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Article
Stop running so many AI pilots

In late 2023, when the management team at the consumer packaged goods company Reckitt considered adopting gen AI, potential use cases spanned the business—from drafting presentations to delivering customer support to optimizing procurement contracts. Many of the use cases guaranteed time savings and an immediate return on investment, but they ap…

Artificial Intelligence Strategy
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Artificial Intelligence, updated and expanded
By Goutam Challagalla, Mahwesh Khan and Fabrice Beaulieu
in Harvard Business Review
November-December 2025, vol. 103, issue 6, pp. 90-99
Stop running so many AI pilots
By Goutam Challagalla Mahwesh Khan and Fabrice Beaulieu
in Harvard Business Review November-December 2025, vol. 103, issue 6, pp. 90-99
Summary
In late 2023, when the management team at the consumer packaged goods company Reckitt considered adopting gen AI, potential use cases spanned the business—from drafting presentations to delivering customer support to optimizing procurement contracts. Many of the use cases guaranteed time savings and an immediate return on investment, but they ap…
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Artificial Intelligence, updated and expanded
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Case Study
Adidas Russia/CIS and the Russian crisis: Retrench or double down (A)

The case series is based on extensive interviews with key executives at adidas Russia/CIS in charge of implementing the radical IT, supply chain and omnichannel initiatives that transformed adidas Russia/CIS from one of the poorest performers to the new standard within the Group. The initiatives included pioneering the rollout and implementation…

Operations
2016 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Supply Chain Management)
Best-selling Case Study
By Carlos Cordon, Benoit F. Leleux and Beverley Lennox
Case reference: IMD-7-1795, © 2016
Adidas Russia/CIS and the Russian crisis: Retrench or double down (A)
By Carlos Cordon Benoit F. Leleux and Beverley Lennox
Case reference: IMD-7-1795 ©2016
Summary
The case series is based on extensive interviews with key executives at adidas Russia/CIS in charge of implementing the radical IT, supply chain and omnichannel initiatives that transformed adidas Russia/CIS from one of the poorest performers to the new standard within the Group. The initiatives included pioneering the rollout and implementation…
2016 EFMD AWARD WINNER (Supply Chain Management)
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-7-1795
Copyright ©2016
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Adidas
Industry Manufacturing;Consumer Services, Retail;Consumer Goods, Sports Equipment
Available Languages English
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Case Study
GE Healthcare India (B): The product innovation journey

This three-part case series examines the marketing challenge encountered by a leading medical technology manufacturer, General Electric (GE) Healthcare – a division of General Electric Company – in India. It follows the development of Lullaby Warmer Prime, an infant warmer that was designed, manufactured and commercialized by the Maternal Infant…

Marketing
2016 THE CASE CENTRE AWARD WINNER (Outstanding Case Writer: Hot Topic Competition)
Best-selling Case Study
By Wolfgang Ulaga and Athanasios Kondis
Case reference: IMD-5-0801, © 2014
GE Healthcare India (B): The product innovation journey
By Wolfgang Ulaga and Athanasios Kondis
Case reference: IMD-5-0801 ©2014
Summary
This three-part case series examines the marketing challenge encountered by a leading medical technology manufacturer, General Electric (GE) Healthcare – a division of General Electric Company – in India. It follows the development of Lullaby Warmer Prime, an infant warmer that was designed, manufactured and commercialized by the Maternal Infant…
2016 THE CASE CENTRE AWARD WINNER (Outstanding Case Writer: Hot Topic Competition)
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-5-0801
Copyright ©2014
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization GE Healthcare
Industry Healthcare, Medical Equipment;Healthcare
Available Languages English
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Case Study
SKF Bearings series: Market orientation through services (A): Restructuring the before and after market

In the spring of 1987 Mauritz Sahlin, CEO of SKF, the world’s largest bearing company, decided to transform the company to improve profitability and return on assets. Production had already been rationalized and was fully automated, leaving little room for savings. Neither could R&D expenditures be cut, given the company’s reputation for technol…

