HBR free articles: management thinking from the original sources
Harvard Business Review lets non-subscribers read a limited number of articles each month, and offers free newsletters such as the Management Tip of the Day.
The site: Harvard Business Review (HBR.org). Cost: Paid with free parts. Useful for: reading.
What it is
Harvard Business Review is one of the best known sources of management ideas. Many frameworks taught on business courses first appeared in its pages, such as Michael Porter’s 1979 article on the competitive forces that shape strategy and John Kotter’s 1995 article on why transformation efforts fail.
HBR.org limits the number of articles non-subscribers can read free each month. Some content is marked for subscribers only, and many classic articles are premium. HBR also offers free newsletters, including the Weekly Hotlist and the Management Tip of the Day, and topic pages for areas such as leadership, strategy and innovation.
Use it for
- Reading a framework in its original author’s words
- Keeping up with management research in plain language
- Finding a credible source to cite in a deck or essay
- Getting short daily prompts through the Management Tip of the Day
Reading the original article is often eye-opening. Frameworks tend to be simplified as they pass through slides and textbooks, and the source shows what the author actually argued, including the limits the author set out.
How to use it
- Go to hbr.org and browse Popular Topics or All Topics.
- Choose your free reads with care, as the monthly allowance is limited.
- Sign up for a free newsletter such as the Weekly Hotlist.
- For premium articles, check whether your university, employer or library gives access through a business database.
- Note the author and year when you cite an article.
Save free reads for recent pieces. Older classics are often available through library databases, which do not use up your allowance.
Example
A new manager preparing for a restructuring can read Kotter’s article on why transformation efforts fail through a library database, then use free HBR.org reads on recent articles about change. The original gives the steps, and the newer pieces show how the ideas are applied today.
Watch out for
- The free allowance is small, and the exact number is not fixed.
- Many classic articles are premium; libraries often provide access.
- Articles are persuasive essays as much as research, so check the evidence.
It works well alongside McKinsey Insights and Your library’s business databases.
Checklist
Put it to work
Recap cards
Tap a card to check yourself.
Sources and credits
