معرفی
Woody Powell is Jacks Family Professor of Education and Professor (by courtesy) of Sociology, Organizational Behavior, Management Science and Engineering, and Communication at Stanford University. He serves as Faculty Co-Director of the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) since 2006 and leads its Civic Life of Cities Lab, studying civil society organizations across global cities. He has been recognized with the 2019 School of Humanities and Sciences Dean's Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching and is a member of prestigious academies like the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and The British Academy.
- Education: PhD in Sociology (SUNY-Stony Brook, 1978), MA in Sociology (SUNY-Stony Brook, 1975), BA in Sociology (Florida State University, 1971)
His research focuses on organizational theory and network analysis, particularly how ideas and practices transfer across organizations. He investigates institutional isomorphism, knowledge networks, and civil society dynamics, with a strong emphasis on the role of networks in enabling or constraining innovation.
Recent publications explore themes like the evolution from bureaucratic to open organizational forms, the legacy of institutional theory, and the impact of precarious labor. His seminal works, such as the 1990 article on network forms of organization and the 1983 paper on institutional isomorphism, remain foundational in organizational sociology.
- Scientific Awards: Max Weber Award (1990), Viviana Zelizer Prize (2005), American Sociological Review's most cited article (1983), and honorary degrees from Uppsala University and Copenhagen Business School.
He mentors doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows, including Priyam Saraf, Nick Sherefkin, and Tuomas Vesterinen. As director of SCANCOR and co-founder of PACS, he has shaped academic networks and civic research initiatives.
