Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • November 2004 (Revised July 2005)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Messier's Reign at Vivendi Universal

By: Rakesh Khurana, Vincent Dessain and Daniela Beyersdorfer
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:28
ShareBar

Abstract

Focuses on a crisis in the board at Vivendi. Highlights the difficulties that arise when dramatic pressure from outside the boardroom affects boardroom dynamics. In this case, there are two events. The first is an unexpectedly large financial loss and a pending cash flow crisis that forces Vivendi's directors to deal with the issue of dismissing their CEO. Whatever they decide, their actions will be scrutinized by the press and investors and will likely be revisited in a legal environment. The second is the board diagnosing its role in the financial crisis by approving a series of costly acquisitions in recent years that led to the crisis.

Keywords

Corporate Governance; Crisis Management; History; Cash Flow; Acquisition; Performance; Telecommunications Industry; Media and Broadcasting Industry

Citation

Khurana, Rakesh, Vincent Dessain, and Daniela Beyersdorfer. "Messier's Reign at Vivendi Universal." Harvard Business School Case 405-063, November 2004. (Revised July 2005.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Rakesh Khurana

Organizational Behavior
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • November 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Chêne Bleu: Caught in the Trade Tariff Crossfire

    By: Dante Roscini, Elena Corsi and Daniela Beyersdorfer
    • December 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Danish Crown: Feeding the Future

    By: David E. Bell, Damien P. McLoughlin, Daniela Beyersdorfer and Mette Fuglsang Hjortshoej
    • January 2021 (Revised March 2022)
    • Faculty Research

    Brigad: The Future of Work

    By: Nien-he Hsieh, Elena Corsi and Daniela Beyersdorfer
More from the Authors
  • Chêne Bleu: Caught in the Trade Tariff Crossfire By: Dante Roscini, Elena Corsi and Daniela Beyersdorfer
  • Danish Crown: Feeding the Future By: David E. Bell, Damien P. McLoughlin, Daniela Beyersdorfer and Mette Fuglsang Hjortshoej
  • Brigad: The Future of Work By: Nien-he Hsieh, Elena Corsi and Daniela Beyersdorfer
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College