Publications
Publications
Show Results For
- All HBS Web
(4,153)
- Faculty Publications (1,913)
- April 1988 (Revised October 1996)
- Case
Home Depot, Inc., The
Home Depot, founded in 1978, pioneered the warehouse retailing concept in the home center industry. The company's niche strategy resulted in rapid growth in sales. By 1986, however, the company began experiencing deteriorating profitability. Students are asked to... View Details
- February 1988
- Case
Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc. (Condensed)
By: Richard G. Hamermesh and Richard S. Rosenbloom
A condensed version of Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc. The principal changes are the elimination of details about the early history of the company and condensation of the final section, Outlook for the Future. View Details
- November 1987 (Revised June 1988)
- Case
ServiceMaster Industries, Inc.
By: James L. Heskett
The CEO of ServiceMaster Industries has convened an internal task force to come up with ideas for reorganizing the company to accommodate unusually fast growth. In developing both alternatives and criteria for appraising them, the task force has to keep in mind the... View Details
- May 1986 (Revised February 1991)
- Case
Wilson Lumber Co.
By: Thomas R. Piper
The Wilson Lumber Co. is faced with a need for increased bank financing due to its rapid sales growth and low profitability. Students must determine the reasons for the rising bank borrowing, estimate the amount of borrowing needed, and assess the attractiveness of the... View Details
- January 1986 (Revised November 2006)
- Case
Peripheral Products Company: The 'Gray Market' for Disk Drives
In mid-1985, the vice president of marketing for a large manufacturer of disk drives is considering how to deal with a growing "gray market" for his company's products. The case provides good background material on the evolution of gray markets throughout the disk... View Details
- November 1985 (Revised August 1997)
- Case
Harnischfeger Corp.
Presents an analysis of Harnischfeger's quality of earnings, and the investment potential of the company's stock in light of the company's turnaround strategy. View Details
- September 1985
- Background Note
Pre-Start Analysis: A Framework for Thinking About Business Ventures
By: Howard H. Stevenson and John R. Van Slyke
Describes the thought process an entrepreneur should undergo before committing to a course of action. Covers understanding the opportunity--assessing the critical skills, resources, relationships, and approvals--developing an action plan; forming a business entity;... View Details
- June 1985 (Revised April 1989)
- Case
Benetton (B)
By: James L. Heskett
The managing director of Benetton is faced with several issues concerning the adequacy of the company's organization to capitalize on the early success it has achieved in an important foreign market, the United States. Specifically, the case raises questions about... View Details
- May 1985 (Revised November 1990)
- Case
Spinnaker Software Corp.
Describes the problems faced by a company that has experienced remarkable growth, but growth which is below projections. The management must evaluate the company's position in the turbulent software industry. The two partners must then decide whether to cut back to... View Details
- May 1985 (Revised October 2001)
- Case
Comdisco, Inc.
By: Carliss Y. Baldwin and Rita J. Seymour
Comdisco, the largest independent dealer and lessor of computers and peripheral equipment, needs financing in order to match its market's growth of 20-30% per year. The company has access to two types of risk capital, but there are substantial costs and risks... View Details
- February 1985 (Revised September 1988)
- Case
Komatsu Ltd.
Reviews and updates the structure and characteristics of the earth-moving equipment industry presented in the companion case, Caterpillar Tractor Co. After revealing that CAT has suffered major financial losses during the period from 1981 through 1984, the case... View Details
- February 1985 (Revised September 1988)
- Case
Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Describes the structure and evolution of the earth moving equipment industry worldwide in the post war era, particularly focusing on developments in the 1960s and 1970s. Describes Caterpillar's strategy in becoming the dominant worldwide competitor (industry market... View Details
- January 1985 (Revised November 1985)
- Background Note
Note on the Microcomputer Software Industry--January 1982
Contains a history of the microcomputer software industry from the mid-1970s through early 1982. During that period growth was explosive. Many new companies were formed. However, the eventual structure of the industry was not yet clear. No truly dominant firms had... View Details
- February 1984 (Revised February 1986)
- Case
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.: Titanium Dioxide
By: W. Carl Kester, Robert R. Glauber, David W. Mullins Jr. and Stacy S. Dick
Disequilibrium in the $350 million TiO2 market has prompted Du Pont's Pigments Department to develop two strategies for competing in this market in the future. The growth strategy has a smaller internal rate of return than the alternative strategy due to large capital... View Details
- November 1983 (Revised October 1989)
- Case
Procter & Gamble Europe: Vizir Launch
Describes P&G's expansion in Europe, including the development of a strong country subsidiary management, responsive to local market differences. The launch of a new product presents strategic and organizational challenges as P&G considers making this their first... View Details
- June 1983
- Background Note
Note on the Paper Machinery Industry
Describes the major structural changes taking place in the paper industry in the 1970s: major oil and pulp price increases, pollution legislation, a shift in industry development from OECD countries to LDCs and NICs and the technological revolution in paper making.... View Details
- April 1983 (Revised June 2003)
- Case
Shouldice Hospital Limited
By: James L. Heskett
Various proposals are set forth for expanding the capacity of the hospital. In assessing them, serious consideration has to be given to the culture of the organization and the importance of preserving it in a service delivery system. In addition to issues of capacity... View Details
- March 1983 (Revised November 1988)
- Case
Michael Bregman
By: Howard H. Stevenson and Richard O. von Werssowetz
Michael Bregman has successfully opened pilot installations of two different restaurant concepts. He now must develop a strategy for growth, including decisions about fast or slow growth, use of company-owned versus franchised units, and how to use the different... View Details
- January 1983 (Revised February 1988)
- Case
Hospital Corp. of America (A)
By: W. Carl Kester
HCAs ratio of debt to total capital is approaching 70%, jeopardizing its single-A bond rating. Students must determine an appropriate target debt ratio for HCA in light of its growth objectives, its acquisition strategy and its changing regulatory environment. View Details
- November 1981 (Revised May 1985)
- Case
General Electric: Business Development
By: Francis Aguilar and Richard G. Hamermesh