Paul Hirsch
Paul Hirsch

MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATIONS; MEDIA MANAGEMENT
James L. Allen Professor of Strategy & Organizations

Print Overview

Paul M. Hirsch is the James L. Allen Professor of Strategy & Organizations at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  In 2009, he was elected President of the Western Academy of Management, and earlier served as co-editor of its Journal of Management Inquiry.

Professor Hirsch has written extensively about careers and organizational change; his articles have appeared in a wide variety of scholarly journals - most recently Strategic Organization and American Sociological Review.  He was among the first to anticipate and write on widespread changes in the employment relationship stemming from corporate mergers and continuing on through the present.  Hirsch’s recent work has also focused on policy and ethical issues raised by the mortgage meltdown.  He has published articles and organized conferences about it, and is co-editor of Markets on Trial, a volume of original essays exploring the meltdown’s origins and consequences.

Professor Hirsch has received the "Distinguished Scholar" award of the Academy of Management’s Organization and Management Theory Division, and served as Chair of the American Sociological Association's Section on Occupations, Organizations and Work.  At Northwestern University, he is also a member of the Sociology and Communication Studies Departments.

Hirsch has also written extensively about culture and mass communication.  He received his Ph.D from the University of Michigan, and has held appointments at Indiana University, University of Chicago, the U.S. Business School in Prague, and Northwestern University. He also has held visiting positions at the Stanford University and the University of Arizona.

At Kellogg, Hirsch teaches the Organizational Change class in the Executive MBA programs in Evanston, Hong Kong and Germany.  He has consulted for major companies, startups, and taught in executive programs at the University of Arizona and Singapore's National Productivity Board.



Areas of Expertise
Organization, Innovation (Biotechnology)
Communications
Corporate Restructuring
Mergers and Acquisitions
Organizational Change
Organizational Culture
Print Vita
Education
PhD, 1973, Sociology, University of Michigan
MA, 1968, Sociology, University of Michigan
BA, 1966, City College of New York, Cum Laude

Academic Positions
Department Chair, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1999-present
James L. Allen Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Organizational Behavior, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, 1989-present
Professor, Weinberg College of Arts of Sciences, Northwestern University, 1989-present
Fellow, Center for International Studies, Northwestern University, 1989-present
Fellow, Center for Policy Research, Northwestern University, 1989-present
Professor, School of Communication, Northwestern University, 1989-present
Professor of Strategy and Organizational Behavior, U.S. Business School in Prague, 1991-2005
Visiting Professor, Management and Policy, Communications, University of Arizona, 1988-1990
Research Associate, The College, University of Chicago, 1973-1988
Assistant, Associate, and Full Professor of Strategy and Organization, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1973-1988
Acting Director, Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago, 1981-1981
Assistant Program Director, Division of the Humanities, University of Chicago, 1976-1977
Visiting Professor, Humanities and Sciences, Standford University, 1976-1976
Lecturer, Assistant Professor, College of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University, 1971-1973

Grants and Awards
Best Symposium Award, , Academy of Mangement, Organization and Management Theory Division, 2009
Best Paper, Western Academy of Management, 2012

Editorial Positions
Editorial Board, Work and Occupations, 2009-present
Editorial Board, Journal of Management Studies, 2009-present
Co-Editor, Journal of Management Inquiry (Co-Executive Editor), 2007-2009

 
Print Research
Research Interests
Managing mergers and restructurings, corporate strategy, organizational change, human resource management

