- 11 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
The IBM PC
The IBM PC was the first computer platform to be open by choice and not because of financial constraints. Initially, this openness kept IBM competitive. But IBM’s control over two strategic bottlenecks— standards embedded in the Basic Input Output System, and system integration and manufacturing of the computer itself—turned out to be weak.
- 11 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Gender Stereotypes in Deliberation and Team Decisions
Professional success requires the ability to contribute ideas, and receive credit for them. This paper explores gender differences in how men and women communicate and reward each other in team decision-making problems. We find that women are recognized less often for their contributions in male-typed domains.
- 08 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Platform Systems vs. Step Processes—The Value of Options and the Power of Modularity
Technology shapes organizations through incentives and rewards. This paper compares the value structure of platform systems and step processes, finding that step processes reward technical integration, unified governance, risk aversion, and the use of direct authority. Platform systems by contrast reward modularity, distributed governance, risk taking, and autonomous decision-making.
- 07 Feb 2019
- Book
How Big Companies Can Outrun Disruption
Large companies can be easy targets for disruption, but Gary Pisano says there are steps that can keep them ahead of the innovation curve. Rule 1: Don't emulate startup cultures. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 07 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Immigrant Networking and Collaboration: Survey Evidence from CIC
This study compares United States-born and immigrant entrepreneurs’ use of networking opportunities provided by CIC, the former Cambridge Innovation Center. Immigrants clearly take more advantage of networking opportunities at CIC, especially around the exchange of advice. It remains to be seen whether this generates long-term performance advantages for immigrants.
- 06 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Does Public Ownership and Accountability Increase Diversity? Evidence from IPOs
Going public has no effect on workforce diversity, according to this study comparing changes in firms’ ownership type with longitudinal data on employment. For workforce diversity, the time to make a difference is probably not after an initial public offering but rather in the years just after firm founding.
- 05 Feb 2019
- Managing the Future of Work
Speaking the language of skills
As jobs change faster and faster and companies work to prepare their employees for the future, it is more important than ever for firms to assess the talent they have and understand skills they need to compete. David Blake, founder and Executive Chairman of Degreed and author of the new book The Expertise Economy, talks to Joe about how companies can learn to speak the language of skills and empower employees working to gain them.
- 05 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Stereotypes and Belief Updating
Increasing evidence demonstrates that stereotyped beliefs drive key economic decisions. This paper shows the significant role of self-stereotyping in predicting beliefs about one’s own ability. Stereotypes do not just affect beliefs about ability when information is scarce. In fact, stereotypes color the way information is incorporated into beliefs, perpetuating initial biases.
- 05 Feb 2019
- First Look
New Research and Ideas, February 5, 2019
Women get fewer rewards for ideas in male domains ... Puerto Rico attempts to bounce back ... A global perspective on the future of higher education.
- 04 Feb 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Understanding and Overcoming Roadblocks to Environmental Sustainability. Past Roads and Future Prospects
At a summer 2018 Harvard Business School conference, historians, scholars, and business professionals debated barriers and opportunities for business and environmental sustainability. Although ideas of a future path differed, many participants said sustainability objectives based on voluntary firm action have become diffuse, making progress difficult.
- 04 Feb 2019
- Book
Green Businesses Are Incredibly Difficult to Make Profitable. Try It Anyway
Making a business successful is a challenge in itself, but making a green business profitable is an even harder journey. For society's sake, entrepreneurs must be prepared to make that journey, says Geoffrey Jones. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 31 Jan 2019
- Cold Call Podcast
How Wegmans Became a Leader in Improving Food Safety
Ray Goldberg discusses how the CEO of the Wegmans grocery chain faced a food safety issue and then helped the industry become more proactive. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 30 Jan 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Understanding Different Approaches to Benefit-Based Taxation
Benefit-based taxation—where taxes align with benefits from state activities—enjoys popular support and an illustrious history, but scholars are confused over how it should work, and confusion breeds neglect. To clear up this confusion and demonstrate its appeal, we provide novel graphical explanations of the main approaches to it and show its general applicability.
- 30 Jan 2019
- What Do You Think?
Who Will Measure up to These Two Remarkable Leaders?
SUMMING UP. In the wake of the loss of two great CEOs, James Heskett asks which schools are ready to turn out the next generation of transformative leaders? Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 29 Jan 2019
- Managing the Future of Work
IBM: View from the cutting edge of AI
If you ask her about emerging technologies, Sophie Vandebroek – VP of Emerging Technology Partnerships at IBM – can tell you firsthand how the pace of change is moving faster and faster. From AI to blockchain, Bill talks with Sophie about how businesses are harnessing the cutting edge of advanced technologies and what one of the world’s largest enterprise technology companies has learned from putting them to use. Link to transcript.
- 29 Jan 2019
- Research & Ideas
'Green Bonds' May Be Our Best Bet for Environmental Damage Control
The popularity of green bonds as a way to finance environmentally friendly projects is on the upswing, say Malcolm Baker and George Serafeim. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 29 Jan 2019
- First Look
New Research and Ideas, January 29, 2019
Is a Medicare program reducing hospital readmissions? ... Product recalls hamstring company innovation ... Barriers to business-related sustainability.
- 28 Jan 2019
- Research & Ideas
Forget Cash. Here Are Better Ways to Motivate Employees
In today's tight job market, employers must focus on how to attract and keep top talent. Giving away stacks of money may not always be the best incentive, warns Ashley Whillans. Open for comment; 0 Comments.
- 26 Jan 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Marketplace Scalability and Strategic Use of Platform Investment
One well-known feature of marketplace platforms like Airbnb and eBay is their scalability. This paper identifies the strategic trade-off and implications for scalability when a platform provides services to existing and potential sellers that help reduce their fixed costs of running the business. Timing this investment is an important consideration for maximizing marketplace scalability.
The Business of Saving the Planet
The biggest challenge facing today's business leaders? Putting their operations in harmony with the environment. Read the latest research around building sustainability into business processes and management practices. Open for comment; 0 Comments.