Marketing
1997 ECCH AWARD WINNER (Marketing); 1995 ECCH AWARD RUNNER-UP (Marketing)
Best-selling Case Study
By Sandra Vandermerwe and Marika Natasha Taishoff
Case reference: IMD-5-0383, © 1990
SKF Bearings series: Market orientation through services (A): Restructuring the before and after market
By Sandra Vandermerwe and Marika Natasha Taishoff
Case reference: IMD-5-0383 ©1990
Summary
In the spring of 1987 Mauritz Sahlin, CEO of SKF, the world’s largest bearing company, decided to transform the company to improve profitability and return on assets. Production had already been rationalized and was fully automated, leaving little room for savings. Neither could R&D expenditures be cut, given the company’s reputation for technological prowess and quality standards. The only viable long term solution was to change the strategic orientation of SKF from the production line to the market, which would now be segmented into the before and after markets. The plan required a complex reorganization of the company with far-reaching consequences throughout the organization, but there was no other option. Intended to be the springboard to a new SKF market culture, SKF Bearing Services was created, and Goran Malm was asked to be its CEO.
1997 ECCH AWARD WINNER (Marketing); 1995 ECCH AWARD RUNNER-UP (Marketing)
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-5-0383
Copyright ©1990
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

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Book
The AI-centered enterprise

The explosion of generative AI has sparked a wave of case studies showing how quickly and profoundly it is transforming businesses. Yet most of these use cases still apply the technology to enhancing existing systems. This book makes the case for why business leaders must revisit the fundamentals of generative AI and look beyond short-term, tact…

Artificial Intelligence Innovation
Axiom Business Book Awards 2026 – Emerging trends / AI category – Silver medal
By Natarajan Balasubramanian, Ram Bala and Amit M. Joshi
Published by CRC Press, © 2025
The AI-centered enterprise
By Natarajan Balasubramanian Ram Bala and Amit M. Joshi
Published by CRC Press ©2025
Summary
The explosion of generative AI has sparked a wave of case studies showing how quickly and profoundly it is transforming businesses. Yet most of these use cases still apply the technology to enhancing existing systems. This book makes the case for why business leaders must revisit the fundamentals of generative AI and look beyond short-term, tact…
Axiom Business Book Awards 2026 – Emerging trends / AI category – Silver medal
Copyright ©2025
Copyright owner External Copyright
Available Languages English
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Case Study
Finance for a sustainable society at Triodos Investment Management: An ESG portfolio investment decision

This case provides the opportunity to perform a real, but simplified, ESG research analysis and portfolio investment decision from the perspective of an impact investor. It was designed using Triodos Investment Management (Triodos) and three well-known (possibly controversial) companies, Yamaha Corporation, Tesla and Philip Morris International …

Sustainability Finance Diversity and Equity and Inclusion
The Case Centre Awards and Competitions 2026 – Winner in the Finance, Accounting and Control Category
Best-selling Case Study
By Vanina Farber and María Helena Jaén
Case reference: IMD-7-2309, © 2021
Finance for a sustainable society at Triodos Investment Management: An ESG portfolio investment decision
By Vanina Farber and María Helena Jaén
Case reference: IMD-7-2309 ©2021
Summary
This case provides the opportunity to perform a real, but simplified, ESG research analysis and portfolio investment decision from the perspective of an impact investor. It was designed using Triodos Investment Management (Triodos) and three well-known (possibly controversial) companies, Yamaha Corporation, Tesla and Philip Morris International …
The Case Centre Awards and Competitions 2026 – Winner in the Finance, Accounting and Control Category
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-7-2309
Copyright ©2021
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Triodos Investment Management
Industry Finance and Insurance, Banking;Finance and Insurance, Financial Services
Available Languages English
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Case Study
Patagonia’s sustainability strategy: Don’t buy our products

In 2005, Patagonia launched the Common Threads Recycling Program. The goal was to reduce the number of products Patagonia customers purchased through a two-fold effort. The first part was to encourage customers to fix damaged clothing. Patagonia began publishing do-it-yourself repair guides to assist customers in repairing their clothing. To pro…

