HBS Case Selections

Get the perspectives and context you need to solve your toughest work problems with these immersive sets of real-world scenarios from Harvard Business School.

Managing Your Organization Managing Your Organization Inside the Global Economy Global expansion decisions require careful consideration of product, policy, and growth factors. Curated: July 30, 2024
NIO: A Chinese EV Company's Global Strategy

Shanghai-based NIO faces tough competition in the race for EV supremacy. Would users in other markets embrace their expansion?

Published: April 22, 2022
India: Will the Giant Emerge?

A deeper look at the significant economic opportunities India has as well as the key barriers for growth it will have to remove.

Published: October 30, 2023
JPMorgan Chase in Paris

The global financial institution has to decide where to locate its European trading operations after Brexit: Frankfurt or Paris?

Published: October 18, 2023 Managing Your Organization The Rise of GenAI Building strategies that incorporate fast-moving AI technologies is tablestakes for leaders today. Curated: April 30, 2024
OpenAI: Idealism Meets Capitalism

How does a fast growing, high-profile company balance advancing AI technology with protecting humanity's interests?

Published: January 05, 2024
Generative AI and the Future of Work

Generative AI is poised to reshape productivity, value creation, and labor markets. Is your company prepared?

Published: December 22, 2023
Copilot(s): Generative AI at Microsoft and GitHub

Three years after Microsoft's acquisition of Github, the company has to decide how to publicly roll out a Gitub Copilot product that suggests code snippets to software developers.

Published: November 16, 2023 Managing Your Organization Innovation in Action

Being able to innovate and adapt to new competition and technology requires the right incentives, communication, and openness to change.

Curated: October 11, 2023
Innovation at Moog Inc.

Grapple with the challenges of how to motivate and incentivize employees to create commercially successful innovations.

Published: March 15, 2022
Innovation at Google Ads: The Sales Acceleration and Innovation Labs (SAIL) (A)

When a new leader takes over the Google Ads sales and innovation team, they must establish culture, process, metrics and more to drive innovation across a geographically dispersed team.

Published: March 20, 2023
Juan Valdez: Innovation in Caffeination

Innovation happens at non-tech companies too. In this classic case from the early 2000s, Colombian coffee entrepreneurs attempt to revive Colombia's famous Juan Valdez brand in the age of Starbucks.

Published: February 22, 2013 Managing Your Organization Competing in the Metaverse

Companies are facing an entirely new set of strategic questions when weighing opportunities in online virtual worlds.

Curated: September 06, 2023
UGG Steps into the Metaverse

Given the importance of how physical UGGs felt on wearers feet, how should the company think about selling its products in the metaverse?

Published: November 18, 2022
Metaverse Wars

The term "metaverse" is a catch-all for the many expectations around online virtual worlds. But how quickly can companies really bring these experiences to customers - and what will the guardrails be?

Published: March 24, 2023
Roblox: Virtual Commerce in the Metaverse

Roblox is seen as a major metaverse testing ground - and the company has to consider what kinds of partnerships and experiences will keep revenue growth on track.

Published: February 15, 2023 Managing Your Organization Putting AI to Work

AI-fueled tools are firmly in the hands of consumers - and companies need to be ready to ask the right questions to adapt.

Curated: May 16, 2023
Timnit Gebru: "SILENCED No More" on AI Bias and The Harms of Large Language Models
When it comes to AI ethics and countering bias, where does the responsibility lie? Published: May 09, 2022
Hugging Face: Serving AI on a Platform

An open-source AI model company considers three priorities: Platform development, supporting the open-source community, and pursuing cutting-edge scientific research.

Published: November 04, 2022
SmartOne: Building an AI Data Business

The data labeling company contemplates different options for growth and where it fits in the AI value chain.

Published: October 01, 2021 Managing Your Organization The Economics of Uncertainty Lessons learned from companies navigating complex economic times. Curated: March 01, 2023
Honeywell and the Great Recession (A)
After staging a turnaround, Honeywell had to contend with the Great Recession. Published: October 28, 2014
Target: Responding to the Recession
How a retailer responded to competition during an economic downturn. Published: March 12, 2010
MC Tool

Leaders at a manufacturing company must decide whether to stay the course in the face of a recession.

