Brian Uzzi
Brian Uzzi

MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATIONS
Richard L. Thomas Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change
Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, McCormick School (Courtesy)
Professor of Sociology, Weinberg College (Courtesy)
Co-Director, Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)

Print Overview
Brian Uzzi is a globally recognized scientist, teacher, consultant and speaker on leadership, social networks, and new media. He holds the Richard L. Thomas Distinguished Professor of Leadership at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. He also co-directs NICO, the Northwestern University Institute on Complex Systems, and holds professorships in Sociology and the McCormick School of Engineering.

His award winning and highly cited research examines the link between social networks and outstanding human achievement. Media reports of his research frequently appear worldwide in the WSJ, Newsweek, on Television, and in the New Yorker Magazine. His research is multidisciplinary and has appeared in the American Sociological Review, Administrative Science Quarterly, Management Science, Strategic Management Journal, American Behavioral Scientist, American Journal of Sociology, Harvard Business Review, Science, The Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Nature.

Professor Uzzi has won 10 teaching awards and several scholarly contribution awards. In addition to his position at Kellogg, he has been on the faculties of Harvard University, INSEAD, University of Chicago, and the University of California of Berkeley where he was the Warren E. and Carol Spieker Professor of Leadership.

Brian advises and speaks at major organizations and associations around the world, including the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), Baker and McKenzie, Deloitte, Pepsico, Kraft, Abbott Labs, UNITE, Total Quality Schools, Hearst Media, ABN AMBRO, CreditSuisse, P&G, McKinsey, the World Bank, FBI, Intel, Thomson Reuters, and other corporations, firms, Associations, and Non-Profits worldwide.

Before Kellogg, Brian worked as a management consultant, carpenter, and a musician. He earned his MS in social psychology from Carnegie-Mellon University and a Ph.D. in sociology from The State University of New York at Stony Brook.

To read more about Professor Brian Uzzi's research and teaching, click on the Personal Page link listed to the right or go to: www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/uzzi

Areas of Expertise
Behavioral Finance
Creativity and Innovation
Innovation
Social Media
Social Networks
Print Vita
Education
PhD, 1994, Sociology, State University of New York, Stony Brook
MA, 1991, State University of New York, Stony Brook
MS, 1989, Organizational Psychology, Carnegie-Mellon University
BA, 1982, Business Economics, Hofstra University

Academic Positions
Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 2007-present
Co-Director, Northwestern Institute on Complexity, Northwestern University, 2007-present
Richard L. Thomas Distinguished Chair in Leadership, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 2006-present
Professor, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 2005-present
Professor, Weinberg College of Arts of Sciences, Northwestern University, 2005-present
Warren E. and Carol Spieker Chair in Leadership, Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley, 2007-2008
Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 2004-2005
Associate Professor, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1996-2004
Associoate Professor, Weinberg College of Arts of Sciences, Northwestern University, 1996-2004
Summer Fellow, Santa Fe Institute, 2003-2003
Summer Fellow, Santa Fe Institute, 2002-2002
Visiting Professor, INSEAD, 1999-2000
Faculty Fellow, Insitute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, 1998-2000
Assistant Professor, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1993-1995
Assistant Professor, Weinberg College of Arts of Sciences, Northwestern University, 1993-1995

Grants and Awards
Kellogg Alumni Professor of the Year Award, Kellogg School of Management, 2009
Executive MBA Program Outstanding Teaching Awards, Kellogg School of Management, 2007, 1999
(EMP68(Core) 2007, EMP67(Core) 2007, EMP43(Core) 1999)

 
Print Research
Research Interests
Social Networks, Complexity Theory, Embeddedness, Diffusion

