More from the Author

• Case | HBS Case Collection | August 2016 (Revised July 2019)

  Alere

  Raffaella Sadun, Catherine Slater and Channing Spencer

  The Board of Alere, Inc., a leading medical diagnostic firm, is evaluating the offer made by Ron Zwanziger, the firm’s founder and former CEO, to acquire the company and take it private. The offer arrives at the end of a tumultuous year for the company, which saw Zwanziger fighting and ultimately losing a confrontation with activist investors Coppersmith Capital. How should the board evaluate this offer? Should they reject it, on the basis that Zwanziger’s decision to expand into integrated healthcare solutions was the main reason behind the company’s poor stock performance, as Coppersmith claimed? Or should they once more place their trust in Zwanziger’s leadership and in Alere’s ability to effectively implement his vision?

  Keywords: Corporate Governance; Corporate Strategy; Governing and Advisory Boards; Decision Making; United States;

  Citation:

  Sadun, Raffaella, Catherine Slater, and Channing Spencer. "Alere." Harvard Business School Case 717-402, August 2016. (Revised July 2019.)  View Details

  CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase

  Related

• Case | HBS Case Collection | April 2016 (Revised March 2019)

  Moleskine (A)

  Ryan Raffaelli, Raffaella Sadun and Kathy Qu

  Describes the founding and growth challenges facing Moleskine, an Italian-based consumer products company known for its oilcloth-covered notebooks once used by Ernest Hemingway and Vincent van Gogh. CEO Arrigo Berni and co-founder Maria Sebregondi aim to transform the company from a founder-led company to a professionally managed firm by expanding into new geographies, product categories, and distribution channels. They have also recently developed several strategic partnerships with Silicon Valley firms to expand into an array of digital products. However, after going public, stock prices continue to fluctuate below analysts' expectations, raising concerns about whether the company has grown too quickly. The leaders must now decide how to expand the firm's capabilities while continuing to preserve its organizational identity and creative culture.

  Keywords: Creative Industries; brand building; Digital Innovation; digital services and strategy; process improvement; culture; Identity Construction; innovation; Growth and Development Strategy; Leadership; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Culture; Innovation Strategy; Consumer Products Industry;

  Citation:

  Raffaelli, Ryan, Raffaella Sadun, and Kathy Qu. "Moleskine (A)." Harvard Business School Case 716-407, April 2016. (Revised March 2019.)  View Details

  CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase

  Related

• Supplement | HBS Case Collection | May 2016 (Revised November 2018)

  Moleskine (B)

  Ryan Raffaelli, Raffaella Sadun and Kathy Qu

  This case discusses the decisions and outcomes of CEO Arrigo Berni and founder Maria Sebregondi that the Moleskine (A) case laid out.

  Keywords: Creative Industries; brand building; Digital Innovation; digital services and strategy; process improvement; Organization change and adaptation; culture; Identity Construction; Growth and Development Strategy; Leadership; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Technological Innovation; Creativity; Brands and Branding; Consumer Products Industry;

  Citation:

  Raffaelli, Ryan, Raffaella Sadun, and Kathy Qu. "Moleskine (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 716-464, May 2016. (Revised November 2018.)  View Details

  CiteView DetailsPurchase

  Related