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This case traces the development of genetically-modified (GM) foods in the United States and in Europe. The US had from the start a commanding lead in GM food developmentand a correspondingly large stake in global acceptance of GM seeds and foods. The case describes evolving and contrasting US and European consumer attitudes toward GM foods, a general acceptance in the US, versus a worried rejection in Europe. The case discusses how US government and corporate leaders were convinced at first that Europe was indulging in protectionist activity, but came over time to understand that the European reaction was mostly consumer-driven and derived from citizens' suspicion of government's ability to understand and regulate scientific discoveries sufficiently to protect public health. Still, US food corporations were alarmed when in 2002 Zambia refused to accept desperately-needed US food aid on the grounds that US-made GM products might preclude Zambia selling its own produce to Europe. HKS Case Number 1833.0

MAS Holdings is a family-owned manufacturer of women's apparel, founded by three brothers who have built the firm into a US$570 million business. Clients include the biggest brands in lingerie and sportswear. The textile industry makes up 50% of Sri Lankan exports, especially from China. The case is about using corporate social responsibility as a strategic tool in global competition.

This case examines the dilemma confronting the Brazilian electricity regulator in the period following power rationing. Brazil privatized about 65 percent of the distribution companies (DISCOs) in the 1990s, but the companies were hit hard financially, first by a dramatic fall in the currency exchange, and then by a supply crisis that forced the government to require consumers to reduce their consumption by 20 percent. The case explores the deliberations by the Brazilian regulatory agency, ANEEL, on whether to grant significant tariff increases to DISCOs during a period of economic turmoil. It also addresses several key regulatory issues: How to calculate the value of a regulated firm's asset base; Should a regulated firm be compensated for changes in exchange rates? Similar problems are confronted by regulators in other sectors and other countries so that the lessons in this case are transferable. HKS Case Number 1826.0

This case describes the partial transformation of the French social security system, and provides a basis for discussion of reform processes in complex organisations. The case raises questions about institutional lethargy, the sources of reform (are they demographic, economic, sociological, ideational?), and suggests conditions required to lock in reform.

Singapore has experienced exceptional economic success, lifting its self from third world to first world in fewer than four decades. Moreover, public enterprises have been a key instrument in Singapore's economic growth instead of the obstacle that they are so often in other developing countries. By 2004, however, Singapore was rethinking the role of its public enterprises in part because its economic growth was slowing and its strategy seemed to be faltering. Critics worried that public enterprises were simply not nimble enough to keep pace in an increasingly competitive global economy while defenders argued that a small nation like Singapore could not afford to rely on private companies to make the strategic investments it needed to remain competitive. The debate in Singapore raised interesting questions for other countries. HKS Case Number 1817.0

In 2000, Vietnam passed the Enterprise Law to spur private sector development and facilitate its transition from a centrally-planned to a market economy. The Enterprise Law changed the paradigm for private business in Vietnam by making business registration a legal right, rather than a privilege. Between 2000-2005, the number of private enterprises increased by more than 100%, adding over 2.5 million jobs to Vietnam's labor market. Despite this success, Vietnam's private sector remained undercapitalized, having only 12 companies with over $33 million in total capital. This case study follows Mr. Nam, a successful Vietnamese furniture manufacturer trying to identify sources of funding to expand his firm, which was established under the Enterprise Law. In the past, Mr. Nam managed to finance business expansion from retained earning and informal credit, however continued expansion required Mr. Nam to identify "arm's length" financing. In this search, Mr. Nam encountered two fundamental problems. First, the banking sector, still under state influence, did not have strong incentives to lend to the private sector. Second, private banks and other sources of capital require Mr. Nam to submit his business to an independent audit, which would certainly uncover many business practices which were technically illegal - and essential to competitiveness. This case study encourages students to consider the social cost of weak regulatory environments, poorly designed economic laws, and the relationship between these conditions and the production of (undesirable) commercial norms. Instructors of development finance, small and medium enterprise finance, and legal and regulatory courses should find this case study useful. HKS Case Number 1812.0

Danfoss is one of Denmark's largest family firms, producing components for a wide range of industrial control activity. Spanning the period 1996-2004, the case begins by looking at Danfoss' globalisation strategy, then focuses on its specific experience and learning in China, before returning to the wider challenges that globalisation in China poses for Danfoss as a whole. The focus is on the Refrigeration & Controls (RC) division, the key Danfoss division to enter China.

Danfoss is one of Denmark's largest family firms, producing components for a wide range of industrial control activity. Spanning the period 1996-2004, the case begins by looking at Danfoss' globalisation strategy, then focuses on its specific experience and learning in China, before returning to the wider challenges that globalisation in China poses for Danfoss as a whole. The focus is on the Refrigeration & Controls (RC) division, the key Danfoss division to enter China.

