Dr. Kevin Boudreau's research centers on the design of business and technology strategies for large-scale digital platforms and infrastructure. He is particularly interested in digital innovation in technology, science, knowledge, and education-intensive environments, extending beyond more conventional consumer platforms.
Together with his team and collaborators, Dr. Boudreau has developed and studied platform-based organizational models, supported by robust data science infrastructure and scientific management programs. His work spans a variety of fields, including multi-sided markets, crowdsourcing, labor matching markets, crowdfunding, university science and education platforms, product innovation platforms, and corporate digital infrastructure.
Dr. Boudreau's approach combines theoretical advancement through detailed data analysis with practical applications. Collaborating closely with industry and public partners, his team of engineers and AI/data scientists focuses on prototyping and scaling innovative solutions. This often involves creating comprehensive data science strategies and integrating large-scale field experiments within operational service platforms. Their efforts not only lead to more effective business models for their partners but also contribute fundamental, basic insights into how the economy and modern organizations work.
He is deeply grateful for the generous support of a number of esteemed funders and supporters, including the Club Informatique des Grandes Entreprises Françaises, Fulbright Foundation, G.E. Corp., Google, the Kaufmann Foundation, Harvard University, Microsoft, TopCoder, London Management-Lab, the National Bureau of Economic Research, NASA, the Paris Chamber of Commerce, the Sloan Foundation, D'Amore McKim School of Business, Northeastern Honors Program, and the Research Institute for Experiential Learning Science.
Building on a robust foundation of real-world experience and academic rigor, Dr. Boudreau has made contributions to the fields of Strategy, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economics. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked as a research engineer and business executive within platform industries. This practical grounding has been crucial to his theoretical work. His empirical work extends to methodological innovations as well, employing field experiments in platform settings—a testament to his belief in 'Pasteur's Quadrant,' where practical application meets theoretical advancement. Beyond the theoretical, his leadership in the creation of the IoT Open Innovation Lab and as Chief Economist at the NASA Tournament Lab underlines his commitment to operationalizing research insights. These are examples of symbiosis of academia and industry--and a new model for research that can be carried out by business schools.
In the classroom, Dr. Boudreau leverages his research insights to provide students with frameworks and tools tested by rigorous research, equipping them to lead in a landscape continuously reshaped by rapid technological advancement.