Jeff Polzer is the UPS Foundation Professor of Human Resource Management in the Organizational Behavior Unit at Harvard Business School. He studies how people work most effectively in diverse teams. To understand the complexities of team functioning, his research focuses on the interplay among individual expertise and identity, interpersonal processes such as conflict, and team performance. Professor Polzer has published in the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Psychological Science, and Small Group Research. He also serves on the editorial board of ASQ.
Jeffrey T. Polzer
UPS Foundation Professor of Human Resource Management
UPS Foundation Professor of Human Resource Management
Jeff Polzer is the UPS Foundation Professor of Human Resource Management in the Organizational Behavior Unit at Harvard Business School. He studies how people collaborate in teams and across organizational networks to accomplish their individual and collective goals. He has ongoing projects in collaboration with a number of organizations, often working with members of their people analytics groups on problems of mutual interest. He has taught a variety of courses in the MBA, Executive, and Doctoral Programs at HBS, and published his research in numerous top management and psychology journals.
Professor Polzer currently teaches "Leading with People Analytics" as an elective MBA course and in the Harvard Business Analytics Program for executives. His past MBA courses include Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Leading Teams, and Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development. He taught the doctoral course Human Behavior and served as the faculty chair of Harvard’s Organizational Behavior PhD program. He has also conducted executive training sessions for a variety of organizations including IBM, Novartis, AT&T, Allianz, Seagate, Jabil, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Citizens Bank, Bharti Airtel, Fresenius, Mercy Corps, and Ernst & Young.
Before coming to Harvard, he taught courses in Organizational Behavior and Negotiations at the University of Texas at Austin and Northwestern University, where he won the Kellogg Graduate School of Management's Doctoral Teaching Award. At HBS, he has received the Robert F. Greenhill Award for outstanding service, the Apgar Award for Innovation in Teaching, the Charles M. Williams award for his work with doctoral students, and the Wyss Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring.
A native of Wisconsin, Professor Polzer earned a B.S. in Finance and Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and an MBA from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked for Burlington Northern Railroad as a marketing analyst. He received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. He has published his research in the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Psychological Science, and Small Group Research.
- Books
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- Neale, M., E. Mannix, and J. Polzer, eds. Identity Issues in Groups. Vol. 5, Research on Managing Groups and Teams. Stamford, CT: JAI Press, 2003. View Details
- Journal Articles
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- Satterstrom, Patricia, Jeffrey T. Polzer, Lisa Kwan, Oliver P. Hauser, Wannawiruch Wiruchnipawan, and Marina Burke. "Thin Slices of Workgroups." Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 151 (March 2019): 104–117. View Details
- Tadmor, Carmit, Melody Chao, Ying-yi Hong, and Jeff Polzer. "Not Just for Stereotyping Anymore: Racial Essentialism Reduces Domain-General Creativity." Psychological Science 24, no. 1 (January 2013). View Details
- Seidel, M. D., J. Polzer, and K. Stewart. "Friends in High Places: Structural Discrimination in Salary Negotiations." Administrative Science Quarterly 45, no. 1 (March 2000): 1–24. (Reprinted in Social Capital in Business, edited by K.W. Koput and J.P. Broschak, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010.) View Details
- Tadmor, Carmit, Patricia Satterstrom, Sujin Jang, and Jeffrey Polzer. "Beyond Individual Creativity: The Superadditive Benefits of Multicultural Experience for Collective Creativity in Culturally Diverse Teams." Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 43, no. 3 (April 2012): 384–392. View Details
- Groysberg, Boris, Jeffrey T. Polzer, and Hillary Anger Elfenbein. "Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth: How High Status Individuals Decrease Group Effectiveness." Organization Science 22, no. 3 (May–June 2011): 722–737. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey, Ranjay Gulati, Rakesh Khurana, and Michael Tushman. "Crossing Boundaries to Increase Relevance in Organizational Research." Journal of Management Inquiry 18, no. 4 (December 2009): 280–286. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "Making Diverse Teams Click." HBS Centennial Issue Harvard Business Review 86, nos. 7/8 (July–August 2008): 20–21. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., Brad Crisp, Sirkka L. Jarvenpaa, and Jerry W. Kim. "Extending the Faultline Concept to Geographically Dispersed Teams: How Colocated Subgroups Can Impair Group Functioning." Academy of Management Journal 49, no. 4 (August 2006). (This article was subject of a Recent Research of Note in the Organization Management Journal, Vol. 3, no. 3 (2006): 157-159.) View Details
