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- All HBS Web (462)
- Faculty Publications (262)
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- August 2013
- Article
Customer-Driven Misconduct: How Competition Corrupts Business Practices
By: Victor Manuel Bennett, Lamar Pierce, Jason A. Snyder and Michael W. Toffel
Competition among firms yields many benefits but can also encourage firms to engage in corrupt or unethical activities. We argue that competition can lead organizations to provide services that customers demand but that violate government regulations, especially when... View Details
Keywords: Competition; Crime and Corruption; Management Practices and Processes; Ethics; Consumer Behavior; Customer Satisfaction; Auto Industry; Service Industry
Bennett, Victor Manuel, Lamar Pierce, Jason A. Snyder, and Michael W. Toffel. "Customer-Driven Misconduct: How Competition Corrupts Business Practices." Management Science 59, no. 8 (August 2013): 1725–1742. (Online Appendix. Lead article. Nominated for "Best Conference Paper Award" and "SMS Best Conference Paper Prize for Practice Implications" at 2012 Strategic Management Society International Conference.)
- July 2002 (Revised January 2003)
- Case
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc: Rewarding Our People
By: Thomas J. DeLong and Vineeta Vijayaraghavan
Marilyn Winn, head of human resources at Harrah's Entertainment, must make a recommendation to the company's president and CEO about whether the existing bonus payout program is effective at motivating employees or whether it should be revised and/or replaced. A recent... View Details
Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Economic Slowdown and Stagnation; Compensation and Benefits; Employees; Human Capital; Management Style; Motivation and Incentives; Alignment; Entertainment and Recreation Industry
DeLong, Thomas J., and Vineeta Vijayaraghavan. "Harrah's Entertainment, Inc: Rewarding Our People." Harvard Business School Case 403-008, July 2002. (Revised January 2003.)
- April 2008
- Module Note
Service Design in the Context of Customer-Operators
By: Frances X. Frei
Taught as the second module in a Harvard Business School course on Managing Service Operations: Understanding the Customer Operating Role (606-092). Addresses the design and management of service operations with significant customer operating roles. The focus is on... View Details
Frei, Frances X. "Service Design in the Context of Customer-Operators." Harvard Business School Module Note 608-134, April 2008.
- Article
Market Heterogeneity and Local Capacity Decisions in Services
By: Dennis Campbell and Frances X. Frei
We empirically document factors that influence how local operating managers use discretion to balance the tradeoff between service capacity costs and customer sensitivity to service time. Our findings, using data from one of the largest financial services providers in... View Details
Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Cost; Standards; Service Delivery; Service Operations; Performance Capacity; Performance Productivity; Financial Services Industry; United States
Campbell, Dennis, and Frances X. Frei. "Market Heterogeneity and Local Capacity Decisions in Services." Manufacturing & Service Operations Management 13, no. 1 (Winter 2011): 2–19. (Lead Article.)
- September 1999 (Revised September 1999)
- Case
Convergys Corporation
By: Stephen P. Bradley and Kelley Porter
Focuses on the important issue of capturing the synergies between the two sides of the business, Information Management Group (IMG) and Customer Management Group (CMG). In addition, the case also addresses strategic issues from each of the individual businesses. For... View Details
- January 2014 (Revised November 2021)
- Case
Filene's Basement: Inside a Fired Customer's Relationship
By: Jill Avery and Susan Fournier
How, in a business climate in which building relationships with customers has dominated both managerial thought and marketing budgets, could Filene's Basement have fired a loyal customer, one who was formally and informally recognized as a best customer? This case... View Details
Keywords: CRM; Retailing; Marketing; Consumer Behavior; Customer Relationship Management; Customer Focus and Relationships; Customer Satisfaction; Marketing Strategy; Brands and Branding; Retail Industry; United States
Avery, Jill, and Susan Fournier. "Filene's Basement: Inside a Fired Customer's Relationship." Harvard Business School Case 314-076, January 2014. (Revised November 2021.)
