Hugh Wu

I use firm-level field experiments to study the impacts of management practices on firm performance (e.g., employee recruitment, productivity, attrition, well-being, innovation, entrepreneurship). In my dissertation, I run three field experiments in multiple firms to study the value of delegation in hiring, the strategic allocation of managerial attention, and the social comparison process at the workplace. I build up long-term partnerships with leading firms and gig platforms in financial service, real estate brokerage, IT, retail, spa, travel, and healthcare.

Area of Expertise:

• Business/Corporate Strategy, Management Strategy, Organizational Economics, Human Resource Management/Industrial Relations, Organizational Design, Organizational Strategy

Research Interests:

• Business Strategy, Personnel and Organizational Economics, Strategic Human Capital, Field Experiments

Education

• Master of Arts - MA Stanford University (2014 — 2020)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2014 — 2020)
• Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago (2011 — 2013)
• Masters of Public Policy with honors University of Chicago (2011 — 2013)
• BA Beijing Foreign Studies University (2007 — 2011)
• Jinan Foreign Language school

Companies

• Assistant Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship Washington University in St. Louis (2021)
• Postdoctoral Research Scholar Washington University in St. Louis (2020 — 2021)
• Graduate Teaching Assistant Stanford University Graduate School of Business (2015 — 2020)
• Teaching Assistant for Professor Kerwin Charles University of Chicago (2012 — 2013)
• Teaching Assistant China Academy of Governance (2011 — 2011)
• Instructor Beijing Foreign Studies University (2010 — 2011)
• Overseas Department Intern XInhua News Agency (2010 — 2010)

Awards/Honors:

• Honorable Mention, Society of Institutional and Organizational Economics Ronald H. Coase Best Dissertation Award, 2021
• Runner-up, Industry Studies Association's Best Dissertation Award Competition, 2021
• Winner, Strategic Management Society Strategic Human Capital Best Paper Prize, 2021
• Co-Winner, Wharton People Analytics Conference Research Paper Competition, 2020
• Finalist, INFORMS Organization Science Best Dissertation Competition, 2019
• Government Award for Outstanding Students, Chinese Scholarship Council, 2019