Robert Burgelman

The Edmund W. Littlefield Professor of Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business

Biography

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Research Statement

Robert Burgelman carries out longitudinal field-based research on the role of strategy in firm evolution. He has examined how companies enter into new businesses (through corporate entrepreneurship and internal corporate venturing as well as through acquisition) and leave others (through strategic business exit), and how success may lead to co-evolutionary lock-in with the environment. His research has focused on organizations where strategic action is distributed among multiple levels of management. He has written some 145 case studies of companies in many different technology-based industries. He currently focuses on the challenges posed by nonlinear strategic dynamics.

Teaching Statement

Professor Burgelman teaches several second-year MBA courses. These include S371 Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation (co-taught with Robert E. Siegel), S381 Leading Strategic Change in Health Care (co-taught with Dr. Robert Pearl), S573 Strategic Thinking in Action - In Business and Beyond (focused on the evolution of the global semiconductor industry and co-taught with George W. Cogan), and S574 Strategic Thinking in Action - In Business and Beyond (focused on the evolution of the global automotive industry and co-taught with Dr. Sven Beiker). He also teaches the "Strategic Leadership in Dynamic Environments" course in the Stanford Executive Program (SEP), and participates in several other of the School's executive programs.

Bio

Professor Burgelman is the Edmund W. Littlefield Professor of Management and the Executive Director of the Stanford Executive Program (SEP). He joined the Stanford Business School as an Assistant Professor in 1981. He obtained a Licenciate degree in Applied Economics from Antwerp University (Belgium), an MA in Sociology and a Ph.D. in Management of Organizations from Columbia University, where he studied with doctoral fellowships from the Ford Foundation (US) and ICM (Belgium). He was elected a Fellow of the Strategic Management Society and a Fellow of the Academy of Management.

His research has focused on the role of strategy-making in firm evolution. In particular, he has studied the strategy-making processes involved in how companies enter into new businesses and exit from existing ones to secure continued adaptation. In 2003 he received an honorary doctorate from the Copenhagen Business School for his contributions to the study of corporate innovation and entrepreneurship. Professor Burgelman has been on the faculty of Antwerp University, New York University, Harvard Business School (as a Marvin Bower Fellow), and Cambridge University (as a Visiting Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation at the Judge Business School). He has been elected a Fellow of the Strategic Management Society and a Fellow of the Academy of Management. He has published many articles in leading academic and professional journals, as well as some 145 case studies of companies and organizations in many different industries.

He has published articles in leading academic and professional journals, and his books include Inside Corporate Innovation: Strategy, Structure, and Managerial Skills (Free Press, 1986), Research of Technological Innovation, Management and Policy (JIA Press, Elsevier; Volume 4, 1989; Volume 5, 1993; Volume 6, 1997; and Volume 7, 2001), Strategy is Destiny: How Strategy-Making Shapes a Company’s Future (Free Press, 2002), Strategic Dynamics: Concepts and Cases (McGraw-Hill, 2006), and Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation (5th edition, McGraw-Hill-Irwin, 2009). Professor Burgelman has served as an Associate Editor of the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal from 2007 till 2014. He has taught executive programs and led senior and top management seminars for major companies worldwide. He has also served on boards of directors and boards of advisors of several private companies.

Academic Degrees

  • PhD in Management of Organizations, Graduate School of Business, Columbia University, 1980
  • MPhil in Management of Organizations, Graduate School of Business, Columbia University, 1978
  • MA in Sociology, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University, 1978
  • Licenciate, Applied Economic Sciences, Antwerp University (UFSIA), 1969

Academic Appointments

  • At Stanford University since 1981
  • Instructor–Assistant Professor, New York University, 1978–1981
  • Visiting Lecturer, State University of New York, 1976–1977
  • Instructor, Antwerp University, 1970–1973

Awards and Honors

  • BP Faculty Fellow in Global Management for 2015-2016
  • Elected Fellow of the Academy of Management, 2012
  • Elected a Fellow of the Strategic Management Society (2008) and of the Academy of Management (2012)
  • 2012-13 BP Faculty Fellow in Global Management, Stanford Business School
  • Visiting Professor, Judge Business School, and Visiting Scholar, Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge University, 2009
  • Dr. Mercaturae Honoris Causa, Copenhagen Business School, 2003
  • Marvin Bower Fellow, Harvard Business School, 1992
  • Outstanding Paper Award, Division of Business Policy and Planning, Academy of Management, 1984
  • Certificate of Distinction for Outstanding Research in the Field of Strategic Management, Academy of Management and General Electric Company, 1980