- 2025
- Working Paper
The Hidden Costs of Working Multiple Jobs: Implications for Spending Behavior and Wellbeing
By: Paige Tsai and Ryan W. Buell
Problem definition: Amidst inflation, rising costs of living, an explosion in remote and gig working opportunities, and an increase in the part-time labor mix in economies around the world, it is becoming evermore commonplace for
people to earn labor income... View Details
Keywords: Behavioral Operations; Employee Behavior; Job Design and Levels; Personal Finance; Well-being; Happiness; Satisfaction; Wages
Tsai, Paige, and Ryan W. Buell. "The Hidden Costs of Working Multiple Jobs: Implications for Spending Behavior and Wellbeing." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 25-036, January 2025. (Revised March 2025.)
- August 2022 (Revised October 2023)
- Case
Bajaj Finance: Building an Omnipresent Financial Services Firm
By: Das Narayandas and Rachna Tahilyani
Bajaj Finance, India’s largest consumer finance firm with $20.9 billion of assets across 50.5 million customers, is on a journey to transform itself from a traditional firm that sells loans and other financial products through brick-and-mortar outlets to an omnipresent... View Details
Keywords: Financial Institutions; Transformation; Financial Instruments; Customer Satisfaction; Internet and the Web; Customer Focus and Relationships; India
Narayandas, Das, and Rachna Tahilyani. "Bajaj Finance: Building an Omnipresent Financial Services Firm." Harvard Business School Case 523-040, August 2022. (Revised October 2023.)
- July 2007 (Revised May 2008)
- Case
Central Bank: The ChexSystemsSM QualiFile® Decision
By: Dennis Campbell, Francisco de Asis Martinez-Jerez, Peter Tufano and Emily McClintock
The "Central Bank" series analyzes the use of information and product design for managing the counterparty risk of newly acquired customers. Central Bank, a mid-sized regional U.S. bank, was attempting to grow its customer base by increasing the number of new checking... View Details
Keywords: Central Banking; Knowledge Management; Customer Satisfaction; Risk Management; Risk and Uncertainty; Decision Making; Banking Industry; United States
Campbell, Dennis, Francisco de Asis Martinez-Jerez, Peter Tufano, and Emily McClintock. "Central Bank: The ChexSystemsSM QualiFile® Decision." Harvard Business School Case 208-029, July 2007. (Revised May 2008.)
- February 2000 (Revised April 2003)
- Case
InSite Marketing Technology (B)
By: Lynda M. Applegate and Genevieve J.S. Feraud
Provides students an example of partnerships/acquisitions that allow delivery of packaged solutions to customers in the electronic commerce space. View Details
Keywords: Mergers and Acquisitions; Customer Focus and Relationships; Customer Satisfaction; Entrepreneurship; Partners and Partnerships; Strategy; Business Strategy; Web Services Industry
Applegate, Lynda M., and Genevieve J.S. Feraud. "InSite Marketing Technology (B)." Harvard Business School Case 800-280, February 2000. (Revised April 2003.)
- September–October 2013
- Article
Learning from Customers: Individual and Organizational Effects in Outsourced Radiological Services
By: Jonathan R. Clark, Robert S. Huckman and Bradley R. Staats
The ongoing fragmentation of work has resulted in a narrowing of tasks into smaller pieces that can be sent outside the organization and, in many instances, around the world. This trend is shifting the boundaries of organizations and leading to increased outsourcing.... View Details
Keywords: Job Cuts and Outsourcing; Medical Specialties; Health Care and Treatment; Customer Focus and Relationships; Learning; Customer Satisfaction; Health Industry
Clark, Jonathan R., Robert S. Huckman, and Bradley R. Staats. "Learning from Customers: Individual and Organizational Effects in Outsourced Radiological Services." Organization Science 24, no. 5 (September–October 2013): 1539–1557.
- 19 Jul 2004
- Research & Ideas
Your Customers: Use Them or Lose Them
her course for Harvard MBA students, Managing Service Operations, which explores interactions between firms and customers. Defy Conventional Wisdom Commerce Bank entered a mature industry where the overall level of customer View Details
Keywords: by Martha Lagace
- November 2008 (Revised May 2011)
- Case
David Neeleman: Flight Path of a Servant Leader (A)
By: William W. George and Matthew D. Breitfelder
David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue, is forced to confront a crisis in customer confidence following operational difficulties on February 14, 2007. This becomes a vital test of his leadership. View Details
George, William W., and Matthew D. Breitfelder. "David Neeleman: Flight Path of a Servant Leader (A)." Harvard Business School Case 409-024, November 2008. (Revised May 2011.)
