H. Kent Bowen

Bruce V. Rauner Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus

+1 (617) 495-6567

Contact Information

(617) 495-6567

Publications

Research Summary

Awards & Honors

Science-Based Business and the Business of Science

Science and technology can provide strategic advantage to companies' through differentiated products and processes. The focus of our research is on unusually productive and creative labs that are the sources of breakthroughs that create platforms for sustained advantage. This requires new research to develop an understanding of the structure and management processes that lead to superior performance. We believe that commercialization of breakthroughs also requires new business models. The first phases of this work is field-based case studies.

Professor Kent Bowen's current research and teaching is in the field of operations and technology management. He has served as course head for the required first year MBA course, Technology and Operations Management, two advanced level courses, Running and Growing the Small Company, The Operating Manager, and Commercializing Science and High Technology.

Professor Bowen joined HBS in 1992 after 22 years on the faculties of Materials Science & Engineering and Electrical Engineering & Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His current research focuses on managing technology-based enterprises: (1) managing science-based organizations; (2) a framework for the operations manager as leader, learner and teacher, and (3) principles for rapid learning in operations and technology management.

At MIT, Professor Bowen was Ford Professor of Engineering and a founder of Leaders for Manufacturing, a joint research and education program developed by MIT's School of Engineering and the Sloan School of Management. Throughout his career at MIT, Bowen's research focused on advanced materials, materials processing, technology management, and manufacturing. He has authored or co-authored over 190 articles, 45 case studies, and two books.

Professor Bowen is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of several professional societies.

Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field Road
Morgan Hall 437
Boston, MA 02163
Tel: 617-495-6567
Fax: 617-496-4066
email: kbowen@hbs.edu

Click here for Teaching Cases and Harvard Business Review articles authored by Professor Bowen.

Books

Bowen, H. K., K. B. Clark, C. H. Holloway and S. C. Wheelwright, eds. The Perpetual Enterprise Machine: Seven Keys to Corporate Renewal through Successful Product and Process Development. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. View Details

Journal Articles

Spear, Steven, and H. Kent Bowen. "Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System." Harvard Business Review 77, no. 5 (September–October 1999): 96–106. (Winner of Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Research presented by Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.) View Details
Wheelwright, S. C., and H. K. Bowen. "The Challenge of Manufacturing Advantage." Production and Operations Management 5, no. 1 (Spring 1996). View Details
Bowen, H. K., K. B. Clark, C. A. Holloway, and S. C. Wheelwright. "Development Projects: The Engine of Renewal." Harvard Business Review 72, no. 5 (September–October 1994): 110–120. View Details
Leonard-Barton, D., H. Kent Bowen, Kim B. Clark, Charles A. Holloway, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "Regaining the Lead in Manufacturing: How to Integrate Work and Deepen Expertise." Harvard Business Review 72, no. 5 (September–October 1994): 121–130. View Details
Bowen, H. K., K. B. Clark, C. A. Holloway, and S. C. Wheelwright. "Make Projects the School for Leaders." Harvard Business Review 72, no. 5 (September–October 1994): 131–140. View Details
Leonard-Barton, D., H. K. Bowen, K. B. Clark, C. Holloway, and S. C. Wheelwright. "How to Integrate Work and Deepen Expertise." #94502. Harvard Business Review 72, no. 5 (September–October 1994): 121–130. View Details

Book Chapters

Purrington, Courtney, and H. Kent Bowen. "Globalization in the Advanced Ceramics Industry." In Ceramics as a Global Enterprise, edited by W. D. Kingery. Websterville, OH: American Ceramic Society, 2000. View Details
Leonard, D. A., H. K. Bowen, K. B. Clark, C. Holloway, and S. C. Wheelwright. "How to Integrate Work and Deepen Expertise." In The Product Development Challenge: Competing Through Speed, Quality, and Creativity, edited by K. B. Clark and S. C. Wheelwright. Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1995. View Details
Bowen, H. K. "Implementation Projects: Decisions and Expenditures." Contribution to Manufacturing Systems: Foundations of World-Class Practice. Paperback edition. Edited by J. A. Heim and W. D. Compton. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1992, Paperback. View Details

