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Hershey’s Future: A Case on CEO Selection and Integration
Jeremy J. O’Connor and Kelly A. Phipps
Helzberg School of Management, Rockhurst University, USA
Volume 18: 2025, pp. 1-10; ABSTRACT
The purpose of this case is to facilitate the learning, reflection, and discussion of CEO
succession planning including both the selection and integration processes. This case provides a real
context in which students can learn, analyze and discuss succession planning in a real-world context.
More specifically, students are introduced to best practices in successful CEO searches and
subsequent CEO integration. This analysis is done in the context of The Hershey Company’s search
for a new CEO. By providing a real context and framework for succession planning, the reader is
not only able to learn the best practices of succession planning, but consider those practices in the
context of a specific scenario.
Keywords: succession planning, chief executive officer, board of directors, executive search,
integration planning.
