How to Build a Better Network
Booth’s Ronald S. Burt explains how networks behave and why network structure is so important.
Academic Areas Organizations and Markets Faculty and Research
The organizations and markets faculty at Chicago Booth are conducting pathbreaking research in this field, including examining how social networks create competitive advantage, and the impact of social and cultural factors on organizational behaviors and market outcomes.
Our faculty in this area publish widely (more information is available on their faculty websites) and they are involved in numerous organizations, including serving on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, American Journal of Sociology, and Organization Science. Ronald S. Burt serves as an elected fellow of the Academy of Management and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Organizations and Markets Faculty
We believe in a multidisciplinary approach to business education at Booth.
In this academic area, interdisciplinary courses such as Strategy and Structure: Markets and Organizations provide students with an overarching framework for thinking about the relationship between strategy, the organization, and the firm’s environment. Other courses developed by our faculty such as Strategic Leadership in Management Networks introduce students to the competitive advantages that a social network can provide, and to ways to enhance and maintain individual and group advantage.
Discover more about our organizations and markets faculty, including the classes they teach, below.
Featured Research in Chicago Booth Review
One Way to Tame Polluters: Rate Them
Booth’s Amanda J. Sharkey finds firms that receive poor environmental ratings tend to reduce their toxic emissions more than companies rated favorably or not at all.
Good Startups Have Great Networks
Research into Chinese entrepreneurs is revealing some global truths about business success.
Research with Impact
“The networks that are associated with value are the networks that are diverse and open. . . . The more closed the network, the more homogeneous and more tied together the people, the more likely you do pedestrian work.”
Ronald S. Burt, speaking about his research on how networks behave and why network structure is so important.
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Partnering Across the University of Chicago and Beyond
Our organizations and markets faculty members are active in and outside of the University of Chicago.
Ronald S. Burt is an elected fellow of the Academy of Management, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Sociological Research Association. Amanda Sharkey is associate editor of Management Science and serves on the editorial boards for Organization Science and Administrative Science Quarterly.
Apply to Faculty Positions
Learn more about applying to our open faculty positions and joining the world-renowned faculty at Booth.
Learn About Our Research Workshops
Our research workshops provide a forum for faculty, PhD students, and invited guests to present, discuss, and debate new research.
Research Spotlight
Discover some of the latest working papers and published papers from our organizations and markets faculty.
“One Path Does Not Fit All: A Career Path Approach to the Study of Professional Women Entrepreneurs”
Ronald S. Burt, with coauthor Jennifer Merluzzi (The George Washington University School of Business)
“Under Pressure: Reputation, Ratings and Inaccurate Self-reporting in the Nursing Home Industry”
Amanda J. Sharkey, with coauthor Amandine Ody-Brasier (Yale University, School of Management)
Research Centers in This Area
Research centers across Booth and the University of Chicago are hubs for innovation and world-changing research. The centers provide our faculty with research support, and our faculty members lend their expertise to the centers, enriching the student experience and the broader academic community at Booth.
Initiative on Global Markets
IGM organizes Booth faculty efforts to influence public policy and the practice of business around the world. By hosting expert panels, visiting thought leaders, and conferences, IGM raises the impact of Booth research.
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Polsky Center bridges the gap between knowledge and practice, idea and action, and research and impact through education, partnerships, and new venture creation.