In 2014, the Internet of things (IoT) was still considered in its infancy stage. Over the next two years, the IoT matured and represented a considerable amount of uncertainty for the entire electronics industry. In 2016, the industry was at an inflection point regarding the technology, and its largest competitors had to make a choice: risk investing in research and development for a potential return (or failure), or stay the course and let competitors .....more

Mark Seidman at the Federal Trade Commission is evaluating a proposed merger between two health care entities and competing market leaders in southwest Virginia. The rural region is characterized by poverty, unemployment, and poor population health indicators relative to the rest of the state. The merger would form a virtual monopoly, normally prohibited by federal consumer protection laws, but the two companies assert that it would allow them to .....more

In this B case, the follow-up to UV7854, Marissa Levine, the Virginia Commissioner of Health, considers reports for and against the merger of two health care entities in rural Virginia, as she decides whether to issue a waiver to allow it. This case set explores the differences in and conflicts among the interests of for-profit health care systems, of rural, low-income residents, and of federal, state, and local governments. It allows students to .....more

This optional C case follows UV7854 and UV7856, and describes the results of decisions on whether to allow a merger of two health care entities in rural Virginia. This case set explores the differences in and conflicts among the interests of for-profit health care systems, of rural, low-income residents, and of federal, state, and local governments. It allows students to engage in an in-depth discussion of the sometimes emotional issue of rural healthcare. .....more

Whether you''re a boss, a colleague, or a friend, you can help the people around you make important life-enhancing changes. But the way to do that isn''t by setting targets for them and fixing their problems; it''s by coaching with compassion, an approach that involves focusing on their dreams and how they could achieve them. Instead of doling out advice, a good coach will ask exploratory, open-ended questions and listen with .....more

In 2019, Chinese smartphone maker and telecommunications empire Huawei was preparing to launch its new flagship smartphone series, the Mate 30. After years of explosive growth, the previous 18 months had been a challenge for the company. In early 2018, Huawei''s planned smartphone launch in the U.S. had failed due to pressure from regulators who cited concerns about the company facilitating Chinese spying. Over the following months, a trade .....more

Launching its first products in the fall of 2016 in New York, insurtech startup Lemonade was on a mission to disrupt the insurance market by using AI and behavioral economics principles. The company offered renters, homeowners and condo insurance and mainly targeted millennial, tech-savvy individuals with relatively few assets- customers who were less attractive to traditional insurers who had costly, labor-intensive, operations. By offering a delightful, .....more

In early 2019, transportation was set to undergo a major transformation with the advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs), also referred to as driverless cars, which were nearing completion from an R&D and testing phase. Yet many questions remained open regarding exactly how and when that transformation would occur. The case lays out key issues to consider with respect to the marketplace penetration of AVs and delineates several predictions for how .....more

Despite efforts to crack down on illegal activity, crimes like fraud, bribery, embezzlement, and money laundering are rampant in corporations. What steps can leaders take to fix this growing problem? In "How to Scandal-Proof Your Company," HBS professors Paul Healy and George Serafeim argue that the cause of misconduct is not ineffective regulations or compliance systems. It''s weak leadership and flawed corporate cultures, their .....more

In 2019, the retail and consumer product industries were undergoing a generational transformation. The consumer sector had gone through two other generational shifts in the past 50 years. During each shift, many legacy businesses lost share or outright failed. The businesses that survived and thrived had to grow new business models and competencies, while managing their pre-existing operations. The note explains the major transformations occurring .....more