Bio

Woody Powell is Jacks Family Professor of Education, and (by courtesy) Sociology, Organizational Behavior, Management Science and Engineering, and Communication at Stanford University. He has been faculty co-director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society since its founding in 2006.. At PACS, he heads the Civic Life of Cities Lab, which studies civil society organizations in the SF Bay Area, Seattle, Shenzhen, Sydney, Taipei, and Vienna. He is the 2019 recipient of the School of Humanities and Sciences Dean's Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching. He has received honorary degrees from Uppsala University, Copenhagen Business School, and Aalto University, and is an international member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Science and The British Academy. He has served on the board of directors of the Social Science Research Council since 2000. He was an external faculty member of the Santa Fe Institute from 2001-13 and continues involvement with SFI today. With Bob Gibbons (MIT), he has led the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) summer institute on Organizations and their Effectiveness since 2016.

His interests focus on the processes through which ideas and practices move across organizations, and the role of networks in facilitating or hindering the transfer of ideas.
He is the author or editor of Books: The Culture and Commerce of Publishing, with Lewis Coser and Charles Kadushin (Basic Books, 1982); Getting into Print: The Decision-Making Process in Scholarly Publishing (U. of Chicago Press, 1985); The New Institutionalism in Organizational Analysis, with Paul DiMaggio (U. of Chicago Press, 1991); Private Action and the Public Good, with Elisabeth Clemens (Yale U. Press, 1997); The Emergence of Organizations and Markets, with John Padgett (Princeton U. Press, 2012), and The Nonprofit Sector: A Research Handbook, with Patricia Bromley (Stanford U. Press, 2020). His 1990 article, “Neither Market Nor Hierarchy: Network Forms of Organization,” won the Max Weber award; “Network Dynamics and Field Evolution: The Growth of Inter-Organizational Collaboration in the Life Sciences,” (2005), received the Viviana Zelizer prize. “Technological Change and the Locus of Innovation: Networks of Learning in Biotechnology,” with K. Koput and L. Smith-Doerr (1996), was recognized by Administrative Science Quarterly as one of its most influential publications. His 1983 paper with Paul DiMaggio, “The Iron Cage Revisited: Institutional Isomorphism and Collective Rationality in Organizational Fields,” is the most cited article in the history of the American Sociological Review.

Academic Appointments

  • Professor, Graduate School of Education
  • Professor (By courtesy), Sociology
  • Professor (By courtesy), Organizational Behavior
  • Professor (By courtesy), Communication

Administrative Appointments

  • Faculty Co-Director, Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (2005 - Present)
  • Professor (by courtesy) of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University (1999 - Present)

Honors & Awards

  • Foreign member, Swedish Royal Academy of Science (2007)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa, Uppsala University (2007)
  • Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa, Aalto University
  • Doctor Mercaturae honoris causa in Economics and Business Administration, Copenhagen Business School (2005)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Member, Board of Directors, Social Science Research Council (2000 - Present)
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (2008 - 2009)
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (1986 - 1987)

Program Affiliations

  • Public Policy
  • Science, Technology and Society

Professional Education

  • PhD, SUNY-Stony Brook, Sociology (1978)
  • MA, SUNY-Stony Brook, Sociology (1975)
  • BA, Florida State University (1971)

Contact

  • Academic
    University - Faculty Department: Graduate School of Education Position: Professor (650) 725-7395 (fax)

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 3084

Links

Research Interests

  • Higher Education
  • Leadership and Organization
  • Sociology

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

Please go to my webpage for more info on research:
https://woodypowell.com

2024-25 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • From Iron Cage to Glass House: Repurposing of bureaucratic management and the turn to openness ORGANIZATION STUDIES Brandtner, C., Powell, W. W., Horvath, A. 2023

    View details for DOI 10.1177/01708406231200727

    View details for Web of Science ID 001086750500001

  • The Iron Cage Redux: Looking Back and Forward ORGANIZATION THEORY Powell, W. W., Dimaggio, P. J. 2023; 4 (4)

    View details for DOI 10.1177/26317877231221550

    View details for Web of Science ID 001315272900001

  • Living Just in Time: Reflections on Arne L. Kalleberg, Precarious Lives: Job Insecurity and Well-Being in Rich Democracies CONTEMPORARY SOCIOLOGY-A JOURNAL OF REVIEWS Powell, W. W. 2021; 50 (2): 108–11

