Biography

Harry L. Davis studies leadership, strategy, creativity and innovation. His scholarly research has appeared in a number of top-tier academic journals, including the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Marketing. Among his publications are "The Promising Start-up Within: A Guide to Internal Corporate Venturing," written with Russ Rosenzweig and published in The Virtual Strategist in October 2001, and "Purchasing Behavior in Embedded Markets," written with fellow Chicago Booth faculty member Jonathan Frenzen and published in the June 1990 issue of the Journal of Consumer Research.

Davis, who joined the faculty in 1963, has introduced many innovative executive education programs in the United States and abroad. These programs include the first core leadership program of any top-rated MBA program in the country and the Management Lab. Davis also helped Chicago Booth pioneer its first international campus in 1983 where he served as deputy dean for MBA programs until 1993. He was also professor of behavioral science for the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management in Brussels.

Davis is a trustee and member of the executive committee of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, a national organization devoted to large-scale social research in public interest. He served on the boards of Golden Rule Insurance and Harnischfeger Industries and was chairman of the board of the Graham School of General Studies. Davis has consulted for many organizations, including ABB, the Boston Consulting Group, Monsanto, and the Terra Museum of American Art.

He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1959 and an MBA in marketing in 1960 from Dartmouth College. He earned a master's degree in sociology in 1969 and a PhD in marketing in 1970 from Northwestern University.

Outside of academia, Davis enjoys classical guitar and passenger trains.

Research Interests

Application of behavioral science theory and methodology to the areas of leadership, strategy, creativity and innovation.

Academic Areas

  • Strategy and Leadership

Selected Publications

2024 - 2025 Course Schedule

Number Course Title Quarter
31403 Leadership Studio 2024 (Autumn)
31403 Leadership Studio 2025 (Winter)
31403 Leadership Studio 2025 (Spring)
42701 Strategy Lab 2025 (Spring)

Get Insights from Harry L. Davis in Chicago Booth Review