June 2014
Supplement
HBS Case Collection

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (B)

By: Amy C. Edmondson, Bethany Gerstein and Melissa Valentine

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:4

Abstract

In 2006, the leadership team at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. had to decide whether to keep its R&D organization in functional departments or restructure it into interdisciplinary teams. This case follows the outcomes of this decision from 2006 to mid-2014, and considers their impact on productivity, accountability, communication, and skill development from the perspectives of employees in Merrimack's R&D organization.

Keywords

Organizational Design; Groups and Teams; Collaborative Innovation and Invention; Research and Development; Biotechnology Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry

Citation

Edmondson, Amy C., Bethany Gerstein, and Melissa Valentine. "Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 614-083, June 2014.