News & Highlights

  • May-June 2023
  • Event

Alumni Events in Warsaw and Prague with Professor Paul Gompers on his New Book

In May and June, the Europe Research Center collaborated with the Harvard Clubs of Poland and Prague to host alumni events. Professor Paul Gompers presented his book, Advanced Introduction to Private Equity, to Harvard alumni and supporters. Co-written with University of Chicago Professor Steven A. Kaplan, the book provides valuable insights on private equity for academics, students, young professionals, and industry veterans. The events were attended by about 40 Harvard alumni and friends.
  • April 2023
  • Cold Call Podcast

Sweden’s Northvolt Electric Battery Maker: A Startup with a Mission

In Stockholm, Sweden, an upstart battery maker, Northvolt, is trying to recreate the value chain for European car manufacturers making the switch to EVs. With two founders from Tesla and two experienced financiers at the helm, the company seems bound for success. But can they partner with the government, scale fast enough, and truly be part of the climate solution? Professor George Serafeim discusses what it takes to scale a business—the right people, in the right place, at the right time—with the aim of providing a climate solution in the case, “Northvolt, Building Batteries to Fight Climate Change.” As part of a new first-year MBA course at Harvard Business School, this case examines the central question: what is the social purpose of the firm?
  • March 2023
  • Working Knowledge

BMW’s Decarbonization Strategy: Sustainable for the Environment and the Bottom Line

In this article, Professor Shirley Lu discusses a new Harvard Business School case study, “Driving Decarbonization at BMW,” coauthored with Professors George Serafeim and Mike Toffel and supported by Tonia Labruyere of the Europe Research Center. This case focuses on the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). While EVs had a low carbon footprint once in operation, battery production was a highly carbon-intensive process. Many automakers announced they would stop selling ICE vehicles altogether, buoyed by investment analysts and favorable press. But BMW decided to focus on lifecycle emissions and pursue a flexible powertrain strategy by offering vehicles with several options: gasoline and diesel-fueled ICE, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and battery EVs. That approach received a frostier reception in the stock market. Professor Lu discusses how BMW plans to convince stakeholders that its strategy is good for both the environment and the company’s financial performance.

New Research on the Region

  • July 2023
  • Teaching Material

Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability in the Netherlands

By: Willy C. Shih, Michael W. Toffel, Kelsey Carter, Jennifer Godfrey, Rafaella Mazza and Katrina Yeh

This note describes some of the most significant agricultural innovations in the Netherlands, their drivers, environmental performance implications, some challenges facing the sector, and the potential replicability of these innovations to other contexts.

  • July 2023
  • Case

Schuberg Philis: From Success to Significance

By: Thomas J. DeLong and Daniela Beyersdorfer

The founders of Dutch professional services firm Schuberg Philis, and the new leadership team entrusted with the day-to-day management, must set the path forward in 2019. The company has grown into a 70 million revenue strong IT provider with top ranks in the industry’s yearly customer satisfaction surveys, yet its journey has not been without bumps. In 2010, it had to stop customer acquisition for a few years, as mounting workload and their 100% commitment to satisfy customers put too much pressure on its teams. Despite adjustments to its culture with more focus on employees as well as customers, tensions built up again during the next growth phase, leading to a reorganization with leadership handover in 2017 to become more scalable. Two years later, the founders and their management team now have to decide if their organization is ready for another ambitious growth plan, aiming for a 5-fold growth in staff and revenues by 2025.

  • July 2023
  • Teaching Material

Schuberg Philis: From Success to Significance (B)

By: Thomas J. DeLong and Daniela Beyersdorfer

Three years into their “Ambition” growth plan, in 2022, the management team of Dutch professional service firm Schuberg Philis is taking stock. The global COVID-19 pandemic and other headwinds required adjustments to their growth targets, but they believe that their organization's strong performance throughout these uncertain times, as well as their now more human-centric culture, make them well positioned to meet whatever challenges may lay ahead.

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Paris Staff

Vincent Dessain
Executive Director
→ Biography
Daniela Beyersdorfer
Senior Associate Director, Research and Administration
Emilie Billaud
Assistant Director
Elena Corsi
Assistant Director
Lena Duchene
Research Assistant
Nikolina Jonsson
Research Assistant
Tonia Labruyere
Senior Researcher
Emer Moloney
Senior Researcher
Carlota Moniz
Research Assistant
Jan Pianca
Associate Director, Educational Programs
Oksana Sichi
Assistant Director, Administration