Publications

SSRN

June 2015
Supplement

Generating Higher Value at IBM (A): EPS Forecasting Model

By: Benjamin C. Esty and Scott Mayfield

This case analyzes IBM's financial performance and its capital allocation decisions over a 10-year period from 2004-2013, during which IBM returned more than $140B to shareholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases. During this time, CEO Sam... View Details

Keywords: Dividends; Share Repurchases; Earnings Guidance; Financial Statement Analysis; Financial Ratios; Payout Policy; Earnings Per Share (EPS); Earnings Management; Change Management; Leadership; Transformation; Financial Strategy

Web

Admissions & Financial Aid | MBA

Admissions & Financial Aid MS/MBA Biotechnology: Life Sciences The program seeks a diverse group of outstanding students who have an undergraduate degree in life sciences and/or significant workplace experience in biotechnology or life... View Details

29 Sep 2008
Research & Ideas

Financial Crisis Caution Urged by Faculty Panel

Harvard Business School faculty members, looking at the U.S. financial crisis from a variety of disciplines, urged caution and prudent analysis in a recent panel discussion. The discussion titled "Turmoil on the Street: Fathoming the... View Details

Keywords: by Martha Lagace; Financial Services

February 2013
Case

Diamond Foods, Inc.

By: Suraj Srinivasan and Tim Gray

The Diamonds Foods, Inc. case describes the major accounting blow up at the company in late 2011 that was triggered by a report by Off Wall Street, a prominent short selling research firm. Diamond Foods, a high flying growth company in 2011, grew from a walnut farmers'... View Details

October 2000
Teaching Note

Drivers of Industry Financial Structure

By: Dwight B. Crane and Indra Reinbergs

Teaching Note for (9-201-039). View Details

Keywords: Finance; Financial Statements; Industry Structures

July – August 2008
Article

Reduce the Risk of Failed Financial Judgments

By: Robert G. Eccles Jr. and Edward J. Riedl

When crucial financial estimates rely on judgment, companies can minimize their risk by turning to appraisers, actuaries, and evaluators, whether internal, external, or a combination. View Details

Keywords: Financial Statements; Judgments; Financial Management; Risk Management

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Web

Financials | Annual Report 2024

CFO Statement of Activity & Cash Flows Consolidated Balance Sheet Supplemental Financial Information Financial Highlights From the Chief View Details

January 2013
Case

Luotang Power: Variances Explained

By: Robert Simons and Craig Chapman

The general manager of Luotang Power, a coal-fired power plant located in central China, reviews annual results before a meeting with the board of directors. He thought the company performed well during the year and both plant availability and fuel economy had improved... View Details

Keywords: China; Financial Statements; Management Accounting; Variance Analysis; Environmental Regulations; Incentives; Electric Power Generation; Contracts; Valuation; Energy Generation; Accounting; Performance Evaluation; Energy Industry; China

July 2025
Case

Microsoft’s Performance Across Three CEOs

By: George Serafeim

This case traces Microsoft’s evolution from its founding through 2024. Students analyze how changes in operating segments both reflected and shaped Microsoft’s strategy, culture, and financial communication. The case provides rich quantitative exhibits (segment... View Details

Keywords: Financial Accounting; Financial Statement Analysis; Disclosure; Disclosure Strategy; Disclosure Tone; Organizational Transformations; Transformation; AI; Digital; Organizational Change; Accounting; Financial Statements; Strategy; Organizational Structure; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Technology Industry; Information Technology Industry; United States

June 2017
Teaching Note

Project Sun Devil and Project Paris

By: Nori Gerardo Lietz and Alexander W. Schultz

Tony Lee is preparing to present a project to the investment committee of Howard Street Capital. He will be recommending an investment in Project Sun Devil, a high-quality 225-unit student housing rental property near Tempe, Arizona. Tony Lee will compete for capital... View Details

Keywords: General Management; Financial Analysis; Return On Assets; Accounting; Performance Measurement; Financial Ratios; Return On Equity; Financial Statements; Profitability Analysis; Portfolio Investment; Portfolio Management; Real Estate; Property; Investment Portfolio; Investment Return; Analysis; Real Estate Industry; United States

May 1990 (Revised September 1994)
Background Note

Note on Financial Reporting Strategy and Analysis When Managers Have Proprietary Information

By: Krishna G. Palepu

Provides a framework that helps explain these real-world observations about accounting and financial statement analysis. When managers have superior information on firms' strategies, and when investors suspect that managers have incentives not to fully disclose this... View Details

Keywords: Financial Reporting; Strategy; Knowledge Management

Web

Financial Accounting Online Course | HBS Online

FAQs Enroll Now Key Concepts Discover how balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements are developed and how each interact Evaluate the financial health of a business using View Details

01 Dec 2003
News

HBS Releases 2003 Financial Report

achieving our strategic objectives for the year,” said Richard P. Melnick (MBA 1992), the School’s chief financial officer. The Harvard Business School 2003 Financial Report, scheduled for release this... View Details

Keywords: Business Schools & Computer & Management Training; Educational Services

August 1992 (Revised September 2004)
Background Note

Accounting Framework, Financial Statements, and Some Accounting Concepts, The

By: William J. Bruns Jr.

Introduces the accounting framework, basic financial statements, and eleven accounting concepts. View Details

Keywords: Accounting; Financial Statements

Fast Answer

Resources for Investment Management and Financial Analysis

Resources and instructional videos for company and industry financial analysis, stock pitching, Business Analysis & Valuation Using Financial Statements... View Details

2020
Discussion Paper

Acting Now While Preparing for Tomorrow: Competitiveness Upgrading Under the Shadow of COVID-19

By: Christian H.M. Ketels and Peter Clinch

This paper aims to provide policy makers, especially those focused on the longer-term growth potential of their countries, with an initial framework to think about their action priorities in the context of the overall COVID-19 response. Our focus is on the... View Details

Keywords: Competitiveness; COVID-19 Pandemic; Competition; Government Administration; Health Pandemics; Economy; Supply Chain; Safety

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May 2015 (Revised December 2016)
Supplement

Generating Higher Value at IBM (B)

By: Benjamin C. Esty and E. Scott Mayfield

Keywords: Dividends; Share Repurchases; Earnings Guidance; Financial Statement Analysis; Financial Ratios; Payout Policy; Earnings Per Share (EPS); Value Creation; Financial Statements; Corporate Finance; Computer Industry

December 2012
Case

Trouble Brewing for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

By: Suraj Srinivasan and Michael Norris

In October 2011, noted hedge fund manager David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital delivered a presentation at an investors' conference analyzing the business and accounting quality weaknesses of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Until then Green Mountain had exhibited rapid... View Details