What Do Managers Do? Exploring Persistent Performance Differences among Seemingly Similar Enterprises

Robert  Gibbons; Rebecca   Henderson

Working Paper | HBS Working Paper Series | 2012

What Do Managers Do? Exploring Persistent Performance Differences among Seemingly Similar Enterprises

Abstract

Social networks and social groups have both been seen as important to discouraging malfeasance and supporting the global pro-social norms that underlie social order, but have typically been treated either as pure substitutes or as having completely independent effects. In this paper, I propose that interpersonal relationships between individuals with different social identities play a key role in linking local and global norms, and in supporting social order. Specifically, I show that social identity derived from group memberships moderates the effects of social relationships on pro-social norm observance. I test my predictions using a novel empirical setting consisting of a large online virtual environment. I show that the number of within-group relationships increases and the number of an individual's across-group relationships reduces the prevalence of anti-normative behavior. Furthermore, I show that network closure has a qualitatively different effect between within-group ties and across-group ties. The effects of within-group and across-group ties are moderated by both group characteristics and actor experience, providing boundary conditions on the mechanisms presented here. My findings illustrate the need for a more nuanced view of the complex interrelations between institutions, identity, and networks.

Keywords: Social Norms; social networks; Triadic Closure; Social groups; Group Identity; Groups and Teams; Identity; Performance Consistency; Social and Collaborative Networks; Societal Protocols;

Language: English

Format: Print

77 pages

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Citation:

Gibbons, Robert, and Rebecca Henderson. "What Do Managers Do? Exploring Persistent Performance Differences among Seemingly Similar Enterprises." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 13-020, August 2012.

Mark Bertolini, chairman and CEO of the health insurer Aetna, faces a number of questions as he seeks to transform Aetna from a classic insurance company into a business that will engage much more deeply with its members around their personal health goals. His strategy depends on Aetna’s ability to facilitate behavioral changes amongst its members to live healthier lives and requires very significant investments in digital capabilities and on-the-ground community-orientated health care resources. Will it work? Can he implement it? The case explores both the strategic issues inherent in this potential transformation and the organizational and leadership questions that it raises. Bertolini is a highly purpose-driven leader, and the case allows for a rich discussion of the degree to which this changes both his strategic and his organizational options.

Background Note | HBS Case Collection | October 2016 (Revised January 2018)

Climate Change in 2018: Implications for Business

Rebecca M. Henderson, Sophus A. Reinert, Polina Dekhtyar and Amram Migdal

This note provides general information about climate change and its implications for business. Included is an overview of climate change science and a number of its impacts, including rising sea levels, changing weather patterns and extreme weather, pressure on water and food, political and security risks, human health risks, and impact on wildlife and ecosystems. Next, responses to climate change are outlined, including improvements in energy efficiency, moving away from fossil fuels, changes in land use and agriculture practices, and geoengineering. The note concludes with the debate over how much should be spent to mitigate and adapt to climate change, who should pay, and the implications for the private sector.

Keywords: climate change; Environmental Accounting; Agribusiness; Economic Growth; Energy Conservation; Energy Generation; Renewable Energy; Energy Sources; Non-Renewable Energy; Globalized Markets and Industries; National Security; Government Legislation; Operations; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Problems and Challenges; Risk and Uncertainty; Natural Disasters; Natural Environment; Environmental Sustainability; Pollution and Pollutants; Science-Based Business; Weather and Climate Change; Society; Technology;

Citation:

Henderson, Rebecca M., Sophus A. Reinert, Polina Dekhtyar, and Amram Migdal. "Climate Change in 2018: Implications for Business." Harvard Business School Background Note 317-032, October 2016. (Revised January 2018.) (Click here for a complimentary copy on the Business & Environment Initiative’s site.) View Details

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This note draws on academic work, as well as social and economic data across several countries, to provide a basic understanding of some of the differences among capitalist systems. It begins with a description of the system of capitalism, and characteristics that to a greater or lesser degree are universally shared. It then moves to describing two models of "comparative capitalism," as well as examining state capitalism. Finally, for additional perspective the note provides cross-sectional and time-series data for social, economic and political metrics for five different capitalist systems—China, Germany, Japan, Sweden and the United States.

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What Do Managers Do? Exploring Persistent Performance Differences among Seemingly Similar Enterprises

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