About Kathleen Eisenhardt

Kathleen Eisenhardt is Professor of Strategy and Organization at Stanford University’s School of Engineering. She holds the S.W. Ascherman MD Chair and is a member of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program.

Kathleen’s research sits at the nexus of strategy, organization theory and entrepreneurship where she focuses on high-velocity markets and technology-based firms. She is currently studying strategy in distinct economic “games” like 2-sided marketplaces, cognitive processes, and strategy in nascent markets, particularly using multi-case methods. She has recently blended multi-case theory building with machine learning for more robust theory build. Her most recent book (w/Don Sull) is Simple Rules: How to Thrive in a Complex World, designated a top business book by the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

Kathleen has worked extensively with firms in sectors, ranging from Internet, clean tech, software and semiconductor to agribusiness and biotech. She has been a Fellow at the World Economic Forum (Davos), and won numerous awards including AIB’s John Fayerweather Eminent Scholar Award, Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, SMS’ career C.K. Prahalad Award, and AOM’s career Scholarly Contributions to Management Award. Her papers have won the Schendel Best Paper Prize and ASQ’s Scholarly Contribution Award (twice).

Kathleen is a Fellow of the Strategic Management Society and Academy of Management. She holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Her PhD is from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.