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    • Organizational Behavior
    • Program Requirements
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Organizational Behavior

Organizational Behavior

  • Program Requirements
In the field of Organizational Behavior, researchers draw on the methods and concepts of psychology and sociology to examine complex organizations and the ways that people behave within them.

Scholars in the doctoral program in Organizational Behavior at Harvard Business School are prepared to pursue an interdisciplinary inquiry into issues that are broadly related to the functioning of individuals within groups, at either the micro or macro level. Graduates of our program go on to become the leading researchers and thinkers in organizational behavior, shaping the field and advancing theoretical understanding in posts at schools of management or in disciplinary departments.

The Organizational Behavior program is jointly administered by the faculty of Harvard Business School and the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and students have the opportunity to work with faculty from both the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Harvard Business School.

Curriculum & Coursework

Our program offers two distinct tracks, with research focused either on the micro or macro level. Students who choose to focus on micro organizational behavior take a psychological approach to the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and groups, and the effects that groups have on individuals. In macro organizational behavior, scholars use sociological methods to examine the organizations, groups, and markets themselves, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives.

Your core disciplinary training will take place in either the psychology or sociology departments, depending on the track that you choose. You will also conduct advanced coursework in organizational behavior at HBS, and complete two MBA elective curriculum courses. Students are required to teach for one full academic term in order to gain valuable teaching experience, and to work as an apprentice to a faculty member to develop research skills. Upon completion of coursework, students prepare and present a dossier that includes a qualifying paper, at least two other research papers, and a statement outlining a plan for their dissertation. Before beginning work on the dissertation, students must pass the Organizational Behavior Exam, which presents an opportunity to synthesize academic coursework and prepare for an in-depth research project.

Research & Dissertation

Throughout the program, students will produce original research both independently and in collaboration with Harvard faculty members. You will also work with your faculty mentors to identify and refine a topic that will constitute the central piece of your dissertation research. Students will then prepare a dissertation prospectus, which must be reviewed by a prospectus committee typically comprised of at least three faculty members. The dissertation requires students to develop substantial original contribution to the field of Organizational Behavior; it can take the form of an extended study of one topic or a set of three or more related research papers.

Examples of Doctoral Thesis Research

  • Cross-group relations, stress, and the subsequent effect on performance
  • Internal group dynamics of corporate boards of directors
  • Organizational mission and its effect on commitment and effort
  • Psychological tendencies and collaboration with dissimilar others
Program Requirements

Profiles

Ahmmad Brown

Organizational Behavior

Evan DeFilippis

Organizational Behavior

Aurora Turek

Organizational Behavior
“In HBS’s Organizational Behavior program I receive outstanding, rigorous training in disciplinary methods and also benefit from the myriad resources that HBS has to offer. HBS scholars are looking to apply their research to real-world problems, come up with interventions, and make a real difference.”
Evan DiFilippis
PhD Candidate, Organizational Behavior
“In HBS’s Organizational Behavior program I receive outstanding, rigorous training in disciplinary methods and also benefit from the myriad resources that HBS has to offer. HBS scholars are looking to apply their research to real-world problems, come up with interventions, and make a real difference.”
Evan DiFilippis
PhD Candidate, Organizational Behavior

