Clayton Christensen

Clayton M. Christensen was a prominent American academic and business consultant, best known for developing the theory of disruptive innovation, which has been hailed as one of the most influential business concepts of the early 21st century. He served as the Kim B. Clark Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School (HBS) from 1992 until his death on January 23, 2020, at the age of 67.12

Early Life and Education

Born on April 6, 1952, Christensen graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in economics from Brigham Young University in 1975. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Oxford University, where he earned an M.Phil. in applied econometrics in 1977. He later completed his MBA with high distinction and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Harvard Business School.127

Academic Career

Christensen joined HBS in 1992 and quickly established himself as a leading figure in management theory. He achieved tenure in 1998 and was named to a chaired professorship in 2001. His course, "Building and Sustaining a Successful Enterprise," became a staple of the MBA curriculum, focusing on strategies for long-term business success.13 Christensen's research emphasized how established companies could fail by focusing too much on their most profitable customers while neglecting emerging markets—an idea encapsulated in his seminal work, The Innovator's Dilemma (1997) .26

Contributions and Legacy

Christensen authored several influential books, including:

• The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail (1997)
• How Will You Measure Your Life? (2012), which applies business principles to personal fulfillment
• The Prosperity Paradox (2019), exploring innovation's role in economic development

His theories have not only shaped academic discourse but have also had practical implications across various industries, influencing how businesses approach innovation and strategy.345 Christensen was recognized multiple times as one of the world's most influential management thinkers, with accolades such as being ranked #1 in the Thinkers50 list in both 2011 and 2013.45

Personal Life

In addition to his academic achievements, Christensen was known for his leadership within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his commitment to mentoring students and young professionals. His approach combined rigorous academic research with a deep concern for ethical leadership and personal integrity.126

Clayton Christensen's legacy continues through his extensive body of work and the countless students he inspired during his tenure at Harvard Business School.