Alec R. Levenson

Senior Research Scientist

Research

Dr. Alec Levenson’s action research and consulting work with companies optimize job and organization performance and HR systems through the application of organization design, job design, human capital analytics and strategic talent management.

Four areas of primary focus include:

Talent management practices for the new generation of workers and world of work
Organization design and effectiveness
Human capital analytics to improve decisions around talent and work design
Organizational and talent strategies for global work & emerging markets

Research Partners & Clients

Dr. Levenson’s work with companies combines the best elements of scientific research and practical, actionable knowledge that companies can use to improve performance. He draws from the disciplines of economics, strategy, organization behavior, and industrial-organizational psychology to tackle complex talent and organizational challenges that defy easy solutions. His recommendations focus on the actions organizations should take to make lasting improvements in critical areas.

He has trained Human Resource professionals from a broad range of Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies in the application of human capital analytics.

Professional Work

Dr. Levenson’s research has been featured in numerous academic and business publications, and in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, CNN, Associated Press, U.S. News and World Report, National Public Radio, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Marketplace, Fox News, and many other news outlets. Alec has received research grants from the Sloan Foundation, Russell Sage Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, U.S. National Science Foundation, China National Science Foundation, and National Institute for Literacy. He is on the editorial boards of Human Resource Management and Small Business Economics.

Connect with Alec on LinkedIn

Search for additional information at Google Scholar

See all books by Alec Levenson.

Education

BA – University of Wisconsin, Madison

MA – Princeton University

PhD – Princeton University

Contact Information

[email protected]

Recent Research

USC CEO Webinar: Driving Organizational Change with Data – in the Age of AI

Over the past quarter century, workforce/people analytics has become central to the work of HR. Yet good analytical work often fails to gain traction. And even though AI is poised to transform how analytics is conducted, it cannot solve the challenge of integrating data-based insights with effective organizational change. Integrating analytical practices with organization development and change practices can help each of these HR specialties be stronger, driving better overall outcomes for the organization, and make the best use of what AI has to offer.

See More >

Using Analytics and AI to Drive Org Change

As some astute commentators have noted, many features of what we today call “artificial intelligence” have been around in a number of forms for many years. Prior to the launch of ChatGPT and the global explosion of people using generative AI models, we had machine learning and other forms of highly sophisticated computer-based modelling that provided many of the features of genAI behind the scenes, invisible to us end users. So in one sense, the current genAI models are like a coming out – or coming of age – party for a technology that now is clear to everyone.

See More >

AI’s Impact on Analytics, OD and Strategic HR

AI is going – and has already started – to transform how work is done within organizations. Anywhere people are asked to weigh in on decisions has the potential to be disrupted by AI. And in these early days, it’s really hard to say for certain what the limitations of AI will be in most cases.

See More >

Podcast: Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective

Dr. Mark Huselid and Dr. Alec Levenson join the Directionally Correct podcast to discuss their book Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective, diving into the value of measuring employee variance, the impact of High Performance Work Systems on firm performance, the importance of systems thinking in people analytics-all in one engaging episode.

See More >

Tariffs, inflation and compensation

The global economy is suffering through a particularly difficult time right now. The recent onslaught of sharply-changing tariffs, and uncertainty about the future of international trade and supply chains, has leaders turning to time-honored strategies for keeping costs down. And since labor costs often are the largest on a company’s balance sheet, cutting headcount, salaries and hourly compensation usually are at the top of the list. But should they be?

See More >