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  • May 2014
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Gunfire at Sea (multi-media case)

By: Michael Tushman and Tom Ryder
  • Format:Video
  • | Language:English
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Abstract

This short video illustrates the challenges of leading innovation and change. This classic case (one of the oldest in the HBS system) retains its timeliness. The case describes how Lt. Sims develops a new form of gunfire at sea—continuous aim gunfire. While 3,000% more accurate than existing guns, the video case describes how the Navy, as a successful social system, systematically rejected Sims' innovation. The case gets at multiple sources of inertia including culture, capabilities, personality, power, structure, Navy processes, and the fact that the U.S. Navy was one of the most successful Navies at the time. The case's extraordinary outcome illustrates the randomness of innovation and the importance of strong executive leadership in leading change associated with seemingly minor (in this case architectural) innovation.

Keywords

Organization Behavior; Change; Innovation; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leading Change; Innovation Leadership; United States

Citation

Tushman, Michael, and Tom Ryder. "Gunfire at Sea (multi-media case)." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Case 414-707, May 2014.
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About The Author

Michael L. Tushman

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • May 2014
    • Faculty Research

    Gunfire at Sea (multi-media case)

    By: Michael Tushman
Related Work
  • Gunfire at Sea (multi-media case) By: Michael Tushman
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