Published: July 15, 2012
Hometown Foods: Changing Price Amid Inflation
How leaders at a food manufacturing company made pricing decisions in unprecedented times. Published: March 16, 2022 Managing Your Organization Tesla and Elon Musk How the company and its lightning rod CEO balance risk and opportunity. Curated: May 03, 2022
Elon Musk's Big Bets
The story of Tesla's and Elon Musk's big initiatives, from SolarCity to SpaceX. Published: November 21, 2016
Elon Musk: Balancing Purpose and Risk

Tesla's founding CEO contemplates the place of personal purpose versus financial risk and reward when facing critical funding decisions.

Published: October 19, 2016
Tesla's CEO Compensation Plan

Tesla's notable compensation plan for Elon Musk depends heavily on the company's performance and hinges on high risk--and high potential for reward--for the CEO.

Published: April 20, 2018 Managing Your Organization Doing Business in China

How to navigate building a business in one of the world's largest economies amidst tariffs, regulations, and dynamic political challenges.

Curated: January 12, 2022
Tencent

The story of the country's biggest online game company shows why execution is more important than ideas when it comes to staying ahead of the competition in China.

Published: September 13, 2017
China Rapid Finance: The Collapse of China's P2P Lending Industry
How rapid growth can spook Chinese regulators into shutting down an industry. Published: February 09, 2021
Forbidden City: Launching a Craft Beer in China
Leaders at an international beer company must decide the best approach for expanding into China. Published: March 26, 2020 Managing Your Organization Running Better Business Experiments How companies can learn more, faster. Curated: October 22, 2021
Booking.com

How the world's leading online travel accommodation platform has put experimentation at the heart of how it designs experiences for its customers and partners.

Published: October 15, 2018
Innovation at Uber: The Launch of Express POOL
How the ride-sharing company is structured for innovation, experimentation, and data analysis. Published: October 01, 2018
Racial Discrimination on Airbnb (A)
How even robust experimentation can leave product creators with blind spots. Published: March 05, 2020 Managing Your Organization Building a Future Workforce

How companies are transforming their talent and creating organizations that are more digital, more diverse, and more agile.

Curated: December 04, 2020
Unilever's Response to the Future of Work

How one of the world's largest consumer goods companies is reskilling its workforce, adopting flexible work practices, and accelerating its pace of change.

Published: April 07, 2020
AT&T, Retraining, and the Workforce of Tomorrow
Who bears the burdens of closing the digital skills gap for 100,000 employees? Published: July 09, 2019
Leading Change in Talent at L'Oreal
How a tight-knit organization is building a culture that's both cohesive and inclusive. Published: February 27, 2020 Managing Your Organization Black Business Leaders Case studies featuring Black protagonists. Curated: August 03, 2020
Oprah!
How the media mogul found her voice of truth. Published: March 08, 2005
Eve Hall: The African American Investment Fund in Milwaukee

The newly appointed leader of Wisconsin's African American chamber of commerce seeks to revitalize the state's minority-owned small businesses.

Published: February 02, 2017
United Housing - Otis Gates

The cofounder of a successful entrepreneurial venture must calculate the value of his business's social mission as he prepares to sell.

Published: January 03, 2017 Managing Your Organization Leading in a Time of Crisis How companies and governments have responded to major disasters. Curated: April 01, 2020
The Home Depot: Leadership in Crisis Management

How disasters can disrupt operations and also provide an opportunity for a company to fulfill its mission.

Published: March 02, 2009
The Great East Japan Earthquake (B): Fast Retailing Group's Response
How a retailer responded to an unfolding tragedy. Published: November 08, 2012
Insurer of Last Resort?: The Federal Financial Response to September 11
Controversy over the government's economic response to the attacks. Published: March 26, 2003 Managing Your Organization Extending Your Brand

You have an iconic product line. How can you expand your offering into new markets without undermining your brand uniqueness?