Cases and Teaching Materials

Bowen, H. Kent, Robert S. Huckman, Carin-Isabel Knoop, and Matthew Preble. "New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. (Abridged)." Harvard Business School Case 613-006, November 2012. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Barbara Feinberg. "Jim Sharpe: Extrusion Technology, Inc. (Abridged) ." Harvard Business School Case 603-084, December 2002. (Revised February 2015.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Alison Berkley Wagonfeld, and Courtney Purrington. "Peter Schultz at The Scripps Research Institute." Harvard Business School Case 910-408, September 2009. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Jonathan West. "Display Technologies, Inc. (Abridged)." Harvard Business School Case 699-006, July 1998. (Revised January 2009.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Robert S. Huckman, and Carin-Isabel Knoop. "New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 606-094, April 2006. (Revised June 2008.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Gordon Williams: Clinical Research at Brigham and Women's Hospital." Harvard Business School Case 608-168, June 2008. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Courtney Purrington, and Thomas D. Perry. "Symyx Technologies, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 608-152, May 2008. (Revised May 2008.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Corning: 156 Years of Innovation." Harvard Business School Case 608-108, March 2008. (Revised April 2008.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Marcelo Pancotto. "Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston and Dr. Bradford J. Shingleton (2004)." Harvard Business School Case 608-151, April 2008. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Novartis AG: Science-Based Business." Harvard Business School Case 608-136, March 2008. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Janice H. Hammond, Sylvie Ryckebusch, and Hiroshi Uchikoga. "Toshiba: Ome Works." Harvard Business School Case 696-059, February 1996. (Revised February 2008.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT)." Harvard Business School Case 608-036, November 2007. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "The University of Utah and the Computer Graphics Revolution." Harvard Business School Case 607-036, March 2007. (Revised April 2007.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Bradley R. Staats. "BioScale." Harvard Business School Case 606-100, June 2006. (Revised April 2007.) View Details
Marshall, Paul W., H. Kent Bowen, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "A Fall before Rising: The Story of Jai Jaikumar (TN) (A) and (B)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 607-053, December 2006. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Ramchandran Jaikumar. "Stonehaven, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 696-048, August 1995. (Revised December 2006.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "Process Control at Polaroid (A) (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 606-122, June 2006. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "Natural Blends, Inc. (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 606-137, June 2006. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Kenneth P Morse, and Douglass Cannon. "A123Systems." Harvard Business School Case 606-114, May 2006. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Pratt & Whitney: Engineering Standard Work." Harvard Business School Case 604-084, February 2004. (Revised March 2006.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Francesca Gino. "The Whitesides Lab." Harvard Business School Case 606-064, March 2006. View Details
"IT Concepts: An Online Course." Harvard Business School Tutorial 605-701, October 2005. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "Workplace Safety at Alcoa (A) (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 697-128, April 1997. (Revised October 2005.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld. "Beverly Stern: Retail Executive." Harvard Business School Case 604-018, November 2003. (Revised May 2005.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Bryce LaPierre, and Virginia Fuller. "Camilla Denison (A)." Harvard Business School Case 604-061, December 2003. (Revised April 2005.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Bryce LaPierre. "Camilla Denison (B)." Harvard Business School Case 604-062, December 2003. (Revised April 2005.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Alex Kazaks, Ayr Muir-Harmony, and Bryce LaPierre. "Langer Lab, The: Commercializing Science." Harvard Business School Case 605-017, October 2004. (Revised March 2005.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Bradley R. Staats. "Bayside Motion Group (A)." Harvard Business School Case 605-040, February 2005. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Bradley R. Staats. "Bayside Motion Group (B)." Harvard Business School Case 605-041, February 2005. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Virginia Fuller, and Doren Spinner. "Molded Dimensions, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 603-133, June 2003. (Revised December 2004.) View Details
