Publications

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May 2014
Teaching Note

Clarks at a Crossroads (A) and (B)

By: John A. Davis and Suzanne Stroh

2009
Chapter

On the Goals of Successful Family Companies

By: John A. Davis and Renato Tagiuri

Providing clear goals for a company and communicating them are among the most powerful means for guiding the behavior of the people in an organization. In this article, we explore the range of objectives or goals of family-owned and -managed companies and identify... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Interpersonal Communication; Goals and Objectives; Organizational Culture; Family Ownership

September 2006
Teaching Note

Matthew A. Hunter and Matthew B. Hunter (TN)

By: John A. Davis and Courtney Sampson

Teaching Note to (806-203) and (806-204). View Details

June 2006
Exercise

Matthew A. Hunter

By: John A. Davis and Deepak Malhotra

Matthew Hunter, CEO of a second-generation family business, must manage the performance of a key manager in his company. Looks at the impact of family relationships on performance management. View Details

Keywords: Family and Family Relationships; Conflict Management; Negotiation; Family Business; Performance; Managerial Roles

January 2006 (Revised September 2007)
Case

Bentington Industries

By: David Ager and John A. Davis

Describes the situation facing Paul Bentington, the president, CEO, and member of the owning family of BIND, PLC, a large and successful family-owned engineering consulting firm in London. Bentington's sister and brother, both of whom are owners of the firm, confront... View Details

Keywords: Business or Company Management; Leadership; Family Business; Management Succession; Conflict and Resolution; Diversity; London

October 2005
Supplement

Family Governance at the Cousin Consortium Stage: The Port Blakely Companies and the Eddy Family--Supplement

By: John A. Davis and Courtney Sampson

Supplements to 9-805-160 and 9-805-161. View Details

October 2001
Case

Blethen Family and the Seattle Times Company (B), The

By: John A. Davis and Cathy Quinn

Supplements the (A) case. View Details

Keywords: Corporate Governance; Entrepreneurship; Family Business; Journalism and News Industry; Media and Broadcasting Industry

July 2000
Teaching Note

U.S. Gas Transportation, Inc. TN

By: John A. Davis and Sharon Peyus

Teaching Note for (9-800-049). View Details

Keywords: Transportation Industry

July 2002 (Revised January 2007)
Teaching Note

Corbin Motors (TN)

By: Dwight B. Crane and John A. Davis

Teaching Note for (9-800-023). View Details

July 1999 (Revised October 2001)
Case

Corbin-Pacific

By: John A. Davis and Christina L. Darwall

Reviews the history of Mike Corbin's entrepreneurial career and describes in detail the successful organization he has created. Explores his management philosophy and leadership. Explores the usefulness of continuing family involvement in this business. View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Leadership Style; Business or Company Management; Management Practices and Processes; Management Teams; Success; Family Ownership; Business Strategy; Manufacturing Industry; Motorcycle Industry

November 1997
Supplement

Washington Post Company,The: Conversation Between Katharine and Don Graham (Video)

By: Louis B. Barnes and John A. Davis

Presents a conversation between a mother and son about such issues as family business, going public, the son coming into the business, and succession. View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Family Business; Interpersonal Communication; Management Succession; Going Public; Family and Family Relationships

26 Sep 2007
Sharpening Your Skills

Sharpening Your Skills: Negotiation

uncle, mother, or daughter is your business partner. Harvard Business School's John A. Davis and Deepak Malhotra outline 5 ways to analyze and improve dealmaking and dispute resolution while protecting... View Details

03 Jan 2017
Research & Ideas

5 New Year's Resolutions You Can Keep (With the Help of Behavioral Science Research)

I'll Have the Ice Cream Soon and the Vegetables Later: Decreasing Impatience over Time in Online Grocery Orders by Todd Rogers, Katherine L. Milkman, and Max H. Bazerman. If you have resolved to exercise more, try ignoring what your peers... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel

February 2007 (Revised March 2007)
Case

Joseph Pulitzer

By: John A. Davis and Matthew G. Pillar

Biography of publisher and philanthropist Joseph Pulitzer. View Details

Keywords: Biography

September 2000 (Revised October 2006)
Case

Atherton Clothing Company (A)

By: John A. Davis and Andrew Z. Tubman

Zachary Cohen, who will graduate soon from business school, wants to enter his family's business under certain conditions--he wants shares in the company and wants to change a buy-sell agreement. His father and his uncle seem to want to explore his entering the family... View Details

Keywords: Family Ownership; Family Business; Management Teams; Contracts; Apparel and Accessories Industry

August 1964
Case

General Holdings Corp.

By: John H. McArthur

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January 1964 (Revised February 1984)
Case

O.M. Scott & Sons Co., The

By: John H. McArthur

Company has gone through a phase of uncontrolled expansion and is in a weakened financial condition. View Details

Keywords: Expansion; Financial Condition

June 1960
Case

First Pennsylvania Banking & Trust Co.

By: John H. McArthur

Keywords: Banking Industry

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September 2011
Case

The Wen Group

By: John A. Davis and Matthew G. Pillar

Three brothers that own and lead a second-generation family business in Hong Kong, encounter problems of nepotism and governance, and endure considerable conflict. The case asks how to resolve these family and business issues. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Performance Effectiveness; Crisis Management; Business or Company Management; Conflict Management; Corporate Governance; Leadership Development; Hong Kong