Publications

13 Nov 2018
News

Is Democracy Today As Vulnerable As It Was During World War I?

January 2008
Article

The Five Competitive Forces That Shape Strategy

By: Michael E. Porter

This article includes a one-page preview that quickly summarizes the key ideas and provides an overview of how the concepts work in practice along with suggestions for further reading. In 1979, a young associate professor at Harvard Business School published his first... View Details

Keywords: Profit; Five Forces Framework; Industry Growth; Industry Structures; Business and Government Relations; Competitive Strategy

September 2013 (Revised April 2014)
Case

Trader Joe's

By: David L. Ager and Michael A. Roberto

Based on a variety of metrics, Trader Joe's ranked as one of the most successful grocers in the United States in 2013. Experts estimated that the company had the highest sales per square foot of any major grocery chain, even significantly higher than top performer... View Details

Keywords: Core Competencies; Growth Strategy; Strategic Positioning; Industry Analysis; Competitive Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Organizational Culture; Growth and Development Strategy; Retail Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States

16 Jan 2013
News

Warby Parker tries to re-focus eyeglass industry

September 2003 (Revised May 2009)
Case

CCBN.com - 2002

By: William A. Sahlman

Describes some important issues confronting the management of a successful information company in 2002, competitive threat from a larger firm that is also a strategic investor. Management must decide how to respond to the. View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Investment; Management; Problems and Challenges; Competition

August 2001
Case

Aurora Health Care: Finding "a Better Way"

By: Clayton M. Christensen and Kevin M. Dwyer

The largest hospital system in Wisconsin is trying to respond to new threats from nontraditional care providers. This case presents the hospital's dilemma as it tries to create change from within. View Details

Keywords: Change Management; Disruptive Innovation; Innovation Strategy; SWOT Analysis; Competitive Strategy; Health Industry

September 2014
Case

Google Inc. in 2014 (Abridged)

By: Benjamin Edelman and Thomas R. Eisenmann

Describes Google's history, business model, governance structure, corporate culture, and processes for managing innovation. Reviews Google's recent strategic initiatives and the threats they pose to Yahoo, Microsoft, and others. Asks what Google should do next. View Details

Keywords: Search Engines; Google; Online Advertising; Internet and the Web; Network Effects; Business Model; Competition; Information Technology Industry; Advertising Industry

December 2005 (Revised February 2006)
Background Note

Why do strategies fail?: Advanced Competitive Strategy, Module note for students

By: Jan W. Rivkin

The third of four module notes for students who are taking an advanced course on competitive strategy. Examines how combinations of external threats and internal barriers to change lead to strategic failure. View Details

Keywords: Competitive Strategy; Situation or Environment; Failure

06 Apr 2018
News

Trade War or a War of Words?

June 2005
Case

Billy Beane: Changing the Game

Describes how Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A's baseball team, employs statistical methodologies to select who is undervalued in the marketplace. Examines why few teams have imitated his organization's successful strategy. Explores threats to Oakland's... View Details

Keywords: Resource Allocation; Competitive Advantage; Sports; Sports Industry; California

08 Feb 2010
HBS Case

Looking Behind Google’s Stand in China

because of a threat from Google." Now the Google issue has become a cause célèbre that encapsulates and exacerbates the already fragile and festering U.S.-China relationship. On the other hand, the concern over human rights in China... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Technology

13 Jul 2017
News

This mental trick helps top surgeons, athletes and comedians perform under pressure

May 2019
Article

A Counterfeit Competence: After Threat, Cheating Boosts One's Self-Image

By: S. Wiley Wakeman, Celia Moore and F. Gino

In six studies, we show that after experiencing a threat to their abilities, individuals who misrepresent their performance as better than it actually is boost their feelings of competence. We situate these findings in the literature on self-protection. We show that... View Details

Keywords: Cheating; Self-perception; Self-protection; Competency and Skills; Identity; Perception; Performance

13 Aug 2024
Research & Ideas

Why Companies Shouldn't Delay Software Updates—Even After CrowdStrike's Flaw

companies simply fail to manually update software with fixes to sometimes major security vulnerabilities, Greenstein says. He hopes that the results could prompt policymakers to take tougher stands against businesses that don’t quickly disclose and act upon known View Details

Keywords: by Jay Fitzgerald; Technology; Information Technology; Computer; Web Services

January 1987 (Revised January 1990)
Case

The World VCR Industry

By: David B. Yoffie

In the 1980s Japan dominated the world industry for video cassette recorders. This case looks at the evolution of the technology and competition in VCRs, the battles between VHS and Beta, and the emerging threats to Japanese dominance. View Details

Keywords: Information Technology; Competition; Technology Industry; Electronics Industry; Japan

March 1, 2023
Editorial

To Overcome Resistance to DEI, Understand What’s Driving It

By: Eric Shuman, Eric Knowles and Amit Goldenberg

Employees often resist DEI initiatives, which of course hinders their effectiveness. The authors—experts in the resistance to social-change efforts—write that the key to overcoming resistance to any effort is figuring out why people are resisting. When it comes to DEI... View Details

Keywords: Diversity; Conflict and Resolution; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Employees

Read Now

Employees often resist DEI initiatives, which of course hinders their effectiveness. The authors — experts in the resistance to social-change efforts — write that the key to overcoming resistance to any effort is figuring out why people are resisting. When it... View Details

August 2016 (Revised January 2020)
Case

Breakfast at the Paramount

By: Ryan W. Buell

The Paramount is a 44-seat diner on Charles Street in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. A frequent "Best of Boston" award winner, the restaurant is a perennial favorite among locals and tourists, particularly for brunch on the weekends, when lines often stretch... View Details

Keywords: Food; Management Practices and Processes; Service Delivery; Service Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; Boston