Series I. Audiovisual material produced by the Graduate School of Business Administration and Harvard University, 1946-1981 and undated

The materials in this series were produced both by the Graduate School of Business Administration (HBS) and by Harvard University. A majority of films were produced by HBS and are filmed case studies intended as visual aids for classroom discussions. Among the business themes and issues portrayed are management, business policy, marketing, sales, and human aspects of administration, such as human relations and communication. Cases were filmed both on-campus and on-location at business sites, such as in Vine Brothers, Incorporated, which was shot at a department store. The cases often portrayed actual business situations, created with the help of an educational advisor from the HBS faculty and scripted to include problems without resolution in order to stimulate student discussions of possible solutions or outcomes. People and Business, an extension of these cases, was an experimental televised series co-produced by HBS and WGBH. The format of the show included a presentation of the case, followed by a discussion with HBS students and faculty.

Also included in this series is Marketing on the Move, a television series also co-produced by HBS and WGBH. It was hosted by Edward Bursk, a professor at the School and editor of the Harvard Business Review. Each episode featured a roundtable discussion by business leaders in the field focused on questions facing the business and marketing industries. A smaller portion of this series is comprised of films produced by Harvard University and primarily consist of time and motion studies which show workers completing tasks to determine the efficiency of their work methods. Time and motion studies include workers using milling machines and a man chopping wood in order to calculate the exertion applied and calories burned.

This series also includes recordings of classroom presentations, visitors and events, primarily on videotape formats. The audio formats are primarily 1/4 inch open reels and a majority of them appear to be taped class discussions in which the students and professor discuss the filmed case that they watched. Also included are other lectures, conferences at HBS, and soundtracks to some of the films. The video is primarily 1-inch open reel video and primarily feature class lectures. There are some seminars, workshops, and student presentations as well.