- October 1993 (Revised March 2001)
- Case
Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corp. (A)
By: H. Kent Bowen
Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corp. (CSSC) is a small, privately owned metal working company with a reputation for providing quality products to its customers. CSSC's business is primarily the production of springs and stamped parts used in a variety of mechanical... View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corp. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 694-009, October 1993. (Revised March 2001.)
- November 2009
- Supplement
Managing a Global Team: Greg James at Sun Microsystems, Inc. (B)
By: Tsedal Neeley
This case updates students on the steps Greg James took to solve the problems that instigated the crisis documented in “Managing a Global Team: Greg James at Sun Microsystems, Inc. (A).” We find out how James solves the process problems involved in his team's breakdown... View Details
Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Globalized Firms and Management; Crisis Management; Service Delivery; Business Processes; Performance Productivity; Groups and Teams; Technology Industry
Neeley, Tsedal. "Managing a Global Team: Greg James at Sun Microsystems, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 410-020, November 2009.
- December 2002 (Revised February 2003)
- Case
Wyndham International: Fostering High-Touch with High-Tech
By: Lynda M. Applegate and Gabriele Piccoli
Examines a hotel chain's attempt to use information technology to achieve market dominance and build customer loyalty during a period of global industry decline. View Details
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Competitive Strategy; Customer Focus and Relationships; Customer Satisfaction; Technological Innovation; Information Technology; Growth and Development Strategy; Business Strategy; Accommodations Industry
Applegate, Lynda M., and Gabriele Piccoli. "Wyndham International: Fostering High-Touch with High-Tech." Harvard Business School Case 803-092, December 2002. (Revised February 2003.)
- August 1995 (Revised January 2024)
- Supplement
Health Stop (B): Starting Up
Describes the long waiting time experienced by customers in Health Stops and asks students to specify the changes in its business model which could help solve the problem. View Details
Keywords: Business Model; Customer Focus and Relationships; Customer Satisfaction; Health Industry; Retail Industry
Herzlinger, Regina E. "Health Stop (B): Starting Up." Harvard Business School Supplement 196-051, August 1995. (Revised January 2024.)
- January 2010 (Revised February 2010)
- Case
IBM Retail Business Assessment at Dillard's, Inc.: Managing Staffing Levels to Improve Conversion
This case illustrates the challenges associated with matching staffing levels with variable workload in retail stores and highlights how decisions related to staffing and scheduling affect operational performance and the quality of labor at the stores. The case... View Details
Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Employees; Market Transactions; Service Delivery; Service Operations; Performance Improvement; Retail Industry
Ton, Zeynep. "IBM Retail Business Assessment at Dillard's, Inc.: Managing Staffing Levels to Improve Conversion." Harvard Business School Case 610-051, January 2010. (Revised February 2010.)
- April 2003 (Revised September 2005)
- Case
Celebrity Cruises, Inc.: A Taste of Luxury
By: Frances X. Frei, Corey B. Hajim and Christian Hempell
Describes the complex operations of the cruise industry. Positioned between luxury cruise lines and mass market lines, Celebrity struggles to find ways to create customer loyalty and increase profitability. View Details
Frei, Frances X., Corey B. Hajim, and Christian Hempell. "Celebrity Cruises, Inc.: A Taste of Luxury." Harvard Business School Case 603-096, April 2003. (Revised September 2005.)
- March 2011 (Revised August 2012)
- Case
Caesars Entertainment: CodeGreen
By: George Serafeim, Robert G. Eccles and Tiffany A. Clay
The case describes the development of Caesar's sustainability initiative program, the effect of the initiative on employee engagement and motivation, and on customer satisfaction. View Details
Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Employees; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Environmental Sustainability; Motivation and Incentives; Accommodations Industry; Entertainment and Recreation Industry
Serafeim, George, Robert G. Eccles, and Tiffany A. Clay. "Caesars Entertainment: CodeGreen." Harvard Business School Case 111-115, March 2011. (Revised August 2012.)