Stefan Thomke
About Stefan Thomke
Stefan Thomke is the William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, where he has worked since 1995. He specializes in innovation management and technology, and has authored numerous articles and books on these subjects.
Work at Harvard Business School
Stefan Thomke has served as the William Barclay Harding Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School since 1995. Over his 29 years in this role, he has contributed to the academic community in the Greater Boston Area. He has chaired numerous executive education programs, enhancing the learning experience for business leaders both at Harvard and in various companies globally. His focus on innovation management has positioned him as a key figure in the business education landscape.
Education and Expertise
Thomke's educational background includes a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, completed from 1990 to 1994. He also holds a Master of Science (M.S.) in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University and has received multiple honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Economics from HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management in 2015 and a Doctor Honoris Causa from Technische Universität Graz in 2022. His academic pursuits reflect a strong foundation in both engineering and management.
Background
Before his tenure at Harvard, Thomke worked as a Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company from 1993 to 1995 in Germany. His consulting experience provided him with insights into the challenges faced by global business leaders, particularly in the realm of innovation management. This background has informed his teaching and research, allowing him to advise executives effectively.
Achievements
Thomke has authored over one hundred articles, case studies, and notes published in prestigious journals, including Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. His published works include the books 'Experimentation Matters: Unlocking the Potential of New Technologies for Innovation' (2003) and 'Experimentation Works: The Surprising Power of Business Experiments' (2020). He has also contributed to faculty research at Harvard Business School and authored a case study on Porsche with Daniela Beyersdorfer.
Research Focus
Thomke's research primarily centers on innovation and technology, with a specific emphasis on technology and operations management. His work explores the dynamics of business experimentation and its role in fostering innovation. This focus has made significant contributions to the understanding of how organizations can leverage technology to enhance their operational capabilities.