Articles
Hirsch, Paul. Forthcoming. The Mortgage Meltdown: Organizational Explanations of the U.S. Housing Crisis. Papers accepted for special section of Strategic Organization, taken from Hirsch’s award-winning symposium at the 2009 Academy of Management meetings.
Hirsch, Paul and Daniel Cornfield. 2010. When He Listened, People Talked - Studs Terkel: Oral Historian and Social Activist. Journal of the American Sociological Association. 9(3)
Hirsch, Paul and Mary-Hunter Morris. 2010. Immoral but Not Illegal: Monies vs Mores Amidst the Mortgage Meltdown. Strategic Organization. 8(1): 60-75.
Hirsch, Paul. 2006. Organizational Restructuring and Its Consequences: Rhetorical and Structural. Annual Review of Sociology. 32: 171-189.
Abstract
Roberts, Russ and Paul Hirsch. 2005. Evolution and Revolution in the Twenty-First Century: Rules for Organizations and Managing Human Resources. 44(2): 171-176.
Abstract
Fiss, Peer C. and Paul Hirsch. 2005. Discourse and Globalization: The Framing and Sensemaking of an Emerging Concept. American Sociological Review. 70(1): 29-52.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul and Jo-Ellen Pozner. 2005. To Avoid Surprises, Acknowledge the Dark Side: Illustrations from Securities Analysts. Strategic Organization. 3(2): 229-238.
Abstract
Rao, Hayagreeva and Paul Hirsch. 2003. Czechmate:The Old Banking Elite and the Construction of Investment Privatization Funds in the Czech Republic. Socio-Economic Review. 1(2): 247-269.
Abstract
Lounsbury, Michael, Marc J. Ventresca and Paul Hirsch. 2003. Social Movements, Field Frames and Industry Emergence: A Cultural-Political Perspective on US, Recycling. Socio-Economic Review. 1(1): 71-104.
AbstractLink
Hirsch, Paul and Daniel Z. Levin. 1999. Umbrella Constructs Versus Validity Police: A Life Cycle Model. Organization Science. 10(3): 199-212.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul. 1997. Review Essay: Sociology Without Social Structure: New-Institutional Theory Meets Brave New World. American Journal of Sociology. 102(6): 1702-1723.
Link
Hirsch, Paul and Michael Lounsbury. 1997. Ending the Family Quarrel: Towards a Reconciliation of 'Old' and 'New' Institutionalism. American Behavioral Scientist. 40(4): 406-418.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul and Michael Lounsbury. 1997. Putting the Organization Back into Organization Theory: Action, Change, and the 'New Institutionalism'. Journal of Management Inquiry. 6(1): 79-88.
Link
Hirsch, Paul and Michael Lounsbury. 1996. Rediscovering Volition: The Institutional Economics of Douglass C. North. Academy of Management Review. 21(3): 872-884.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul. 1992. Hollyworld: Globalization of the Mass Media. Communication Research. 19(6)
Hirsch, Paul. 1992. Globalization of Mass Media Ownership: Implication and Effects. Communication Research. 19(6): 677-682.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul. 1990. Ownership Changes, Accounting Practice, and the Redefinition of the Corporation. Accounting, Organizations and Society. 15(1): 77-96.
AbstractLink
Hirsch, Paul. 1990. Sociology and the Rational Choice. Rationality and Society. 1(3)
Hirsch, Paul. 1990. Rational Choice Models for Sociology -- Pro and Con: Introduction. Rationality and Society. 2(2): 137-141.
Link
Hirsch, Paul and Ray Friedman. 1990. Collaboration or Paradigm Shift?. Organization Science. 1(1): 87-97.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul. 1990. Heroes of the Long Run. Across the Board. 2(1): 53-57.
Reprinted in:
Strategist, vol. 2, 17-20. 1990.
Hirsch, Paul. 1988. Happy Endings to Mergers. Across the Board. 25(2)
Hirsch, Paul and Ray Friedman. 1987. 'Dirty hands' versus 'Clean Models': Is Sociology in Danger of Being Seduced by Economics?. Theory and Society. 16(3): 317-336.
Reprinted in:
Structures of Capital: the social organization of the economy, edited by Sharon Zukin and Paul DiMaggio, Cambridge University Press, 1990.
