gabriel Ellsworth, and Galen Danskin. "Amazon.com, 2021." Harvard Business School Case 716-402, August 2015. (Revised June 2021.)
- August 2009
- Case
Global Wine War 2009: New World versus Old
The case contrasts the tradition-bound Old World wine industry with the market-oriented New World producers, the battle for the US market, the most desirable export target in 2009 due to its large, fast-growing, high-priced market segments. The case allows analysis of... View Details
Keywords: Trade; Global Strategy; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Consumer Behavior; Market Entry and Exit; Competition; Food and Beverage Industry
Bartlett, Christopher A. "Global Wine War 2009: New World versus Old." Harvard Business School Case 910-405, August 2009.
- September 2018 (Revised August 2019)
- Case
The Progressive Corporation, 2018
By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock
In early 2019, The Progressive Corporation (Progressive), the USA’s third-largest auto insurance writer, reported earned premiums were up 20% in 2018 compared to the previous year, and net income was up 64%. Direct sales of personal auto policies rose 21%, while agent... View Details
Keywords: Insurance Companies; Strategic Analysis; Strategic Decisions; Customer Acquisition; Customer Experience; Customer Lifetime Value; Policy Implementation; Competitors; Auto Insurance; Vehicle; Progressive; Allstate; State Farm; GEICO; Implementation; Insurance; Customer Value and Value Chain; Growth Management; Competitive Strategy; Insurance Industry
Wells, John R., and Benjamin Weinstock. "The Progressive Corporation, 2019." Harvard Business School Case 719-413, September 2018. (Revised August 2019.)
- 17 Mar 2021
- Working Paper Summaries
Consuming Contests: Outcome Uncertainty and Spectator Demand for Contest-based Entertainment
- July 1997 (Revised March 2005)
- Case
Lille Tissages, S.A.
By: William J. Bruns Jr.
The marketing director and finance director must set the price for an expensive yet competitive fabric. Recent price increases have not been matched by competitors, and market share has been lost. The case provides an opportunity to practice contribution analysis... View Details
Bruns, William J., Jr. "Lille Tissages, S.A." Harvard Business School Case 198-005, July 1997. (Revised March 2005.)
- 2001
- Other Unpublished Work
Clusters of Innovation Initiative: Wichita
This study contains a conceptual framework for assessing the competitiveness of regional economies, an analysis of the Wichita region overall, as well as detailed assessments of two representative clusters—aerospace vehicles and defense and plastics. The report... View Details
Keywords: Clusters; Economics; Industry Clusters; Economy; Growth and Development; Industrial Products Industry; Aerospace Industry; Kansas
Porter, Michael E. "Clusters of Innovation Initiative: Wichita." Council on Competitiveness, Washington, DC, October 2001. (Report.)
- March 2018 (Revised March 2018)
- Supplement
Sandlands Vineyards
By: Benjamin C. Esty and Greg Saldutte
Approximately 80% of the wineries in the US breakeven or lose money. An even greater percentage lose money on an economic basis (i.e., after a charge for the cost of equity). Tegan Passalacqua is a successful, young, Californian winemaker who specializes in making... View Details
Keywords: Wine; Winery; Vineyard; Market Attractiveness; Porter's 5 Forces; Capital Investment; Industry Attractiveness; Performance Analysis; Napa Valley; Agriculture; Entrepreneurship; Business Strategy; Competitive Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Vertical Integration; Segmentation; Food; Supply Chain; Industry Structures; Retail Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; California; Napa Valley
- December 1980 (Revised December 1984)
- Case
Hudepohl Brewing Co.
Presents the problem of how an established regional brewer can survive the onslaught of national breweries, some of which are being cross-subsidized by diversified parent companies. Requires detailed analysis of what operations are profitable and unprofitable for... View Details
Keywords: Business Subsidiaries; Profit; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Industry Growth; Private Ownership; Problems and Challenges; Competition; Diversification
Salter, Malcolm S. "Hudepohl Brewing Co." Harvard Business School Case 381-092, December 1980. (Revised December 1984.)
- April 1986 (Revised September 1993)
- Case
Sun Microsystems, Inc. (A)
Sun Microsystems managers must decide whether to launch a new product into manufacturing. Teaching objectives include: 1) an analysis of the competitive environment, 2) examination of technological choices, 3) understanding of the new product development process, and... View Details
Keywords: Decision Choices and Conditions; Product Launch; Product Development; Production; Competitive Strategy; Computer Industry
Wheelwright, Steven C. "Sun Microsystems, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 686-133, April 1986. (Revised September 1993.)
