Chapter | The Palgrave Handbook of Organizational Change Thinkers | 2017

Paul R. Lawrence: A Career of Rigor, Relevance, and Passion

by Michael Tushman

Abstract

Paul R. Lawrence was one of the earliest and most influential figures in the emergence of organizational behavior as a field of study. He was a pioneer in creating a body of work on organization design, leadership, and change in both the private and public sectors. Lawrence’s professional work was rooted in an aspiration to do work that was rigorous, relevant to practicing managers, and of service to society. Beyond his research, Lawrence was committed to building the field of organizational behavior at HBS and more broadly in our profession. He had a lifelong passion for participant-centered learning and for the training of doctoral students.

Keywords: organization design; contingency theory; public and private organizations; leadership; leading change; rigor and relevance; Biography; Organizational Design; Leadership; Learning; Leading Change;

Format: Electronic

Citation:

Tushman, Michael. "Paul R. Lawrence: A Career of Rigor, Relevance, and Passion." In The Palgrave Handbook of Organizational Change Thinkers. Continuously updated ed. Edited by David Szabla, William Pasmore, Mary Barnes, and Asha Gipson. Springer, 2017. Electronic. (doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-49820-1_12-2.)

About the Author

Photo
Michael L. Tushman
Baker Foundation Professor, Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, Charles B. (Tex) Thornton Chair of the Advanced Management Program
Organizational Behavior

View Profile »
View Publications »

 
Campus Map
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→ Map & Directions
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College