All articles

10 reasons why organizational change fails

By Michael D. Watkins

So if your organization needs to change in fundamental ways, how can you beat the odds and be successful? The starting point is to understand why most transformation efforts fail. In our work...

Finding purpose, dealing with disruption and making the world safer - an interview with Securitas CEO Magnus Ahlqvist

IMD’s professor Thomas Malnight sat down with Magnus Ahlqvist, CEO of Securitas AB to talk about his company’s journey to find its meaning and transform digitally.

Making an impact at home: New report outlines IMD’s contribution to the local and regional economy

IMD has been awarded the BSIS label for its impact in the Canton of Vaud and beyond.

Apple’s share price has doubled, but there is a crunch coming – investors should watch out

By Arturo Bris

What Apple needs is a focus on innovation and not on financial engineering. I argued in a Conversation article in December 2018 that the company is no longer considered a growth stock by...

Strong institutions alleviate uncertainty

By Christos Cabolis

The beginning of the year is the time where think-tanks and economists predict the trends, or forces, that will shape economic and social outcomes over the next twelve months. The common ground...

How philanthropists can harness data to make the world a better place

By Peter Vogel, Malgorzata Kurak

Just as John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford did nearly a century ago, business leaders today, including Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet, are leading a new golden age of philanthropy to...

IMD can help business navigate change - new Chairman Demaré

Interview of incoming IMD Supervisory Board Chairman Michel Demaré

Dream small: The best path forward for AI in supply chains

By Ralf W. Seifert, Richard Markoff

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a controversial topic in the supply chain community, something that is fueled by huge aspirations but is hindered by data availability, employee training and...

The past, present and future of Chinese philanthropy

By Peter Vogel, Malgorzata Kurak

For centuries, philanthropy flourished in China, taking its inspiration from the values and beliefs of Confucianism, Taoism, or Buddhism. However, charitable giving grew less common with...

Giving people space to be creative and understanding why humans play – the building blocks of LEGO Group's success

In a discussion with IMD Professor Howard Yu, executive chairman and former CEO of LEGO Group Jørgen Vig Knudstorp talks about navigating waves of disruption and the need to balance long- and...

Future proofing and turbocharging organizations – IMD wins coveted award

The Brandon Hall Group has awarded IMD for cases by faculty on change strategy and innovative learning programs for its Excellence Awards

IMD supports 42 Swiss startups to take their business to the next level

The 42 winners of the IMD Startup Competition will receive valuable business input from IMD participants, and some will even be pitched to investors in Silicon Valley.

Have fun and learn from failure: the secret to a successful career

An interview with Schneider Electric’s Barbara Frei-Spreiter (EMBA 2007) on finding her passion, her approach to the world of work and staying ahead of the green energy curve.

An Instagram exec on the evolution of social media and how the IMD MBA shaped his life

A conversation between IMD MBA Dean Seán Meehan and Gord Ray, Brand Development Lead EMEA at Instagram (MBA 2002)

The Gift of Longevity

By Christos Cabolis

Promoting healthy living is a prerequisite to enhancing prosperity, a point that is the focus of the third UN Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG): “good health and well-being.” How do the...

Industry 4.0's unpredictable impacts: New data-powered business models

By Ralf W. Seifert, Richard Markoff

Industry 4.0—the increasing use of automation and data exchange in manufacturing—is already having an impact on business models in numerous—and often surprising—ways. One illustrative example is...

Pride, purpose and perseverance as graduating EMBAs celebrate their learning journey

As IMD said farewell to one of its cohorts of EMBAs, the November 2019 graduating class was told by faculty and keynote speakers to keep searching for their purpose, remain clear in their...

‘Be humble. Be brave. Don’t waste your time!’

At IMD’s MBA Graduation 2019, the outgoing class of business leaders were encouraged by faculty and keynote speakers to do what they love, believe in themselves and go where they can be their best

Family businesses are balancing planet and profit - and reaping the rewards

Family Business: A Voice for Change in Sustainability Forum

Firmenich receives first IMD-Pictet Sustainability in Family Business Award

Presented at IMD’s Family Business: A Voice for Change in Sustainability Forum and Award Cermony

Should companies and government meddle with “happiness”?

By Stéphane Garelli

Oud Bint Khalfan Al Roumi is twice happy. She landed a prestigious government position in the United Arab Emirates. Then, she was appointed to the rather unique job of “state minister in charge...

Jebsen & Jessen Family Enterprise: Masters of entrepreneurial partnerships

By Benoit F. Leleux with Marta Widz.

Receiving one of the most prestigious accolades for "excellence in family business" was a memorable moment for Hans Michael Jebsen and Heinrich Jessen – the two principal shareholders of Jebsen ...

Talent competitiveness and leadership quality

By Arturo Bris with Christos Cabolis, José Caballero.

Public policies can strongly influence the quality of leadership capabilities and competencies available in a particular country. For example, policies that increase education expenditure...

Embrace digital - make your strategy process more engaging!

By Knut Haanaes

A few years back the author was involved in an exercise where the strategy processes of a large set of leading global firms were observed. These were all companies you would expect to be...

The continuous attractiveness of Switzerland

By Arturo Bris, José Caballero

Why do MNCs such as Philip Morris and ABB choose Switzerland as a base for their operations? There are several significant factors that define the attractiveness of Switzerland. Among them, one...