    View details for Web of Science ID 000625213600003

  • Amphibious Entrepreneurs and the Origins of Invention Oxford Handbook on Entrepreneurship and Collaboration Powell, W., Sandholtz, K. edited by Reuer, J., Matusik, S., Jones, J. Oxford University Press. 2019: 541–567
  • Serve or Conserve: Mission, Strategy, and Multi-Level Nonprofit Change During the Great Recession VOLUNTAS Horvath, A., Brandtner, C., Powell, W. W. 2018; 29 (5): 976–93

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11266-017-9948-8

    View details for Web of Science ID 000452072600008

  • A sociologist looks at crowds: Innovation or invention? STRATEGIC ORGANIZATION Powell, W. W. 2017; 15 (2): 289-297

    View details for DOI 10.1177/1476127016644642

    View details for Web of Science ID 000401238300009

  • Opening the Black Box: The Microfoundations of Institutions The SAGE Handbook of Organizational Institutionalism Powell, W. W., Rerup, C. Sage. 2017; 2nd: 328–55

    View details for DOI 10.4135/9781446280669.n13

  • Organizational Poisedness and the Transformation of Civic Order in 19th Century New York City Organizations, Civil Society, and the Roots of Development Powell, W., Johnson, V. . edited by Lamoreaux , N., Wallis, J. University of Chicago Press. 2017: 179–230
  • Click and mortar: Organizations on the web RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR: AN ANNUAL SERIES OF ANALYTICAL ESSAYS AND CRITICAL REVIEWS, VOL 36 Powell, W. W., Horvath, A., Brandtner, C. 2016; 36: 101-120

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.riob.2016.07.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000393933900006

  • Contributory or Disruptive: Do New Forms of Philanthropy Erode Democracy? Philanthropy in Democratic Societies Powell, W., Horvath, A. edited by Reich, R., Bernholz, L., Cordelli, C. Univ. of Chicago Press. 2016: 87–122
  • The Explanation of Social Action. By John Levi Martin. New York: Oxford University Press (Book Review) AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Book Review Authored by: Powell, W. W. 2013; 119 (3): 891–94

    View details for DOI 10.1086/673079

    View details for Web of Science ID 000334675000033

  • Amphibious entrepreneurs and the emergence of organizational forms STRATEGIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP JOURNAL Powell, W. W., Sandholtz, K. W. 2012; 6 (2): 94-115

    View details for DOI 10.1002/sej.1129

    View details for Web of Science ID 000304905900002

  • From Smoke and Mirrors to Walking the Talk: Decoupling in the Contemporary World ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT ANNALS Bromley, P., Powell, W. W. 2012; 6: 483-530

    View details for DOI 10.1080/19416520.2012.684462

    View details for Web of Science ID 000306119700010

  • The emergence of organizations and markets Padgett, J. F., Powell, W. W. Princeton University Press. 2012
  • The new institutionalism in organizational analysis Powell, W. W., DiMaggio, P. J. University of Chicago Press. 2012
  • The Problem of Emergence EMERGENCE OF ORGANIZATIONS AND MARKETS Padgett, J. F., Powell, W. W., Padgett, J., Powell, W. 2012: 1–29

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315724000001

  • Organizational and Institutional Genesis The Emergence of High-Tech Clusters in the Life Sciences EMERGENCE OF ORGANIZATIONS AND MARKETS Powell, W. W., Packalen, K., Whittington, K., Padgett, J., Powell, W. 2012: 434–65

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315724000018

  • Coda Reflections on the Study of Multiple Networks EMERGENCE OF ORGANIZATIONS AND MARKETS Powell, W. W., Padgett, J. F., Padgett, J., Powell, W. 2012: 566–70

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315724000023

  • An Open Elite Arbiters, Catalysts, or Gatekeepers in the Dynamics of Industry Evolution? EMERGENCE OF ORGANIZATIONS AND MARKETS Powell, W. W., Owen-Smith, J., Padgett, J., Powell, W. 2012: 466–95

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315724000019

  • Chance, Necessite, et Naivete Ingredients to Create a New Organizational Form EMERGENCE OF ORGANIZATIONS AND MARKETS Powell, W. W., Sandholtz, K., Padgett, J., Powell, W. 2012: 379–433

    View details for Web of Science ID 000315724000017

  • Decoupling revisited: Common pressures, divergent strategies in the U.S. nonprofit sector MANAGEMENT Bromley, P., Hwang, H., Powell, W. W. 2012; 15 (5): 469–501

