This website uses technical, customisation and analytical cookies, both first-party and third-party, to anonymously facilitate browsing and analyse statistics on use of the website. Learn more
Search results
-
Just in Time for the Holidays (HBR Case Study and Commentary)
McNulty, Eric; Johnson, M. Eric; Brandstatter, Horst; Hausman, Warren H.; Omrod, AnneArticle HBS-R0512A-EService and Operations ManagementIt's the busiest time of year for North Pole Workshops. Production is in high gear, and the elves are on overtime in the sprint toward Christmas. But an unexpected spike in demand for one toy may leave children around the world disappointed on Christmas morning, whether they've been naughty or nice. At the same time, another toy's popularity threatens to plummet, leaving Santa and his elves faced with the prospect of millions of unloved plaything...Starting at €8.20
-
Does America Really Need Manufacturing
Pisano, Gary P.; Shih, WillyArticle HBS-R1203G-EService and Operations ManagementToo many U.S. companies base decisions about where to locate production largely on narrow financial criteria. They don't consider whether keeping manufacturing at home makes more sense strategically or take into account the impact it might have on their ability to innovate. The result has been an exodus of manufacturing from America, which has weakened the capabilities that domestic firms need to keep inventing high-quality, cost-competitive prod...Starting at €8.20
-
Putting the Service-Profit Chain to Work (HBR Classic) (Spanish version)
Heskett, James L.; Jones, Thomas O.; Loveman, Gary W.; Sasser, W. Earl, Jr.; Schlesinger, Leonard A.Article HBS-R0807LService and Operations Managementinvestment in people, technology that supports frontline workers, revamped recruiting and training practices, and compensation linked to performance. They also express a vision of leadership in somewhat unconventional terms, referring to an organization's "patina of spirituality" and the "importance of the mundane." In this article, Heskett, Jones, Loveman, Sasser, and Schlesinger take a close look at the links in the service-profit chain, which...Starting at €8.20
-
Breaking the Trade-Off Between Efficiency and Service (Spanish version)
Frei, Frances X.Article HBS-R0611EService and Operations Managementdiagnosing the behavioral problem, designing an operating role for customers that creates new value for both parties, and testing and refining approaches for influencing behavior.Starting at €8.20
-
Getting to Grips With Take-Back Laws
Atasu, Atalay; Van Wassenhove, LukArticle ART-1892-EService and Operations ManagementAs diverse environmental legislation is being formulated around the world, companies may find themselves in a ¿gray zone,¿ as the authors explain in a new paper on the subject. This presents challenges but also opportunities for companies to clarify operations in four areas: forming a network, rethinking product design, setting up a closed-loop supply chain, and adopting new technologies and business models. The authors believe that individual pr...Starting at €8.20
-
Taking the Measure of Mood (Spanish version)
O'Connell, PatrickArticle HBS-F0603FService and Operations ManagementThe Inn at Little Washington, a top U.S. restaurant, takes "know the customer" to a new level. Co-owner and Executive Chef Patrick O'Connell explains.Starting at €8.20
-
Don't Tweak Your Supply Chain-Rethink It End to End (Spanish version)
Lee, Hau L.Article HBS-R1010CService and Operations ManagementWith the best of intentions, companies up and down supply chains experiment with isolated efforts to improve sustainability-only to encounter a long string of unanticipated consequences, often in the form of financial, social, or environmental costs. That's partly because most firms respond in a piecemeal way to pressure from customers, shareholders, boards, employees, governments, and NGOs. For instance, they demand that suppliers change their m...Starting at €8.20
-
Eliminate the Middleman? (HBR Case Study and Commentary)
Huang, Ming-Hui; Riggs, Bruce K.; Lynn, Barry C.; Dongsheng, Wang; Gaffney, PaulArticle HBS-R0603A-EService and Operations ManagementGreg Jamison, the head of global sourcing at USTech, has a complicated situation on his hands. The U.S. consumer electronics giant has long outsourced much of the design and production of its branded offerings to TaiSource, an original design manufacturer, or ODM, in Taiwan. TaiSource, in turn, has moved most of its manufacturing to Beijing, giving USTech many of the cost benefits--and none of the hassles--of sourcing in China. But commodity prod...Starting at €8.20
-
Green Rules to Drive Innovation
Esty, Daniel C.; Charnovitz, SteveArticle HBS-R1203L-EService and Operations ManagementIncoherent U.S. energy and climate policies have cast a pall over the entire economy and are putting U.S. companies at a serious global disadvantage. The authors offer 10 prescriptions for reforms, two of which they describe in detail. First, they argue that the U.S. should impose a gradually increasing carbon charge; this would help internalize environmental costs, drive investment in energy efficiency, encourage innovation in renewable power, a...Starting at €8.20
-
The Four Things a Service Business Must Get Right (Spanish version)
Frei, Frances X.Article HBS-R0804DService and Operations ManagementBecause customers' involvement as producers can wreak havoc on costs, companies must also develop creative ways to fund their distinctive offerings, by providing a self-service alternative, for example, or by offsetting expenses with operational savings. A close look at successful service businesses - Wal-Mart, Commerce Bank, the Cleveland Clinic, and others - reveals that effective integration of the four elements is key. There is no "right" wa...Starting at €8.20