Curated: July 03, 2019
Under Armour

How can the performance apparel company move into unfamiliar market segments--without losing touch with athletes?

Published: January 09, 2018
Longchamp

How does the company's iconic, affordable nylon handbag fit into its portfolio of luxury leather goods?

Published: June 15, 2016
Hunley, Inc.: Casting for Growth

In this fictionalized story based on real companies, leaders consider a high-priced versus a low-cost addition to their product line.

Published: September 20, 2018 Managing Your Organization Blockchain How can companies begin to work with this emerging technology? Curated: January 07, 2019
Bitfury: Blockchain for Government
An introduction to Bitcoin and Blockchain--and what it might mean for governments. Published: October 16, 2017
Deutsche Bank: Pursuing Blockchain Opportunities (A)
How the financial giant is organizing to experiment with this new technology. Published: April 11, 2017
Maersk: Betting on Blockchain

How one company is launching a joint venture to bring Blockchain efficiencies to its entire supply chain and industry.

Published: April 03, 2018 Managing Your Organization Entering Developing Markets

Understand what should stay the same and what needs to change, and what information you need to decide.

Curated: January 07, 2019
Yum! Brands
A templated plan for moving into new markets. Published: May 31, 2012
Bharti Airtel in Africa
Overcoming unexpected obstacles on a new continent. Published: April 10, 2012
Li & Fung 2012
Changing the model to not just source from but also *sell to* emerging economies. Published: January 18, 2012 Managing Your Organization Managing a Social Media Crisis

When fans go rogue online, do you contain the viral threat or take advantage of the opportunity to gain more followers?

Curated: January 07, 2019
Sony and the JK Wedding Dance
Encourage a viral following--or protect valuable IP assets? Published: December 22, 2009
United Breaks Guitars
When a company's mistake goes public. Published: January 06, 2010
David Dao on United Airlines
Questionable ethics on board become a reputational disaster online. Published: May 23, 2017 Bonus Material
Marketing Reading: Digital Marketing

Core Curriculum Readings in Marketing cover fundamental concepts, theories, and frameworks in marketing. For classroom use in higher education, this Reading.

Published: September 11, 2015 Managing Your Organization Developing a Social Strategy Integrating online communities and physical products. Curated: January 07, 2019
Social Strategy at Nike

The development of Nike+ and beyond: connecting the physical world of sport with the social element of digital.

Published: April 17, 2012
The Tate's Digital Transformation
Moving the museum's mission online. Published: April 07, 2014
Social Strategy at American Express
Helping customers help each other. Published: April 12, 2012 Managing Your Organization M&A Making the Decision Considerations before the deal closes. Curated: January 07, 2019
Mellon Financial and The Bank of New York
Building the rationale for a merger in a rapidly consolidating industry. Published: February 29, 2008
The Walt Disney Company and Pixar, Inc.: To Acquire or Not to Acquire?
Exploring an acquisition as a way to maintain an innovative partnership. Published: March 02, 2009
Dow's Bid for Rohm and Haas
When external events get in the way of a carefully planned acquisition--at the last minute. Published: November 16, 2010 Bonus Material
Finance Reading: The Mergers and Acquisitions Process
An introduction to the structure and process of mergers and acquisitions transactions. Published: June 22, 2017 Managing Your Organization Protecting Consumer Privacy

Companies that rely on vast troves of personal data must ask tough questions to keep it private and safe.

Curated: May 02, 2019
Apple: Privacy vs. Safety? (A)

In 2015, Apple CEO Tim Cook debuted the iPhone 6S with enhanced security measures that enflamed a debate on privacy and public safety around the world.

Published: March 28, 2016
Sidewalk Labs: Privacy in a City Built from the Internet Up

Harnessing data can transform cities, but how can you collect that data while maintaining citizens' privacy and trust?

