Michael Gibbs

Michael Gibbs is a Clinical Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His research focuses on personnel economics, organizational design, and productivity analysis, with notable contributions to understanding incentive compensation, remote work dynamics, and innovation management. He co-authored the textbook Personnel Economics in Practice, translated into five languages.

• PhD in Economics, University of Chicago
• Research Fellow, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

His research examines how job design affects intrinsic motivation and productivity, particularly in remote/hybrid work environments. Key findings include reduced innovation quality during remote work and increased communication costs in hybrid models. He also investigates incentive systems in auto dealerships, mergers, and public sector workforce challenges.

Recent publications analyze productivity shifts during the pandemic, the role of reputation in global markets, and the evolution of performance measurement systems. He has contributed to journals like Nature Scientific Reports, Quarterly Journal of Economics, and Review of Economics & Statistics.

• Notable Contribution to Management Accounting Literature (American Accounting Association)
• Hillel Einhorn Excellence in Teaching Award (x4)

As former Faculty Director of Booth’s Executive MBA program (2012-2015), he influenced executive education design. His work bridges economic theory with practical organizational challenges, offering insights into incentive structures and workforce management.