articles 11 to 20 of 318
Should Manufacturing Jobs Be 'Re-shored' to the U.S.?
At a time when the word "outsourcing" has become synonymous with "unpatriotic" for many American voters, General Electric, Dow Chemical and other companies are opting to bring back a portion of their product manufacturing -- along with a sizeable number of jobs -- to the U.S. Why are these firms placing a huge bet on what some analysts are now calling "re-shoring"? How many manufacturers are likely to follow in their footsteps? And what factors should global managers take into consideration when they decide whether or not to make such a move?
From: September 26, 2012
Can Free Online Courses Transform the Higher Education Industry?
Amid a sputtering recovery that has highlighted the dearth of qualified workers in particular segments of the economy, many in the business community view free massive online open courses (MOOCs) as a key part of the solution. But others worry that students who rely only on these courses will miss out on the benefits that a campus environment can provide.
From: June 20, 2012
First-class Mess: Saving the U.S. Postal Service
Like many large, once successful organizations, the United States Postal Service (USPS) failed to adapt to sweeping technological changes that have altered how Americans do everything from paying bills to communicating with friends and family. With the USPS facing a possible cash crunch this fall, the service is scrambling to cut costs, and legislators in Washington, D.C., are debating a new law that would transform the organization. The question now is whether the overhaul of the postal service will position it to survive in the decades ahead, or whether it will continue on its current path to irrelevance.
From: June 20, 2012
Changes Needed at Avon Are More Than Cosmetic
Sherilyn McCoy, Avon Products' new CEO, faces a daunting list of challenges: a three-year internal investigation into charges of government bribery in China; an SEC investigation into alleged leaks to analysts; possible takeover offers from two different suitors, and a stock that lost nearly half its value in 2011. Wharton faculty offer a roadmap for getting Avon back on its feet.
From: April 25, 2012
Pop Quiz: Can Indra Nooyi Revive PepsiCo?
When Indra Nooyi became CEO of PepsiCo in 2006, she unveiled a bold plan to introduce wholesome offerings into the company's line of sugary beverages and snacks. But observers say the strategy has amounted to a case of too much, too soon, and now the company must come back from years of flat earnings and waning consumer interest in its products. Recently, PepsiCo's board made a series of leadership changes that indicate Nooyi might be on her way out. How can Pepsi regain the confidence of investors and customers?
From: March 28, 2012
The M&A Market: All the Right Conditions, but No Buyers
Despite sizable amounts of cash on hand, record-low interest rates and countless undervalued companies seeking buyers, the merger and acquisition landscape remains bleak. Nor is M&A activity expected to pick up any time soon, given ongoing uncertainty related to the U.S. economy, the upcoming presidential election and the debt crisis in Europe, according to Wharton observers and other experts.
From: March 28, 2012
The Role of Identity in Successful Post-merger Integration
In the world of mergers and acquisitions, the goal is to take two (or more) companies and seamlessly integrate processes, products and people. When trying to pull off a successful deal, however, many senior executives focus their attention on the financial aspects of mergers and fail to consider their psychological implications, Wharton management professor John Kimberly says. In a new paper, Kimberly and his co-author discuss the common pitfalls that firms make in their efforts at identity integration and offer four approaches for making deals work on an emotional level.
From: February 29, 2012
Patients versus Profits at Johnson & Johnson: Has the Company Lost its Way?
For a corporate icon long held up as the gold standard in business ethics, Johnson & Johnson has suffered some stunning setbacks in recent years. Among the headaches: a seemingly endless string of product recalls, safety issues with the company's artificial hips, and lawsuits brought by numerous states over the marketing of its anti-psychotic medication. Critics wonder whether CEO William Weldon will be able to convince consumers and investors that J&J can regain its once stellar reputation.
From: February 15, 2012
What's Wrong with This Picture: Kodak's 30-year Slide into Bankruptcy
When new technologies change the world, some companies are caught off-guard. Others see change coming and are able to adapt in time. And then there are companies like Kodak -- which saw the future and simply couldn't figure out what to do. Kodak's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on January 19 culminates a long series of missteps, including a fear of introducing new technologies that would disrupt its highly profitable film business.
From: February 01, 2012
Research Roundup: Team Performance, Demystifying Market Composition and the Reality vs. Hype of Sponsored Search
How do interpersonal relationships affect the performance of individual team members? Why is a shopping mall composed the way it is, and how do different stores affect each other's business? Do higher-ranked sponsored search listings pay off in terms of a company's bottom line? Wharton professors Jennifer Mueller, Maria Ana Vitorino and Kartik Hosanagar, respectively, examine these issues -- and what they mean for business -- in recent research articles
From: January 18, 2012
