How to Cite Harvard Business Review in APA Format

Complete guide to citing Harvard Business Review in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

Harvard Business Review presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling Harvard Business Review's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: Harvard Business Review Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Harvard Business Review-Specific Notes:
When citing articles from the Harvard Business Review (HBR), students should be aware of a few unique considerations compared to standard APA citation practices. Although the basic APA format applies, with an author's last name followed by initials, the HBR often features articles without a personal author, instead using the name of the organization or publication as the author. This requires students to list "Harvard Business Review" as the author in the reference entry. For example: Harvard Business Review. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Harvard Business Review. URL. This differs from standard practice, where individual authors are typically credited.

Another distinctive aspect is the frequent use of digital object identifiers (DOIs) or permanent URLs for online articles, which should be included when available to enhance the credibility and retrievability of the source. Since HBR articles are often accessed online, students should ensure they provide the most stable link available, typically the URL of the article's landing page on the publisher's website.

A common point of confusion for students is how to handle multiple authors or corporate authors. For articles with individual authors, list up to 20 authors by their last name and initials, separated by commas, with an ampersand before the final author. In cases where a corporate author like HBR is used, ensure it is clearly identified in the citation. Best practices include always verifying whether a DOI is available and double-checking that the citation follows the publisher's preferred format, as some educational institutions might have specific guidelines for HBR. Students should also be mindful of the publication date, as HBR articles may undergo updates, which should be reflected in the citation.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with Harvard Business Review specifics
- Locate citation info on Harvard Business Review's website
- Handle Harvard Business Review's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-10-30 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on Harvard Business Review

Navigating the Harvard Business Review (HBR) website to find citation information is a straightforward process, but it requires attention to detail due to the specific layout and structure of the site. Here’s a step-by-step guide to locating the necessary citation information, including the author, publication date, title, and URL/access info.

  1. Finding the Author:
    When you open an article on the Harvard Business Review website, the author's name is typically displayed at the top of the article, right below the article title. Look for a byline that often reads, "by [Author Name]." If there are multiple authors, they will be listed together, separated by commas. In some cases, clicking on the author's name will direct you to their profile, where you can find additional information about them, which may be useful for your research.

  2. Locating the Publication Date:
    The publication date on the HBR website is usually found directly beneath the author byline. This date is essential for your citation, as it indicates when the article was published or last updated. It is typically formatted as "Month Day, Year," such as "October 15, 2023."

  3. Identifying the Article Title:
    The title of the article is prominently displayed at the top of the page, typically in a larger font size than the rest of the text. It serves as the main headline for the piece, making it easy to identify. Ensure you capture the title exactly as it appears, including any subtitles, which are often separated by a colon.

  4. URL/Access Information:
    The URL, or web address, is found in the browser's address bar at the very top of your web browser. It is crucial to copy the complete URL to ensure direct access to the article. For example, the URL might look like "https://hbr.org/2023/10/example-article."

When citing an article from HBR in APA 7th edition format, your citation in the reference list should look like this:

Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of the article. Harvard Business Review. URL

Example:
Doe, J. (2023, October 15). Strategies for effective leadership. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/10/strategies-for-effective-leadership

By following these guidelines, you can efficiently locate all the necessary information for properly citing articles from the Harvard Business Review, ensuring your academic work adheres to APA 7th edition standards.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your Harvard Business Review Citation

What You Need

Before you start creating a Harvard Business Review (HBR) citation, gather the following materials:

  1. Access to the Harvard Business Review website: https://hbr.org.
  2. A specific article you want to cite.
  3. A notepad or word processing software for drafting your citation.
  4. A reliable internet connection to access the article and any necessary tools, such as a DOI lookup tool.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating a Harvard Business Review Citation

Step 1: Identify the Article

Action: Navigate to the Harvard Business Review website and find the article you wish to cite.

Verification: Ensure you have the correct article by checking the title, author(s), and publication date.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes, depending on how familiar you are with the site.

Tip for Efficiency: Use the search bar on the HBR website to quickly find articles by entering keywords from the title or topic.

Step 2: Gather Author Information

Action: Locate the names of all authors listed for the article.

Verification: Confirm that you have the correct spelling for each author's name.

Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If there are multiple authors, list them as they appear, ensuring to note the order.

Step 3: Record the Publication Year

Action: Find the publication date of the article. It is usually displayed near the title or at the beginning of the article.

Verification: Double-check that the year you noted corresponds to the article you are citing.

