Bradley Morrison

Brad Morrison studies dynamically complex problems in organizations, organizational change, and management using the tools of system dynamics. His research centers on why organizations find it difficult to do what they want to do. Morrison focuses on implementation problems, which he has studied in several contexts, such as process improvement settings and firms adopting the practices of lean manufacturing. He tries to understand why some cases lead to successful implementation, while others lead to failures. For example, why do apparently well-intended actions often lead to outcomes that differ greatly from people?s intentions? How do the actions some managers take foster the very problems they are attempting to solve? His research is strongly rooted in organizational theory, with a methodological emphasis on interpretation through the lens of system dynamics. Over a 20-year career with a leading management consulting firm, Morrison has assisted dozens of organizations that wrestle with change in areas such as product development and supply chain management. His consulting clients have included agencies of the United States and other governments, global consumer products firms, major retailers, and professional services firms. He has extensive experience in Asia, having worked in 11 countries on projects for clients from North America, Asia, and Europe. Morrison teaches at MIT in the System Design and Management program, the Leaders for Manufacturing program, Executive Education programs at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and the Undergraduate Practice Opportunities Program. He is a senior scientist in the Pre-Conflict Anticipation and Shaping research team at MIT. Morrison teaches courses in business dynamics, operations management, and supply chain management in the MBA program at Brandeis University?s International Business School. He holds a PhD in management (system dynamics and organization studies) from the MIT Sloan School of Management, an MBA in finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, and undergraduate degrees in chemistry and management science from MIT.