14205. L.L. BEAN, INC. CORPORATE STRATEGY HARVARD CASE STUDY 581159. This paper presents an analysis and a case solution to a classic Harvard Business School case study (581159) on L.L. Bean, Inc. The case study focuses on the mail order company’s strategy and organizational problems in the 1970s. The major problem identified in the case is that of unfocused strategy and haphazard management, especially at the leadership level. The problem analysis and evaluation considers L.L. Bean’s financial position, organizational structure, employee relations, and then looks at threats and opportunities in the company’s external operating environment. It is recommended that L.L. Bean embark on a new vertical integration-expansion strategy. Steps for strategy implementation are presented. KEYWORDS: L.L. Bean strategic management Harvard Business School case study leadership strategy analysis case solution. 8 pages; 0 footnotes; 0 bibliographic references. 1,946 words.