Danfoss is one of Denmark's largest family firms, producing components for a wide range of industrial control activity. Spanning the period 1996-2004, the case begins by looking at Danfoss' globalisation strategy, then focuses on its specific experience and learning in China, before returning to the wider challenges that globalisation in China poses for Danfoss as a whole. The focus is on the Refrigeration & Controls (RC) division, the key Danfoss division to enter China.

Microfinance is a field that has received increasing attention over the years in the development community. It consists of the delivery of financial services to people excluded from traditional banking institutions. For many years, most work was done on issues like credit and saving methodologies. However, the emphasis has switched in recent years to institutional sustainability to maximize impact through the commercialization of microfinance. A key component of microfinance commercialization is the mobilization of funds from money and capital markets, to decrease dependency on donors and governments and to enhance the financial intermediation of microfinance institutions. One of the most innovative ways to mobilize funds for microfinance lending is through the establishment of microfinance funds that channel investments from capital markets to microfinance institutions either as loans, guarantees or - less often - equity. BlueOrchard Finance has been a major actor in this arena through the management of the Dexia Microcredit Fund (DMCF). HKS Case Number 1762.0

This case focuses on one of the largest and most successful of such microlenders, Mexico's Compartamos ("we share") organization, and raises questions about the most effective business model and scale of microlenders. Specifically, the case tells the story of how Compartamos, which had found great success making small loans in villages and rural areas, fared when it sought to expand into Mexico City. A series of reverses--higher default rates, personnel problems, and unexpected competition and regulatory issues--implicitly pose the question of whether Compartamos and microlenders of its type, which historically have relied on peer group pressure to ensure repayment of otherwise unsecured loans to small start-up businesses, can expand and adapt to an urban setting. HKS Case Number 1761.1

Case A: Describes the development of e-inclusion, HP4s program aimed at addressing the Digital Divide. It follows the project from its initial focus of corporate responsibility to its goal of developing new, profitable markets among the underserved.

Case B describes the initial developments in the Kuppam i-community, in India, a pilot project, under the auspices of e-inclusion, aimed at researching the potential to find a market for IT products and services and for HP's competences among the poor.

Technological and scientific innovation in recent years has opened up much research and development into renewable and alternative energies. Increasing pressure from environmental and governmental groups has led to the investigation of new and cleaner energy sources for the future. This case looks specifically at developments surrounding hydrogen-generated energy, focusing particularly on the possible benefits and market potential of such innovation and the challenges the industry might expect to encounter going forward.

Technological and scientific innovation in recent years has opened up much research, development and debate on the possibilities of colonizing other worlds. This case looks specifically at developments in the exploration of Mars, focusing particularly on the idea of inhabiting the planet, and the benefits and challenges this concept poses for the industry going forward.

In the summer of 2002 the Commissariat for Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Social Inclusion, an agency of the government of Mauritania, had to decide whether and how to modify its Twizé program of shelter and poverty assistance. The program had been piloted in the Dar el Beida resettlement area on the outskirts of Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott, in 1999 and then extended to three other similar resettlement areas in 2000 and 2001. But the Commissariat was worried that the pilot had been expensive, and that it could not afford to apply the Twizé program more widely in its current form. HKS Case Number 1706.0

Technological and scientific innovation in recent years has opened up much research and development into renewable and alternative energies. Increasing pressure from environmental and governmental groups has led to the investigation of new and cleaner energy sources for the future. This case looks specifically at developments surrounding solar energy, focusing particularly on the possible benefits and market potential of such innovation and the challenges the industry might expect to encounter going forward.

Technological and scientific innovation in recent years has opened many new lines of research and development in the field of cloning. Developments in agriculture and forestry have brought new approaches and methods in crop and forest production, and many more are predicted to emerge in the coming decade. This case looks specifically at developments in tree cloning, looking particularly at the commercial potential of such innovation and the issues and challenges the industry might expect to encounter going forward.

Technological and scientific innovation in recent years has opened many new lines of research and development in the food and beverage industry. Developments in biotechnology in particular have begun to yield new approaches and methods for food production, distribution and consumption, and many more are predicted to emerge in the coming decade. This case looks specifically at the development of genetically modified food products, focusing particularly on the market potential of such innovations and the challenges the industry might expect to encounter going forward.

There are few industries in which the effects of technological innovation be seen as clearly as they can in the healthcare industry. Developments in devices, services and networks are in turn creating even more opportunities and innovation. This case looks specifically at developments in Stem Cell-related technologies, and the impact these might have on the treatment of certain diseases. With a particular focus on the treatment of diabetes, the case looks at the market potential of such innovations and the challenges the industry might expect to encounter going forward.