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(2,584)
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- News (620)
- Research (1,382)
- Events (6)
- Multimedia (67)
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- March 2021 (Revised August 2023)
- Case
Helen Keller: Changing the World
By: Robert Simons and Shirley Sun
This case describes the rise of Helen Keller who at 19 months became deaf and blind. Refusing to be sidelined from life, Keller showed great determination in learning how to communicate with others, employing tutors and travelling to Boston to enroll in the Perkins... View Details
Keywords: Mission And Purpose; Values And Beliefs; Success; Diversity; Leading Change; Personal Development and Career; Personal Characteristics; Power and Influence
Simons, Robert, and Shirley Sun. "Helen Keller: Changing the World." Harvard Business School Case 121-071, March 2021. (Revised August 2023.)
- Editorial
How Laws and Culture Hold Back Socially Minded Companies
By: George Serafeim, Daniela Saltzman and Bronagh Ward
Keywords: Corporate Purpose; Benefit Corporation; Short-termism; Culture; Corporate Law; Shareholder Activism
Serafeim, George, Daniela Saltzman, and Bronagh Ward. "How Laws and Culture Hold Back Socially Minded Companies." Harvard Business Review (website) (May 18, 2017).
- January 2022 (Revised August 2022)
- Case
Jackie Robinson: Changing the World
By: Robert Simons and Max Saffer
This case traces the rise of Jackie Robinson from the poor streets of Pasadena, California to one of the most famous people in America after he overturned the color barrier in baseball. The case describes how as a youth he excelled at basketball, football, baseball,... View Details
Keywords: Diversity; Power And Influence; Personal Characteristics; Values And Beliefs; Mission And Purpose; Sports; Entrepreneurship; Leadership; Leading Change; Personal Development and Career; United States
Simons, Robert, and Max Saffer. "Jackie Robinson: Changing the World." Harvard Business School Case 122-042, January 2022. (Revised August 2022.)
- July 2025
- Case
Greenwood Online: A Fin-Tech Service for Culture and Community (A)
By: James Riley and Bernal Cortés
In 2020, Ryan Glover and Paul Judge launched Greenwood, a fintech startup designed to counter systemic racial discrimination in the American banking ecosystem by offering accessible financial services tailored to Black and Brown communities, but available to all.... View Details
- July 2025
- Teaching Note
Greenwood Online: A Fin-Tech Service for Culture and Community
By: James Riley and Bernal Cortés
In 2020, Ryan Glover and Paul Judge launched Greenwood, a fintech startup designed to counter systemic racial discrimination in the American banking ecosystem by offering accessible financial services tailored to Black and Brown communities, but available to all.... View Details
- October 2017 (Revised October 2022)
- Case
JetBlue: Relevant Sustainability Leadership
By: George Serafeim
In 2017, JetBlue, the airline founded on the mission to “bring humanity back to air travel,” was considering becoming one of the first companies to report its sustainability performance according to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards. SASB... View Details
Keywords: Sustainability; Metrics; Leadership And Change Management; Airlines; Innovation; Purpose; ESG; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Performance; Sustainability Reporting; Change Management; Leadership; Financial Reporting; Environmental Sustainability; Mission and Purpose; Reports; Competitive Strategy; Measurement and Metrics; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Air Transportation Industry; United States
Serafeim, George, and David Freiberg. "JetBlue: Relevant Sustainability Leadership (A)." Harvard Business School Case 118-030, October 2017. (Revised October 2022.)
- July 2025
- Case
Greenwood Online: A Fin-Tech Service for Culture and Community (B)
By: James Riley and Bernal Cortés
This B case follows Greenwood’s development after launch, including its decision to partner with a White-owned bank for backend support and its rapid growth despite that controversial choice. It traces the company’s scaling efforts, major fundraising rounds,... View Details
- March 2022 (Revised October 2022)
- Case
Transforming Kimball International, Inc. (A)
By: Lynn S. Paine and Will Hurwitz
Kimball International, Inc. (KII), led by CEO Kristie Juster, and its board of directors, chaired by Kim Ryan, faced critical questions about KII’s future in the spring of 2021. Two years earlier, the board had appointed Juster as the new CEO of KII, a publicly traded,... View Details
Keywords: Board Of Directors; Board Committees; Board Decisions; Board Dynamics; CEO Compensation; CEO Succession; Compensation Committee; Compensation Consultants; Compensation Design; Compensation Mix; Corporate Purpose; COVID-19; ESG; Furniture; Furniture Industry; Manufacturing; Midwest; Pandemic; Purpose; Spin Off; Strategic Change; Strategic Decisions; Strategic Evolution; Target-setting; Executive Compensation; Family Ownership; Governance; Restructuring; Strategy; Transformation; Manufacturing Industry; United States
Paine, Lynn S., and Will Hurwitz. "Transforming Kimball International, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 322-083, March 2022. (Revised October 2022.)