Current Harvard Sociology & Psychology Faculty

  • George A. Alvarez
  • Mahzarin R. Banaji
  • Jason Beckfield
  • Lawrence D. Bobo
  • Bart Bonikowski
  • Mary C. Brinton
  • Joshua W. Buckholtz
  • Randy L. Buckner
  • Alfonso Caramazza
  • Susan E. Carey
  • Paul Y. Chang
  • Mina Cikara
  • Christina Ciocca Eller
  • Christina Cross
  • Fiery Cushman
  • Frank Dobbin
  • Samuel J. Gershman
  • Daniel Gilbert
  • Joshua D. Greene
  • Jill M. Hooley
  • Rakesh Khurana
  • Alexandra Killewald
  • Talia Konkle
  • Max Krasnow
  • Michèle Lamont
  • Ellen Langer
  • Joscha Legewie
  • Ya-Wen Lei
  • Patrick Mair
  • Peter V. Marsden
  • Katie A. McLaughlin
  • Richard J. McNally
  • Jason P. Mitchell
  • Ellis Monk
  • Matthew K. Nock
  • Orlando Patterson
  • Elizabeth A. Phelps
  • Steven Pinker
  • Robert J. Sampson
  • Daniel L. Schacter
  • Jim Sidanius
  • Theda Skocpol
  • Mario L. Small
  • Jesse Snedeker
  • Leah H. Somerville
  • Elizabeth S. Spelke
  • Tomer D. Ullman
  • Adaner Usmani
  • Jocelyn Viterna
  • Mary C. Waters
  • John R. Weisz
  • Christopher Winship
  • Xiang Zhou
Current Harvard Sociology & Psychology Faculty
  • George A. Alvarez
  • Mahzarin R. Banaji
  • Jason Beckfield
  • Lawrence D. Bobo
  • Bart Bonikowski
  • Mary C. Brinton
  • Joshua W. Buckholtz
  • Randy L. Buckner
  • Alfonso Caramazza
  • Susan E. Carey
  • Paul Y. Chang
  • Mina Cikara
  • Christina Ciocca Eller
  • Christina Cross
  • Fiery Cushman
  • Frank Dobbin
  • Samuel J. Gershman
  • Daniel Gilbert
  • Joshua D. Greene
  • Jill M. Hooley
  • Rakesh Khurana
  • Alexandra Killewald
  • Talia Konkle
  • Max Krasnow
  • Michèle Lamont
  • Ellen Langer
  • Joscha Legewie
  • Ya-Wen Lei
  • Patrick Mair
  • Peter V. Marsden
  • Katie A. McLaughlin
  • Richard J. McNally
  • Jason P. Mitchell
  • Ellis Monk
  • Matthew K. Nock
  • Orlando Patterson
  • Elizabeth A. Phelps
  • Steven Pinker
  • Robert J. Sampson
  • Daniel L. Schacter
  • Jim Sidanius
  • Theda Skocpol
  • Mario L. Small
  • Jesse Snedeker
  • Leah H. Somerville
  • Elizabeth S. Spelke
  • Tomer D. Ullman
  • Adaner Usmani
  • Jocelyn Viterna
  • Mary C. Waters
  • John R. Weisz
  • Christopher Winship
  • Xiang Zhou
Close

Current HBS Faculty

  • Teresa M. Amabile
  • Julie Battilana
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • David E. Bell
  • Ethan S. Bernstein
  • Alison Wood Brooks
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Julian De Freitas
  • Amy C. Edmondson
  • Robin J. Ely
  • Alexandra C. Feldberg
  • Francesca Gino
  • Amit Goldenberg
  • Boris Groysberg
  • Ranjay Gulati
  • Linda A. Hill
  • Nien-he Hsieh
  • Jon M. Jachimowicz
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • Leslie K. John
  • Jillian J. Jordan
  • Rakesh Khurana
  • Shirley Lu
  • Joshua D. Margolis
  • Edward McFowland III
  • Kathleen L. McGinn
  • Tsedal Neeley
  • Michael I. Norton
  • Joseph Pacelli
  • Leslie A. Perlow
  • Jeffrey T. Polzer
  • Ryan L. Raffaelli
  • Lakshmi Ramarajan
  • James W. Riley
  • Arthur I Segel
  • Emily Truelove
  • Michael L. Tushman
  • A. Chyei Vinluan
  • Ashley V. Whillans
  • Letian Zhang
  • Ting Zhang
  • Julian J. Zlatev
Current HBS Faculty
  • Teresa M. Amabile
  • Julie Battilana
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • David E. Bell
  • Ethan S. Bernstein
  • Alison Wood Brooks
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Julian De Freitas
  • Amy C. Edmondson
  • Robin J. Ely
  • Alexandra C. Feldberg
  • Francesca Gino
  • Amit Goldenberg
  • Boris Groysberg
  • Ranjay Gulati
  • Linda A. Hill
  • Nien-he Hsieh
  • Jon M. Jachimowicz
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • Leslie K. John
  • Jillian J. Jordan
  • Rakesh Khurana
  • Shirley Lu
  • Joshua D. Margolis
  • Edward McFowland III
  • Kathleen L. McGinn
  • Tsedal Neeley
  • Michael I. Norton
  • Joseph Pacelli
  • Leslie A. Perlow
  • Jeffrey T. Polzer
  • Ryan L. Raffaelli
  • Lakshmi Ramarajan
  • James W. Riley
  • Arthur I Segel
  • Emily Truelove
  • Michael L. Tushman
  • A. Chyei Vinluan
  • Ashley V. Whillans
  • Letian Zhang
  • Ting Zhang
  • Julian J. Zlatev
Close