Time Estimate: 2 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Take a screenshot or note the date in your citation draft to avoid confusion later.

Step 4: Write the Article Title

Action: Write down the title of the article exactly as it appears on the HBR website.

Verification: Ensure the title is correctly capitalized, following the title case format.

Time Estimate: 1-3 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use copy and paste to avoid typos, but make sure to format it correctly afterward.

Step 5: Determine Journal Information

Action: Identify the journal title, volume number, and issue number (if available) for the article.

Verification: Check the top or bottom of the article for this information.

Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the volume and issue numbers are not immediately visible, look for them in the citation section of the article, often found at the end.

Step 6: Locate Page Numbers

Action: Find the page range of the article, which is typically listed at the top or bottom of the article.

Verification: Make sure you write down the correct range, such as "123-145," instead of just "123."

Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: If the article is not paginated (common with online articles), you may skip this step.

Step 7: Find the DOI

Action: Search for the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the article. This is often found on the article's webpage.

Verification: Ensure the DOI is formatted correctly. It usually starts with "10."

Time Estimate: 3-5 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Use a DOI lookup tool if you cannot find it directly on the HBR page.

Step 8: Format the Citation

Action: Using the information you gathered, structure your citation according to the provided template:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Verification: Double-check each component of your citation for accuracy and proper formatting.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes.

Tip for Efficiency: Keep the template handy as a reference to ensure your citation adheres to the correct format.

Final Thoughts

Creating a Harvard Business Review citation involves several straightforward steps. By following these instructions carefully, you can efficiently compile the necessary information to produce a proper citation. It is important to take your time at each step to verify accuracy. With practice, this process will become quicker and easier. Always remember to keep your source information organized and accessible for future reference.

Real Examples from Harvard Business Review

This section provides authentic citation examples from Harvard Business Review using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to browse the internet or access real-time content, including specific articles from hbr.org. However, I can guide you on how to construct APA citations for hypothetical articles based on your description. Let's assume you find four different types of articles on Harvard Business Review (HBR). Here's how you might format them in APA 7th edition:

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a standard article written by a single author discussing the impact of remote work on productivity.

Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. (2023). The impact of remote work on productivity. Harvard Business Review, 101(2), 45-56. https://doi.org/10.1234/hbr.2023.10102

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023) discusses the impact of remote work on productivity.

Notes:
This example is straightforward, with a single author and a DOI provided. The volume and issue numbers are included, which is typical for journal articles.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: An article published by the Harvard Business School about emerging leadership trends.

Reference List Citation:
Harvard Business School. (2023). Emerging leadership trends in 2023. Harvard Business Review, 101(3), 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1234/hbr.2023.10103

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Harvard Business School, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
According to Harvard Business School (2023), emerging leadership trends are crucial for future development.

Notes:
This example demonstrates the use of a corporate author, which is common for institutions or organizations that publish content.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: An article by two authors exploring the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in business.

Reference List Citation:
Johnson, L., & Patel, R. (2023). Ethical implications of AI in business. Harvard Business Review, 101(4), 89-102. https://doi.org/10.1234/hbr.2023.10104

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Johnson & Patel, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Johnson and Patel (2023) explore the ethical implications of AI in business.

Notes:
This example features two authors, representing a common scenario where collaboration provides diverse insights.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: A special issue article focusing on global economic changes, which is a part of a thematic series.

Reference List Citation:
Lee, M. K., & Zhang, Y. (2023). Global economic changes: A thematic exploration. Harvard Business Review, 101(S1), 15-30. https://doi.org/10.1234/hbr.2023.101S1

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Lee & Zhang, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Lee and Zhang (2023) provide a thematic exploration of global economic changes.

Notes:
This example includes a special issue designation (S1), indicating it is part of a special series, which is sometimes seen in journals like HBR.

These hypothetical examples follow APA 7th edition guidelines, demonstrating different scenarios you might encounter when citing articles from Harvard Business Review. Always ensure you have accurate details when creating real citations.

Common Issues When Citing Harvard Business Review

Problem 1: Identifying Authors

Issue Description:
Students often struggle to identify the correct author for articles in the Harvard Business Review (HBR) because some articles are attributed to organizations or require access to specific databases to view complete author information.

Why It Happens:
HBR articles may not always prominently display author names directly on the webpage. Additionally, some articles are written by multiple contributors or by the magazine's editorial staff, leading to confusion.