- London, Manuel, Jeffrey T. Polzer, and Heather Omoregie. "Group Learning: A Multi-Level Model Integrating Interpersonal Congruence, Transactive Memory and Feedback Processes." Human Resource Development Review 4, no. 2 (2005): 114–136. View Details
- Polzer, J. "How Subgroup Interests and Reputations Moderate the Effect of Organizational Identification on Cooperation." Journal of Management 30, no. 1 (February 2004): 71–96. View Details
- Swann, W. B., Jr., J. Polzer, D. C. Seyle, and S. J. Ko. "Finding Value in Diversity: Verification of Personal and Social Self-Views in Diverse Groups." Academy of Management Review 29, no. 1 (January 2004): 9–27. View Details
- Swann, William B., Jr., Virginia S. Y. Kwan, Jeffrey T. Polzer, and Laurie P. Milton. "Fostering Group Identification and Creativity in Diverse Groups: The Role of Individuation and Self-verification." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 29, no. 11 (November 2003): 1396–1406. View Details
- Swann, William B., Jr., Virginia S.Y. Kwan, Jeffrey T. Polzer, and Laurie P. Milton. "Waning of Stereotypic Perceptions in Small Groups: Identity Negotiation and Erosion of Gender Expectations of Women." Social Cognition 21, no. 3 (June 2003): 194–212. View Details
- Polzer, J., L. P. Milton, and W. B. Swann Jr. "Capitalizing on Diversity: Interpersonal Congruence in Small Work Groups." Administrative Science Quarterly 47, no. 2 (June 2002): 296–324. (Winner of Academy of Management. Outstanding Publication in Organizational Behavior Award presented by Academy of Management.) View Details
- Polzer, J. "Book Review of Identity in Organizations: Building Theory Through Conversations edited by David A. Whetten and Paul C. Godfrey." Administrative Science Quarterly 45, no. 3 (September 2000): 625–628. View Details
- Swann, W., L. Milton, and J. Polzer. "Should We Create a Niche or Fall in Line? Identity Negotiation and Small Group Effectiveness." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 79, no. 2 (August 2000): 238–250. View Details
- Polzer, J., K. Stewart, and J. Simmons. "A Social Categorization Explanation for Framing Effects in Nested Social Dilemmas." Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 79, no. 2 (August 1999): 154–178. View Details
- Chatman, J., J. Polzer, S. Barsade, and M. Neale. "Being Different Yet Feeling Similar: The Influence of Demographic Composition and Organizational Culture on Work Processes and Outcomes." Administrative Science Quarterly 43, no. 4 (December 1998): 749–780. View Details
- Polzer, J., E. Mannix, and M. Neale. "Interest Alignment and Coalitions in Multi-party Negotiation." Academy of Management Journal 41, no. 4 (February 1998): 42–54. View Details
- Polzer, J., R. Kramer, and M. Neale. "Positive Illusions About Oneself and One's Group: Antecedents and Consequences." Small Group Research 28 (May 1997): 243–266. View Details
- Polzer, J. "Intergroup Negotiations: The Effects of Negotiating Teams." Journal of Conflict Resolution 40, no. 4 (December 1996): 679–699. View Details
- Polzer, J., and M. Neale. "Constraints or Catalysts? Reexamining Goal Setting Within the Context of Negotiation." Human Performance 8, no. 1 (1995): 3–26. View Details
- Rutte, C., T. Diekmann, J. Polzer, F. Crosby, and D. Messick. "Organization of Information and the Detection of Gender Discrimination." Psychological Science 5, no. 4 (July 1994): 226–231. View Details
- Polzer, J., M. Neale, and P. Glenn. "The Effects of Relationships and Justification in an Interdependent Allocation Task." Group Decision and Negotiation 2, no. 2 (June 1993): 135–148. View Details
- Polzer, J., K. Diekmann, and M. Neale. "Book Review of Intuition in Organizations: Leading and Managing Productively edited by Weston H. Agor." Journal of Organizational Behavior 13 (1992): 531–536. View Details
- Book Chapters
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- Fernandes, Catarina, and Jeff Polzer. "Diversity in Groups." In Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences: An Interdisciplinary, Searchable, and Linkable Resource, edited by Robert A. Scott and Stephen M. Kosslyn. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2015. Electronic. View Details
- Satterstrom, Patricia, Jeff Polzer, and Robert Wei. "Reframing Hierarchical Interactions as Negotiations to Promote Change in Health Care Systems." Chap. 18 in Handbook of Conflict Management Research, edited by Oluremi B. Ayoko, Neal M. Ashkansy, and Karen Jehn, 291–307. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2014. View Details
