Christian Terwiesch - Faculty Research in Knowledge@Wharton

Innovation Thrives Among German Firms, Though Hurdles Persist

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:01:35 EST

Germany registers more patents per capita than any other nation. In fields such as alternative energy, the country is on track to gain recognition as a center of innovation and excellence. Still, according to experts from Wharton, Mannheim and elsewhere, the deep technical expertise that German firms inculcate among their workers and executives sometimes becomes a barrier to pursuing emerging opportunities.

For Airlines and Others, Even the Best Fuel-price Bets Can Lead to Turbulence

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:45:28 EST

No one can accurately forecast what the price of oil will be in three days, much less three months, a fact that has played havoc this year with the finances of airlines and other industries that need a steady supply of fuel. For such firms, locking in prices when they seem to be at their lowest represents a high-stakes gamble.

Gadgets at Work: The Blurring Boundary between Consumer and Corporate Technologies

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:43:25 EST

The boundaries between work and play are beginning to disappear as consumer technologies -- including social networking tools, user generated content and wikis -- are increasingly adopted by corporate America. For technology companies, this emerging "consumerization" trend represents an opportunity, but it also brings new management challenges as companies struggle to embrace these technologies in a way that doesn't limit their usefulness but also doesn't result in lost time or money. And while there may be productivity gains for corporations that experiment with integrating the latest consumer gadgets, security remains the deal breaker, say experts at Wharton.

Can Dell's Turnaround Strategy Keep HP at Bay?

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:46:23 EST

In an interview with Knowledge@Wharton one year ago, Michael Dell declared his support of then-CEO Kevin Rollins, indicated that supply chain efficiencies and direct sales gave the company a competitive edge, and added that his namesake company was making great strides in customer service. What a difference a year makes. Michael Dell took over the reins from Rollins on January 31 and set out to remake the $57 billion Round Rock, Tex., PC manufacturer. The effort comes as the company has lost its worldwide market share lead to Hewlett-Packard and faces competition from other PC manufacturers as well. While experts generally agree that Dell has made progress in some areas, questions about its turnaround remain.

European Disunion: Citizens' Fears over Globalization and Jobs Divide the EU

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 16:31:00 EST

When citizens of France and the Netherlands voted last spring to reject a proposed treaty establishing a constitution for the European Union, many commentators fretted about whether the votes would derail the 50-year-old process of European political and economic integration. Nearly six months after the referendums, experts say the votes have indeed brought the formal integration process to something of a standstill. But they say that may not be a bad outcome. For once, voters, who rarely have a chance to participate in any kind of EU decision-making, were asked what they thought -- about the direction the EU is moving in and, closer to home, about EU policies that directly affect their jobs.

As Sony Gets a Tune-up, Samsung Zooms Ahead

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 16:43:39 EST

In the same month that Sony laid off 10,000 workers amid a restructuring, Samsung announced a memory chip that will double the capacity of digital cameras and music devices, a new line of 50-inch plasma television sets and plans to create a new mobile phone design. The contrast between the two companies is stark. Sony, based in Tokyo, announced on September 22 that it is retooling to better integrate its media and electronics businesses. Meanwhile, Seoul-based Samsung remains focused on a key goal: To become the next Sony.

The IBM/Lenovo Deal: Victory For China?

Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:58:37 EST

With the sale of IBM's personal computer business to Chinese company Lenovo Group Limited, two emerging trends quickly move front and center: The increasing commoditization of technology and the emergence of Chinese companies as global players. Wharton professors say both trends warrant watching and raise some key questions. Can Lenovo become a global player and integrate IBM's U.S. managers? Will IBM's PC customers defect to rivals like Dell Computer? Can state-owned Chinese companies become dominant in the international markets? Professors from Wharton and Universities in China, as well as Wall Street analysts, offer their opinions.

Germany: The Deadlocked Republic?

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 00:00:00 EST

By taking steps to help victims of summer floods and by sharply criticizing the United States� position on Iraq, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder eked out a victory last month over his conservative opponent. Now Schroeder�s challenge is to save his country from economic stagnation. Yet Wharton faculty members suggest that Germany�s problems are so acute that little can be done in the short term to reduce unemployment and achieve economic growth. Over the long haul, they say, what�s needed is a radical reform of the country�s rigid labor markets.

A New Approach to Valuing Biotech Stocks

Wed, 24 Oct 2001 00:00:00 EST

Now that the U.S. faces a bioterrorist attack in the shape of anthrax, stocks of biotechnology companies are soaring. But while these companies have promising technologies, they are years away from profits. The boomlet shows, however, how hard it is to value biotech stocks. Analysts often use proxy drivers such as the number of patents or the dollar value of partnerships to value such companies, but these drivers fail to show if the companies will be able to turn their research into marketable products. Research by Karl Ulrich, a Wharton professor of operations and information management, and other colleagues offers insights into a new approach to value biotech companies. Hint: Look at how the company�s drug discovery process is organized.