- 18 Jan 2023
- Managing the Future of Work
AI: The good, the bad, and the transformative
Is it too late to secure the guardrails? More and more businesses are turning to AI for its efficiencies and revolutionary potential, but its proliferation has sparked widespread skepticism and questions about equity, privacy, liability, transparency, and security. AI expert and entrepreneur Manoj Saxena parses the business, policy, ethics, and workforce implications.
- 18 Jan 2023
- Climate Rising
Accelerating the Energy Transition: The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act
This bonus episode features the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program’s CleanLaw podcast, where professors Jody Freeman (Harvard) and Greg Dotson (University of Oregon) talk about the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act that was enacted in 2022. They discuss how the bill got passed, what the law contains, how its provisions connect to other climate-related laws, and how it seeks to accelerate the country’s deployment of clean energy and other efforts to address climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guests: ● Jody Freeman, Archibald Cox Professor of Law & Director, Environmental and Energy Law Program, Harvard Law School ● Greg Dotson, Associate Professor, University of Oregon School of Law Episode specific link
- 17 Jan 2023
- In Practice
8 Trends to Watch in 2023
Quiet quitting. Inflation. The economy. This year could bring challenges for executives and entrepreneurs, but there might also be opportunities for focused leaders to gain advantage, say Harvard Business School faculty members.
- 17 Jan 2023
- Cold Call Podcast
Nestlé’s KitKat Diplomacy: Neutrality vs. Shared Value
In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, and multinational companies began pulling out of Russia, in response. At Switzerland-based Nestlé, chief executive Mark Schneider had a difficult decision to make. Nestlé had a long tradition of neutrality that enabled it to operate in countries regardless of their political systems and human rights policies. But more recently the company had embraced Michael Porter’s “shared value” paradigm, which argues that companies have a responsibility to improve the business community and the health of their communities. What should Schneider do? Professor Geoffrey Jones discusses the viability of the shared value concept and the social responsibility of transnational corporations today in the case, “Nestlé, Shared Value and Kit Kat Diplomacy.”
- 17 Jan 2023
- Book
Good Companies Commit Crimes, But Great Leaders Can Prevent Them
It's time for leaders to go beyond "check the box" compliance programs. Through corporate cases involving Walmart, Wells Fargo, and others, Eugene Soltes explores the thorny legal issues executives today must navigate in his book Corporate Criminal Investigations and Prosecutions.
- 13 Jan 2023
- Research & Ideas
Are Companies Actually Greener—or Are They All Talk?
More companies than ever use ESG reports to showcase their social consciousness. But are these disclosures meaningful or just marketing? Research by Ethan Rouen delves into the murky world of voluntary reporting and offers advice for investors.
- 11 Jan 2023
- Managing the Future of Work
How federal stimulus can break new ground on economic development and good jobs
American Rescue Plan program director Todd Fisher on the complex business of steering billions in investments to build up talent pipelines along with local and regional economies.
- 10 Jan 2023
- Research & Ideas
How to Live Happier in 2023: Diversify Your Social Circle
People need all kinds of relationships to thrive: partners, acquaintances, colleagues, and family. Research by Michael Norton and Alison Wood Brooks offers new reasons to pick up the phone and reconnect with that old friend from home.
- 10 Jan 2023
- Op-Ed
Time to Move On? Career Advice for Entrepreneurs Preparing for the Next Stage
So many people shift from one job to the next, with little time to consider how the experience changed them and what they want out of future ventures. Julia Austin recommends that entrepreneurs look within and reflect on these questions before they jump into a new opportunity.
- 03 Jan 2023
- What Do You Think?
How Would the Leadership Style of Girl Scouts' Frances Hesselbein Fare Today?
Frances Hesselbein's mission-driven leadership helped shift the nonprofit's image, and expand and diversify its membership. James Heskett reflects on the late executive director's reputation for storytelling and change management. Would her tactics work today? Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 03 Jan 2023
- Cold Call Podcast
Wordle: Can a Pandemic Phenomenon Sustain in the Long Term?
Wordle went from a personal game, created by a developer for his girlfriend, to a global phenomenon with two million users in just a few months. Then The New York Times made an unexpected bid to acquire it. But will Wordle outlast other pandemic pastimes? Harvard Business School senior lecturer Christina Wallace discusses the journey of software engineer and accidental entrepreneur Josh Wardle in the case, “Wordle.”
- 03 Jan 2023
- Book
Confront Workplace Inequity in 2023: Dig Deep, Build Bridges, Take Collective Action
Power dynamics tied up with race and gender underlie almost every workplace interaction, says Tina Opie. In her book Shared Sisterhood, she offers three practical steps for dismantling workplace inequities that hold back innovation.
- 28 Dec 2022
- Climate Rising
A Lookback at COP27: How Do Companies Engage in Global Climate Policy?
Nat Keohane, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, discusses how companies participate in global climate talks and policy development, such as the recent UN Conference of Parties (COP) in Egypt. He also talks about what to expect as countries move from crafting climate agreements to implementation and what companies’ role is in that work. He also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Nat Keohane, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions
- 21 Dec 2022
- Managing the Future of Work
Amplifying frontline worker voice to boost productivity
When workers can vote with their feet polling their views can reduce turnover and increase engagement. WorkStep co-founder and CEO, Dan Johnston on making frontline work a better proposition for both employees and businesses.
- 20 Dec 2022
- Op-Ed
Employee Feedback: The Key to Retention During the Great Resignation
Employees need to feel that they're on the same team as managers—not adversaries in a zero-sum game. Michael Beer offers six guiding principles for senior leaders who are ready to listen to and act on employee feedback.
- 19 Dec 2022
- Deep Purpose
Anand Mahindra: The Rise Philosophy at The Mahindra Group
The core purpose of The Mahindra Group is to help people “rise.” Company leader Anand Mahindra says the “rise” philosophy guides how this sprawling enterprise makes money, motivates employees, and strives for a better world. Mahindra describes how “rise” is a beacon for the group’s 250,000 employees and makes life better for people across the globe.
- 19 Dec 2022
- Research & Ideas
The 10 Most Popular Articles of 2022
The most-read stories about Harvard Business School faculty research and ideas point to a year filled with pandemic soul-searching, but also conviction to move forward with business priorities, such as digital transformation.
- 19 Dec 2022
- Research & Ideas
What Motivates People to Give Generously—and Why We Sometimes Don't
Some people donate to get that warm-and-fuzzy feeling. Others do it to avoid being asked again. Christine Exley and Julian Zlatev delve into the psychology and economics of charity to explain why people give.
- 16 Dec 2022
- Research & Ideas
Why Technology Alone Can't Solve AI's Bias Problem
Engineers designed "fair-ranking algorithms" to prevent artificial intelligence from marginalizing certain groups. While these tools help, research by Himabindu Lakkaraju finds that they can't completely override the most stubborn source of bias: people.
What Makes Employees Trust (vs. Second-Guess) AI?
While executives are quick to adopt artificial intelligence, front-line employees might be less willing to take orders from an algorithm. Research by the Laboratory for Innovation Science at Harvard sheds light on what it takes for people to get comfortable with machine learning.