HRM / OB Case Study

Miramax: A Victim of Interpersonal Conflict?

OR

Abstract:
This case study was written to analyse the concept of approaches to conflict management in the Organisational Behaviour course, in the backdrop of Miramax Film Corp. (Miramax). Started in 1979 by the Weinstein brothers to buy and release foreign and independent films Miramax was acquired by Disney in 1993. Over the years, though Miramax released hits like Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love, relations between Harvey Weinstein and Disney’s CEO Michael Eisner (Eisner) had deteriorated. Miramax’s decision to fund Fahrenheit 9/11, a controversial documentary, against Eisner’s wishes strained the relationship further. The contract between the Weinsteins and Disney was to be renegotiated in 2005, but differences over financial performance, control and compensation raised uncertainty over Miramax’s future. Eisner’s announcement of his departure from Disney further fuelled the uncertainty. Given the circumstances, were the leaders responsible for the conflicts? How could the conflicts have been resolved?

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To analyse the changing dynamics of the relationship between Miramax and Disney
• To discuss the impact of interpersonal conflicts between the leaders of the organisations
• To debate on the possible results of the renegotiations in 2005.

Keywords :  Harvey Weinstein, Managing in Troubled Times Case Study, Bob Weinstein, Miramax Film Corp, Disney, Michael Eisner, Dimension films, Independent cinema, Oscar marketing, Fahrenheit 9/11, Interpersonal conflicts between leaders, Organizational Behavior, OB, Organizational Behavior case study, Motivation Case Study, MBA, MBA Program, Course Mapping, Conflict, Conflict Management, Approaches to Conflict Managment

Contents:

• Miramax-The Early years
• After Disney's Acquisition
• Deteriorating Eisner -Weinstein Relations
• Miramax Facing an Uncertain Future
• The 40 Top-grossing Movies of Miramax (1985 – August 2004)