Videos

Courses Taught

Read about executive education

Cases

Google Android in 2018: A Changing World Order | SM176D Robert Siegel, Robert Burgelman, Cameron Lehman2018

Zuora in 2017: Leading the Subscription Economy Revolution | SM284 Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Julie Makinen2018

Axel Springer in 2016: From Transformation to Acceleration? | E610 Robert A. Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Ryan Kissick2016

Bonnier News in 2016 and Beyond: Balancing Legacy and Innovation | SM251 Robert Burgelman, Sheila Melvin2016

Deutsche Telekom in 2016: Driving Disruption from within the Industry | SM255 Robert A. Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2016

Xiaomi’s Globalization Strategy and Challenges | SM262 Gang Zheng, Yanting Guo, Robert A. Burgelman2016

Box in 2015 (B): Entering the Next Phase | SM215B Robert Siegel, Robert Burgelman, Shalie Gaskill2015

Google and Android in 2015 (C): Looking Towards the Future | SM176C Robert Siegel, Robert Burgelman, Michael Seltzer2015

HP Enterprise Group in 2015: Igniting Organizational Transformation | SM246 Robert A. Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2015

Intel's Mobile Strategy in 2015 and Beyond | SM236 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2015

Medium in 2015: A New Form of Networked Publishing | SM247 Robert Siegel, Robert Burgelman, Tim Hsia2015

PayPal in 2015: Reshaping the Financial Services Landscape | E572 Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Henry Lippincott2015

Wikimedia Foundation in 2015: Changing How Humans Share Knowledge | SM245 Robert Siegel, Robert Burgelman, Arla Xhaxho2015

Axel Springer in 2014: Strategic Leadership of the Digital Media Transformation | E522 Robert A. Burgelman, Robert E. Siegel, Jason Luther2014

Basware in 2013 Transistion to Software as a Service | SM219 Robert Burgelamn, Debra Schifrin2014

Cloud Storage and Document Management: How a New Generation of Companies is Shaping the Enterprise Content Management Industry | SM235 Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Cyril Labidi2014

Invitrogen/Life Technologies (C): The Best Owner of the Asset | SM209C Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Rosy Lee2014

Minted in 2014: Scaling and Scoping a Crowdsourcing Design Business | E530 Robert Siegel, Robet Burgelman, Sylvia Kuyel2014

Qualcomm and Intel: Evolving Strategies in the Mobile Chipset Industry in 2014 | SM225 Robert A. Burgelman, John Thomas2014

SurveyMonkey in 2014 | E524 Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Sara Rosenthal2014

The Chinese Wireless Communications Industry in 2012 and Beyond: An Industry Note | SM227 Robert Burgelman, Gang Zheng, Yajuan Wang2014

Box: Building the Next Generation Enterprise Software Company | SM215 Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Shalie Gaskill2013

DKSH in 2012: Preparing For Continued Rapid Growth | SM204B Robert Burgelman, Martina Ludescher2013

Evolving Competitive Dynamics of the Mobile Telecommunications Industry in 2012 and Beyond | SM211 Robert Burgelman, Christopher Nguyen, David Hoyt2013

First Solar, Inc. in 2013 | SM190B Robert A. Burgelman, Robert Eric Siegel, Morgan Hallmon2013

Google’s Android in 2013 An Increasingly Dynamic Landscape | SM176B Robert A. Burgelman, Robert Eric Siegel, Ibrahim Elbouchikhi, Jonathan Karmel, Alan Chiu2013

Intel in 2011: The Battle for the Mobile Handheld and Tablet Markets | SM184 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2013

SAP and Cloud Computing in 2012 and Beyond | SM214 Robert Burgelman, Jean-Bernard Rolland2013

SK Planet in 2013: A Korean Giant's Big Bet on the U.S. Market | SM222 Robert A. Burgelman, Steve W. Chung, Jon F. Nathanson, Won-yoh Lee2013

