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• Supplement | HBS Case Collection | 2013 (Revised from original 2012 version)

  Foreign Direct Investment and South Africa (B)

  Eric Werker and Ian McKown Cornell

  Incoming and outgoing foreign direct investment in an environment of politics, geography, globalization, and history. Updates the 2006 case to 2012. The subsequent six years only reinforce the message of the original case. Since the end of apartheid, South Africa had undertaken substantial economic reforms in order to attract more foreign direct investment, but it was slow in coming. At the same time, South African firms had become major players in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Collectively, these investment decisions could have a major long-run impact on South Africa's economic growth and political stability. South African policymakers needed to decide what they wanted from the private sector, and how to achieve it.

  Keywords: global business; developing countries; foreign direct investment; business government relations; South Africa;

  Citation:

  Werker, Eric, and Ian McKown Cornell. "Foreign Direct Investment and South Africa (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 712-054, May 2013. (Revised from original June 2012 version.)

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• Case | HBS Case Collection | 2013 (Revised from original 2012 version)

  Colbún and the Future of Chile's Power

  Forest Reinhardt and Shon R. Hiatt

  This case is about Colbún, Chile's second largest electricity generator, which is facing significant uncertainty regarding the cost and availability of alternative energy sources. Problems with the contracted supply of natural gas and the volatility of oil prices, coupled with pressure from collective activists, force Colbún to revise its business strategy and its sourcing mix. The case also deals with the pros and cons of various energy sources in view of their perceived environmental impact. The company's CEO, Bernardo Larrain Matte, has to take all these different considerations into account when planning Colbún's future, especially in the light of new opportunities and challenges posed by global climate change. The case analyzes the operations of Colbún to illustrate the complexities associated with conducting business under the influence of global energy markets, political uncertainty, and environmental activism.

  Keywords: energy; Energy Industry; chile; environmental protection; Energy Generation; Energy Industry; South America; Chile;

  Citation:

  Reinhardt, Forest, and Shon R. Hiatt. "Colbún and the Future of Chile's Power." Harvard Business School Case 713-047, April 2013. (Revised from original November 2012 version.)

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• Module Note | 2013

  Business and Government: Campaign Contributions and Lobbying in the United States

  Karthik Ramanna, Sandra J. Sucher and Ian McKown Cornell

  This module note on business-government relations introduces students to the state of campaign contributions and lobbying by corporations in the United States. The note develops two hypotheses as to the impact of corporate political engagement: (i) a vehicle to facilitate good government; and (ii) an instrument of special-interest capture. The note can be used to generate a discussion on the following issues: (1) In a democratic capitalist society, what is the appropriate role of business in government? (2) When it comes to political contributions, should corporations have the same rights and responsibilities as individuals? The note also describes the various practical choices businesses face on political engagement, including disclosure options and options to engage through trade or ideological associations. This description can be used to encourage business students to develop an aspiration for their companies' political engagement strategies.

  Keywords: political economy; Business and Government Relations; Business and Government Relations; Government and Politics; Public Administration Industry; United States;

  Citation:

  Ramanna, Karthik, Sandra J. Sucher, and Ian McKown Cornell. "Business and Government: Campaign Contributions and Lobbying in the United States." Harvard Business School Module Note 113-037, March 2013.

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