General Management

General Management

Overview Faculty Curriculum Awards & Honors Doctoral Students
    • November 30, 2023
    • Article

    How to Build a Life: Three Ways to Tell If Research Is Bunk

    By: Arthur C. Brooks

    • November 2023
    • Case

    'Care in Every Drop': Ayala Corporation and Manila Water (A)

    By: Debora L. Spar, Paul Healy, Tricia Peralta and Julia Comeau

    Since 1834, eight generations of the Ayala family have used their conglomerate to fund nation-building projects in the Philippines, including investments in tramcars, telecommunications, hospitals, and schools. In 1997, Ayala’s subsidiary, Manila Water, took control of the failing water distribution system in Metro Manila’s east zone, vowing to rebuild the infrastructure and bring cleaner, safer, and more widespread water to the area. Manila Water largely succeeded in this mission in its early years, but, as time went on and the climate grew more unpredictable, it became increasingly difficult to source water for the growing population. By 2019, Manila Water became unable to bring its customers a consistent supply of water, prompting both public and political outrage directed at the firm and the Ayala family. With their legacy at risk and the problem of water scarcity enduring, how should Manila Water and Ayala move forward?

    • November 2023
    • Case

    'Care in Every Drop': Ayala Corporation and Manila Water (A)

    By: Debora L. Spar, Paul Healy, Tricia Peralta and Julia Comeau

    Since 1834, eight generations of the Ayala family have used their conglomerate to fund nation-building projects in the Philippines, including investments in tramcars, telecommunications, hospitals, and schools. In 1997, Ayala’s subsidiary, Manila Water, took control of the failing water distribution system in Metro Manila’s east zone, vowing to...

    • November 2023
    • Case

    Riiid: Scaling AI Educational Services Globally

    By: John Jong-Hyun Kim, Nancy Dai and Ruru Hoong

    This article explores the definition and evolution of AI, its applications in education, and the role of AI, particularly in K-12 education. It discusses the founding of Riiid, an AI-driven educational technology company, and its journey in the education sector, with a focus on the TOEIC market in South Korea.

    • November 2023
    • Case

    Riiid: Scaling AI Educational Services Globally

    By: John Jong-Hyun Kim, Nancy Dai and Ruru Hoong

    This article explores the definition and evolution of AI, its applications in education, and the role of AI, particularly in K-12 education. It discusses the founding of Riiid, an AI-driven educational technology company, and its journey in the education sector, with a focus on the TOEIC market in South Korea.

About the Unit

The General Management Unit is concerned with the leadership and management of the enterprise as a whole. This concern encompasses:

  • the personal values and qualities of effective general managers and enterprise leaders;
  • the philosophies, values, and strategies that inform successful enterprises; and
  • the relation of enterprise to the broader community and other external constituencies.

The Unit's work is conceived and carried out principally in four interest groups, each of which has its own leadership, research agenda, and teaching programs:

  • Management Policy and Process
  • Management Information Systems
  • Society and Enterprise
  • Leadership, Values, and Corporate Responsibility

Recent Publications

Legal Analysis: Foundations

By: Louis Caldera, Matthew Souba and Nien-hê Hsieh
  • December 2023 |
  • Technical Note |
  • Faculty Research
Related

How to Build a Life: Three Ways to Tell If Research Is Bunk

By: Arthur C. Brooks
  • November 30, 2023 |
  • Article |
  • The Atlantic
Related

'Care in Every Drop': Ayala Corporation and Manila Water (B)

By: Debora L. Spar, Paul Healy, Tricia Peralta and Julia Comeau
  • November 2023 |
  • Supplement |
  • Faculty Research
Since 1834, eight generations of the Ayala family have used their conglomerate to fund nation-building projects in the Philippines, including investments in tramcars, telecommunications, hospitals, and schools. In 1997, Ayala’s subsidiary, Manila Water, took control of the failing water distribution system in Metro Manila’s east zone, vowing to rebuild the infrastructure and bring cleaner, safer, and more widespread water to the area. Manila Water largely succeeded in this mission in its early years, but, as time went on and the climate grew more unpredictable, it became increasingly difficult to source water for the growing population. By 2019, Manila Water became unable to bring its customers a consistent supply of water, prompting both public and political outrage directed at the firm and the Ayala family. With their legacy at risk and the problem of water scarcity enduring, how should Manila Water and Ayala move forward?
Keywords: Family Business; Economic Growth; Social Entrepreneurship; Climate Change; Natural Resources; Crisis Management; Failure; Privatization; Social Issues; Urban Development; Adaptation; Utilities Industry; Asia
Related

'Care in Every Drop': Ayala Corporation and Manila Water (A)

By: Debora L. Spar, Paul Healy, Tricia Peralta and Julia Comeau
  • November 2023 |
  • Case |
  • Faculty Research
Since 1834, eight generations of the Ayala family have used their conglomerate to fund nation-building projects in the Philippines, including investments in tramcars, telecommunications, hospitals, and schools. In 1997, Ayala’s subsidiary, Manila Water, took control of the failing water distribution system in Metro Manila’s east zone, vowing to rebuild the infrastructure and bring cleaner, safer, and more widespread water to the area. Manila Water largely succeeded in this mission in its early years, but, as time went on and the climate grew more unpredictable, it became increasingly difficult to source water for the growing population. By 2019, Manila Water became unable to bring its customers a consistent supply of water, prompting both public and political outrage directed at the firm and the Ayala family. With their legacy at risk and the problem of water scarcity enduring, how should Manila Water and Ayala move forward?
Keywords: Family Business; Economic Growth; Social Entrepreneurship; Climate Change; Natural Resources; Crisis Management; Failure; Privatization; Social Issues; Urban Development; Adaptation; Utilities Industry; Asia; Philippines
Related

How to Build a Life: Four Ways to Be Grateful—And Happier

By: Arthur C. Brooks
  • November 23, 2023 |
  • Article |
  • The Atlantic
Related

Riiid: Scaling AI Educational Services Globally

By: John Jong-Hyun Kim, Nancy Dai and Ruru Hoong
  • November 2023 |
  • Case |
  • Faculty Research
This article explores the definition and evolution of AI, its applications in education, and the role of AI, particularly in K-12 education. It discusses the founding of Riiid, an AI-driven educational technology company, and its journey in the education sector, with a focus on the TOEIC market in South Korea.
Keywords: Education Industry; South Korea; Asia
Related

How to Build a Life: Why You Maybe Shouldn’t Write a Memoir

By: Arthur C. Brooks
  • November 16, 2023 |
  • Article |
  • The Atlantic
Related

Aviva plc: Examining Net Zero

By: Peter Tufano, Brian Trelstad and Matteo Gasparini
  • November 2023 |
  • Case |
  • Faculty Research
The board of Aviva Plc, one of the world’s largest insurers, must review its climate risk exposures and evaluate next steps. Risk experts at the firm have conducted a robust set of analyses prepared for its regulator, the Bank of England, simulating how various climate scenarios could impact the business. Against this uncertain future—and given their history of leadership in sustainability, the board and CEO Amanda Blanc will review options for Aviva Plc to address this business and societal challenge, ranging from dealing with flood risk to working to effect large scale systems change.
Keywords: Strategy; Finance; Financial Services Industry; Insurance Industry; Europe; United Kingdom
Related
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Contact Information

General Management Unit
Harvard Business School
Morgan Hall
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163