- 10 Aug 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Varieties of Outward Chinese Capital: Domestic Politics Status and Globalization of Chinese Firms
Most popular and scholarly writing about China’s global push overemphasizes the power of the state. This paper explains how three types of domestic Chinese capital—state capital, private capital, and crony capital—differ in political vulnerability and pursue globalization in different ways. All prefer capital openness, but they do so for different reasons.
- 07 Aug 2019
- Research & Ideas
Big Infrastructure May Not Always Produce Big Benefits
Government spending on bridges, roads, and other infrastructure pieces does not always ignite economic good times, say William Kerr and Ramana Nanda. The key question: Are financiers nearby? Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 06 Aug 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Field-Level Paradox and the Co-Evolution of an Entrepreneurial Vision
Swiss watchmaking embodies the classic strategic paradox created by the introduction of new technology: the choice between resisting and defending, or embracing and prospecting. This paper offers a model for how fields and organizational leaders experiencing similar paradoxes can adapt to environmental change while still preserving valuable aspects of their past success.
- 06 Aug 2019
- Cold Call Podcast
Super Bowl Ads Sell Products, but Do They Sell Brands?
Super Bowl advertising is increasingly about using storytelling to sell corporate brands rather than products. Shelle Santana discusses why stories win (or fumble) on game day. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 01 Aug 2019
- What Do You Think?
Has the Twitter Age Left the Case Method Behind?
SUMMING UP: Is the business case study method outmoded? James Heskett's readers are divided on whether the case is ripe for replacement. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 31 Jul 2019
- Managing the Future of Work
The energy industry’s cooperative approach to expanding the talent pipeline
The Center for Energy Workforce Development was created in 2006 to help the industry prepare for a generational wave of retirements and to diversify its workforce. Utilities are the proverbial canary in the coalmine, as U.S. organizations across the board struggle with skills gaps and demographic shifts. Southern Company Executive Vice President and CEWD Chair, Beth Reese, discusses the task of replenishing the talent pipeline from the dual perspective of utility exec and consortium head.
- 31 Jul 2019
- Research & Ideas
Distressed Employees? Try Resilience Training
Depressed employees are up to five times more likely to experience work-related problems than employees with chronic physical illnesses. So why aren't employers helping them? asks Ashley Whillans. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 30 Jul 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
‘Organizing’, ‘Innovating’, and ‘Managing’ in Complexity Space
This paper explores organizational complexity by proposing a two-dimensional framework to help us understand organizational coping mechanisms and failure modes. The framework makes it possible to ask new questions about organizational adaptations to complexity that investigate its underlying structure and dynamics.
- 29 Jul 2019
- Research & Ideas
How Companies Benefit When Employees Work Remotely
Letting independent workers choose their locations can boost companies, employees, and even the economy, according to research by Prithwiraj Choudhury and colleagues. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 27 Jul 2019
- Op-Ed
Does Facebook's Business Model Threaten Our Elections?
America's 2016 presidential election was the target of voter manipulation via social media, particularly on Facebook. George Riedel thinks history is about to repeat itself. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 24 Jul 2019
- Lessons from the Classroom
Can These Business Students Motivate Londoners to Do the Right Thing?
In the Harvard Business School course Behavioral Insights, students work in the UK with psychology experts to understand what motivates consumers and workers. What they learn can help businesses of all types, says Michael Luca. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 22 Jul 2019
- Book
How to Be a Digital Platform Leader
The most valuable companies in the world have one thing in common: all are leaders in the platform economy. In a new book, David Yoffie and colleagues identify key strategies and tactics for success on digital platforms. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 21 Jul 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Why Do User Communities Matter for Strategy?
Communities of users are shaping the industrial landscape and contributing to the innovations we use every day. The effects of user communities on firms, industries, and society will continue to grow. This article discusses the relationship between user communities and firms to shed light on avenues for future research in business strategy.
- 18 Jul 2019
- Lessons from the Classroom
The Internet of Things Needs a Business Model. Here It Is
Companies have struggled to find the right opportunities for selling the Internet of Things. Rajiv Lal says that’s all about to change. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 17 Jul 2019
- Managing the Future of Work
Advanced placement at work: a 21st Century apprenticeship model for the US
CareerWise Colorado is redefining job training and expanding the talent pipeline. The nonprofit apprenticeship program, patterned on the successful Swiss system, places college-track students in businesses from advanced manufacturing to finance. Founder Noel Ginsburg and COO Ashley Carter explain how Careerwise allows students to earn as they learn, become valued employees, and develop career networks and long-term prospects. It’s built to replicate, ramping up in Colorado and expanding nationally.
- 16 Jul 2019
- Cold Call Podcast
Juul's Mission: Convince 1 Billion Smokers to Switch Habits
Mike Toffel discusses the controversial rise of Juul vaping products, which have become a cigarette alternative for adult smokers and a growing concern among parents of teens. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 15 Jul 2019
- Book
Many Executives Are Afraid of Finance. Here's How They Can Gain Confidence
Mihir Desai explains how managers can increase their understanding of how finance works. EXCERPT: Three valuation mistakes to avoid. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 11 Jul 2019
- Sharpening Your Skills
Deconstructing 'Customer Experience'
Providing great customer service is no longer the responsibility of just one department. Today it's called "customer experience," and everyone in the company is responsible for exceeding expectations. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 08 Jul 2019
- Research & Ideas
Are Paywalls Saving Newspapers?
Newspapers with reputable brands and unique content are finding success behind paywalls. For most papers, however, the future is not so clear, says Doug J. Chung. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
How Scale Changes a Manager's Responsibilities
As small companies grow to around 100 employees, the skills of their managers are challenged in new ways. Julia Austin describes how leaders themselves must scale. Open for comment; 0 Comments.