- 2001
- Other Unpublished Work
Clusters of Innovation Initiative: San Diego
The study contains a conceptual framework for assessing the competitiveness of regional economies, an analysis of the San Diego region overall, as well as detailed assessments of two representative clusters—biotechnology/pharmaceuticals and communications. The report... View Details
Keywords: Clusters; Economics; Industry Clusters; Economy; Growth and Development; Biotechnology Industry; Communications Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry; San Diego
Porter, Michael E. "Clusters of Innovation Initiative: San Diego." Council on Competitiveness, Washington, DC, May 2001. (Report.)
- November 2010 (Revised May 2012)
- Background Note
Assessing a Company's Future Financial Health
By: Thomas R. Piper
The case provides students with (1) an understanding of the essence of long-term financial health; (2) familiarity with the calculation and meaning of various financial ratios; and (3) an understanding of the influence of a company's operating and competitive... View Details
Keywords: Financial Condition; Forecasting and Prediction; Investment Return; Operations; Competitive Strategy
Piper, Thomas R. "Assessing a Company's Future Financial Health." Harvard Business School Background Note 911-412, November 2010. (Revised May 2012.)
- March 1994 (Revised October 1994)
- Case
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: Target Costing System
Describes Nissan's sophisticated target costing system in the context of new product introduction. On the basis of consumer analysis and a life cycle contribution study, Nissan conducts an exhaustive analysis of component costs to determine whether a new model can be... View Details
Cooper, Robin. "Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.: Target Costing System." Harvard Business School Case 194-040, March 1994. (Revised October 1994.)
- April 1989 (Revised August 1989)
- Case
Burlington Northern (A)
Describes the forces that led to the development of a logistics analysis program by the Burlington Northern Railroad. The first half of the case describes changes in industrial structure, technology, demographics, shipper practices, and government regulation that led... View Details
Hammond, Janice H. "Burlington Northern (A)." Harvard Business School Case 689-081, April 1989. (Revised August 1989.)
- January 1980 (Revised August 1986)
- Case
General Electric vs. Westinghouse in Large Turbine Generators (A)
Describes the U.S. large turbine generator industry in early 1963, a period of severe price cutting and depressed industry conditions. Presents data to allow a structural analysis of the industry and an analysis of the strategies of the major players since 1946. The... View Details
Keywords: Transformation; Customer Focus and Relationships; Machinery and Machining; Cost Management; Price; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Marketing Strategy; Industry Structures; Competition; Manufacturing Industry; United States
Porter, Michael E. "General Electric vs. Westinghouse in Large Turbine Generators (A)." Harvard Business School Case 380-128, January 1980. (Revised August 1986.)
- 21 Jul 2008
- Research & Ideas
Solving the Marketing Resources Allocation Puzzle
allocation decisions—in essence, a way to organize their thoughts. Basically, all marketing allocation problems need to be addressed in two steps. In the first step, an analysis is undertaken to predict how different marketing actions... View Details
Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne
- Article
Unraveling the Process of Creative Destruction: Complementary Assets and Incumbent Survival in the Typesetter Industry
By: M. Tripsas
When radical technological change transforms an industry established firms sometimes fail drastically and are displaced by new entrants, yet other times survive and prosper. Drawing upon an unusually rich data set that covers the technological and competitive... View Details
Keywords: Technology; Transformation; Market Entry and Exit; Competition; History; Management Analysis, Tools, and Techniques; Business Processes; Competency and Skills; Assets; Perspective; Disruptive Innovation
Tripsas, M. "Unraveling the Process of Creative Destruction: Complementary Assets and Incumbent Survival in the Typesetter Industry." Special Issue on Organizational and Competitive Influences on Strategy and Performance. Strategic Management Journal 18, no. S1 (July 1997): 119–142.
- 04 Sep 2013
- What Do You Think?
How Relevant is Long-Range Strategic Planning?
analysis." Several argued along with Munyaradzi Mushato, who said, ''the need for a sustainable strategy is actually higher in a volatile market space why deliberately go out to plan to build a short-lived competitive strategy?"... View Details
Keywords: by James Heskett
- July 2008
- Case
eHarmony
By: Mikolaj Jan Piskorski, Hanna Halaburda and Troy Smith
eHarmony's CEO needs to decide how to react to imitations of its business model, encroachment by competing models, and ascendance of free substitutes. The case provides four options to address these threats and asks students to choose one after they analyzed the... View Details
Keywords: Business Model; Decision Choices and Conditions; Growth and Development Strategy; Industry Structures; Competitive Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Service Industry
Piskorski, Mikolaj Jan, Hanna Halaburda, and Troy Smith. "eHarmony." Harvard Business School Case 709-424, July 2008.