Darden University of Virginia (USA)
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Taking the Plunge: New Luxury Ventures
Sarasvathy, Saras D.; Ali, N.Case DARDEN-ENT-0070-EEntrepreneurshipStudents at all levels explore the psychology of entrepreneurship and new product branding and marketing as a young IBM executive decides whether to become an entrepreneur. He must evaluate his business plan; seek advisors; and decide how much money it will take to get started. His product idea? On-the-go water for dogs. With market research complete and a team of advisors assembled, he must decide whether to take the plunge.Starting at €8.20
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The Affordable Loss Principle
Sarasvathy, Saras D.Technical Note DARDEN-ENT-0075-EEntrepreneurshipIdeal for a study of entrepreneurship as a phenomenon, this note explores the difference between causal models and effectuation. Whereas causal models focus on maximizing returns by selecting optimal strategies, effectuation begins with a determination of how much one is willing to lose and leveraging limited means in creative ways to generate new ends as well as new means. The effectuator then uses the very process of building the venture to bri...Starting at €8.20
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The Bird-in-Hand Principle: Who I Am, What I Know, and Whom I Know
Sarasvathy, Saras D.Technical Note DARDEN-ENT-0090-EEntrepreneurshipThis technical note explores a framework by which entrepreneurs can evaluate their ideas before going forward based on who they are, what they know, and whom they know. Drawing on frameworks presented in textbooks, trade books, journal articles, periodicals, and on Web sites that claim to predict the feasibility and value of new venture ideas. Figure 1 depicts a simple and useful summary of four key concepts at the heart of many of these framewor...Starting at €8.20
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Cold Opportunity (B): The ICEHOTEL Story
Sarasvathy, Saras D.; Read, Stuart; Aronsson, MagnusCase DARDEN-ENT-0120-EEntrepreneurshipSuitable for MBA and executive learners, this case series presents an engaging narrative that prompts students to discuss entrepreneurial thinking. An entrepreneur who loves his native Swedish Lapland uses his natural gift for effectuation to ask What? What next? And What now? As his ventures evolve, students will ask themselves how they would master similar challenges to their own entrepreneurial plans and expectations. The case can be taught in...Starting at €5.74
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"Ought" to "Can": Questions for an Entrepreneurial Future
Sarasvathy, Saras D.; Venkataraman, S.Technical Note DARDEN-ENT-0132-EEntrepreneurshipThis technical note explores the broadening role of entrepreneurship as both an economic and societal force. Students learn that as a distinct problem-solving method, entrepreneurship is teachable and applicable to a wide variety of issues central to human well-being and social improvement. It is akin to the scientific method in its capability to generate both the means to achieve yesterday’s ends and the reasons to reject them in favor of new en...Starting at €8.20
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The Art of the Effectual Ask
Sarasvathy, Saras D.; Whiffen, SaraTechnical Note DARDEN-ENT-0225-EEntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurs strive to solve problems and create value through partnerships. Studying how they do that led to the hypothesis that “asking” played a critical role in the success of an entrepreneur. This note addresses studies of expert entrepreneurs and how they differ from novice entrepreneurs, including discussion on type, method, and frequency of asking, as well as effectual reasoning.Starting at €8.20
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Stryker Corporation
Hess, Edward D.; Eriksson, CassyCase DARDEN-S-0174-EStrategyStryker is the story of how CEO John Brown built his company into a market leader using a simple strategy of growing earnings 20% a year. The strategy was supported by the values statement: "do not lie, cheat, or steal to do it." Stryker had an internal high-performance environment grown primarily through organic growth and by adding technology through small acquisitions. This case confronts Brown's succession and the issue of whether Stryker's 2...Starting at €8.20
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Starbucks Corporation (A)
Hess, Edward D.; Eriksson, CassyCase DARDEN-S-0175-EStrategyThe issue in this case is whether it is realistic for Starbucks to continue to be a high-growth company. Questions raised are whether all growth is good; whether bigger is always better; whether businesses must “grow or die”; and under what circumstances does too aggressive growth destroy value? In trying to remain a high-growth company, Starbucks has opened some stores in subprime locations, resulting in dilution of its customer value propositio...Starting at €8.20
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Starbucks Corporation (B)
Hess, Edward D.; Eriksson, CassyCase DARDEN-S-0176-EStrategyThis case follows S-0175 and explores the different responses Starbucks made to correct its operational and overexpansion problems as well as its experimentation with new growth ideas. Analysts who predicted that Starbucks wouldn’t survive the global downturn must to eat their words. Under its former CEO, it has emerged from the economic downturn a leaner, better company. Now it must decide whether to build or buy a new concept to scale or reigni...Starting at €5.74
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Dell Inc.
Hess, Edward D.; Eriksson, CassyCase DARDEN-S-0185-EStrategyIn the 1990s, with more widespread use of the Internet, sales through Dell Computer Corporation’s online business swelled, and it became a dominant market leader. By 2010, Dell Computer Corporation had changed its name to Dell Inc. (Dell). Dell employed 96,000 people worldwide and was ranked 38th on the Fortune 500 list. But in the summer of 2010, Dell was faced with dwindling market share, myriad customer complaints, vendor troubles, and a blist...Starting at €8.20