The Global Electric Automotive Industry in 2012 | SM217 Robert Burgelman, Sven A Beiker, Yves Meyer, Alexandre Martins, Rishabh Bhandari2013

Zuora in 2013 | SM182B Robert A. Burgelman, Robert Eric Siegel, Maalika Manoharan2013

Invitrogen/Life Technologies (B) | SM209B Robert A Burgelman, Robert E Siegel, Rosy Lee2012

DKSH in 2011 | SM204 Robert Burgelman, Martina Ludescher2012

Flibe Energy: Pursuing a Safe, Affordable, and Sustainable Energy Future | SM208 Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel, Scott Nolan2012

Invitrogen (A) | SM209A Robert A. Burgelman, Robert E. Siegel, Rosy Lee2012

Waste Management's Organic Growth Group | SM210 Robert A Burgelman, Robert E Siegel, Tomas Uribe2012

France Telecom-Orange in 2011, Stéphane Richard and “Conquests 2015” | SM194 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2011

Infosys Consulting in 2011 | SM195 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2011

LVMH in 2011: Sustaining Leadership in the Global Luxury Goods Industry | SM197 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2011

Nissan's Electric Vehicle Strategy in 2011; Leading the Way Toward Zero-Emission | SM189 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2011

The Growth of the Electric Vehicle Industry, Facilitating and Impeding Forces | SM193 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2011

First Solar, Inc. in 2010 | SM190 Robert A. Burgelman, Robert Eric Siegel, Morgan Hallmon2010

France Telecom in 2010 | SM186 Robert Burgelman, Debra Schifrin2010

Intel and WiMAX in 2010 | SM179 Robert Burgelman, Margaret LaBrecquet, Debra Schifrin2010

TTTech (A) Seeking Growth and Scale in New and Existing Markets | SM185A Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend, Robert Siegel2010

TTTech (B): The Path Forward | SM185B Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend, Robert Siegel2010

Cellular Telecommunications: An Industry Driven by Intellectual Property and Technical Standards | SM177 Robert Burgelman, David Hoyt, Margaret LeBrecque, Amanda Silverman2009

Clean Coal in the U.S. and China, An Industry Note | SM183 Robert Burgelman, Andrew Grove, Debra Schifrin2009

Google's Android: Will It Shake Up The Wireless Industry In 2009 And Beyond? | SM176 Robert Burgelman, David Hoyt, Amanda Silverman, Christof Wittig2009

HP's ProCurve in 2009: Internal Entrepreneurship Navigates Evolving Corporate Strategy | SM180 Robert Burgelman, Webb McKinney, Philip Meza2009

The Global Electric Car Industry in 2009 Developments in the U.S., China, and the Rest of the World | SM175 Robert Burgelman, Andrew Grove, Debra Schifrin2009

Zuora Inc.: Venturing into Cloud Computing | SM182 Robert Burgelman, Maalika Manoharan2009

Convergence 2008 - Video Over The Internet | SM173 Robert Burgelman, Rob Holmes2008

Corning Incorporated (A): Reinventing New Business Development | SM167A Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend2008

Corning Incorporated (B): Bringing Rigor to Early-Stage Opportunity Identification | SM167B Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend2008

Innovation at HP: The Role of the Innovation Program Office (IPO) | SM172 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2008

The Charles Schwab Corporation in 2007: Fixing and Redefining the Core Business | SM35C Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2008

The Renault-Nissan Alliance in 2008, Exploiting the Potential of a Novel Organizational Form | SM166 Robert Burgelman, Sara Leslie2008

CDNetworks, Inc | SM161 Robert Burgelman, Steve Chung2007

Intel Centrino in 2007: A New \"Platform\" Strategy for Growth | SM156 Evan Berrett, Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2007

Intel in Wireless in 2006 (A): Tackling the Cellular Industry | SM165 Robert Burgelman, Margaret LeBrecque2007

Knowledge Management at Kaizenbach Partners | SM162 Robert Burgelman, Brooke Blumenstein2007

Mark Hurd at HP: Driving Strategic Execution | SM160 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2007

Nike's Global Women's Fitness Business Driving Strategic Integration | SM152 Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend2007

