From Lab to Business School
Leveraging STEM Experience in Management
Career PDW at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2022
Are you a scientist or engineer currently in management research? We invite you to attend our professional development workshop (PDW) at the upcoming Academy of Management Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA, USA.
Please pre-register here before July 22, 2022
In-person meeting in Seattle
Aug 6, 2022 (2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
Panelists
Benjamin Hallen (MS Computer Science, University of Virginia; Associate Professor, Foster School of Business, University of Washington)
Chris Liu (PhD Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Associate Professor, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon)
Janet Bercovitz (BS Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley; Professor, Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder)
Jay Anand (BTech Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology; Professor, Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University)
Johan Chu (PhD Physics, California Institute of Technology; Assistant Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management)
John Eklund (DPhil Physical Chemistry, University of Oxford; Assistant Professor, USC Marshall School of Business)
Luis Diestre (BS Telecommunication Engineering, Universidad de Zaragoza; Professor, IE Business School)
Matthew Bidwell (MChem, University of Oxford; Associate Professor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)
Organizers
Angelo Romasanta
MS Chemistry, University of Barcelona/ Bologna/ Algarve; Postdoctoral Researcher, Esade Business School
Raquel Pruna
PhD Engineering & Applied Sciences, University of Barcelona; PhD candidate, Esade Business School
Abstract
Scholars from science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) backgrounds are increasingly entering the field of management. Yet, an undergrad, master’s, or PhD training in STEM is currently underutilized in the management field, and even at worst, seen as a liability. Transitioning to management often demands that these scholars unlearn their previous habits and ways of thinking. Indeed, their previous field may require a different way of asking questions, employ different methodologies, use different styles of writing and conceptualize research impact differently. Apart from these paradigmatic differences, the skills needed to navigate the social landscape in management academia may be challenging to newcomers. In this PDW, we explore how scholars with previous science experience can overcome the challenges in transitioning to management. More importantly, we explore how they can leverage their unique STEM background to thrive in their new field. With the current crisis surrounding the value and impact of management research, this PDW will also serve as an avenue to discuss the impact of management research in comparison to the tangible outcomes from laboratory work. Finally, this PDW will also explore whether these individuals with scientific backgrounds can serve as a bridge to the wider scientific community to promote inter-disciplinary collaborations.
This PDW will address the unique needs of the growing community of management scholars with STEM backgrounds. In line with the objectives of the Careers (CAR) division, the PDW will help both early-stage and experienced researchers reflect on how they can leverage their previous background to thrive and create larger impacts in the academy.
Scientists and engineers transitioning to management face distinct challenges that the CAR division can lead in addressing: First, these scholars may often see themselves as outsiders, relative to scholars with lifelong training in related fields such as economics and sociology. Establishing their identity in management requires managing the tension between bringing or unlearning their previous experiences to fit in the field. Second, scholars with STEM backgrounds need to adapt to the radically different scientific practices in the social sciences. Paradigms may be less established in management, making it difficult to understand what contributing to theory means. Management may also require scholars to change their way of asking questions, use methods they may have not heard of before and write with a different style. Third, the social landscape in management can be challenging to navigate with its own peculiar norms in collaboration and co-authorship. To address these psychological, technical and social barriers, scholars who overcame these challenges will share their experiences.
Beyond addressing transitional challenges, this PDW will explore how scholars can leverage their STEM backgrounds to contribute to management research. Instead of merely being conversation-starters, their skills can be used to demystify complex industries (i.e. TIM and STR divisions) and provide unique perspectives to management puzzles (i.e. OMT and MED divisions). With AOM 2022’s theme of “Creating a Better World Together,” this PDW will also discuss how management can contribute larger societal value, with the help of our panelists who have contributed significantly to the hard sciences. Finally, we also explore how interdisciplinary research can be promoted.