Link
Hirsch, Paul. 1986. From Ambushes to Golden Parachutes: Corporate Takeovers as an Instance of Cultural Framing and Institutional Integration. Americal Journal of Sociology. 91(4): 800-837.
AbstractLink
Hirsch, Paul. 1985. Cultural Productions in the US: Do Changes in Ownership Matter?. Journal of Communication. 36(3)
Hirsch, Paul. 1983. Introduction: A Code of Many Colors. Administrative Science Quarterly. 28(3): 331-338.
Link
Hirsch, Paul. 1983. Television as a Cultural Forum. Quarterly Review of Film Studies. 8(3): 45-55.
Hirsch, Paul. 1981. Distinguishing Good Speculation from Bad Theory: Rejoinder to Gerbner et al. Communication Research. 3: 73-96.
Reprinted in:
Mass Communication Review Yearbook, edited by C. Whitney and E. Wartella, vol. 3, Beverly Hills: Sage, 1982.
Hirsch, Paul. 1981. On Not Learning From One's Own Mistakes: A Reanalysis of Gerbner et al's findings on cultivation Analysis Part 2. Communication Research. 8(1): 3-37.
Reprinted in:
Fernsehen Und Bildung: Internationale Zeitschrift fur Medienpsychologie and Medienpraxis, vol. 14, 65-79. 1982.
Mass Communication Review Yearbook, edited by C Whitney and E Wartella, vol. 3, Beverly Hills: Sage, 1982.
Hirsch, Paul. 1980. The Scary world of the Nonviewer and Other Anomalies: A Reanalysis of Geroner et al.'s Findings on Cultivation Analysis, Part 1. Communication Research. 7(4): 403-456.
Reprinted in:
Mass Communication Review Yearbook, edited by C Wilhoit and H de Brock, vol. 2, Beverly Hills: Sage, 1981.
1982.
Hirsch, Paul. 1980. On Hughes' Contribution: The Limits of Advocacy Research: A Comment. Public Opinion Quarterly. 44(1): 411-413.
Hirsch, Paul. 1978. Production and Distribution Roles Among Cultural Organizations: On the Division of Labor Across Intellectual Disciplines. Social Research. 45(2): 315-330.
Hirsch, Paul. 1977. Public Policy Toward Television: Mass Media and Education in American Society. School Review. 85(4): 481-512.
Reprinted in:
Policy Studies Annual Review , edited by Howard Freeman, vol. 1, Beverly Hills: Sage, 1978.
Reader in Public Opinion and Mass Communication, edited by P Hirsch and M Janowitz, New York: Free Press, 3rd edition, 1981.
Television: The Critical View, edited by H Newcomb, New York: Oxford University Press, 2nd Edition, 1981.
Link
Hirsch, Paul. 1976. Production Organizations in the Arts. American Behavioral Scientist.: 735-752.
Reprinted in:
The Production of Culture, edited by Richard A Peterson, Beverly Hills: Sage, 1977.
Hirsch, Paul. 1975. Organizational Analysis and Industrial Sociology: An Instance of Cultural Lag. American Sociologist. 10(1): 3-12.
Hirsch, Paul. 1975. Organizational Effectiveness and the Institutional Environment. Administrative Science Quarterly.: 327-344.
Reprinted in:
The Study of Organizations, edited by D. Katz, R. Kahn and S. Adams, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1981.
AbstractLink
Hirsch, Paul. 1972. Processing Fads and Fashions: An Organization-Set Analysis of Cultural Industry Systems. American Journal of Sociology.: 639-659.
Reprinted in:
Interorganizational Relations, edited by William Evan, Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1976.
The Sociology of Organizations: Basic Studies, edited by O Grusky and G Miller, New York: Free Press, 2nd Edition, 1981.
Cultural Analysis: Basic Studies, edited by M Schudson and C Mujerki, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991.
AbstractLink
Working Papers
Hirsch, Paul and Razvan Lungeanu. 2012. Between Endogenous Logics: The Deinstitutionalization of Mortgage Lending as Carnival, Not Tsunami.
Hirsch, Paul and Jennifer Whitson. 2012. Why Things Diffuse As They Do: A Sensemaking Perspective on Concept Formation in Management Research.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul and Razvan Lungeanu. 2010. Between Endogenous Logics: The Deinstitutionalization of Mortgage Lending as Carnival, Not Tsunami.
