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Rosabeth KanterAmerican scientist, professor
Date of Birth: 15.03.1943
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Early Life and EducationRosabeth Moss Kanter, an American scholar and professor, was born on March 15, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio. She grew up in a family of a school teacher and a lawyer-entrepreneur. Even as a child, Kanter displayed remarkable ambition, participating in essay contests and even writing her own novel at the age of 11. She graduated from high school in 1960 and went on to attend Bryn Mawr College, specializing in sociology and English literature. Kanter earned her bachelor's degree with honors in 1964, followed by a master's degree in sociology in 1965, and a Ph.D. in 1967. Her dissertation focused on 19th-century utopian communities.
Career
After completing her education, Kanter shifted her focus from sociology to business research, although her background in sociology proved to be valuable throughout her career. Before joining Harvard Business School, Kanter worked as an assistant professor of sociology at Brandeis University. From 1977 to 1986, she held a professorship in sociology at Yale University. In 1989, Kanter served as the editor of the Harvard Business Review, becoming the last academic to hold this position. Throughout her career, Kanter authored several influential books on business management techniques, particularly on change management. She also regularly published articles in the Miami Herald.
Contributions and Achievements
Kanter is best known for her groundbreaking research on "tokenism" published in 1977. This work explored the symbolic and formal efforts to combat various forms of discrimination. In her book, "Men and Women of the Corporation," Kanter analyzed the impact of belonging to a minority or majority group on work productivity. This work is considered a classic in the field of gender studies, bureaucracy analysis, and critical management systems. In 1988, Kanter served as an economic consultant to presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, and together they co-authored a book that analyzed the "Massachusetts Miracle."
Later Career and Recognition
Since 1980, Kanter has been the chairperson of her own consulting group, "Goodmeasure Inc." She has provided her expertise to renowned and influential organizations such as IBM, Gap Inc., Monsanto, British Airways, and Volvo. In a 2002 survey conducted by "Top Business Intellectuals," Kanter was ranked 11th among the most cited female scholars. She has also been recognized by "Boston Magazine" as one of the "50 Most Powerful Women in Boston" and by "Good Housekeeping" as one of the "125 Women Who Changed the World." Kanter's contributions were further acknowledged through the establishment of the Rosabeth Moss Kanter Award, given by Purdue University and Boston College for outstanding and promising research on work-life integration.