Organizers Biographies
Angelo Romasanta
Postdoctoral researcher at Esade Business School
STEM background: Ph.D. Innovation Management, Inst. of Molecular and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; M.Sc. Chemistry, Univ. of Bologna / Barcelona / Algarve
Angelo is a postdoctoral researcher studying the commercialization of deep tech and the adoption of digital infrastructures. He is involved in the ATTRACT project, a 50M EUR initiative funded by the European Commission which aims to commercialize technologies from research infrastructures like CERN, EMBL, XFEL, ESO, ILL, and ESRF. He previously did his Ph.D. at VU University Amsterdam, exploring how technologies in the pharmaceutical industry are adopted and commercialized. He has collaborated with big pharma companies, biotech spin-offs and academic drug discovery groups.
Raquel Pruna
Ph.D. candidate at Esade Business School
STEM Background: Ph.D. Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Barcelona; M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering, University of Barcelona and Technical University of Catalonia; B.Sc. Physics, University of Barcelona
Raquel is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of Strategy and General Management at Esade Business School. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Organization Theory, Economic Sociology and Organizational Behavior. She is currently studying the antecedents and consequences of status changes in financial markets. She is also interested in the sociological and organizational aspects of art markets. Prior to joining Esade, Raquel obtained her Ph.D. in applied Physics and Biomedical engineering, and worked as a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry.
Panelists Biographies
Benjamin Hallen
Associate Professor at Foster School of Business, University of Washington
STEM Background: PhD Strategy, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, Engineering School, Stanford University; MS Computer Science, BS Electrical Engineering, University of Virginia
Ben is an Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and the Longbrake Endowed Professor in Innovation at the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. He received his PhD in Strategy, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship from the Engineering School at Stanford University. Prior to his doctoral studies, he was a co-founder and CTO of an email relationship firm that grew out of the Batten Incubator at the Darden School of Business. His research examines the strategic aspects of how entrepreneurs acquire resources and embed themselves in industry networks, as well as the evolving venture investment landscape. His research has appeared in Administrative Science Quarterly, the Academy of Management Journal, the Academy of Management Annals, Strategic Management Journal, Organization Science, and has been featured by the Brookings Institute and Pitchbook. He is currently an associate editor at Strategic Management Journal. For his teaching, he has been named by Poets & Quants as one of “2017 Best 40 Under 40 Professors.
Chris Liu
Associate Professor at the Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon
STEM Background: PhD Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; BA Biology, Compton Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis
Chris is an associate professor in the Department of Management and Inman Research Scholar at the Lundquist College of Business. His expertise includes spatial networks, firm innovation and productivity, and the organization of science. As a biologist, Chris has published in venues ranging from Science, Development, Journal of Bacteriology, and Plant Physiology. Liu received his PhD from MIT where he trained as a membrane protein biochemist. He received a second doctorate in business from Harvard University. Prior to joining the Lundquist College, Liu taught at the University of Toronto. He cofounded PowerTen LLC, a boutique consulting firm headquartered in Turkey, and has also previously worked as a journalist
Janet Bercovitz
Professor at Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder
STEM Background: B.Sc. Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley
Janet joined the Leeds School of Business Fall 2017 as a Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship from the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She started her academic career on the faculty of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Professor Bercovitz’s research program consists of two main research streams. The first concentrates on extending understanding of academic entrepreneurship and university-industry technology transfer. The second stream focuses on issues of organizational structure and inter-organizational contractual relationships. Her research has been published in major journals such as Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, Management Science, Research Policy, and the Journal of Technology Transfer. Professor Bercovitz currently serves on the editorial review boards of Academy of Management Review, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, and Research Policy and as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Technology Transfer.
