JOURNAL ARTICLE

Is This a Moment for Strategic Hibernation?

  • Published In: Harvard Business Review, 2025, v. 103, n. 6. P. 62 1 of 3

  • Database: Business Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Marquis, Christopher 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the concept of strategic hibernation as a model for business resilience amid politically turbulent and regulatory environments. Strategic hibernation involves companies quietly preserving core capabilities and assets while minimizing external exposure, enabling rapid reentry when political conditions improve. Historical examples include U.S. brewers during Prohibition, biotech firms navigating stem cell research restrictions, Indian banks under financial repression, and Chinese tech companies facing state crackdowns. Key elements of this approach are maintaining essential assets, investing in political risk analysis to anticipate policy shifts, and managing public visibility to balance discretion with mission alignment. This strategy offers an alternative to conventional responses like exit, voice, or loyalty, aiming to sustain long-term objectives without mission drift.

Additional Information

  • Source:Harvard Business Review. 2025/11, Vol. 103, Issue 6, p62
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Business and Management
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0017-8012
  • Accession Number:188661121
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