Current Organizational Behavior Students

  • Jennifer Abel
  • Nicole Abi-Esber
  • Yajun Cao
  • Hanne Collins
  • Grace Cormier
  • Evan DeFilippis
  • Megan Gorges
  • Bushra Guenoun
  • Elizabeth Johnson
  • Caleb Kealoha
  • Ariella Kristal
  • Justine Murray
  • C. Ryann Noe
  • Dominika Randle
  • Elizabeth Sheprow
  • Jaylon Sherrell
  • Erin Shirtz
  • Samantha N. Smith
  • Tiffany Smith
  • Channing Spencer
  • Yuval Spiegler
  • Jeff Steiner
  • Elliot Stoller
  • Emily Tedards
  • Aurora Turek
  • Julie Yen
Current Organizational Behavior Students
  • Jennifer Abel
  • Nicole Abi-Esber
  • Yajun Cao
  • Hanne Collins
  • Grace Cormier
  • Evan DeFilippis
  • Megan Gorges
  • Bushra Guenoun
  • Elizabeth Johnson
  • Caleb Kealoha
  • Ariella Kristal
  • Justine Murray
  • C. Ryann Noe
  • Dominika Randle
  • Elizabeth Sheprow
  • Jaylon Sherrell
  • Erin Shirtz
  • Samantha N. Smith
  • Tiffany Smith
  • Channing Spencer
  • Yuval Spiegler
  • Jeff Steiner
  • Elliot Stoller
  • Emily Tedards
  • Aurora Turek
  • Julie Yen
Close

Current HBS Faculty & Students by Interest

Decision-making
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • David E. Bell
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Francesca Gino
  • Leslie K. John
  • Edward McFowland III
  • Michael I. Norton
Diversity
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Robin J. Ely
  • Alexandra C. Feldberg
  • Francesca Gino
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • Shirley Lu
  • Joseph Pacelli
  • Lakshmi Ramarajan
  • A. Chyei Vinluan
  • Letian Zhang
Economic sociology
  • Ranjay Gulati
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • James W. Riley
  • Letian Zhang
Ethics
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • Julian De Freitas
  • Nien-he Hsieh
  • Leslie K. John
  • Joshua D. Margolis
Group dynamics
  • Robin J. Ely
  • Amit Goldenberg
  • Jeffrey T. Polzer
Negotiation
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • Francesca Gino
  • Leslie K. John
  • Kathleen L. McGinn
  • Arthur I Segel
Organizational behavior
  • Teresa M. Amabile
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • Ethan S. Bernstein
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Amy C. Edmondson
  • Francesca Gino
  • Boris Groysberg
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • Leslie K. John
  • Rakesh Khurana
  • Joshua D. Margolis
  • Lakshmi Ramarajan
  • James W. Riley
Organizational change & transformation
  • Julie Battilana
  • Tsedal Neeley
  • Ryan L. Raffaelli
  • Emily Truelove
  • Michael L. Tushman
Power & influence
  • Julie Battilana
  • Robin J. Ely
Teams
  • Amy C. Edmondson
  • Jeffrey T. Polzer
Work/family balance
  • Leslie A. Perlow
  • Ashley V. Whillans
Current HBS Faculty & Students by Interest
Decision-making
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • David E. Bell
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Francesca Gino
  • Leslie K. John
  • Edward McFowland III
  • Michael I. Norton
Diversity
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Robin J. Ely
  • Alexandra C. Feldberg
  • Francesca Gino
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • Shirley Lu
  • Joseph Pacelli
  • Lakshmi Ramarajan
  • A. Chyei Vinluan
  • Letian Zhang
Economic sociology
  • Ranjay Gulati
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • James W. Riley
  • Letian Zhang
Ethics
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • Julian De Freitas
  • Nien-he Hsieh
  • Leslie K. John
  • Joshua D. Margolis
Group dynamics
  • Robin J. Ely
  • Amit Goldenberg
  • Jeffrey T. Polzer
Negotiation
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • Francesca Gino
  • Leslie K. John
  • Kathleen L. McGinn
  • Arthur I Segel
Organizational behavior
  • Teresa M. Amabile
  • Max H. Bazerman
  • Ethan S. Bernstein
  • Edward H. Chang
  • Amy C. Edmondson
  • Francesca Gino
  • Boris Groysberg
  • Summer R. Jackson
  • Leslie K. John
  • Rakesh Khurana
  • Joshua D. Margolis
  • Lakshmi Ramarajan
  • James W. Riley
Organizational change & transformation
  • Julie Battilana
  • Tsedal Neeley
  • Ryan L. Raffaelli
  • Emily Truelove
  • Michael L. Tushman
Power & influence
  • Julie Battilana
  • Robin J. Ely
Teams
  • Amy C. Edmondson
  • Jeffrey T. Polzer
Work/family balance
  • Leslie A. Perlow
  • Ashley V. Whillans
Close

