Faculty & Research

Technology & Operations Management

Technology & Operations Management

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About the Unit

As the world of operations has changed, so have interests and priorities within the Unit. Historically, the TOM Unit focused on manufacturing and the development of physical products. Over the past several years, we have expanded our research, course development, and course offerings to encompass new issues in information technology, supply chains, and service industries.

The field of TOM is concerned with the design, management, and improvement of operating systems and processes. As we seek to understand the challenges confronting firms competing in today's demanding environment, the focus of our work has broadened to include the multiple activities comprising a firm's "operating core":

  • the multi-function, multi-firm system that includes basic research, design, engineering, product and process development and production of goods and services within individual operating units;
  • the networks of information and material flows that tie operating units together and the systems that support these networks;
  • the distribution and delivery of goods and services to customers.

Recent Publications

Platform Leadership and Supply Chains: Intel, Centrino, and the Restructuring of Wi-Fi Supply

By: Roberto Fontana and Shane Greenstein
  • Summer 2021 |
  • Article |
  • Journal of Economics & Management Strategy
In this paper we examine Intel’s launch of Centrino and interpret it as platform leaders attempt to restructure a supply chain. We provide a narrative of key actions and how they coordinated changes and offer a framework of the predictable consequences for complementary markets. We then collect data and test these predictions on outcomes in several related complementary markets. The overall findings are consistent with our framework. We show that the launch of Centrino increased the likelihood of exit from internal and external Wi-Fi cards markets, and we find that the magnitude of the effect was largest for internal cards. We also show that the launch of Centrino stimulated product introduction in the markets for complements overall and find that the effect varied across type of routers. Finally, we show that experience with producing Wi-Fi cards shaped product introduction by router providers.
Keywords: Wireless Technology; Product Launch; Supply Chain; Restructuring; Framework
Related

Who Lives & Who Dies: Expanded Access for Experimental Drugs at Chimerix (B)

By: Amitabh Chandra and Spencer Lee-Rey
  • June 2021 |
  • Supplement |
  • Faculty Research
Related

Who Lives & Who Dies: Expanded Access for Experimental Drugs at Chimerix (A)

By: Amitabh Chandra and Spencer Lee-Rey
  • June 2021 |
  • Case |
  • Faculty Research
Related

Bozoma Saint John: Leading with Authenticity and Urgency

By: Frances X. Frei, Francesca Gino and Youngme Moon
  • June 2021 |
  • Teaching Note |
  • Faculty Research
Related

Bozoma Saint John: Leading with Authenticity and Urgency

By: Francesca Gino and Frances X. Frei
  • June 2021 |
  • Case |
  • Faculty Research
Related

Biosimilars and Follow-On Products in the United States: Adoption, Prices, and Users

By: Ariel Dora Stern, Jacqueline L. Chen, Melissa Ouellet, Mark R. Trusheim, Zeid El-Kilani, Amber Jessup and Ernst R. Berndt
  • June, 2021 |
  • Article |
  • Health Affairs
Biologic drugs account for a disproportionate share of the increase in pharmaceutical spending in the U.S. and worldwide. Against this backdrop, many look to the expanding market for biosimilars—follow-on products to biologic drugs—as a vehicle for controlling pharmaceutical spending. This study explores the early years of entry of biosimilars and related follow-on products in the US. Using monthly sales data from the period 2005–19 for ten drug classes, we examine how quickly biosimilars/follow-on products gained market share and the subsequent trajectory of prevailing (national average invoice) prices. Our analysis suggests that although uptake has been slower than what is typically seen in generic drug markets, the most recent entrants have captured market share more rapidly than comparable earlier biosimilars/follow-on products. We also document that from biosimilar/follow-on products’ time of entry, their lower prices help offset the overall trend in average annual reference-product price increases. Our findings can provide insight into future policy reforms aimed at increasing competition and use of biosimilars, leading to expanded patient access and significant cost savings.
Keywords: Pharmaceuticals; Drug Spending; Drug Pricing; Health Care and Treatment; Spending; Price; Markets; Cost Management; United States
Related

Engineering Serendipity: When Does Knowledge Sharing Lead to Knowledge Production?

By: Jacqueline N. Lane, Ina Ganguli, Patrick Gaule, Eva C. Guinan and Karim R. Lakhani
  • June 2021 |
  • Article |
  • Strategic Management Journal
We investigate how knowledge similarity between two individuals is systematically related to the likelihood that a serendipitous encounter results in knowledge production. We conduct a natural field experiment at a medical research symposium, where we exogenously varied opportunities for face-to-face encounters among 15,817 scientist-pairs. Our data include direct observations of interaction patterns collected using sociometric badges, and detailed, longitudinal data on the scientists’ post-symposium publication records over six years. We find that interacting scientists acquire and create more knowledge when they share some overlapping research interests, but are less likely to cite each other’s work when they are from similar fields. Our findings reveal both collaborative and competitive effects of knowledge similarity on knowledge production outcomes.
Keywords: Cognitive Similarity; Innovation; Knowledge Production; Natural Field Experiment; Knowledge Acquisition; Knowledge Sharing; Relationships
Related

Megan Ming Francis: Leadership and Racial Injustice

By: Francesca Gino, Frances X. Frei and Youngme Moon
  • May 2021 |
  • Teaching Note |
  • Faculty Research
In this multimedia case, Megan Ming Francis, a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Washington (UW) and a visiting professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, discusses the roots of racial injustice and the need for change. Through Francis’ own personal experiences, as well as the events of 2020, the case seeks to open a conversation surrounding the people victimized by racial injustice, empowering them to speak out and share their experiences. From these contributions, the case allows for further reflection and consideration of what we can do to lead organizational change. This case intends to challenge students and colleagues to gain exposure and insights into racial injustice, to have an honest and personal conversation surrounding racial injustice, and to reflect on the implications of racial injustice and discrimination on inclusion.
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Contact Information

Technology & Operations Management Unit
Harvard Business School
Morgan Hall
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
tomunit@hbs.edu