Sustainability
This case won the Economics, Politics and Business Environment category award at The Case Centre Awards and Competitions 2019
Best-selling Case Study
By Francisco Szekely and Zahir Dossa
Case reference: IMD-7-1735, © 2015
Patagonia’s sustainability strategy: Don’t buy our products
By Francisco Szekely and Zahir Dossa
Case reference: IMD-7-1735 ©2015
Summary
In 2005, Patagonia launched the Common Threads Recycling Program. The goal was to reduce the number of products Patagonia customers purchased through a two-fold effort. The first part was to encourage customers to fix damaged clothing. Patagonia began publishing do-it-yourself repair guides to assist customers in repairing their clothing. To pro…
This case won the Economics, Politics and Business Environment category award at The Case Centre Awards and Competitions 2019
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-7-1735
Copyright ©2015
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization Patagonia
Industry Consumer Goods, Apparel and Fashion;Consumer Goods, Sports Equipment
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Case Study
Will “LinkedIn Learning” disrupt the education landscape?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network on the internet with more than 400 million members in over 200 countries. The company is publicly held and has a diversified business model with revenues coming from talent solutions (62%), marketing solutions (20%) and premium subscription products (18%). Headquartered in Mountain View…

Strategy
2017 John Molson MBA International Case Writing Competition – 3rd prize
Best-selling Case Study
By Stefan Michel, Maxim Kolesnik, Mario Perez Lopez and Dominik Reinhard
Case reference: IMD-7-1843, © 2016
Will “LinkedIn Learning” disrupt the education landscape?
By Stefan Michel Maxim Kolesnik Mario Perez Lopez and Dominik Reinhard
Case reference: IMD-7-1843 ©2016
Summary
LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional social network on the internet with more than 400 million members in over 200 countries. The company is publicly held and has a diversified business model with revenues coming from talent solutions (62%), marketing solutions (20%) and premium subscription products (18%). Headquartered in Mountain View…
2017 John Molson MBA International Case Writing Competition – 3rd prize
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-7-1843
Copyright ©2016
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization LinkedIn, Lynda.com
Industry Education, Online Education;Information Technology, Social Networking
Available Languages English
Contact

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Case Study
Xiameter: The past and future of a “disruptive innovation”

The case study is about a successful strategy formulated at Dow Corning for marketing commodity silicones, a chemical used in diverse applications. It deals with important issues in B2B marketing: refocusing on user needs and developing a “needs-based” segmentation of industrial customers; bundling and de-bundling of technical services; branding…

Marketing
2011 ECCH AWARD WINNER (Marketing)
Best-selling Case Study
By Kamran Kashani and Inna Francis
Case reference: IMD-5-0702, © 2006
Xiameter: The past and future of a “disruptive innovation”
By Kamran Kashani and Inna Francis
Case reference: IMD-5-0702 ©2006
Summary
The case study is about a successful strategy formulated at Dow Corning for marketing commodity silicones, a chemical used in diverse applications. It deals with important issues in B2B marketing: refocusing on user needs and developing a “needs-based” segmentation of industrial customers; bundling and de-bundling of technical services; branding…
2011 ECCH AWARD WINNER (Marketing)
Best-selling Case Study
Reference IMD-5-0702
Copyright ©2006
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Case Study
Colgate-Palmolive: Cleopatra

This case demonstrates: a) the dangers in assuming that a product successful in one market will do well in another; b) poor global marketing implementation; c) poor marketing strategy and implementation in general where research was used to back decisions on how to proceed; d) the need for an integrated marketing strategy to launch a new brand; …

Marketing
1992 ECCH Award winner (Marketing)
By Sandra Vandermerwe and J. Carter Powis
Case reference: IMD-5-0373, © 1990
Colgate-Palmolive: Cleopatra
By Sandra Vandermerwe and J. Carter Powis
Case reference: IMD-5-0373 ©1990
Summary
This case demonstrates: a) the dangers in assuming that a product successful in one market will do well in another; b) poor global marketing implementation; c) poor marketing strategy and implementation in general where research was used to back decisions on how to proceed; d) the need for an integrated marketing strategy to launch a new brand; …
1992 ECCH Award winner (Marketing)
Reference IMD-5-0373
Copyright ©1990
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Available Languages English
Contact

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Article
How to market sustainable products: Three paths to success

Many companies overestimate customers’ appetite for sustainable products, flooding the market with offerings that don’t sell. The reality is, social and environmental benefits have less impact on purchasing decisions than basic product attributes do. Consumers buy products to get specific jobs done, and only after they find something that will d…