Spear, Steven J., and H. Kent Bowen. "Building Capabilities: Mechanisms for and Impediments to Learning." Harvard Business School Background Note 604-082, March 2004. (Revised November 2004.) View Details
Oliva, Rogelio, and H. Kent Bowen. "Align Technology, Inc. (TN)." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 604-105, June 2004. (Revised July 2004.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Chrysler and BMW: Tritec Engine Joint Venture." Harvard Business School Case 600-004, July 1999. (Revised January 2004.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Janice H. Hammond, and Ramchandran Jaikumar. "Dynatrol Corporation: Andover Assembly Division." Harvard Business School Case 603-050, October 2002. (Revised May 2003.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Steven J. Spear, and Nicole Tempest. "MySoftware (B): Finding a New Direction." Harvard Business School Case 603-108, March 2003. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Jonathan P Groberg. "Align Technology, Inc.: Matching Manufacturing Capacity to Sales Demand." Harvard Business School Case 603-058, September 2002. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld. "Raiser Senior Service-The Stratford (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 603-014, August 2002. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld. "Raiser Senior Services--The Stratford (A)." Harvard Business School Case 603-013, August 2002. (Revised August 2002.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "Project Management Manual." Harvard Business School Background Note 697-034, September 1996. (Revised March 2002.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "Process Control at Polaroid (A)." Harvard Business School Case 693-047, November 1992. (Revised January 2002.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Intrinsix: Managing Growth at an Electronic Design Service Company." Harvard Business School Case 602-067, January 2002. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "Work Methods Design: Note on Time Standards." Harvard Business School Background Note 602-066, August 2001. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corp. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 694-009, October 1993. (Revised March 2001.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Marilyn Matis, and Anne D. Karshis. "OXO International TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 601-161, March 2001. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Richard Compton Squire, Sarah Patricia Vickers-Willis, and Harry James Wilson. "Fall Before Rising, A: The Story of Jai Jaikumar (B)." Harvard Business School Background Note 600-048, March 2000. (Revised August 2000.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Elizabeth Kind. "Project ACHIEVE - January 2000." Harvard Business School Case 601-044, August 2000. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Marilyn Matis. "Lifeline Systems, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 600-099, June 2000. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "TJ International (A)." Harvard Business School Case 693-038, November 1992. (Revised March 2000.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Richard Compton Squire, Sarah Patricia Vickers-Willis, and Harry James Wilson. "Fall Before Rising, A: The Story of Jai Jaikumar (A)." Harvard Business School Background Note 600-047, March 2000. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Hewlett Packard: Creating, Running, and Growing an Enduring Company." Harvard Business School Case 698-052, December 1997. (Revised February 2000.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Martin W. Stein. "Jim Sharpe: Extrusion Technology, Inc. (D)." Harvard Business School Case 600-080, January 2000. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Marilyn Matis, and Sylvie Ryckebusch. "OXO International." Harvard Business School Case 697-007, January 1997. (Revised December 1999.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Paul W. Marshall, and Stephanie Dodson. "Chantal Cookware Corp." Harvard Business School Case 699-023, October 1998. (Revised November 1999.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Jeffrey L. Bradach, Linda A. Hill, and Kristin Doughty. "Transformation of Pratt & Whitney North Haven (Abridged) ." Harvard Business School Case 499-050, February 1999. (Revised June 1999.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Courtney Purrington. "Hewlett-Packard: Creating, Running, and Growing an Enduring Company TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 699-172, June 1999. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Sean McClenaghan, and Charles Tillen. "General Scanning, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Case 698-037, January 1998. (Revised May 1999.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Sean McClenaghan, and Charles Tillen. "General Scanning, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 698-036, January 1998. (Revised May 1999.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Nicole Tempest. "MySoftware Company (A)." Harvard Business School Case 699-121, March 1999. