Martin F. Kenney

Martin F. Kenney is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of California, Davis, with dual affiliation as Co-Director of the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic work bridges theoretical research with practical policy implications through extensive public engagement.

Dr. Kenney's research centers on the transformative impact of digital platforms on economic systems, with particular focus on:

• Power dynamics between platform providers and dependent businesses
• Venture capital's role in enabling breakneck expansion of platform companies
• Digital transformation across traditional industries
• Applications of platform technologies in agricultural systems
• Global implications of the platform economy for entrepreneurship and market competition

His recent publications reveal a consistent analytical framework examining how venture capital enables platform companies to fundamentally reshape competitive landscapes. Kenney's work demonstrates how firms like Uber leverage massive VC funding to undercut competitors and dominate markets, creating systemic changes in business models across sectors.

Dr. Kenney maintains an active international speaking schedule, with 2019 featuring presentations across Europe and North America including:

• Keynote address at Work2019 in Helsinki, Finland
• Presentations at the Academy of Management Annual Meetings
• Invited talks at multiple European institutions including University of Agder, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, and University of Bologna
• Workshop participation at the Developing an Agrifoods System Blueprint for California