ALEC LEVENSON is an Economist and Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Effective Organizations, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.

His 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

Alec’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.

Alec’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.

He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from Princeton University, specializing in Labor Economics and Development Economics, and his B.A. in Economics and Chinese language (double major) from University of Wisconsin-Madison.