Sustainability Global Business Marketing Customer Centricity
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads 2025: The Definitive Management Ideas of the Year from Harvard Business Review
By Goutam Challagalla and Frédéric Dalsace
in Harvard Business Review
March-April 2024, vol. 102, issue 2, pp. 80-87
How to market sustainable products: Three paths to success
By Goutam Challagalla and Frédéric Dalsace
in Harvard Business Review March-April 2024, vol. 102, issue 2, pp. 80-87
Summary
Many companies overestimate customers’ appetite for sustainable products, flooding the market with offerings that don’t sell. The reality is, social and environmental benefits have less impact on purchasing decisions than basic product attributes do. Consumers buy products to get specific jobs done, and only after they find something that will d…
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads 2025: The Definitive Management Ideas of the Year from Harvard Business Review
Contact

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Article
Data collectives are the next frontier of labor relations

The AI boom — and the growth of gen AI in particular — has introduced new points of conflict between employees and companies. Some of these have already started to play out, such as in the Writers Guild of America strike over how AI can and can’t be used in the entertainment industry. But others are still on the horizon. As AI becomes more integ…

Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Technology Management Team Dynamics
Selected for HBR’s The year in tech, 2026: The insights you need from Harvard Business Review
By Amit M. Joshi and José Parra Moyano
in HBR.org
27 September 2024
Data collectives are the next frontier of labor relations
By Amit M. Joshi and José Parra Moyano
in HBR.org 27 September 2024
Summary
The AI boom — and the growth of gen AI in particular — has introduced new points of conflict between employees and companies. Some of these have already started to play out, such as in the Writers Guild of America strike over how AI can and can’t be used in the entertainment industry. But others are still on the horizon. As AI becomes more integ…
Selected for HBR’s The year in tech, 2026: The insights you need from Harvard Business Review
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Article
What everyone gets wrong about change management

Corporate transformations still have a miserable success rate: About three-quarters of change efforts either fail to deliver the anticipated benefits or are abandoned entirely. And because flawed implementation is most often blamed for such failures, organizations have focused on improving execution. But poor execution is only part of the proble…

Strategy Change Management
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Change Management, updated and expanded collection 2025
By Jean-Louis Barsoux and Anand Narasimhan
in Harvard Business Review
November-December 2017, vol. 95, issue 6, pp. 78-85
What everyone gets wrong about change management
By Jean-Louis Barsoux and Anand Narasimhan
in Harvard Business Review November-December 2017, vol. 95, issue 6, pp. 78-85
Summary
Corporate transformations still have a miserable success rate: About three-quarters of change efforts either fail to deliver the anticipated benefits or are abandoned entirely. And because flawed implementation is most often blamed for such failures, organizations have focused on improving execution. But poor execution is only part of the proble…
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Change Management, updated and expanded collection 2025
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Article
How managers become leaders

Harald (not his real name) is a highpotential leader with 15 years of experience at a leading European chemical company. He started as an assistant product manager in the plastics unit and was quickly transferred to Hong Kong to help set up the unit’s new Asian business center. As sales there soared, he soon won a promotion to sales manager. Thr…

Leadership Talent Management Change Management Team Dynamics
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Leadership, updated and expanded collection 2025
By Michael D. Watkins
in Harvard Business Review
June 2012, vol. 90, no. 6, pp. 64-72
How managers become leaders
By Michael D. Watkins
in Harvard Business Review June 2012, vol. 90, no. 6, pp. 64-72
Summary
Harald (not his real name) is a highpotential leader with 15 years of experience at a leading European chemical company. He started as an assistant product manager in the plastics unit and was quickly transferred to Hong Kong to help set up the unit’s new Asian business center. As sales there soared, he soon won a promotion to sales manager. Thr…
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Leadership, updated and expanded collection 2025
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Article
The set-up-to-fail syndrome: How bosses create their own poor performers

France’s recent successes make it more important than ever to understand what makes its managers tick. This year, France surpassed Japan and the U.K. in acquisitions of U.S. companies. And many French companies are world leaders, including Michelin and L’Oreal. According to the authors, who have studied the French model of management development…

Organizational Behavior Leadership
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Managing People, updated and expanded collection 2025
By Jean-François Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux
in Harvard Business Review
vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 101-113
The set-up-to-fail syndrome: How bosses create their own poor performers
By Jean-François Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux
in Harvard Business Review vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 101-113
Summary
France’s recent successes make it more important than ever to understand what makes its managers tick. This year, France surpassed Japan and the U.K. in acquisitions of U.S. companies. And many French companies are world leaders, including Michelin and L’Oreal. According to the authors, who have studied the French model of management development…
Selected for HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Managing People, updated and expanded collection 2025
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Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications