Case Discussions
We invite you to re-experience the HBS Classroom through an interactive case discussion on Friday, June 3. HBS faculty members will teach Yahoo! In China during each of the Friday sessions. The case will be available electronically prior to reunion weekend. Please read the case in advance and come prepared to re-live the HBS case experience. Cold calls may occur.
- 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (2 sessions)
- 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (1 session)
- 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (1 sessions)
An electronic copy of the case is available for download below. Additional copies of the case will be available at registration.
Attendance is based on first-come, first-served.
- Case Abstract and Information
Yahoo! In China
Download your copy of the Yahoo! in China case (password protected; LEFA required)
In 2007 Jerry Yang, CEO of Yahoo!, was lambasted by U.S. Representative Tom Lantos, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, for Yahoo's role in the arrest and imprisonment of Chinese journalist and democracy advocate Shi Tao. The case describes the actions that Yahoo! had taken to grow its business in China, its handling of a government request for the identity of a Yahoo! user, and subsequent actions by the firm to respond to negative publicity and Congressional inquiry. The case raises broad questions about the challenge of complying with domestic law when operating in states that do not consistently respect human rights, and satisfy stakeholders across national boundaries. It allows students to consider the practical steps that a firm can take to protect itself and its stakeholders in states where the law is not always a reliable safeguard.
- Professors
This case will be taught by the following HBS professors:
