An in-depth study of Japanese-managed companies in the United States and Japan reveals that when technology and governmental factors are equal, the Japanese companies' U.S. subsidiaries do not outperform their American counterparts. Also, contrary to conventional belief, American managers use a participative decision-making style as often as Japanese managers do. Japanese executives use ambiguity as a managerial tool. Ambiguity is a useful concept in thinking about how individuals relate to each other, orally and in writing. It provides a way of legitimizing the loose rein that a manager permits in certain organizational situations. McKinsey Award Winner.

General managers can assess the strategic merit of potentially radical technical innovation by evaluating the two key determinants of innovation success: technology potency and business advantage. This framework uses four considerations as its criteria: inventive merit, embodiment merit, operational merit, and market merit. Development of transistorized semiconductors, and turbine engines used in supersonic jets are examples that illustrate application of the strategic assessment framework.

An administrator of a neighborhood health center is considering changing his cost accounting system from a single cost per visit to a cost per visit for each department in the center. Used to illustrate several issues related to cost accounting in health care: decisions on cost objectives and cost centers; overhead allocation mechanisms; the distinction between service and production cost centers; and others. Requires preparation of a simple step-down.

Reaction of a recent MBA to the climate, motivational systems, and management practices of the Lincoln Electric Company.

Involves a $550 million cash tender offer by Kennecott Copper Corp. for all of the outstanding common shares of the Carborundum Corp.

Spreadsheet Supplement for case 178189.

Describes the history and evolution of the log home manufacturing industry, a rapidly growing embryonic industry capitalizing on the back-to-basics lifestyle changes in the United States. Focuses on one of the leading firms in the industry, but allows a discussion of several of the other industry leaders as well. Designed for use in a two-day series on the analysis of strategic problems in an embryonic industry. What are the characteristic strategic issues in these types of industry environments? How do we anticipate and predict industry changes that will occur? How should an industry leader respond to the environment?

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

Supplements the (A) case.

This case chronicles the interdepartmental conflict and power struggle between New Haven mayor Frank Logue and Police Chief Biagio Dilieto and their subsequent battle as candidates in the Democratic primary for the mayor's office. Dilieto, a native New Havener, became the city's first Italian police chief in 1969 and had strong backing from New Haven's Italian community. When Logue took the mayoral office in 1976 and attempted to reform the police department, the two men clashed both privately and publicly through the press over issues of job appointment (which was historically a source of power for Dilieto), department restructuring, and police misconduct arbitration procedures. Amidst these disagreements, a wire-tapping operation by the police department against New Haven residents between 1966 and 1971 came to light and Dilieto was accused of and later admitted to his involvement. Under this backdrop, Dilieto decided to run for mayoral office against Logue with overwhelming support from the Italian community and the case concludes with the primary results. HKS Case Number 214.0

Supplements the case.

Describes additional events in battle between Polaroid and Kodak outlined in Polaroid-Kodak. Includes the competitive actions taken by the companies such as the introduction of customer rebates and bonus plans with dealers. Details the new products of each company and the marketing practices employed. Designed to allow a contrast to Kodak's entry into instant cameras.

Supplements the (B1) case.

Supplements the (B1) case.

Supplements the (B1) case.

Supplements the (B1) case.