- Polzer, Jeff, and Lisa Kwan. "When Identities, Interests, and Information Collide: How Subgroups Create Hidden Profiles in Teams." In Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Review of Group and Team-Based Research. v.15, edited by Margaret Neale and Elizabeth Mannix, 359–381. Research on Managing Groups and Teams. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing, 2012. View Details
- McGinn, Kathleen L., and Jeffrey T. Polzer. "Changing Identity, Changing Language." In Advances in Group Processes. Vol. 28, edited by Shane R. Thye and Edward Lawler, 125–145. Bingley, UK: Emerald Group Publishing, 2011. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Heather M. Caruso. "Identity Negotiation Processes Amidst Diversity: Understanding the Influence of Social Identity and Status Differences." In Diversity at Work, edited by Arthur P. Brief. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2008. View Details
- Elfenbein, H. A., J. T. Polzer, and N. Ambady. "Team Emotion Recognition Accuracy and Team Performance." Chap. 4 in Research on Emotions in Organizations. Vol. 3, edited by N. M. Ashkanasy, W. J. Zerbe, and C. E.J. Härtel, 87–119. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2007. View Details
- Polzer, J., W. Swann, and L. Milton. "The Benefits of Verifying Diverse Identities for Group Performance." In Research on Managing Groups and Teams: Identity Issues in Groups. Vol. 5, edited by M. Neale, E. Mannix, and J. Polzer. Stamford, CT: JAI Press, 2003. View Details
- Polzer, J. "Negotiation Tactics." In Blackwell Encyclopedic Dictionary of Human Resource Management, edited by L. Peters, S. Youngblood, and C. Greer. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1997. View Details
- Polzer, J. "Role; Role Ambiguity; Role Distancing; Role Set; and Role Theory." In Blackwell Encyclopedic Dictionary of Organizational Behavior, edited by N. Nicholson. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1996. View Details
- Polzer, J., E. Mannix, and M. Neale. "Multiparty Negotiation in Its Social Context." In Negotiation as a Social Process, edited by R. Kramer and D. Messick. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1995. View Details
- Northcraft, G., J. Polzer, M. Neale, and R. Kramer. "Diversity, Social Indentity, and Performance: Emergent Social Dynamics in Cross-functional Teams." In Diversity in Work Teams: Research Paradigms for a Changing Workplace, edited by Susan E. Jackson and Marian N. Ruderman. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1995. View Details
- Polzer, J., and M. Neale. "Conflict Management and Negotiation." In Health Care Management: Organization Design and Behavior, edited by S. Shortell and A. Kaluzny. Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers, 1994. View Details
- Working Papers
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- DeFilippis, Evan, Stephen Michael Impink, Madison Singell, Jeffrey T. Polzer, and Raffaella Sadun. "Collaborating During Coronavirus: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Nature of Work." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 21-006, July 2020. View Details
- Cases and Teaching Materials
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- Whillans, Ashley, and Jeff Polzer. "Applied: Using Behavioral Science to Debias Hiring (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 921-047, March 2021. View Details
- Whillans, Ashley, and Jeff Polzer. "Applied: Using Behavioral Science to Debias Hiring." Harvard Business School Case 921-046, March 2021. (Revised September 2021.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeff. "People Analytics at Teach For America (B) (Data Set)." Harvard Business School Spreadsheet Supplement 421-054, December 2020. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Olivia Hull. "People Analytics at McKinsey." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 421-022, August 2020. View Details
- Grushka-Cockayne, Yael, Jeffrey T. Polzer, Susie L. Ma, and Shlomi Pasternak. "Ment.io: Knowledge Analytics for Team Decision Making." Harvard Business School Case 420-078, April 2020. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Julia Kelley. "People Analytics at Teach For America (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 420-086, March 2020. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "Sarah Powers at Automated Precision Products." Harvard Business School Spreadsheet Supplement 419-705, August 2018. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "People Analytics at Teach For America (Data Set)." Harvard Business School Spreadsheet Supplement 418-715, February 2018. (Revised December 2020.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Julia Kelley. "People Analytics at Teach For America (A)." Harvard Business School Case 418-013, February 2018. (Revised December 2020.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Olivia Hull. "People Analytics at McKinsey." Harvard Business School Case 418-023, January 2018. (Revised January 2020.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., Michael Norris, Julia Kelley, and Kristina Tobio. "Sarah Powers at Automated Precision Products." Harvard Business School Case 417-072, February 2017. (Revised August 2018.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Michael Norris. "Susan Cassidy at Bertram Gilman International." Harvard Business School Case 417-053, January 2017. (Revised January 2017.) View Details
