- 17 Dec 2019
- Cold Call Podcast
Under Pressure, Oxxo Rethinks the Convenience Store
Mexican convenience store chain Oxxo dominated its market—until its chief rival doubled in size almost overnight. Professor Tatiana Sandino discusses her recent case study CEO Eduardo Padilla's response. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 16 Dec 2019
- Research & Ideas
Taking on the Taboos That Keep Women Out of India's Workforce
Giving women in rural India more control over household finances reduces the social stigma of working, says research by Natalia Rigol. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 12 Dec 2019
- Research & Ideas
How to Turn Down the Boil on Group Conflict
Intergroup conflict can grind office productivity to a halt. Jeffrey Lees discusses how understanding psychological stereotypes can help divided parties compromise. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 11 Dec 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
When to Apply?
Using a series of experiments, the authors studied gender differences in how job-seekers perceive their own qualifications for different opportunities and how this affects their decision to apply. Results suggest that soft touch employer interventions can improve the diversity of applicant pools even if candidate beliefs about their own ability are unchanged.
- 10 Dec 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
A Journal-Based Replication of 'Being Chosen to Lead'
Attempts to replicate experimental findings in economics and other disciplines have had a disappointing track record. This paper proposes and shows proof-of-concept for one way to ensure replication: contracting by a journal after a study is accepted for publication, but (ideally) before the actual publication occurs.
- 09 Dec 2019
- Research & Ideas
Identify Great Customers from Their First Purchase
Using data from their very first transaction, companies can identify shoppers who will create the best long-term value, says Eva Ascarza. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 04 Dec 2019
- Book
Creating the Experimentation Organization
New tools allow companies to innovate on an unprecedented scale, in every aspect of business. But the organization must also change. Stefan Thomke previews his forthcoming book, Experimentation Works. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 04 Dec 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Intelligent Design of Inclusive Growth Strategies
How companies, working with a catalyst, can redesign supply chains to achieve economic, environmental, and social returns.
- 04 Dec 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Pathways to Materiality: How Sustainability Issues Become Financially Material to Corporations and Their Investors
This paper provides a framework for understanding and predicting how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues become financially material.
- 03 Dec 2019
- Cold Call Podcast
Why CalSTRS Chooses to Engage with the Gun Industry
Should large institutional investors divest or engage if they have an issue with a company? In a recent case study, Vikram Gandhi discusses how CalSTRS, the $200 billion pension plan for California public school teachers, chose to engage with gun makers and retailers. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 02 Dec 2019
- What Do You Think?
How Does a Company like Boeing Respond to Intense Competitive Pressure?
SUMMING UP: Playing out in real time, Boeing's misguided responses to competitive pressure illustrate organizational "gaps" suffered by many organizations. James Heskett's readers discuss solutions. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 27 Nov 2019
- Sharpening Your Skills
Secrets for Creating a Long-Lasting Brand
Brands can be magic in the marketplace. But just what are the components of a great brand? How do you build one? And how do they survive over time? Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 25 Nov 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
The Effect of Systems of Management Controls on Misreporting
This study provides insights for designing effective management control systems. Managers must select their individual management control practices with care, craft mission statements to convey clear messages that drive organizational alignment with the firm’s overall goals, and consider the effects of interaction between components of their system of controls.
- 25 Nov 2019
- Research & Ideas
When Your Passion Works Against You
Passion is supposed to be the secret sauce that transforms average managers into dynamic leaders. The reality is more complicated, says Jon M. Jachimowicz. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 21 Nov 2019
- Research & Ideas
Do TV Debates Sway Voters?
As Democratic presidential candidates face off at the podium, Vincent Pons reports that TV debates don’t influence voters. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 20 Nov 2019
- Research & Ideas
It's No Joke: AI Beats Humans at Making You Laugh
New research shows people don’t trust recommendations from algorithms—and that’s a problem for companies that increasingly rely on AI-based technology to persuade consumers. Michael H. Yeomans explains how businesses can overcome that bias. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 19 Nov 2019
- Op-Ed
Gender Bias Complaints against Apple Card Signal a Dark Side to Fintech
The possibility that Apple Card applicants were subject to gender bias opens a new frontier for the financial services sector in which regulators are largely absent, argues Karen Mills. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 19 Nov 2019
- Cold Call Podcast
Lessons from IBM in Nazi Germany
Geoffrey Jones discusses his case study, "Thomas J. Watson, IBM and Nazi Germany," exploring the options and responsibilities of multinationals with investments in politically reprehensible regimes. Open for comment; Comment(s) posted.
- 14 Nov 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Design Rules, Volume 2: How Technology Shapes Organizations series
Building on Design Rules: The Power of Modularity, coauthored by HBS professor Carliss Y. Baldwin and Kim B. Clark (MIT Press, 2000).
Does Apple Anchor a Shopping Mall? The Effect of the Technology Stores on the Formation of Market Structure
How do technology stores, particularly those owned by Apple and Microsoft, affect retail sales and market dynamics at malls? Through modeling and simulation, the authors found that these stores helped malls draw more high-income consumers, supporting the entry of upscale stores and exit of midscale and discount stores.