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
  • June 2016
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Augustine Heard & Co.: Building a Family Business in the China Trade (B)

By: William C. Kirby and Joycelyn W. Eby
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:5
ShareBar

Abstract

In 1861, the Heard brothers faced a decision: should they continue their family firm's business model that had made them a successful commission house in China, or was it time to make fundamental adjustments to their work? This case reveals that the brothers decided to maintain the status quo, primarily because of the lack of a decision-making mechanism amongst the brothers. The firm rapidly went downhill, before declaring bankruptcy in 1875.

Keywords

China; Mercantilism; Family Business; China

Citation

Kirby, William C., and Joycelyn W. Eby. "Augustine Heard & Co.: Building a Family Business in the China Trade (B)." Harvard Business School Case 316-186, June 2016.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

William C. Kirby

General Management
→More Publications

Related Work

    • August 2016
    • Faculty Research

    Augustine Heard & Co.: Building a Family Business in the China Trade (A) and (B)

    By: William C. Kirby and Joycelyn W. Eby
Related Work
  • Augustine Heard & Co.: Building a Family Business in the China Trade (A) and (B) By: William C. Kirby and Joycelyn W. Eby
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