    View details for DOI 10.3917/mana.155.0469

    View details for Web of Science ID 000213834300002

  • COLLECTIVE INVENTION AND INVENTOR NETWORKS HANDBOOK OF THE ECONOMICS OF INNOVATION, VOL 1 Powell, W. W., Giannella, E., Hall, B. H., Rosenberg, N. 2012; 1: 575–605

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0169-7218(10)01013-0

    View details for Web of Science ID 000321960700014

  • 17 Networks and Economic Life The handbook of economic sociology Smith-Doerr, L., Powell, W. W. 2010: 379
  • Intellectual capital or signal? The effects of scientists on alliance formation in knowledge-intensive industries RESEARCH POLICY Luo, X. R., Koput, K. W., Powell, W. W. 2009; 38 (8): 1313-1325

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.respol.2009.06.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000270165000010

  • The Rationalization of Charity: The Influences of Professionalism in the Nonprofit Sector ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE QUARTERLY Hwang, H., Powell, W. W. 2009; 54 (2): 268-298

    View details for Web of Science ID 000268585600003

  • Networks, Propinquity, and Innovation in Knowledge-intensive Industries ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCE QUARTERLY Whittington, K. B., Owen-Smith, J., Powell, W. W. 2009; 54 (1): 90-122

    View details for Web of Science ID 000267226300004

  • Plans, takes, and mis-takes Outlines. Critical Practice Studies Klemp, N., McDermott, R., Raley, J., Thibeault, M., Powell, K., Levitin, D. J. 2008; 10 (1): 4-21
  • Innovaton and emulation: Lessons from American universities in selling private rights to public knowledge Conference on Science and the Creation of Value - From Alchemy to Proteomics Powell, W. W., Owen-Smith, J., Colyvas, J. A. SPRINGER. 2007: 121–42

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11024-007-9034-2

    View details for Web of Science ID 000247308200003

  • Biotechnology: Its origins, organization, and outputs RESEARCH POLICY Ebers, M., Powell, W. W. 2007; 36 (4): 433-437

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.respol.2007.04.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000247199700001

  • FROM VULNERABLE TO VENERATED: THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF ACADEMIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE LIFE SCIENCES SOCIOLOGY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP Colyvas, J. A., Powell, W. W., Ruef, M., Lounsbury, M. 2007; 25: 219–59

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0733-558X(06)25007-9

    View details for Web of Science ID 000270906000007

  • The frontiers of intellectual property: Expanded protection versus new models of open science Annu. Rev. Law Soc. Sci. Rhoten, D., Powell, W. W. 2007; 3: 345-373
  • ROADS TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION: THE REMAKING OF BOUNDARIES BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCIENCE RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, VOL 27 Colyvas, J. A., Powell, W. W. 2006; 27: 305-353

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0191-3085(06)27008-4

    View details for Web of Science ID 000261327200008

  • Universities and the production of knowledge - Introduction HIGHER EDUCATION Bleiklie, I., Powell, W. W. 2005; 49 (1-2): 1-8

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10734-004-2909-3

    View details for Web of Science ID 000227078100001

  • Networks and Economic Life HANDBOOK OF ECONOMIC SOCIOLOGY, SECOND EDITION Smith-Doerr, L., Powell, W. W., Smelser, N. J., Swedberg, R. 2005: 379–402

    View details for Web of Science ID 000287573700018

  • Network dynamics and field evolution: The growth of interorganizational collaboration in the life sciences AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY Powell, W. W., White, D. R., Koput, K. W., Owen-Smith, J. 2005; 110 (4): 1132-1205

    View details for Web of Science ID 000229472000010

  • Careers and contradictions: Faculty responses to the transformation of knowledge and its uses in the life sciences SOCIOLOGIE DU TRAVAIL Owen-Smith, J., Powell, W. W. 2004; 46 (3): 347-377

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.soctra.2004.07.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000225125600004

  • Knowledge networks as channels and conduits: The effects of spillovers in the Boston biotechnology community ORGANIZATION SCIENCE Owen-Smith, J., Powell, W. W. 2004; 15 (1): 5-21

    View details for DOI 10.1287/orsc.1030.0054

    View details for Web of Science ID 000220015600001

  • The knowledge economy ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY Powell, W. W., Snellman, K. 2004; 30: 199-220

    View details for DOI 10.1146/annurev.soc.29.010202.100037

    View details for Web of Science ID 000223503200010

  • The expanding role of university patenting in the life sciences: assessing the importance of experience and connectivity RESEARCH POLICY Owen-Smith, J., Powell, W. W. 2003; 32 (9): 1695-1711