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Marilyn Matis. "Lifeline Systems, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Case 699-038, February 1999. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent. "SweetWater TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 699-142, February 1999. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Andrew R. Jassy, Laurence E. Katz, Kevin E. Kelly, and Baltej Kochar. "Cash Management Practices in Small Companies." Harvard Business School Background Note 699-047, December 1998. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Marilyn Matis. "Midnight Networks, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 697-019, December 1996. (Revised June 1998.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Barbara Feinberg. "Jim Sharpe: Extrusion Technology, Inc. (C)." Harvard Business School Case 698-096, April 1998. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Massimo Russo, and Steven J. Spear. "Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corporation (B)." Harvard Business School Case 698-038, January 1998. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Massimo Russo, and Steven J. Spear. "Connecticut Spring and Stamping Corp. (C)." Harvard Business School Case 698-039, January 1998. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Linda A. Hill, Andrew P. Burtis, Sylvie Ryckebusch, and John Schiavone. "Transformation of Pratt & Whitney North Haven (A)." Harvard Business School Case 696-066, November 1995. (Revised January 1998.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Linda A. Hill, Andrew P. Burtis, Sylvie Ryckebusch, and John Schiavone. "Transformation of Pratt & Whitney North Haven (B)." Harvard Business School Case 696-067, November 1995. (Revised January 1998.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Barbara Feinberg. "Jim Sharpe: Extrusion Technology, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 697-078, February 1997. (Revised December 2012.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Ramchandran Jaikumar, and Karen Krause. "Natural Blends, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 698-012, August 1997. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Ramchandran Jaikumar, and Karen Krause. "Natural Blends, Inc., Analysis." Harvard Business School Supplement 698-013, August 1997. View Details
West, Jonathan, H. Kent Bowen, and Ryota Matsui. "Display Technologies, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 697-117, April 1997. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Barbara Feinberg. "Jim Sharpe: Extrusion Technology, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Case 697-079, February 1997. (Revised December 2012.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Roy D. Shapiro. "Stonehaven, Inc.: Analysis." Harvard Business School Background Note 696-076, October 1995. (Revised January 1997.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Sylvie Ryckebusch. "ScanVec." Harvard Business School Case 697-005, December 1996. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Jody H. Gittell, and Sylvie Ryckebusch. "United Electric Controls." Harvard Business School Case 697-006, October 1996. (Revised December 1996.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Sylvie Ryckebusch. "Injex Industries." Harvard Business School Case 697-003, November 1996. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Marilyn Matis. "Project Management Exercise #1: Planning Your First TOM Project." Harvard Business School Exercise 697-023, September 1996. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Marilyn Matis. "Project Management Exercise #2: Planning the Shad Factory Project." Harvard Business School Exercise 697-024, September 1996. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Jennifer Kochman, and Sylvie Ryckebusch. "Bayside Controls, Inc." Harvard Business School Case 697-004, July 1996. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Linda A. Hill, Andrew P. Burtis, Sylvie Ryckebusch, and John Schiavone. "Transformation of Pratt & Whitney North Haven (E)." Harvard Business School Case 696-070, December 1995. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Linda A. Hill, Andrew P. Burtis, Sylvie Ryckebusch, and John Schiavone. "Transformation of Pratt & Whitney North Haven (C)." Harvard Business School Case 696-068, November 1995. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, Linda A. Hill, Andrew P. Burtis, Sylvie Ryckebusch, and John Schiavone. "Transformation of Pratt & Whitney North Haven (D)." Harvard Business School Case 696-069, November 1995. View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Thomas D. Everett. "SweetWater." Harvard Business School Case 695-026, November 1994. (Revised November 1995.) View Details
Bowen, H. Kent, and Steven C. Wheelwright. "Process Control at Polaroid (B)." Harvard Business School Case 693-048, November 1992. View Details

Research Summary

Science-Based Business and the Business of Science

Awards & Honors

Winner of the 1999–2000 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing Research for "Decoding the DNA of the Toyota Production System" (with Steven Spear, Harvard Business Review, September–October 1999).