Dr. David Thomas MBA Professor-Harvard Bussiness School

David Thomas is the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.

Complete List of Publications

Racial Diversity Initiatives in Professional Service Firms: What Factors Differentiate Successful from Unsuccessful Initiatives?Authors: Modupe Akinola and David A. Thomas
Published: September 2006
Feature: Working Papers


What organizational factors are needed for racial diversity initiatives to succeed? While diversity continues to grow in importance in organizations, very little research has focused on the processes that underlie diversity management. Modupe Akinola and David A. Thomas propose a study intended to explore management initiatives that focus on racial diversity in professional service firms. Given that such firms rely on the high level of skills, expertise, and diverse perspectives offered by their professional staff, these firms may be ideal laboratories for examining diversity initiatives.
Unfinished Business: The Impact of Race on Understanding Mentoring RelationshipsAuthors: Stacy Blake-Beard, Audrey Murrell, and David Thomas
Published: June 2006
Feature: Working Papers


Race is a critical component of relationships in organizations, particularly in the United States and, due to shifting demographics, particularly for the future. As a socially embedded phenomenon, race also provides a lens for research on mentoring. This paper discusses why race and mentoring are important, how race has been studied or omitted in research to date, and what is known about the intersection of mentoring and race in organizations. The authors then discuss their own model, which aims to guide future research.
Writing the Case for Public School ReformAuthor: Julia Hanna
Published: May 8, 2006
Feature: Lessons from the Classroom


Professor David Thomas discusses his case studies on how the School District of Philadelphia is recruiting and retaining teachers and improving its human resources department. From HBS Alumni Bulletin.
IBM Finds Profit in DiversityAuthor: David A. Thomas
Published: September 27, 2004
Feature: Research & Ideas


Former CEO Lou Gerstner established a diversity initiative that embraced differences instead of ignoring them. In this Harvard Business Review excerpt, professor David A. Thomas describes why IBM made diversity a cornerstone strategy.
Racial Diversity Pays OffAuthor: Martha Lagace
Published: June 21, 2004
Feature: Research & Ideas


Diversity has been a buzzword in organizations for at least fifteen years. How much is really known about its effects on performance? HBS professors Robin Ely and David Thomas investigate.
Tales of the Newly-minted MBAAuthor: Julia Hanna
Published: February 17, 2003
Feature: Report from the Field


One moved back home. Another said his career subscribed to "chaos theory." The career paths of new Harvard Business School MBAs have wandered, some very far, from where the young executives had anticipated.
Manager or Mentor? Why You Must Be BothAuthor: Martha Lagace
Published: November 26, 2001
Feature: Research & Ideas


In a frank discussion on diversity with a large group of Harvard University managers, HBS professor David A. Thomas explains why managers need to do more than just mentor.
Race Does Matter in MentoringAuthor: David A. Thomas
Published: May 29, 2001
Feature: Research & Ideas


In studying the different career paths of whites and minorities, HBS Professor David Thomas finds one characteristic of people of color who advance the furthest: a strong network of mentors and corporate sponsors.
What Makes a Good Leader?Authors: Deborah Blagg and Susan Young
Published: April 2, 2001
Feature: Research & Ideas


Leadership comes in many shapes and sizes, and often from entirely unexpected quarters. In this excerpt from the HBS Bulletin, five HBS professors weigh in with their views on leadership in action.
Wired and Black: Focus on CareersAuthor: Carrie Levine
Published: March 12, 2001
Feature: Research & Ideas

What It Takes: Minorities in the Executive SuiteAuthor: Judith A. Ross
Published: October 12, 1999
Feature: Research & Ideas


For diversity to take hold in America's corporate boardrooms, companies need to find new ways to develop more conducive environments for minority advancement and opportunity. But minority executives who want to move up can't simple wait for their work environment to be perfect. HBS Professors David Thomas and John Gabarro are studying what it takes — on both sides — to make corporate diversity a reality.