Recent Placement

Hayley Blunden, 2022

American University, Kogod School of Business

Yanhua Bird, 2020

Boston University, Questrom School of Management

Jeffrey Lees, 2020

Clemson University

Alexandra Feldberg, 2019

Harvard Business School

Martha Jeong, 2019

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), Management Department

Andrew Brodsky, 2017

University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business

Ovul Sezer, 2017

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Organizational Behavior Department

Ahmmad Brown, 2022

Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy

Leroy Gonsalves, 2020

Boston University, Questrom School of Business

Alicia DeSantola, 2019

University of Washington, Foster School of Business, Department of Management and Organization

Catarina Fernandes, 2019

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

Rachel Arnett, 2018

University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School

Curtis Chan, 2017

Boston College, Management and Organization Department

Elizabeth Baily Wolf, 2017

INSEAD, Organizational Behavior Department

Lumumba Seegars, 2021

Harvard Business School

Karen Huang, 2020

Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy

Stefan Dimitriadis, 2019

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

Elizabeth Hansen, 2019

Harvard Kennedy School, The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy, Research Fellow

Erin Frey, 2018

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, Post-doctoral Fellow (2018-2021), University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business , Assistant Professor (2021)

Ryann Manning, 2017

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

Hayley Blunden, 2022

American University, Kogod School of Business

Ahmmad Brown, 2022

Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy

Lumumba Seegars, 2021

Harvard Business School

Yanhua Bird, 2020

Boston University, Questrom School of Management

Leroy Gonsalves, 2020

Boston University, Questrom School of Business

Karen Huang, 2020

Georgetown University, McCourt School of Public Policy

Jeffrey Lees, 2020

Clemson University

Alicia DeSantola, 2019

University of Washington, Foster School of Business, Department of Management and Organization

Stefan Dimitriadis, 2019

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

Alexandra Feldberg, 2019

Harvard Business School

Catarina Fernandes, 2019

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

Elizabeth Hansen, 2019

Harvard Kennedy School, The Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy, Research Fellow

Martha Jeong, 2019

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), Management Department

Rachel Arnett, 2018

University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School

Erin Frey, 2018

University of Virginia, Darden School of Business, Post-doctoral Fellow (2018-2021), University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business , Assistant Professor (2021)

Andrew Brodsky, 2017

University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business

Curtis Chan, 2017

Boston College, Management and Organization Department

Ryann Manning, 2017

University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

Ovul Sezer, 2017

University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, Organizational Behavior Department

Elizabeth Baily Wolf, 2017

INSEAD, Organizational Behavior Department
See All Placement
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