Hirsch, Paul and Mark Rivera. 2009. Institutional Life-Cycles from 'New' to 'Established': The Tennessee. Valley and Three Gorges Dams Compared.
Abstract
Wohlgezogen, Franz and Paul Hirsch. Re-Examining the Dynamics of Deselection: On arranging one’s own funeral.
Book Chapters
Hirsch, Paul and Daniel Gruber. 2012. "Digitizing Fads and Fashions: How Technology has 'Glocalized' the Market for Creative Products." In The Oxford Handbook of the Creative Industries, edited by Candace Jones, Mark Lorenzen, and Jonathan Sapsed, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Hirsch, Paul, Jo-Ellen Pozner and Mary Kate Stimmler. 2010. "Terminal Isomorphism and the Self-Destructive Potential of Success: Lessons From Subprime Mortgage Origination and Securitization." In Markets on Trial: Toward a Policy-Oriented Economic Sociology, edited by Michael Lounsbury and Paul Hirsch. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 30: 183-216. New York: Emerald Press/Macmillan.
Hirsch, Paul and Michael Lounsbury. 2010. "Markets on Trial: Toward a Policy-Oriented Economic Sociology." edited by Michael Lounsbury and Paul Hirsch. Research in the Sociology of Organizations, 30: 5-26. New York: Emerald Press/Macmillan.
Wohlgezogen, Franz and Paul Hirsch. 2009. "Negotiating Actor-Environment Relations: A Framework for Comparative Research." In Research in the Sociology of Organizations, edited by King, B., Felin, T, and Whetten, D., vol. 26, 153-182. Gremwich, CT: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd..
Hirsch, Paul and Y. Sekou Bermiss. 2009. "Institutional 'Dirty' Work: Preserving Institutions Through Strategic Decoupling." In Institutional Work: Actors and Agency in Institutional Studies of Organizations, edited by Lawrence, T., Suddaby, R., & Leca, B., 262-284. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul. 2008. "Been There, Done That, Moving On: Reflections on Institutional Theory's Continuing Evolution." In The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Institutionalism, edited by Royston Greenwood, Christine Oliver, Roy Suddaby, Kerstin Sahlin-Andersson., Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul, Peer Fiss and Amanda Hoel-Green. 2008. "A Durkheimian Approach to Globalization." In The Oxford Handbook of Sociology and Organization Studies: Classical Foundations, edited by Adler, P., 223-245. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Lounsbury, Michael, Marc J. Ventresca and Paul Hirsch. 2002. "Social Movements, Field Frames, and Industry Emergence: A Cultural-Political Perspective on US Recycling." vol. 1.
Abstract
Hirsch, Paul. 1999. "Qualitative Sociology and Good Journalism as Demystifiers." In Qualitative Sociology as Everyday Life, edited by Barry Glassner and Rosanna Hertz, 251-258. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Tenbrunsel, Ann E., Zoe I. Barsness and Paul Hirsch. 1997. "Sara Lee as a Good Corporate Citizen." In Corporate Global Citizenship: Doing Business in the Public Eye, edited by Noel M. Tichy, Andrew R. McGill and Lynda St. Clair, 197-214. San Francisco, CA: New Lexington Press.
Hirsch, Paul and Mark Shanley. 1996. "The Rhetoric of Boundaryless: Or How the Newly Empowered managerial Class Bought into its own marginalization." In Boundaryless Careers: Employment in the New Organizational Era, edited by M. Arthur and D. Rousseau, 218-233. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1996. "Relocating Core Competencies: The Case of Banking and Financial Services." In Strategic Advantage, edited by H Thomas, 80-90. New York: Wiley.