- November 2017 (Revised April 2019)
- Case
Summa Equity: Building Purpose-Driven Organizations
By: George Serafeim
In 2015, Reynir Indahl left top Nordic private equity firm Altor Equity Partners to found Summa Equity (Summa). After long contemplation following the financial crisis, Indahl was convinced the financial system was producing negative externalities and that the current... View Details
Keywords: Corporate Purpose; ESG; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Performance; Social Impact; Investment Management; Management Practices; Innovation; Voice; Environmental Impact; Private Equity; Social Enterprise; Finance; Capital Markets; Management Practices and Processes; Innovation Leadership; Leadership; Innovation and Management; Entrepreneurship; Mission and Purpose; Value Creation; Financial Services Industry; Norway; Sweden; Scandinavia
Serafeim, George, and David Freiberg. "Summa Equity: Building Purpose-Driven Organizations." Harvard Business School Case 118-028, November 2017. (Revised April 2019.)
- December 2022 (Revised January 2023)
- Case
Cann: High Hopes for Cannabis Infused Beverages
By: Ayelet Israeli and Anne V. Wilson
Founded in 2018 by Jake Bullock and Luke Anderson, Cann sold “social tonics,” or cannabis-infused beverages. By 2022, the company had several notable celebrity investors and talent partners, had sold over 10 million beverages to consumers, was distributing in six... View Details
Keywords: Stigma; Product Innovation; Product Introduction; Product Differentiation; New Products; New Product Marketing; New Product Management; Brand Management; Branding; Packaging; Positioning; Growth Strategy And Execution; Growth; Cannabis Industry; Purpose; Purpose Brands; LGBTQ; Direct-to-consumer; DTC; Regulations; Channels Of Distribution; Product Development; Product Marketing; Product Positioning; Product; Innovation and Invention; Brands and Branding; Marketing; Marketing Communications; Marketing Channels; Advertising; Advertising Campaigns; Digital Marketing; Market Entry and Exit; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Consumer Products Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States; Canada; North America
Israeli, Ayelet, and Anne V. Wilson. "Cann: High Hopes for Cannabis Infused Beverages." Harvard Business School Case 523-074, December 2022. (Revised January 2023.)
- May 2020 (Revised January 2022)
- Case
Michael Ku and Global Clinical Supply at Pfizer Inc.: Bringing Hope to Patients (A)
By: Linda A. Hill, Allison J. Wigen and Emily Tedards
Michael Ku joined Pfizer in 2011, after the company had undergone three large-scale mergers and acquisitions. His mission was to drive the digital transformation of the company’s clinical supply chain, but he knew he had to start with the culture. Over the next eight... View Details
Keywords: Innovation; Digital; Change; Culture; Management; Talent; Pharmaceutical Companies; Customer-centricity; Collaboration; Cross-functional Management; Purpose; Leadership; Innovation and Invention; Transformation; Organizational Culture; Change Management; Talent and Talent Management; Customer Focus and Relationships; Supply Chain; Decision Making; Mission and Purpose
Hill, Linda A., Allison J. Wigen, and Emily Tedards. "Michael Ku and Global Clinical Supply at Pfizer Inc.: Bringing Hope to Patients (A)." Harvard Business School Case 420-108, May 2020. (Revised January 2022.)
- February 2023 (Revised November 2024)
- Case
Ronald Reagan: Changing the World
By: Robert Simons and Shirley Sun
This case traces the rise of Ronald Reagan from small town Illinois to two-term president of the United States. An unlikely candidate for the world’s most powerful job, the case describes the different roles that Reagan filled over his life: radio announcer, Hollywood... View Details
Keywords: Politics; Entertainment; Personal Characteristics; Business And Government; Values And Beliefs; Mission And Purpose; Decision Making; Government Administration; Management Style; Power and Influence; United States
Simons, Robert, and Shirley Sun. "Ronald Reagan: Changing the World." Harvard Business School Case 123-024, February 2023. (Revised November 2024.)
- May 2014 (Revised March 2017)
- Case
Unilever's Lifebuoy in India: Implementing the Sustainability Plan
Unilever's new Global Brand VP must not only revitalize Lifebuoy soap's sagging market performance, but simultaneously impact the health of one billion people worldwide. The latter challenge comes from Unilever's new CEO who has introduced the Unilever Sustainable... View Details
Keywords: Multinational Management; Corporate Social Responsibility; Strategy Implementation; Marketing Strategy; Mission And Purpose; Change Management; International Business; Global; Fast-moving Consumer Goods; Soap; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Health Care and Treatment; Environmental Sustainability; Global Strategy; Developing Countries and Economies; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Health Industry; India
Bartlett, Christopher A. "Unilever's Lifebuoy in India: Implementing the Sustainability Plan." Harvard Business School Case 914-417, May 2014. (Revised March 2017.)