Published: October 18, 2018
Data Breach at Equifax
The causes behind the 2017 breach, and the company's response. Published: October 21, 2017 Managing Your Organization The storied history of the "most creative company in the world." Curated: January 07, 2019
Apple's Core
How the phenomenon began. Published: October 01, 2008
Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple
The creativity that has made Apple special. Published: January 09, 2009
Apple Inc. in 2012
The successes of Steve Jobs and the challenges facing Tim Cook. Published: May 15, 2012 Managing Your Organization Leading Change as a Middle Manager Exerting influence with only some direct authority. Curated: July 05, 2018
Iz-Lynn Chan at Far East Organization (Abridged)
Published: December 02, 2014
Barbara Norris: Leading Change in the General Surgery Unit

Barbara Norris struggles to address the many problems facing her as a recently promoted nurse manager in the General Surgery Unit (GSU) at Eastern Massachusetts.

Published: March 13, 2009
Adobe Systems: Working Towards a "Suite" Release (A)

The case examines the tools a manager can use to keep her project on track and manage conflict and tension as Adobe prepares to launch Creative Suite.

Published: September 24, 2008 Managing Your Organization Buying a Small Business You can buy a small business and run it as CEO. Curated: January 07, 2019
Home Nursing of North Carolina
A self-funded search, including sourcing, filtering, and structuring the purchase. Published: June 29, 2012
Castronics, LLC
Buying, running, and selling a small business. Published: September 19, 2012
Gemini Investors
The context of investing in small- and mid-size businesses. Published: February 15, 2011 Managing Your Organization Pricing Strategy Understanding tiers, discounting, and the power of free. Curated: October 04, 2019
Angie's List: Ratings Pioneer Turns 20
The home improvement review site considers whether to offer a free tier of its services. Published: September 03, 2016
Basecamp: Pricing

Running tests to find the most optimal pricing policy for the productivity and project management site.

Published: November 01, 2016
J.C. Penney's "Fair and Square" Pricing Strategy
A risky change in pricing strategy at one of America's first department stores. Published: September 21, 2012
J.C. Penney's 'Fair and Square' Strategy (C): Back to the Future
Reverting back to the old pricing strategy--but not quite. Published: January 02, 2014 Managing Your Organization Artificial Intelligence The Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution is already reshaping business and society. Curated: January 24, 2020
Osaro: Picking the best path

Osaro considers deep reinforcement learning to allow robots to be applied in a wide range of new applications.

Published: July 02, 2019
HubSpot and Motion AI: Chatbot-Enabled CRM
HubSpot develops best practices for the use of chatbots for CRM. Published: February 12, 2018
GROW: Using Artificial Intelligence to Screen Human Intelligence
An international CEO considers the ways the "big data" he is collecting is being used. Published: August 25, 2017 Managing Your Organization The Future of Remote Work Lessons learned from companies navigating remote and hybrid work. Curated: July 01, 2021
GitLab and the Future of All-Remote Work (A)
A profile of one of the world's largest fully remote companies. Published: April 02, 2020
TCS: From Physical Offices to Borderless Work
How global multinational Tata Consultancy Services developed their hybrid work model. Published: January 07, 2021
Creating a virtual internship at Goldman Sachs

How the global financial services firm redesigned its marquee internship program for a remote summer--and which aspects worked best.

Published: November 06, 2020 Managing Your Organization Transformation and Turnaround Reinventing a company headed in the wrong direction. Curated: September 25, 2019
LEGO
The toy brick business's three-step return to growth. Published: July 07, 2012
Starbucks Coffee Company: Transformation and Renewal
Putting the iconic coffee company back on track for growth. Published: June 02, 2014
JCPenney: Back in Business
How the once-declining retailer adapted to shifts in consumer tastes and expectations. Published: October 21, 2016

Managing Your Team Managing Your Team Managing Global Teams

Miscommunication and inefficiency plague dispersed teams. How can you achieve high performance as the leader of a team that is scattered across the globe?

Curated: January 07, 2019
Arup: Building the Water Cube

A multidisciplinary, cross-company, international team crafts a winning design for the Beijing Olympics.

