Cutting Edge research

Over the past several decades, HBS has built a foundation in health care research, from Clayton Christensen's application of disruptive innovations to Regina Herzlinger's concept of consumer-driven health care to Michael Porter’s focus on value-based care delivery.

Their research, as well as the research of over 100 other faculty members, has resulted in many publications, cases, and articles that are related to innovation in health care. These publications can be found on the Health Care featured topic page on the School's Faculty and Research website.

While faculty research in health care is diverse, key topics include:

• Applying management principles and best practices to health care delivery
• Improving the process of innovation in all sectors of health care
• Employing the principles of strategy and consumer choice in health care
• Using information technology to expand access, decrease costs and improve quality
• Developing approaches to deliver high-impact health care in developing nations

selected research activities

HBS-HMS Forum on Health Care Innovation is a cross university collaboration with a purpose to unite leading executives, policymakers, and academics in a cross-disciplinary exploration of innovative actions to improve quality, reduce costs, and, ultimately, increase value in the health care industry. The Forum hosts periodic events that bring together thought leaders from across the health care industry to identify ways to overcome barriers to innovation in health care. View videos from past events.

HBS-HMS Health Acceleration Challenge is an annual "scale up" competition that focuses on compelling , already-implemented health care solutions and helps them to grow and increase their impact through powerful networking and funding opportunities. Learn more about the Challenge.

The Kraft Precision Medicine Accelerator (KPMA) is developing a business framework that encourages  cancer organizations to align on shared goals and collaborate with one another to create a collective impact. The KPMA has identified four transformational opportunities: Direct to Patient, Data & Analytics, Clinical Trials, and Investment & Venture. 

Institute for Strategy & Competitiveness (ISC) is a nonprofit research and education organization founded by Michael Porter at HBS and health care is one of the ISC's core research areas. The ISC offers the course, Value-Based Health Care Delivery, to provide a framework for restructuring health care systems across the world with the overarching goal of value for patients.

Collaborations with other universities

GENiE, the Global Educators Network for Health Care Innovation and Entrepreneurship group, was spearheaded by Regina Herzlinger and includes more than 140 academic members with the goal of making innovation a central part of the education of future leaders in health care. 

BAHM, the Business School Alliance for Health Management, was co-founded by Regina Herzlinger and faculty from top business management schools as a collaborative non-profit organization committed to the belief that management education, applied to the challenges of health care delivery and health care innovation, plays a special role in creating new and important solutions. Each year, one of the BAHM school's hosts an annual case competition that awards cash prizes to the winning teams.