Hirsch, Paul. 1995. "Tales From the Field: Learning form researchers' accounts." In Studying Elites Using Qualitative Methods, edited by R Hertz and J Imber, Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Hirsch, Paul. 1994. "Consumption: Preferences and Changing Lifestyles." In Handbook of Economic Sociology, edited by Oliver Williamson and James Coleman, 403-425. Princeton University Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1994. "Oklahoma Meets Wall Street." In Business Ethics: Readings and Cases in Corporate Morality, edited by W. Michael Hoffman and Robert E. Frederick, Boston: Bentley College Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1994. "The Stock market as Audience: The Impact of Public Ownership on Newspapers." In Audience-Making: Media Audiences as Industrial Process [edited by James Ettema and Charles Whitney], Los Angeles: Sage.
Hirsch, Paul. 1993. "Undoing the managerial Revolution? Needed Research on the Decline of Middle Management and Internal Labor Markets." In Explorations in Economic Sociology [edited by Richard Swedberg], New York: Russell Sage.
Hirsch, Paul. 1991. "Job Security: The Free Agent Manager." In Encyclopedia of Career Decisions and Work Issues, Phoenix: Oryx Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1984. "Administrators' Response to Performance and Value Challenges -- Or, Stance, Symbols and behavior in a World of Changing Frames." In Leadership and Organizational Culture: New Perspectives on Administrative Theory and Practice, edited by Thomas Sergiovanni and John Corbally, 170-185. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1983. "Ambushes, Shootouts, and Knights of the Roundtable: The Language of Corporate Takeovers." In Organization Symbolism, edited by L. Pondy, Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1981. "Reader in Public Opinion and Mass Communications." New York: Free Press.
Hirsch, Paul. 1981. "Institutional and Elite Functions of Mass Media." In Mass Media and Social Change, edited by E. Katz and T. Tedesco, London: Sage.
Hirsch, Paul. 1981. "A Researching Agenda for Approaching the Study of Television." In The Social Impact of Television: A Research Agenda for the 1980s, edited by Russell Neuman, New York: Aspen Institute.
Hirsch, Paul. 1980. "Expanding the Horizons of Organizational Research." In Frontiers of Organizations and Management, 22-23. New York: Praeger.
Hirsch, Paul. 1980. "An Organizational Perspective on Television." In Television and Social Behavior: Beyond Violence and Children, edited by Stephen B Withey and Ronald Abeles, 83-102. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Hirsch, Paul. 1979. "Are Arts Administrators Really Serious About Marketing." In Marketing and the Arts, edited by Michael Mokwa and William Dawson, 59-64. New York: Praeger.
Hirsch, Paul. 1978. "Television as a National Medium: Its Cultural and Political Role in American Society." In Handbook of Contemporary Urban Life, edited by David Street, 389-427. Los Angeles: Jossey-Bass.
Hirsch, Paul. 1977. "Occupational, Organizational, Institutional Models in Communication Research: Towards an Integrated Framework." In Strategies for Communication Research, edited by P. Hirsch, P Miller and FG Kline], vol. 1, 13-42. Beverly Hills: Sage.
Reprinted in:
Mass Communication Review Yearbook, edited by C Wilhoit and H de Brock, vol. 1, Beverly Hills: Sage, 1980.
Hirsch, Paul. 1969. "The Structure of the Popular Music Industry: The Filtering Process By Which Records are Preselected for Public Consumption." In Survey Research Center, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.
Other
Hirsch, Paul. "Executive Education in the Post 'Organization Man' Era: A Matter of Fit.".
Hirsch, Paul. "So Much for Manager's Loyalty." New York Times.
Books
Lounsbury, Michael and Paul Hirsch. 2010. Markets on Trial: The Economic Sociology of the U.S. Financial Crisis. New York, NY: Emerald Press/Mcmillan, Vol. 30B of Research in the Sociology of Organizations.
Hirsch, Paul. 1987. Pack Your Own parachute: How to Survive Mergers, Takeovers, and Other Corporate Disasters. Boston: Addison-Wesley.
Hirsch, Paul. 1977. Strategies for Communication Research. Sage Annual Reviews of Communication Research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