- April 2021 (Revised February 2023)
- Case
Mahatma Gandhi: Changing the World
By: Robert Simons and Max Saffer
This case traces the rise of Mohandas Gandhi from his early days in British-controlled India to the inspirational martyr who, through personal deprivation and leadership, inspired millions and became the catalyst for India to break away from Britain. The case describes... View Details
Keywords: Mission And Purpose; Values And Beliefs; Personal Characteristics; Power And Influence; Diversity; Leadership Development; Work-life Balance; History; Leadership Style; Leading Change; India
Simons, Robert, and Max Saffer. "Mahatma Gandhi: Changing the World." Harvard Business School Case 121-069, April 2021. (Revised February 2023.)
- October 2018
- Supplement
JetBlue: Relevant Sustainability Leadership (B)
By: George Serafeim and David Freiberg
The case outlines JetBlue's decision to disclose according to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) standards and the ESG metrics they began reporting. Data on resulting changes in institutional ownership are also provided. View Details
Keywords: Sustainability; Metrics; Leadership And Change Management; Airlines; Innovation; Purpose; ESG; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Performance; Sustainability Reporting; Change Management; Leadership; Mission and Purpose; Financial Reporting
Serafeim, George, and David Freiberg. "JetBlue: Relevant Sustainability Leadership (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 119-044, October 2018.
- January 2023 (Revised August 2023)
- Case
Nick Saban: Embracing 'The Process' of Sustaining Success
By: Ranjay Gulati and Eppa Rixey
Nick Saban, head coach of the University of Alabama football team from 2007-2022, fielded teams that won 183 of 208 games (88%), including a record-tying six national championships. Saban’s approach to coaching, known to many as “The Process,” and the consistent... View Details
Keywords: Purpose; Leadership And Managing People; Football; Recruiting; Talent Acquisition; Talent And Talent Management; Talent Development And Retention; Organization Change And Adaptation; Organizational Behavior; Sports; Leadership; Leadership Development; Organizational Culture; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Sports Industry; United States
- October 2022
- Case
Margaret Thatcher: Changing the World
By: Robert L. Simons and Shirley Sun
This case traces the rise of Margaret Thatcher, the daughter of a shopkeeper, from a small industrial town in England to the longest-serving leader in the Western world. The case describes how she became interested in politics at an early age, attended Oxford, and... View Details
Keywords: Politics; Leadership Style; Personal Characteristics; Business & Government Relations; Values And Beliefs; Work-life Balance; Mission And Purpose; Government Administration; Power and Influence; Great Britain; Europe
Simons, Robert L., and Shirley Sun. "Margaret Thatcher: Changing the World." Harvard Business School Case 123-021, October 2022.
- March 2022
- Supplement
Transforming Kimball International, Inc. (B)
By: Lynn S. Paine and Will Hurwitz
Supplements the (A) case. View Details
Keywords: Board Of Directors; Board Committees; Board Decisions; Board Dynamics; CEO Compensation; CEO Succession; Compensation Committee; Compensation Consultants; Compensation Design; Compensation Mix; Corporate Purpose; COVID-19; ESG; Furniture; Furniture Industry; Manufacturing; Midwest; Pandemic; Purpose; Spin-off; Strategic Change; Strategic Decisions; Strategic Evolution; Target-setting; Executive Compensation; Family Ownership; Governance; Restructuring; Strategy; Transformation; Manufacturing Industry; United States
Paine, Lynn S., and Will Hurwitz. "Transforming Kimball International, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 322-084, March 2022.
- 01 Mar 2023
- What Do You Think?
How Much Does 'Deep Purpose' Matter to the Bottom Line?
employees. Nikos Mourkogiannis cited four types of purpose that provide “sources of energy” for an organization: Heroism: The desire to change the world and society. Discovery: The challenge of adventure and innovation characterized by... View Details
Keywords: by James Heskett
- January 2020
- Case
SK Group: Social Progress Credits
By: George Serafeim, Ethan Rouen and David Freiberg
SK Group was one of the largest companies South Korea. A family-run conglomerate consisting of around 120 subsidiaries and employing more than 100,000, SK was tightly knit into the fabric of Korean society. SK viewed their future success as contingent upon the strength... View Details
Keywords: Impact; Impact Investing; Impact Measurement; Social Value; Social Development; Conglomerates; Measurement Of Purpose; ESG; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Performance; Capital Markets; Innovation; Environmental Impact; Collaboration; Social Enterprise; Social and Collaborative Networks; Social Issues; Measurement and Metrics; Value Creation; Cooperation; Environmental Sustainability; Employment; Accounting; Energy Industry; Telecommunications Industry; Chemical Industry; South Korea
Serafeim, George, Ethan Rouen, and David Freiberg. "SK Group: Social Progress Credits." Harvard Business School Case 120-071, January 2020.