Publications

2024
Working Paper

Scaling Core Earnings Measurement with Large Language Models

By: Matthew Shaffer and Charles CY Wang

We study the application of large language models (LLMs) to the estimation of core earnings, i.e., a firm's persistent profitability from its core business activities. This construct is central to investors' assessments of economic performance and valuations. However,... View Details

Keywords: Large Language Models; AI and Machine Learning; Accounting; Profit; Corporate Disclosure; Analytics and Data Science; Measurement and Metrics

SSRN

April 2008 (Revised May 2009)
Case

Robert Wessman and Actavis' "Winning Formula"

Robert Wessman took over Actavis in 1999 when it was a failing 90-person domestic generic pharmaceutical maker in Iceland. Within 7 years he had brought Actavis to number 5 worldwide, with 11,000 people, active in 40 countries, global manufacturing, and $1.6 billion.... View Details

Keywords: Globalized Firms and Management; Business Growth and Maturation; Success; Transformation; Business Strategy; Pharmaceutical Industry; Iceland

December 2012 (Revised July 2015)
Supplement

Nalli Silk Sarees (B)

By: V.G. Narayanan, Namrata Arora and Vidhya Muthuram

Presents the company's perspective using an interview format. Ramnath K. Nalli, vice chairman of Nalli Silk Sarees Private Limited, and his daughter, Lavanya Nalli (HBS MBA 2011), the fifth generation entrepreneur to be involved in the family business, discuss customer... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Consumer Behavior; Entrepreneurship; Apparel and Accessories Industry

Program

Strategic Negotiations

provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions Who Should Attend Senior executives who face complex and challenging negotiations, such as CEOs, entrepreneurs, board members, View Details

2011
Other Unpublished Work

Functional Centralization and the Division of Labor in Management

By: Julie Wulf, Maria Guadalupe and Hongyi Li

This paper shows that the trend towards flatter hierarchies in large US firms since the mid-80's has been accompanied by increased centralization of activities at the top of the organization. In particular, the number of functional managers (e.g., Chief Financial... View Details

Keywords: Executive Compensation; Management Teams; Organizational Structure; Business Strategy; Diversification; Information Technology; United States

Web

Application Requirements - Doctoral

It should largely be your own work and you should be prepared to discuss the content and your contributions. It should be no more than 10 pages of text, plus references. GRE & GMAT All applicants are required to take either the General... View Details

December 1986 (Revised December 1993)
Case

Johnsonville Sausage Co. (A)

Describes the evolution of Johnsonville Sausage through a generation of management and from a small operation to a large concern of over 500 employees. Describes how each of the functional areas in the firm has evolved, and how its structure and systems have changed... View Details

Keywords: Organizational Change and Adaptation; Business or Company Management; Transformation; Growth and Development; Food and Beverage Industry

06 Apr 2023
Blog Post

Bringing Music to the HBS Classroom: My Journey as a Nontraditional Student in the Summer Venture in Management Program

Business School in general to better grasp what the program would entail. During this process, I found a video that would change my life forever: the illustrious “Take A Seat in the Harvard MBA Classroom.”... View Details

June 2024
Supplement

Legacy Partners (A)

By: Richard S. Ruback and Royce Yudkoff

Instructors should consider the timing of making videos available to students, as they may reveal key case details.

Stephen Holbrook and Austin Pulsipher (both HBS '19) had been leading Nutrishare since acquiring the company six months earlier in mid-2021.... View Details

Program

Growing as a Purposeful Leader

(beyond the four walls of the business), and how they should lead (not as superheroes and not just as good business leaders, but also as great human leaders). In this program, you will prepare to become an authentic, purposeful leader who... View Details

24 Feb 2015
First Look

First Look: February 24

Publications February 2015 University of Chicago Press Political Standards By: Ramanna, Karthik Abstract—There are certain institutions underlying our modern market-capitalist system that are largely outside the interest and understanding of the View Details

Keywords: Sean Silverthorne

20 Jul 2009
Research & Ideas

Markets or Communities? The Best Ways to Manage Outside Innovation

after identifying a structural weakness. “Apple has shown the way in how to build a market of external innovators.” According to Harvard Business School professor Karim R. Lakhani, Boeing's approach is an excellent example of how not to... View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne; Technology

November 1980 (Revised August 1986)
Case

Progressive Corp.'s Divisionalization Decision (A)

By: Robert G. Eccles Jr.

Describes a company that is considering whether to establish an experimental division as a relatively independent profit center under a general manager. Data relevant to this decision include the company's strategy, markets, products, current structure, size, and the... View Details

Keywords: Business Divisions; Decision Making; Data and Data Sets; Managerial Roles; Organizational Design; Situation or Environment

Find at Harvard

Research Summary

Managing Processes

David A. Garvin is examining the nature and use of managerial and organizational processes—the means by which work is accomplished—including strategic processes that chart corporate direction, resource allocation processes that distribute funds,... View Details

12 Feb 2015
Video

Collective Genius

Teaching Interest

Overview

By: John F. Batter

As as Senior Lecturer I teach the EC course Law, Management and Entrepreneurship (cross-listed in the General Management and Entrepreneurial Management Units) in both the Fall and Spring semesters. While I have retired from my public and private company litigation... View Details

Keywords: Fiduciary Duty; Securities; Private Equity; Entrepreneurship; Mergers; Law

February 1976 (Revised November 1983)
Case

EG&G, Inc. (B)

By: Michael E. Porter

Raises the dilemmas of making strategic decisions within an organizational construct. The divestment of a division of the company raises not only strategic issues but organizational and interpersonal ones as well. The decision is framed through the strategic planning... View Details

Keywords: Business Divisions; Decisions; Business or Company Management; Organizations; Strategic Planning; Strategy; Service Industry