 
Print Teaching
Teaching Interests
Managing mergers and restructurings, corporate strategy, organizational change, human resource management
Full-Time / Part-Time MBA
Managing Digital Media (MEDM-915-A)

This course counts toward the following majors: Media Management

The media industry is transforming. With news and entertainment delivered via web, tablet and phone, opportunities for entrepreneurs increase and traditional media seek to adapt. This class examines digital media companies’ strategies, prospects, and business plans, including how they obtain financing. Executives from innovative companies (and divisions) will join in addressing these, sharing their vision of future markets for areas like: branded entertainment, digital news, mobile and social media, web sales, and new uses for older media.

Students will produce a group report and presentation on either (1) a media company or industry segment of their choice, focusing on how it is doing now and its future prospects. Or (2) a new media business or app they envision, analyzing its potential market and what it would need to attract funding. Students will choose which visiting executives’ companies to produce background research on for the class. We will also have a hashtag for sharing news, information and ideas between meetings.

Professor Hirsch directs Kellogg’s Media Management program and is James Allen Professor of Strategy and Organization. His email (in the MORS department) is: paulhirsch@kellogg.northwestern.edu Drew Lipsher (Kellogg, 1993) has been a partner at Greycroft, LLC, a venture capital partnership investing in digital media companies. He has worked for large media companies (Clear Channel, BMG, Universal Music, Warner Bros., News Corp), and is currently an executive at Korn/Ferry International.

Managing Digital Media (MEDM-915-B)

This course counts toward the following majors: Media Management

The media industry is transforming. With news and entertainment delivered via web, tablet and phone, opportunities for entrepreneurs increase and traditional media seek to adapt. This class examines digital media companies’ strategies, prospects, and business plans, including how they obtain financing. Executives from innovative companies (and divisions) will join in addressing these, sharing their vision of future markets for areas like: branded entertainment, digital news, mobile and social media, web sales, and new uses for older media.

Students will produce a group report and presentation on either (1) a media company or industry segment of their choice, focusing on how it is doing now and its future prospects. Or (2) a new media business or app they envision, analyzing its potential market and what it would need to attract funding. Students will choose which visiting executives’ companies to produce background research on for the class. We will also have a hashtag for sharing news, information and ideas between meetings.

Professor Hirsch directs Kellogg’s Media Management program and is James Allen Professor of Strategy and Organization. His email (in the MORS department) is: paulhirsch@kellogg.northwestern.edu Drew Lipsher (Kellogg, 1993) has been a partner at Greycroft, LLC, a venture capital partnership investing in digital media companies. He has worked for large media companies (Clear Channel, BMG, Universal Music, Warner Bros., News Corp), and is currently an executive at Korn/Ferry International.

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.

Leading the Strategic Change Process (MORS-452-0)

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

This course focuses on key tasks in leading the strategic change process in organizations. These leadership tasks include creating a shared urgent need for change, creating a shared understanding of the reality of change issues, creating a change vision, promoting the belief that change is possible and leading the change transition process. Topics include creating and changing corporate culture, managing growth and decline, corporate restructuring, creating innovation and entrepreneurship, and leading the transition from an entrepreneurial start-up organization to an organization that can manage scale and scope and sustain competitive advantage.

As part of this course, some faculty include a required all-day simulation project, often held on a Saturday; please see the syllabus or contact the professor for the course section.

For more information on MORS-452, including a course overview and an example syllabus, please visit http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/stern_i/MORS452/.

Doctoral
Organizations In Their Environments (MORS-425-2)
This course provides an analysis of the behavior of organizations vis-à-vis their environment, with effort at verification, drawing upon cross-institutional theories and cross-cultural empirical studies. The course focuses on the ecology of organizations, how internal characteristics condition external relations and how environments influence internal processes.

Executive MBA
Management of Organizational Change (MORSX-452-0)
Management of Organizational Change provides knowledge that will help students diagnose and implement organizational change.