- Khurana, Rakesh, Jeffrey Polzer, Willy Shih, and Eric Baldwin. "Teaming at GE Aviation." Harvard Business School Case 413-074, November 2012. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Heidi K. Gardner. "Bridgewater Associates." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Case 413-702, May 2013. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey, and Heidi K. Gardner. "Bridgewater Associates (TP)." Harvard Business School Teaching Plan 413-115, May 2013. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "Leading Teams Note." Harvard Business School Module Note 410-051, September 2009. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "Team Processes: Instructor's Overview." Harvard Business School Module Note 405-008, April 2005. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Scott A. Snook. "Army Crew Team, The (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 404-117, June 2004. (Revised March 2005.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., Hillary Anger Elfenbein, and Jenny Illes. "Flextronics: Deciding on a Shop-Floor System for Producing the Microsoft Xbox (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 405-007, August 2004. (Revised March 2005.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "National Semiconductor's India Design Center (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 405-006, August 2004. (Revised March 2005.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld. "Flextronics: Deciding on a Shop Floor System for Producing the Microsoft Xbox." Harvard Business School Case 403-090, February 2003. (Revised August 2004.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Elizabeth Kind. "National Semiconductor's India Design Center." Harvard Business School Case 404-102, February 2004. (Revised August 2004.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Hillary Anger Elfenbein. "Henry Tam and the MGI Team (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 404-079, May 2004. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Anita Williams Woolley. "Chapter Enrichment Program Teams at the American Red Cross (A)." Harvard Business School Case 402-042, January 2002. (Revised April 2004.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Anita W. Woolley. "Chapter Enrichment Program Teams at the American Red Cross (B)." Harvard Business School Case 403-091, January 2003. (Revised April 2004.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., Anita Williams Woolley, and Jenny Illes. "Chapter Enrichment Program Teams at the American Red Cross (TN) (A) and (B)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 404-120, April 2004. View Details
- Snook, Scott A., and Jeffrey T. Polzer. "Army Crew Team, The." Harvard Business School Case 403-131, January 2003. (Revised March 2004.) View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., Ingrid Vargas, and Hillary Anger Elfenbein. "Henry Tam and the MGI Team." Harvard Business School Case 404-068, October 2003. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T. "Leading Teams." Harvard Business School Background Note 403-094, February 2003. View Details
- Polzer, Jeffrey T., and Hillary Anger Elfenbein. "Identity Issues in Teams." Harvard Business School Background Note 403-095, February 2003. View Details
- Presentations
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- Satterstrom, Patricia, Lisa Kwan, Wannawiruch Wiruchnipawan, and Jeff Polzer. "Perceiving Collaborative Potential." Paper presented at the International Association for Conflict Management Annual Conference, Istanbul, Turkey, June 2011. View Details
- Tadmor, Carmit, Patricia Hernandez, Sujin Jang, and Jeff Polzer. "The Influence of Multiculturalism and Self-verification on Creativity in Culturally Diverse Dyads." Paper presented at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Chicago, August 2009. View Details
- Other Publications and Materials
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- Polzer, Jeff, Heather M. Caruso, and Manuel London. "Building Interpersonal Congruence Through Explicit Identity Negotiation." 2009. View Details
- Research Summary
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- Awards & Honors
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Winner of the 2003 Outstanding Publication in Organizational Behavior from the Academy of Management's Organizational Behavior Division for "Capitalizing on Diversity: Interpersonal Congruence in Small Work Groups" (with L.P. Milton and W.B. Swann Jr., Administrative Science Quarterly, June 2002).
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