Solution Steps:
1. Check the Article Page: Start by reviewing the article’s main page where the author’s name is typically located near the title or at the bottom of the article.
2. Explore the Author Bio: Click on the author’s name or bio link if available, which can provide additional information.
3. Access via Institutional Database: If the author information is not evident, use an institutional database like EBSCO or ProQuest, which may provide more detailed citation data.
4. Contact HBR Support: For hard-to-locate author information, consider contacting HBR support or library assistance for further help.

Before/After Example:
- Before: “Management Strategies.” Harvard Business Review, 2022.
- After: Doe, J. (2022). Management strategies. Harvard Business Review.

Problem 2: Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students often encounter difficulties with the date format for HBR articles, as the date of publication might not be straightforward to find or interpret.

Why It Happens:
HBR sometimes lists multiple dates, including the online publication date and the print issue date, which can confuse students about which one to use.

Solution Steps:
1. Locate the Publication Date: Look for the publication date near the article title or at the bottom of the article. This date often represents the online publication.
2. Check the Print Issue Information: If the article is from a print issue, use the date associated with that issue.
3. Use the Most Recent Date: If multiple dates are provided, use the most recent date as it indicates the latest version of the article.

Before/After Example:
- Before: Doe, J. Management strategies. Harvard Business Review.
- After: Doe, J. (2022, October 15). Management strategies. Harvard Business Review.

Problem 3: URL Handling

Issue Description:
Students face challenges in handling URLs for HBR articles, as these articles are often behind a paywall or require institutional access.

Why It Happens:
HBR articles are frequently published on platforms that require subscriptions. This limits access to the full URL for direct citation use, leading to incomplete citation entries.

Solution Steps:
1. Access Through Library Portal: Use your institution’s library portal to access HBR, ensuring you can view and copy the complete URL.
2. Include DOI if Available: If a DOI is provided, use it instead of a URL as it is more stable and persistent.
3. Specify Access Date if Necessary: If the article is behind a paywall, include the date you accessed it.

Before/After Example:
- Before: Doe, J. (2022). Management strategies. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://hbr.org
- After: Doe, J. (2022, October 15). Management strategies. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2022/10/management-strategies

Problem 4: Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Students often neglect to consider access requirements when citing HBR articles, leading to incomplete citations.

Why It Happens:
HBR content is frequently behind a paywall, and students may not realize the necessity to note access information or use institutional logins for citation purposes.

Solution Steps:
1. Note Subscription Access: When using a university database, note any access instructions or requirements in your records.
2. Include Access Information in Citations: If applicable, include a note in your citation that indicates restricted access or use institutional access links.

Before/After Example:
- Before: Doe, J. (2022). Management strategies. Harvard Business Review.
- After: Doe, J. (2022, October 15). Management strategies. Harvard Business Review. Accessed via [University Library Database].

By understanding these common citation challenges with Harvard Business Review, students can more effectively and accurately cite this valuable resource in their academic work.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About Harvard Business Review

Q: How can I navigate the Harvard Business Review website to find the necessary citation information for APA format?

A: On the Harvard Business Review website, locate the article you wish to cite and identify the article title, author(s), publication date, and the URL. This information is typically found at the top or bottom of the article page. Ensure you capture these details accurately for proper citation.

Q: How should I handle Harvard Business Review's unique author formats when citing in APA style?

A: Harvard Business Review sometimes lists authors with their full credentials or job titles. In APA format, only use the last name and initials (e.g., Smith, J.) and omit titles or degrees. If the article is authored by "Harvard Business Review" as an entity, treat it as a corporate author.

Q: What should I do if Harvard Business Review uses a non-standard publication date format for its articles?

A: Harvard Business Review may use formats like "Winter 2023" or specific month-day-year formats. In APA, if a specific date is provided (e.g., January 15, 2023), use that format. If a seasonal date is given, use the year only, and mention the issue description in parentheses after the title if necessary.

Q: Are there specific URL and access requirements when citing a Harvard Business Review article in APA format?

A: If the article is available online, include the direct URL in the citation. Do not include access dates unless the content is likely to change over time (e.g., wikis). If the article requires a subscription, note that in your reference list by simply providing the homepage URL (https://hbr.org).

Q: How does citing Harvard Business Review differ from citing other journal articles in APA format?

A: Unlike many academic journals, Harvard Business Review articles may not always have a DOI. In their absence, provide the URL. Additionally, HBR articles often target a broader business audience, so ensure the author details and publication specifics are carefully noted, as they may include corporate authorship or unique publication dates.

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