The "air conditioning paradox" is tied to climate change: the more the planet warms, the greater the need for cooling (due to the dangers of extreme heat as well as comfort within buildings), but the use of electricity-powered AC contributes to further warming. There is a need for innovation to break this cycle, but despite increases in efficiency in recent years, the industry has not changed much since its origins at the turn of the 20th .....more

On June 1, 2024, Spanish soccer club Real Madrid captures its fifteenth Champions League title-more than double the tally of the nearest competitor. Under Florentino Perez''s leadership, the club has now won six of the last eleven UEFA Champions League titles, and has found success off the field, with its revenues outpacing those of any other soccer club in the world. However, significant challenges are looming, prompting Real Madrid to shift .....more

The authors, a former CEO of Procter & Gamble and a former dean of the Rotman School, respectively, frequently find themselves sitting across the table from overwhelmed leaders. These executives are trying to improve or turn around an organization or the piece of it they head. They all face a long-and typically lengthening-list of important items on their to-do lists. They all understand that the job of a leader involves working intensely hard. .....more

The author, a psychologist, argues that everything we think and do in life is shaped by how big a world we can comprehend. How many perspectives on reality can we hold and how often do we go with pre-existing assumptions versus questioning them and crafting them? This is the realm of ''complexity fitness,'' which looks at what ''shape'' you need to be in to cope with different aspects of the world around you. And just .....more

This case examines IBM''s digital transformation journey, highlighting the strategic imperative to evolve from a hardware-centric business model to a service-oriented approach. The transformation aimed to leverage emerging technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to enhance IBM''s competitive edge. This case delves into the cultural and operational challenges faced during this transition, the strategic .....more

In this installment of Organizational Performance, we draw attention to two types of shareholders that tend to push executive decision-making in different directions. Quality shareholders (QSs) invest in a small number of companies and hold their shares over time. QSs offer patient capital that allows executives to focus on building and sustaining competitive advantages. Transient institutional investors (TIIs) hold dispersed shareholdings across .....more

Spreadsheet supplement for case 124071

Eight hallmarks of meaningful board engagement-and the challenges associated with each

This article explores the significant transition of retirement and offers insights into creating a satisfying postcareer life. It highlights the contrasting experiences of Irene and Lawrence, two retirees who navigated this change differently. Irene embraced retirement by engaging in activities like art classes and beach walks, finding fulfillment and alignment between her self and life structure. In contrast, Lawrence struggled with a lack of activities .....more