Clark's Research Valued In Search

Figgie Professor of Business Administration Kim B. Clark '74 teaches a second-year MBA course, chairs the Technology and Operations Management Area, performs extensive research on productivity, product development and operations strategy and still finds time to spend with his seven children.

Clark may possibly assume another post soon. He is a leading candidate for the position of next Business School dean, professors said in interviews last week.

Despite rumors on the Business School grapevine which list Clark as one of the four faculty members most likely to be appointed, Clark himself does not want to comment on his candidacy, according to a spokesperson for the School.

Others whom faculty members have listed as potential contenders for the Business School deanship include:

Robinson Professor of Business Administration James I. Cash, Jr.

Professor of Business Administration Leonard Schlesinger.

Class of 1995 Professor of Business Administration William A. Sahlman.

'Intellectual Horsepower'

As perhaps the most devoted scholar among the four favorites for dean, Clark would bring to the office an academic perspective it has not seen in recent years.

In the past, deans have tended to focus on fundraising and contacts with the outside business world rather than on professors' research and academic interests, some faculty members said.

"Now, a move toward the research area is inorder," said a professor who spoke on condition ofanonymity.

With Clark at the helm, this shift towardacademia might take place.

Business School professors described Clark as abona fide intellectual.

"[Clark is] a wonderful researcher and a superbteacher," said Caldwell Professor of BusinessAdministration Robert H. Hayes, who works in theTechnology and Operations Management Area withClark.

"I have enormous respect for Kim's insight andintellectual horsepower," said a professor whospoke on condition of anonymity.

Clark is the author of several academic works,including articles in the Harvard Business Reviewand more than six books.

Time spent researching may have prevented Clarkfrom assuming management responsibilities whichwould have better prepared him for the deanship,observers said.

Of the four leading candidates identified byBusiness School faculty, Clark has held the fewestnumber of administrative positions.

"People who get appointed to administrativepositions are appointed because they can do thejob," said a professor who spoke on condition ofanonymity.

But other faculty members said lack ofexperience will not hurt Clark's chances of beingnamed dean.

"He probably hasn't worked as closely with arange of people as Cash has, but he's equallyrespected," Hayes said.

According to professors interviewed by TheCrimson, Clark has more than fulfilled theleadership roles he has held.

"The [Technology and Operations Management]Area has enormous respect and has prospered under[Clark's] leadership," said a professor whorequested anonymity.

"[Clark] is very quick and efficient andeffective in responding to colleagues [about theirconcerns]," the professor added.

And Clark has a valid excuse for having heldfewer administrative positions than the otherrumored leading candidates, faculty members said.

"He doesn't have the [same] administrativeexperience because he [teaches] a full courseload," Hayes said.

One professor said he thinks Clark'sinexperience will actually help him in the contestfor the deanship.

"People who...have power and responsibilityhave lots of influence, but make enemies," saidthe professor, who predicted that Clark would benamed the next dean.

McArthur recently appointed Clark second-yearMBA program chair. Clark's duties as chair willinclude overseeing changes to the electivecurriculum and directing the field studies andinternship programs.

Background

A Harvard veteran, Clark earned B.A., M.A. andPh.D. degrees in economics at the University. Hehas taught here since 1978.

Clark, who lives in Belmont, coaches basketballfor middle school students in the BelmontRecreational League. He and his wife Sue haveseven children, including a pair of ten-year-oldtwins.

Clark is an avid golfer and jogs regularly,according to a biographical sketch.

This is the second in a series of fourprofiles of candidates for the Business Schooldeanship.

"Now, a move toward the research area is inorder," said a professor who spoke on condition ofanonymity.

With Clark at the helm, this shift towardacademia might take place.

Business School professors described Clark as abona fide intellectual.

"[Clark is] a wonderful researcher and a superbteacher," said Caldwell Professor of BusinessAdministration Robert H. Hayes, who works in theTechnology and Operations Management Area withClark.

"I have enormous respect for Kim's insight andintellectual horsepower," said a professor whospoke on condition of anonymity.

Clark is the author of several academic works,including articles in the Harvard Business Reviewand more than six books.

Time spent researching may have prevented Clarkfrom assuming management responsibilities whichwould have better prepared him for the deanship,observers said.

Of the four leading candidates identified byBusiness School faculty, Clark has held the fewestnumber of administrative positions.

"People who get appointed to administrativepositions are appointed because they can do thejob," said a professor who spoke on condition ofanonymity.

But other faculty members said lack ofexperience will not hurt Clark's chances of beingnamed dean.

"He probably hasn't worked as closely with arange of people as Cash has, but he's equallyrespected," Hayes said.

According to professors interviewed by TheCrimson, Clark has more than fulfilled theleadership roles he has held.

"The [Technology and Operations Management]Area has enormous respect and has prospered under[Clark's] leadership," said a professor whorequested anonymity.

"[Clark] is very quick and efficient andeffective in responding to colleagues [about theirconcerns]," the professor added.

And Clark has a valid excuse for having heldfewer administrative positions than the otherrumored leading candidates, faculty members said.

"He doesn't have the [same] administrativeexperience because he [teaches] a full courseload," Hayes said.

One professor said he thinks Clark'sinexperience will actually help him in the contestfor the deanship.

"People who...have power and responsibilityhave lots of influence, but make enemies," saidthe professor, who predicted that Clark would benamed the next dean.

McArthur recently appointed Clark second-yearMBA program chair. Clark's duties as chair willinclude overseeing changes to the electivecurriculum and directing the field studies andinternship programs.

Background

A Harvard veteran, Clark earned B.A., M.A. andPh.D. degrees in economics at the University. Hehas taught here since 1978.

Clark, who lives in Belmont, coaches basketballfor middle school students in the BelmontRecreational League. He and his wife Sue haveseven children, including a pair of ten-year-oldtwins.

Clark is an avid golfer and jogs regularly,according to a biographical sketch.

This is the second in a series of fourprofiles of candidates for the Business Schooldeanship.