The Kinetics and Michael J. Fox Foundations (A): Partnering with a Purpose | SM163A Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2007

The Kinetics and Michael J. Fox Foundations (B): New Directions | SM163B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2007

GE Security: Seeking Growth in Video Solutions Amidst GE's Transformation | SM148 Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend, Robert Siegel2006

Infosys Consulting in 2006: Leading the Next Generation of Business and Information Technology Consulting | SM151 Robert Burgelman, Aneesha Capur2006

Intel's Fab Location Decision in 2002 (B): What Happened | SM146B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2006

MySQL Open Source Database in 2006 (B) | SM124B Robert Burgelman, Christof Wittig2006

SAP AG In 2006 Driving Corporate Transformation | SM153 Robert Burgelman, Tom Federico2006

China Internet and Search Market | SM145 Robert Burgelman, Ming Lei2005

Digital Creation and Distribution of Music Revisited in 2005 | SM112B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza, Les Vadasz2005

Electronic Arts in 2005: The Next Generation of Convergence | SM24D Robert Burgelman, Ryan Kiskis, Shoshanna Stussy2005

Grove Scholars Program: Putting Rungs Back On The Ladder | SM144 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2005

Intel Corporation (A) The DRAM Decision | BP256A Robert Burgelman2005

Matrix Semiconductor Inc. (B) Transitioning from Innovation to Execution | SM126B Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend, Robert Siegel2005

SAP Banking in 2006: Fostering Innovation in Banking Through the Business Process | SM155 Robert Burgelman, Jean-Bernard Rolland2005

Slouching Toward Broadband: Revisited in 2005 | SM137 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza, Les Vadasz2005

StubHub (A), January 2004 | SM132A Adam Block, Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel2005

StubHub (B), Taking Hold of Product Strategy | SM132B Adam Block, Robert Burgelman, Robert Siegel2005

The Interplay of Strategy and Finance at Intel (A): The Fab Location Decision | SM146A Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2005

Better Medicine Through Information Technology | SM136 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza, Robert Pearl2004

Hanging Up The (Old) Phone: IP Communications in 2004 | SM127 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza, Les Vadasz2004

HP and Compaq Combined: In Search of Scale and Scope | SM130 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2004

LVMH in 2004: The Challenges of Strategic Integration | SM123 Federico Antoni, Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2004

Matrix Semiconductor Inc: Tackling Challenges of Strategic Dimensions | SM126A Robert Burgelman, Lyn Denend, Robert Siegel2004

MySQL Open Source Database in 2004 | SM124 Robert Burgelman, Sami Inkinen, Christof Wittig2004

Samsung Electronics in 2004: Conquering the Wireless Digital World | SM129 Robert Burgelman, Jean-Bernard Rolland2004

The New New HP in 2004 (A): Leading Strategic Integration | SM125A Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2004

The New New HP in 2004 (B): Winning in the Core Businesses | SM125B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2004

A Look At Three Regulatory Forces Influencing Content And Distribution In The Motion Picture And Television Industries | SM105 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

AOL: The Emergence of an Internet Media Company | SM75 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

BEA Systems, Inc. In 2003: Reaching For The Next Level | SM117 Robert Burgelman,Sweta Sarnot2003

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (B): In 2003 | SM35B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

Disney in a Digital World (D) A Digital Decade?: Disney in 2003 and Beyond | SM29D Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

Finding The Balance: Intellectual Property In The Digital Age | SM107 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

Intel Beyond 2003: Looking For Its Third Act | SM106 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

Nokia Beyond 2003: A Mobile Gatekeeper? | SM113 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

Pixim (A): August 2001 | SM118A Robert Burgelman, Cara McVie2003

Pixim (B): October 2001 | SM118B Robert Burgelman, Cara McVie2003

Pixim (C): May 2002 | SM118C Robert Burgelman, Cara McVie2003

Slouching Toward Broadband | SM98 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2003

Universal Music Group in 2003 | SM112 Robert Burgelman, Lewis Fanger, Cecilia O'Reilly2003

CIENA Corporation | SM100 Robert Burgelman, Yann Ngongang, Juan Posada, Ben Shih2002

