- 05 Jul 2006
- Working Paper Summaries
Promoting a Management Revolution in Public Education
Public school districts are difficult to lead and manage, and the idea of applying business principles to school reform is popular. But is it practical? This paper describes the work of Harvard's Public Education Leadership Program as it helps school districts grapple with performance challenges, including student achievement that compares unfavorably with other countries, and a significant performance gap between white and minority students. Complicating the picture: The concept of managing for accountability is new in education. The authors studied the effects of improved management on public school student performance by comparing fifteen large urban school districts with similar peer districts. Key concepts include: There is a connection between improved management and better educational outcomes. Districts that organized activities more coherently and focused efforts on the "core business" of student performance and classroom instruction outperformed other school districts suffering similar constraints. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 19 Dec 2005
- Research & Ideas
Public Education Goes to School
Harvard's schools of Business and Education are bringing management skills to nine school districts across the country—and positive results are starting to show. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 09 Jun 2003
- Research & Ideas
The Challenge of the Multi-site Nonprofit
Multi-site nonprofit organizations shouldn’t be run like companies that make money, say HBS professors Allen Grossman and V. Kasturi Rangan. The key for nonprofit managers is to embrace a balance between affiliation and autonomy. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 19 May 2003
- Lessons from the Classroom
Business Plan Winner Targets India Dropouts
Gyaana means "knowledge" in Sanskrit—a fitting name for a business that aims to fight the 50 percent dropout rate in India by offering microfinance loans to families. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 18 Sep 2000
- Research & Ideas
Getting It Done: Improving Nonprofit Performance
The disorderliness and complexity of the existing philanthropic environment distract nonprofit management, says HBS Professor Allen Grossman, shifting focus away from organizational performance and putting nonprofits at a competitive disadvantage. Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
- 22 Feb 2000
- Research & Ideas
Social Capital Markets: Creating Value in the Nonprofit World
Money given away to nonprofit organizations used to be considered "charity." No longer. Donations to nonprofits are increasingly viewed as capital investments of precious resources. HBS faculty members Jed Emerson and Allen Grossman have launched an interdisciplinary effort to study and understand these "Social Capital Markets." Closed for comment; 0 Comments.
HBS Cases: Making Lincoln Center Cool Again
When Reynold Levy took over as president of New York's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, he faced challenges ranging from crumbling buildings to an aging customer base. How could the venerable institution get its high notes back? Key concepts include: The case teaches about budgets in tight fiscal times, managing challenging groups of constituents and board members, using technology wisely, and planning for a future in the digital world. It also shows that there are alternative paths for a CEO to take—and that a strong organizational leader can make up for many organizational shortcomings. Open for comment; 0 Comments.