Articles
Rivera, Mark, Sara Soderstrom and Brian Uzzi. Forthcoming. Nodal and relational determinants of attachment and detachment in social networks: A Survey. Annual Review of Sociology. 36: 91-115.
Saavedra, Serguei, Brian Uzzi and Felix Reed-Tsochas. Forthcoming. Extensions and New Results for a Model of Bipartite Cooperation in Ecological and Organizational Networks. New Journal of Physics.
Uzzi, Brian and Ryon Lancaster. 2012. Legally Charged: Embeddedness and Profits in Large Law Firms. Sociological Focus. 45: 1-22.
Link
Saavedra, Serguei, Kathleen Hagerty and Brian Uzzi. 2011. Synchronicity, instant messaging, and performance among financial traders. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 108(13): 5296-5301.
Uzzi, Brian and Jarrett Spiro. 2011 Reprint. Collaboration and Creativity: The Small World Problem. American Journal of Sociology. 111(2): 447-504.
Saavedra, Serguei, Felix Reed-Tsochas and Brian Uzzi. 2009. A simple model of bipartite cooperation for ecological and organizational networks. Nature. 457: 463-466.
Uzzi, Brian. 2008. A Social Network's Changing Statistical Properties and the Quality of Human Innovation. Journal of Statistical Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical,. 41(22)
Jones, Benjamin F, Brian Uzzi and Stefan Wuchty. 2008. Multi-University Research Teams: Shifting Impact, Geography and Social Stratification in Science. Science. 322: 1259-1262.
Link
Saavedra, Serguei, Felix Reed-Tsochas and Brian Uzzi. 2008. Asymmetric Disassembly and Robustness in Declining Networks. PNAS (Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences). 105:16466-16471
Uzzi, Brian. 2008. A Social Network's Changing Statistical Properties and the Quality of Human Innovation. Journal of Statistical Physics. 41(22)
Amaral, Luis A.N. and Brian Uzzi. 2007. Complex Systems: A New Paradigm for the Integrative Study of Management, Physical, and Technology Systems. Management Science. 53(7): 1033-1035.
Abstract
Uzzi, Brian, Luis A.N. Amaral and Felix Reed-Tsochas. 2007. Small World Networks and Management Science Research: A Review. European Management Review.(Special Issue on Complexity): 77-91.
Wuchty, Stefan, Benjamin F Jones and Brian Uzzi. 2007. The Increasing Dominance of Teams in the Production of Knowledge. Science. 316(5827): 1036-1039.
Abstract
Wuchty, Stefan, Benjamin F Jones and Brian Uzzi. 2007. Why Do Team Authored Papers Get Cited More?. Science (Letters). 317(5844): 1496-1498.
Uzzi, Brian and Shannon Dunlap. 2005. How to Build a Better Network. Harvard Business Review. 83: 53-60.
Guimera, Roger, Brian Uzzi, Jarrett Spiro and Luis A.N. Amaral. 2005. Team Assembly Mechanisms Determine Collaboration Network Structure and Team Performance. Science. 308(5722): 697-702.
Uzzi, Brian and Ryon Lancaster. 2004. Embeddedness and Price Formation in the Corporate Law Market. American Sociological Review. 69(3): 319-344.
Carruthers, Bruce and Brian Uzzi. 2000. Economic Sociology and Organization Theory in the New Millennium. Contemporary Sociology. 29(3): 486-494.
Link
Uzzi, Brian. 1999. Embeddedness in the Making of Financial Capital: How Social Relations and Networks Benefit Firms Seeking Capital. American Sociological Review. 64(4): 481-505.
Uzzi, Brian. 1998. Contingent Employment in British Establishments: Organizational Determinants of the Use of Fixed-Term and Part-Time Workers. Social Forces. 76(3): 967-1006.
Abstract
Uzzi, Brian. 1997. Social Structure and Competition in Interfirm Networks: The Paradox of Embeddedness. Administrative Science Quarterly. 42(1): 35-67.
Abstract
Uzzi, Brian. 1997. Toward A Network Perspective on Organizational Decline. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. 17(7-8): 111-155.
Abstract
Uzzi, Brian. 1996. The Sources and Consequences of Embeddedness for the Economic Performance of Organizations: The Network Effect. American Sociological Review. 61(4): 674-698.
Reprinted in:
Analysis of Markets in Modern Economical Sociology, 2008.
Russian Journal of Management, 2009.
AbstractLink
Etzkowitz, Henry, Carol Kemelgor, Michael Neuschatz, Brian Uzzi and Joseph Alonzo. 1994. The Paradox of Critical Mass for Women in Science. Science. 226(5182): 51-55.
Reprinted in:
Gender and Social Life, edited by R Satow, New York: Addison Wesley, 2000.
Link
Uzzi, Brian. 1993. Determinants of Employment Externalization: The Case of Temporary Workers and Independent Contractors. Administrative Science Quarterly. 38(2): 195-223.
Abstract
Etzkowitz, Henry, Carol Kemelgor and Brian Uzzi. 1992. Athena Unbound: Barriers to Women in Academic Science and Engineering. Science and Public Policy. 19: 157-179.
Link
Uzzi, Brian. 1992. Book Review: "Holy Theory:" The Social Structure of Competition by Ronald S Burt. Contemporary Sociology. 22(2): 155-157.
Link