Published: February 18, 2010
(Re)Building a Global Team: Tariq Khan at Tek
Defining the challenges of working across cultural boundaries. Published: December 19, 2013
Managing a Global Team: Greg James at Sun Microsystems, Inc. (A)
Understanding the tensions in a team spread across the globe. Published: July 03, 2008 Bonus Material
Organizational Behavior Reading: Leading Global Teams
An introduction to the complex collaboration involved in leading a geographically dispersed team. Published: June 30, 2018 Managing Your Team Managing Difficult Employees When personalities get in the way. Curated: January 07, 2019
Ron Ventura at Mitchell Memorial Hospital
A gruff style gets in the way of team unity and performance. Published: June 28, 2013
Anthony Starks at InSiL Therapeutics (A)
When technical excellence isn't enough. Published: November 09, 2016
Wolfgang Keller at Konigsbrau-TAK (A)
Getting to the root cause of a clash in management styles. Published: December 15, 1997 Managing Your Team Learning from Failure

The best teams and organizations don't just recover from setbacks; they purposefully learn from them to better serve their customers.

Curated: February 26, 2021
The 2010 Chilean Mining Rescue (A)

How a crisis-solving team learned from repeated failures to achieve dramatic success while the world watched.

Published: November 01, 2011
IDEO: Human-Centered Service Design

World-renowned design firm IDEO's process for iterating on offerings with their customers, in action.

Published: October 03, 2014
Supercell
How--and why--a game design firm has built a culture that celebrates failure with champagne. Published: October 17, 2016

Building Skills Building Skills Calculating the Cost of Capital Identifying inputs and overcoming practical problems. Curated: January 07, 2019
Midland Energy Resources, Inc.: Cost of Capital

Calculating the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) as part of a company's annual budgeting process.

Published: June 19, 2009
Globalizing the Cost of Capital and Capital Budgeting at AES

Creating a practical new method of defining the cost of capital for a firm's poorly integrated international capital markets.

Published: December 12, 2003
Cost of Capital at Ameritrade

Estimating cost of capital for large marketing and technology investments at a debt-financed brokerage firm.

Published: October 31, 2000 Bonus Material
Finance Reading: Cost of Capital

An introduction to practical problems encountered when estimating and applying the cost of capital in a DCF valuation.

Published: May 04, 2017 Building Skills Working with Venture Capitalists Understanding the context--and the questions to ask. Curated: January 07, 2019
Circles: Series D Financing
Early financing successes and challenges raising a D round. Published: November 20, 2002
WebTracker
Thinking through the questions to ask when considering a VC partner. Published: February 18, 2015
Andreessen Horowitz
Understanding the VC industry and the emergence of one of its key players. Published: January 30, 2014 Bonus Material
Entrepreneurship Reading: Partnering with Venture Capitalists
An introduction to the venture capital industry in the United States. Published: March 02, 2015

Managing Yourself Managing Yourself Authentic Leadership Great leaders are shaped by their unique personal stories--strengths, challenges, and all. Curated: January 07, 2019
Oprah!
How the media mogul found her voice of truth. Published: March 08, 2005
David Neeleman: Flight Path of a Servant Leader (A)
JetBlue's CEO navigates a crisis with his humanity on display. Published: November 10, 2008
Coach Hurley at St. Anthony High School
A legendary local athletic coach stays true to his roots--and his mission. Published: March 13, 2013 Managing Yourself Balancing Childcare and Work

Negotiating leave policies, flexible work, and maintaining work-life balance is tricky for both employees and organizations.

Curated: January 07, 2019
Shapiro Global
Considering alternative work arrangements. Published: August 04, 2006
Kathryn McNeil (A)
A single parent in a high-pressure environment. Published: February 10, 1994
Carol Fishman Cohen: Professional Career Reentry (A)
Returning to work after taking time off for family. Published: May 14, 2003 Managing Yourself Maintaining Work-Life Balance Career decisions are about more than just your career. Curated: January 07, 2019
Alex Montana at ESH Manufacturing Co.
The offer of a promotion prompts tough thinking. Published: June 30, 2005
Michelle Levene (A)
Starting a family as a rising professional star. Published: February 15, 2006
John and Andrea Rice: Entrepreneurship and Life
A business, a marriage, and a family intertwined. Published: December 03, 2007 This is a Premium subscriber benefit. Thanks for your patience.

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