Publications

February 2010
Case

Corporate Strategy at Berkshire Partners

By: Julie M. Wulf and Scott Waggoner

The managing directors of Berkshire Partners, a mid-sized private equity firm, address strategic and organizational challenges in response to turbulent market conditions, rapid firm growth, and the transition of leadership from its founding partners to the next... View Details

Keywords: Private Equity; Management Teams; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Design; Organizational Structure; Competitive Advantage; Corporate Strategy; Financial Services Industry; Boston

03 Feb 2011
What Do You Think?

Are We Going “Back to the Future” In Researching Management?

into future research. Are we "fighting the last war" instead of addressing a watershed moment in leadership and management? Are we going "back to the future" in researching management?... View Details

Keywords: Re: James L. Heskett

01 Jun 2004
News

Consultant on the Go

Most business travelers breathe a sigh of relief when they return home, happy to unpack their suitcase and sleep in their own bed. Ram Charan (MBA ’65, DBA ’67) is not your typical business traveler. One of the “world’s most renowned... View Details

Keywords: Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services; Professional Services

September 2014 (Revised February 2015)
Case

Pfizer and AstraZeneca: Marketing an Acquisition (A)

By: John A. Quelch and James Weber

In 2014, Pfizer proposed a friendly acquisition of AstraZeneca, but the AstraZeneca board resisted over price and strategy concerns. Was this good for pharmaceutical consumers? Pfizer, like pharmaceutical companies in general, faced difficulties in growing sales due to... View Details

Keywords: Health Care Policy; Mergers And Acquisitions; Marketing; Government Relations; Crisis Management; Decision Making; Growth and Development; Management; Markets; Strategy; Pharmaceutical Industry; United Kingdom; United States

January 2013
Case

Brannigan Foods: Strategic Marketing Planning

By: John A. Quelch and James T. Kindley

The soup division at Brannigan Foods contributes over 40% of the firm's revenue. The general manager is concerned that the soup industry is declining and that the soup division shows declining profits and market share, especially among the important baby boomer... View Details

Keywords: United States; Consumer Marketing; Acquisitions; Forecasting; Quantitative Analysis; Risk Management; Decision Making; Budgeting; Supermarkets; Strategic Planning; Demand and Consumers; Marketing Strategy; Food; Resource Allocation; Acquisition; Product Development; Retail Industry; Food and Beverage Industry

02 Feb 2004
Research & Ideas

Where Does Apple Go From Here?

market for any electronic product. Historically, Apple was trying to sell to its installed base of Mac users, and that base has never been large enough View Details

Keywords: by Sean Silverthorne

31 Jan 2007
HBS Case

When Good Teams Go Bad

go in the varsity boat, just as a business would tap for its frontline team the best available finance or marketing person. But sometimes, as in business, crew coaches find it's preferable View Details

Keywords: by Garry Emmons

September–October 2002
Article

Market Power and Power Markets

By: Jurgen Weiss

The paper provides results of a serious of experiments with experienced subjects exploring the relationship between elements of electricity market design and competitive outcomes. The two primary variables examined are a) the price formation (nodal versus uniform with... View Details

Keywords: Energy; Market Design; Competition

Find at Harvard

June 2023 (Revised June 2024)
Course Overview Note

Introduction to the RC Marketing Course: Fall 2024

By: Jill Avery and Sunil Gupta

Course Overview Note for RC Marketing Fall 2024 View Details

Keywords: Marketing; Marketing Strategy

01 Oct 1998
News

Going Against the Flow

500 automobile, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies that actually run businesses here. Those latter companies know the market and have done very well as a result. "If you're going View Details

Keywords: Dun Gifford, Jr.

December 2014
Article

Location Strategies for Agglomeration Economies

By: Juan Alcácer and Wilbur Chung

Geographically concentrated industry activity creates pools of skilled labor and specialized suppliers, and increases opportunities for knowledge spillovers. The strategic value of these agglomeration economies may vary by firm, depending upon the relative value of... View Details

Keywords: Location Strategies; Location Choices; Agglomeration Economies; Strategy; Value Creation; Geographic Location; Industry Clusters; Microeconomics; Manufacturing Industry; United States

Find at Harvard

March 2020
Technical Note

Influencer Marketing

By: Jill Avery and Ayelet Israeli

Despite a heavy barrage of advertising, most consumers declare that their purchases are most influenced by the experiences, advice, and recommendations of others, and not by marketers. Interpersonal communication between and among consumers serves as a potent path for... View Details

Keywords: Influencers; Marketing; Marketing Communications; Brands and Branding; Marketing Strategy; Media and Broadcasting Industry; Advertising Industry; Consumer Products Industry

17 Aug 2022
News

To Serve and Protect the Markets

those markets and potentially crash the economy. “We really want to protect the people who interact with, and rely on, the markets,” says Jones. “That could be a veteran, a teacher, or anyone who has their... View Details

Keywords: Margie Kelley

September 2021
Article

Network Interconnectivity and Entry into Platform Markets

By: Feng Zhu, Xinxin Li, Ehsan Valavi and Marco Iansiti

Digital technologies have led to the emergence of many platforms in our economy today. In certain platform networks, buyers in one market purchase services from providers in many other markets, whereas in others, buyers primarily purchase services from providers within... View Details

Keywords: Network Interconnectivity; Platform Competition; Market Entry; Networks; Digital Platforms; Competition; Market Entry and Exit

13 Nov 2019
News

Don't Turn Your Marketing Function Over to AI Just Yet

Keywords: Artificial intelligence

April 2006 (Revised October 2008)
Case

Marketing New York City

By: V. Kasturi Rangan, Anita Elberse and Marie Bell

New York City is a pioneer in the emerging field of municipal marketing. The city's first chief marketing officer must develop a marketing organization with a self-funded business model that creates value for the city by leveraging the city's assets, including physical... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Government and Politics; Goals and Objectives; Marketing Strategy; Partners and Partnerships; Value Creation; New York (city, NY)

May 2018 (Revised July 2018)
Case

EY China (A): Strengthening Presence in a Critical Market

By: Ashish Nanda, Das Narayandas and Lisa Rohrer

Soon after being named regional managing partner for Ernst & Young (EY) China in September 2009, Albert Ng reflects on the enormity of challenges facing EY China. Despite EY Global's commitment to the China practice, EY China’s growth agenda has been reversed, post... View Details

Keywords: Professional Services; International Management; Big Four; Strategy And Execution; Emerging Market; Strategy; Leadership; Global Range; Growth and Development Strategy; Emerging Markets; Accounting Industry; China