Electronic Arts in 2002 | SM24C Robert Burgelman, Frederic Descamps, Philip Meza2002

HP, Compaq, and the Computer Industry in 2001 and Beyond | SM72C Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2002

Intel Corporation's Internal Ecology of Strategy Making | SM95 Robert Burgelman, Clayton Christensen2002

USA Interactive | SM90C Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2002

Amazon: Evolution of the e-Trailer | SM83 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

Distributing the Mouse: Disney in 2001 | SM29C Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

Electronic Arts In 1999 (B) | SM24B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

Rambus, Inc. | SM82 Robert Burgelman, Vik Murthy, Paul Staelin2001

The De-Globalization of Marks & Spencer in 2001: An Update | SM87 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

The Open Source Software Challenge | SM85 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

USA Networks in 2001 | SM90B Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

Vivendi Universal | SM96 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2001

Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (A): In 1999 | SM35A Robert Burgelman, Kelly DuBois, Margot Sutherland2000

E-Markets 2000 | EC23 Robert Burgelman, Garth Saloner, Christopher Thomas2000

New HP Way | SM72 Robert Burgelman2000

Peer to Peer Computing: Back to the Future | SM76 Robert Burgelman, Philip Meza2000

AboveNet Communications, Inc. (A) | SM62A Robert Burgelman, Jorge Borbolla1999

Elio Engineering, Inc. (A) | SM67 Robert Burgelman, Hari Sankara, Harald Winkmann1999

Intel Corporation in 1999 | SM70 Robert Burgelman1999

Intel Corporation The Evolution of an Adaptive Organization | SM65 Robert Burgelman, Raymond Bamford1999

U.S. Telecommunications Industry in 1984 - 1996 (A) | SM5A Robert Burgelman, Andrew Grove, Eric Marti1999

U.S. Telecommunications Industry in 1996 - 1999 (B) | SM5B Robert Burgelman, Andrew Grove, Eric Marti1999

Disney in a Digital World (B) | SM29B Robert Burgelman, J Kolotouros1998

The PC-Based Desktop Videoconferencing Systems Industry in 1998 | SM51 Robert Burgelman, Osamu Suzuki1998

The Photonics Industry in 1998 | SM68 Rick Brandt, Robert Burgelman, Dushyant Pandya1998

Asymetric Digital Subscriber Line: Propects in 1997 | SM69 R. Burgelman, T. Tzuo1997

Disney in a Digital World (A) | SM19A Robert Burgelman, J Kolotouros, J Maggioncalda1997

Internet-Based Electronic Commerce in 1997, A Primer | SM36 Robert Burgelman, Raymond Bamford1997

Note on the Consumer On-Line Sevices Industry in 1996 | SM33 Robert Burgelman, Andrew Grove, Matthew Murphy1997

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Digital Technology, 1995-1997 | SM43 Robert Burgelman, Raymond Bamford1997

Wells Fargo Bank & Electronic Banking (A) | SM41A Robert Burgelman, Raymond Bamford1997

Electronic Arts in 1995 | SM24A Robert Burgelman, Carrie Oliver1996

Microsoft: An Inside Look | SM32 Robert Burgelman1996

Intel Corporation (D) Microprocessors at the Crossroads | BP256D Robert Burgelman1994

Intel Corporation (E) New Directions for 1990's | BP256E Robert Burgelman1994

Wireless Communications Industry: After AT&T-Mc-Caw | SM6 R. Burgelman, A. Gove, A. Taylor1993

Intel Corporation (B) Implementing the DRAM Decision | BP256B Robert Burgelman1991

Intel Corporation (C) Strategy for the 1990's | BP256C Robert Burgelman1991

Intel Corporation, The Hood River Project (A) | SM49A Robert Burgelman, Bruce Graham1991

BIC Pen Corporation (C) | BP254 Robert A. Burgelman, Gerard J. Beekman1989

Control Data Corp. | BP240 Robert Burgelman1985

Medical Equipment (B): Sherwood's View | BP242B Robert Burgelman1985

Medical Equipment (C) | BP242C Robert Burgelman1985

Medical Equipment (D) | BP242D Robert Burgelman1985

Medical Equipment (A) | BP242A Robert Burgelman1983

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