PhD
Economic Sociology
Economic Sociology at MIT Sloan trains scholars to use sociology to understand how organizations and economies work. This group meets the growing need for sociologically trained faculty in business schools and the expanding field of economic sociology. Leading researchers like Ezra W. Zuckerman Sivan, Emilio J. Castilla, Johan Chu, Kate Kellogg, and Ray Reagans explore the links between organizations, institutions, and the economy. Their work uses qualitative research (e.g., fieldwork, case studies, ethnography), quantitative research (e.g., surveys, archival databases, social network analysis), and modeling (e.g., systems dynamics, game theory, agent-based models) to explain economic processes.
Research from Economic Sociology Faculty
MIT Sloan reading list: 7 books from 2024
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New books this year include a retirement how-to, the reissue of a classic entrepreneurship guide, and a look back at the California energy crisis.
To help improve the accuracy of generative AI, add speed bumps
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Introducing “targeted friction” into AI workflows can improve overall accuracy and reduce uncritical adoption.
AI Expert Spotlight: Kate Kellogg
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Kate Kellogg studies the implementation of narrow AI—AI systems designed to perform specific tasks—as well as generative AI, among frontline knowledge workers. She’s exploring the barriers to AI implementation and the mechanisms for addressing them.
Consumers prefer early entrants in new markets, but 2nd movers can still win
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Consumers approve of firms that do the work to make an industry seem legitimate. Those that free-ride on that “legitimation work” are seen as less authentic.
Select Economic Sociology Faculty
DIRECTOR
Ezra W. Zuckerman Sivan
Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy
Ezra Zuckerman Sivan is the Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship. He is also cofounder of MIT Sloan's PhD Program in Economic Sociology.Zuckerman Sivan is an economic sociologist whose research focuses on showing how…
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Emilio J. Castilla
NTU Professor of Management
Emilio J. Castilla is the NTU Professor of Management and a Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management.Castilla is currently the co-director of the Institute for Work and Employment Research. He joined the MIT…
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Johan Chu
Hear name pronounced.Sarofim Family Career Development Assistant Professor
Johan Chu is the Sarofim Family Career Development Assistant Professor and an Assistant Professor of System Dynamics at the MIT Sloan School of ManagementJohan’s research examines the shifting bases of social power and corporate advantage. Recently…
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Kate Kellogg
Hear name pronounced.David J. McGrath jr (1959) Professor of Management and Innovation
Kate Kellogg is the David J. McGrath Jr Professor of Management and Innovation, a Professor of Business Administration at the MIT Sloan School of Management.Kate's research focuses on helping knowledge workers and organizations develop and implement…
Learn MoreExample PhD Thesis Topics
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Summer Jackson (2021)
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Brittany Bond (2020)
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James Whitcomb Riley (2020)
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Duanyi Yang (2020)
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Laurel Grassin-Drake (2019)
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Minjae Kim (2018)
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Tristan Botelho (2017)