Uzzi, Brian. 1990. A Framework for the conceptualization, design, and strategic Management of Planned Change Organizations. Knowledge in Society: The International Journal of Knowledge Transfer. 3(1): 21-45.
Abstract
Working Papers
Uzzi, Brian, Daniel Diermeier and Sara Soderstrom. Buzz: Social Influence and the Consumption of Cultural Products. Under review.
Book Chapters
Uzzi, Brian and Ryon Lancaster. 2011[2004]. "Embeddedness and Price Formation in Corporate Law Markets." In Social Capital in Business, edited by Kenneth Koput and Joseph Broschak, Elgar Publishing Ltd [reprint].
Abstract
Saavedra, Serguei, Brian Uzzi and Felix Reed-Tsochas. 2011. "More on Bipartite Networks and Cooperation in Ecological and Organizational Networks." In Complex Systems and Interdisciplinary Sciences, edited by Felix Reed Tsochas and Neil Johnson, London: Word Scientific Publishing.
Uzzi, Brian and Ryon Lancaster. 2010 Reprint. "Relational Embeddedness and Learning: The Case of Bank Loan Managers and Their Clients." In Social Capital in Business, edited by Kenneth Koput and Joseph Broschak, London: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Uzzi, Brian, Ryon Lancaster and Shannon Dunlap. 2006. "Weighing the Worth of Social Ties: Embeddedness and the Price of Legal Services in the Large Law Firm Market." In Managing the Modern Law Firm: New Challenges, New Perspectives, edited by Laura Epsom, 91-116. London, UK: Oxford University Press.
Uzzi, Brian. 2004. "Embeddedness in the Making of Financial Capital: How Social Relations and Networks Benefit Firms Seeking Capital." In The Sociology of the Economy, edited by Frank Dobbin, 349-386. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Reprinted in:
Empirical Studies in the Sociology of Organizations, edited by Liu Yuzhao, Shanghai: Renmin Press, 2007.
Uzzi, Brian and Michael Sacks. 2000. "Networks, Transaction Costs, and the Persistence of Interfirm Ties: The New York Apparel Industry, 1985-1995." In Embeddedness and Corporate Change in the Global Economy [edited by Brian Uzzi and Rueyling Tzeng], 79-104. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.
Etzkowitz, Henry, Carol Kemelgor and Brian Uzzi. 1998. "Gender Implosion: The Paradox of 'Critical Mass' for Women in Science." In The Contemporary American University, edited by Philip Altbach, New York: Garland.
Uzzi, Brian. 1996. "Close Encounters of a Sociological Kind: Organizational Fields as Markets." In The Embeddedness of Strategy, edited by J. Dutton and J.A.C. Baum, vol. 13, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
Etzkowitz, Henry, Carol Kemelgor and Brian Uzzi. 1994. "The Final Disadvantage: Barriers to Women in Academic Science and Engineering." In Who Will Do Science [edited by W Pearson Jr and A Fechter], Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press.
Etzkowitz, Henry, Carol Kemelgor and Brian Uzzi. 1992. "Restructuring Departments of Equality." In In Search of Gender Free Paradigms for Computer Science Education, edited by CD Martin and E Murchie-Beyma, Eugene, Oregon: NECC.
Books
Uzzi, Brian. 2000. Embeddedness and Corporate Change in the Global Economy. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.
Uzzi, Brian and Bruce Kogut. New Frontiers in Organizational Network Research. England: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Conference Proceedings
Hagerty, Kathleen, Serguei Saavedra and Brian Uzzi. 2011. "Synchronicity, Instant Messaging, and Peformance Among Financial Traders.".

 
Print Teaching
Teaching Interests
Leadership, Persuasion, Networks, Teams, Decision Making
Full-Time / Part-Time MBA
Leadership in Organizations (MORS-430-0)

This course counts toward the following majors: Management & Organizations.

This course provides students with the social science tools needed to solve organizational problems and influence the actions of individuals, groups and organizations. It prepares managers to understand how to best organize and motivate the human capital of the firm, manage social networks and alliances, and execute strategic change. This is accomplished through knowledge of competitive decision making, reward system design, team building, strategic negotiation, political dynamics, corporate culture and strategic organizational design.

Executive MBA
Leadership and Organizations (MORSX-431-0)
This course provides students with the social science tools needed to solve organizational problems and influence the actions of individuals, groups and organizations. It prepares managers to understand how to best organize and motivate the human capital of the firm, manage social networks and alliances, and execute strategic change. This is accomplished through knowledge of competitive decision making, reward system design, team building, strategic negotiation, political dynamics, corporate culture and strategic organizational design.