Jay Anand
Professor at the Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University
STEM Background: B. Tech. Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology
Jay is the William H. Davis Chair and Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Strategy at the Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University. He is also the Academic Director of the Center for Innovation Strategies. Prior to joining Fisher, he was faculty at the University of Michigan (Ross). He earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. His interests include corporate growth, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures & strategic alliances, global strategy and strategy implementation. He regularly consults and conducts executive education programs with companies all over the world. He served as the elected chair of the Academy of Management, IM division. Currently he serves as the Senior Editor of Organization Science, Consulting Editor of the Journal of International Business Studies and Associate Editor of the Global Strategy Journal and is a member of the editorial board of the Strategic Management Journal.
Johan Chu
Assistant Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management
STEM Background: Ph.D. Physics, California Institute of Technology (Caltech); B.Sc. Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Johan’s research examines the shifting bases of social power and corporate competitive advantage in today’s technologically-advanced world. Recently-developed technologies allow low-cost, wide-reach communication, and democratize access to global markets, knowledge, capital, and labor. How do these developments alter the dynamics of social contention and market competition? How can we create thriving, equitable communities against this backdrop? Prior to joining MIT, Johan taught at Chicago Booth and Northwestern Kellogg. He received a PhD in Physics (with a dissertation on Artificial Life) from Caltech and a later PhD in Management & Organizations from Michigan Ross. In the 12 years between PhD programs, Johan consulted for clients in the United States, Korea, and China; led two enterprise software ventures; and headed the Asia-Pacific Consumer Practice for a global executive search firm.
John Eklund
Assistant Professor at USC Marshall School of Business
STEM Background: DPhil Physical Chemistry, University of Oxford
John is an Assistant Professor at USC's Marshall School in the Management and Organization Department. His research lies at the intersection of strategy and innovation, with an emphasis on how firms’ organization designs can shape their performance outcomes. These outcomes can relate to firms’ innovation efforts as well as their broader performance. In examining this phenomenon, John studies the underlying mechanisms such as incentives, knowledge flows and the breadth of strategies firms pursue that both shape organization design choices and their consequences. Prior to his PhD at the Wharton School, John was a management consultant at A.T. Kearney, Booz & Company and PwC. John also holds a doctorate in physical chemistry where he examined the impact of UV/visible light and ultrasound on electrochemical reactions with the ultimate goal of developing novel solar cells and new waste water treatments. Following his doctorate, John undertook a post-doctoral fellowship in Australia and was a research scientist at Unilever developing novel hair care technologies.
Luis Diestre
Full Professor, IE Business School
STEM Background: BS in Telecommunication Engineering, Universidad de Zaragoza
Luis Diestre is Professor at IE Business School. He received his PhD in Strategic Management from the University of Southern California in 2009. His research interests evolve around two distinct topics: non-market strategy and R&D activities in the Biopharmaceutical industry. Luis’ work appears in publications such as the Academy of Management Journal, the Strategic Management Journal, Organization Science, Management Science, the Journal of Management Studies, and Research Policy. He was awarded in 2016 an ERC Starting Grant of about 1.4 million euros to develop a research project on the illegal trade of pharmaceutical drugs. In addition, Luis was included in Poets and Quants’ 2015 list of “The World’s Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professors”. He has been a member of the Editorial Review Board of the Academy of Management Journal (since 2010) and the Strategic Management Journal (since 2014). Currently, he serves as an Associate Editor of the Academy of Management Journal.
Matthew Bidwell
Associate Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
STEM Background: MChem, University of Oxford
Matthew holds a Ph.D. from the MIT Sloan School, an S.M. in Political Science from MIT. His research examines new patterns in work and employment, focusing in particular the causes and effects of more short-term, market oriented employment relationships. He has conducted detailed research on the contracting workforce in information technology, publishing papers on how those contractors are used within firms, on the effects of their relationships with staffing firms, and on who goes into contracting. A second focus of his research explores how workers build careers across organizations, working in different kinds of workplaces at different points in their careers. Current projects explore how organizations balance internal promotions with external hiring, and why worker mobility has increased in recent years. He is currently a Sloan Industry Studies Fellow. He serves on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Review and Organization Science.