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0048-7333(03)00045-3

    View details for Web of Science ID 000186111700011

  • Neither market nor hierarchy The sociology of organizations: classic, contemporary, and critical readings Powell, W. 2003; 315: 104-117
  • Europe and the United States: The power of networks BIOFUTUR Pammolli, F., Riccaboni, M., Owen-Smith, J., Powell, W. W. 2002: 26-29

    View details for Web of Science ID 000175849900002

  • The spatial clustering of science and capital: Accounting for biotech firm-venture capital relationships REGIONAL STUDIES Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., Bowie, J. I., Smith-Doerr, L. 2002; 36 (3): 291-305

    View details for DOI 10.1080/00343400220122089

    View details for Web of Science ID 000175225200007

  • A comparison of US and European university-industry relations in the life sciences Conference on University Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer Owen-Smith, J., Riccaboni, M., Pammolli, F., Powell, W. W. INFORMS. 2002: 24–43

    View details for Web of Science ID 000173972400003

  • The capitalist firm in the 21st century: emerging patterns The 21st Century Firm: Changing Economic Organization in International Perspective Powell, W. W. 2001
  • The sources of management logics ADVANCES IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, VOL 17, 2000 Powell, W. W. 2000; 17: 175-179

    View details for Web of Science ID 000089165000013

  • The iron cage revisited institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields Economics meets sociology in strategic management DiMaggio, P. J., Powell, W. W. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. 2000: 143–166
  • The last word? Not a chance ADVANCES IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, VOL 17, 2000 Powell, W. W. 2000; 17: 197-199

    View details for Web of Science ID 000089165000017

  • Under large pharmaceutical companies' umbrellas BIOFUTUR Powell, W. W. 1999; 1999 (194): 46-49

    View details for Web of Science ID 000084118800015

  • Learning from collaboration: Knowledge and networks in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries California management review Powell, W. W. 1998; 40 (3): 228-240
  • Universities as creators and retailers of intellectual property: Life-sciences research and commercial development To profit or not to profit: The commercial transformation of the nonprofit sector Powell, W. W., Owen-Smith, J. 1998: 169-193
  • Private action and the public good Clemens, E. S. Yale University Press. 1998
  • Interorganizational collaboration and the locus of innovation: Networks of learning in biotechnology Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., SmithDoerr, L. ADMINISTRATIVE, SCI QUARTERLY. 1996: 116–45

    View details for DOI 10.2307/2393988

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UM25300005

  • Inter-organizational collaboration in the biotechnology industry Powell, W. W. J C B MOHR. 1996: 197–215

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996UC50300020

  • Commentary - On the nature of institutional embeddedness: Labels vs explanation ADVANCES IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT Powell, W. W. 1996; 13: 293–300

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996WY33500013

  • Inter-organizational collaboration in the biotechnology industry Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics (JITE)/Zeitschrift für die gesamte Staatswissenschaft Powell, W. W. 1996: 197-215
  • Interorganizational collaboration and the locus of innovation: Networks of learning in biotechnology Administrative science quarterly Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., Smith-Doerr, L. 1996: 116-145
  • CAREERS IN PRINT - BOOKS, JOURNALS, AND SCHOLARLY REPUTATIONS AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY CLEMENS, E. S., POWELL, W. W., MCILWAINE, K., OKAMOTO, D. 1995; 101 (2): 433–94

    View details for DOI 10.1086/230730

    View details for Web of Science ID A1995RW36500006

  • NEITHER MARKET NOR HIERARCHY - NETWORK FORMS OF ORGANIZATION RESEARCH IN ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR POWELL, W. W. 1990; 12: 295–336

    View details for Web of Science ID A1990CV95500008

  • HYBRID ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - NEW FORM OR TRANSITIONAL DEVELOPMENT CALIFORNIA MANAGEMENT REVIEW Powell, W. W. 1987; 30 (1): 67-87

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987L343500006

  • Getting into print: The decision-making process in scholarly publishing Powell, W. W. University of Chicago Press. 1985
  • THE IRON CAGE REVISITED - INSTITUTIONAL ISOMORPHISM AND COLLECTIVE RATIONALITY IN ORGANIZATIONAL FIELDS AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW DIMAGGIO, P. J., POWELL, W. W. 1983; 48 (2): 147–60

    View details for DOI 10.2307/2095101

    View details for Web of Science ID A1983QK63300001

  • Books: The culture and commerce of publishing Coser, L. A., Kadushin, C., Powell, W. W. Basic Books New York. 1982