Strategy
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- January 2025
- Case
Davivienda Bank’s Upskilling and Reskilling Strategy in Colombia (Abridged)
By: Jorge Tamayo, Raffaella Sadun and Jenyfeer Martinez BuitragoSet in 2022, this abridged case examines the digital transformation strategy of Davivienda— a leading player in Colombia’s commercial banking sector and one of the companies belonging to Grupo Bolívar, a major Colombian conglomerate—and the bank’s upskilling and reskilling programs adopted to support that process. To keep pace with rapidly changing industry demands while maintaining its strong cultural values, Davivienda implemented upskilling programs to help employees refine existing skill sets and reskilling initiatives to prepare them for new roles. However, as competition intensified and technological shifts accelerated, the bank’s leadership faced a critical challenge: how to balance strategic agility with its commitment to employee development. As Executive Chairman and CEO of Grupo Bolívar, Miguel Cortés, and Davivienda’s CEO, Javier Suárez, prepared to assess the long-term sustainability of these programs, they grappled with a pressing question—should the bank prioritize strategic objectives even if it meant reevaluating some cultural principles?
- January 2025
- Case
Davivienda Bank’s Upskilling and Reskilling Strategy in Colombia (Abridged)
By: Jorge Tamayo, Raffaella Sadun and Jenyfeer Martinez BuitragoSet in 2022, this abridged case examines the digital transformation strategy of Davivienda— a leading player in Colombia’s commercial banking sector and one of the companies belonging to Grupo Bolívar, a major Colombian conglomerate—and the bank’s upskilling and reskilling programs adopted to support that process. To keep pace with rapidly...
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- 2025
- Working Paper
Crossing the Design-Use Divide: How Process Manipulation Shapes the Design and Use of AI
By: Rebecca KarpExisting literature often separates research on the design of innovations from their implementation and use, neglecting the role of selection—how organizations choose which innovations to implement. Although scholars suggest scientific approaches for selecting novel technologies, there is limited research on how these methods are practically employed in decision-making. This study addresses this gap by examining how organizations decide which innovations to implement and how the selection process influences their design and use. Drawing on a two-year ethnographic study, the research explores how 13 dyadic pairs of entrepreneurial firms and health system committees piloted AI-based medical diagnostic innovations. Committees, composed of members with polarized views on AI, formed coalitions reflecting these views. Dominant coalitions engaged in "process manipulation," strategically altering the piloting process to achieve self-interested outcomes while maintaining an appearance of rigor. Coalitions enthusiastic about AI scoped pilots to test basic uses, ensuring success, while skeptical committees tested advanced uses, hoping for failure. This manipulation constrained entrepreneurs' ability to advocate for their innovations and demonstrate market differentiation. The paper highlights the dynamics of process manipulation and its impact on AI innovation development and use.
- 2025
- Working Paper
Crossing the Design-Use Divide: How Process Manipulation Shapes the Design and Use of AI
By: Rebecca KarpExisting literature often separates research on the design of innovations from their implementation and use, neglecting the role of selection—how organizations choose which innovations to implement. Although scholars suggest scientific approaches for selecting novel technologies, there is limited research on how these methods are practically...
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- January 2025
- Case
Jaipur Literature Festival 2024
By: Tarun Khanna and Kanika JainThe Jaipur Literature Festival had evolved from a modest gathering in 2006 into one of the world’s most significant literary events. It was known for its principle of egalitarian access, allowing people from various social backgrounds to come together and engage with literary luminaries at a minimal cost. Given its success, its producer, Teamwork Arts, expanded abroad, with over ten annual festival editions worldwide. However, the festival’s growth brought challenges. Some authors were critical of the festival’s growing commercialization and fanfare. Despite running for nearly two decades, the festival was scarcely profitable. Rising cost pressures pushed the team to introduce premium ticketed programs, sparking a debate about compromising its original ethos. How could the festival learn from previous years to become more impactful and profitable?
- January 2025
- Case
Jaipur Literature Festival 2024
By: Tarun Khanna and Kanika JainThe Jaipur Literature Festival had evolved from a modest gathering in 2006 into one of the world’s most significant literary events. It was known for its principle of egalitarian access, allowing people from various social backgrounds to come together and engage with literary luminaries at a minimal cost. Given its success, its producer, Teamwork...
About the Unit
The Strategy unit studies firms as competitors in an economic landscape. Key issues include: the development and effectiveness of firm strategy at both a business and corporate level; the analysis of the competitive environment; and the sustainability of strategy over time.
Our research, course development, and teaching draws on multiple disciplines, including economics, sociology, and political science, and focuses on both domestic and global competition. The objective of the work is to generate findings and develop concepts that will help managers improve their strategic decisions while advancing the state of knowledge in the academic study of strategy and related disciplines.
Recent Publications
eBee: Affordable Mobility for Africa
- February 2025 |
- Supplement |
- Faculty Research
eBee: Affordable Mobility for Africa
- February 2025 |
- Supplement |
- Faculty Research
Arcos Dorados’ Quest for the Digitalization of Last-Mile Delivery in Colombia
- January 2025 |
- Teaching Note |
- Faculty Research
Nvidia, Inc. in 2024 and the Future of AI
- January 2025 |
- Teaching Note |
- Faculty Research
Going Mobile-First? The Digital Transformation of Davivienda Bank in Colombia
- January 2025 |
- Teaching Note |
- Faculty Research
AGENTS.inc: Pathways to Growth at an AI Startup
- January 2025 |
- Teaching Note |
- Faculty Research
Davivienda Bank’s Upskilling and Reskilling Strategy in Colombia (Abridged)
- January 2025 |
- Case |
- Faculty Research
Crossing the Design-Use Divide: How Process Manipulation Shapes the Design and Use of AI
- 2025 |
- Working Paper |
- Faculty Research
Harvard Business Publishing
Seminars & Conferences
There are no upcoming events.