The Sloan Industry Studies Program began with investments by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to establish a number of academic centers dedicated to promoting research concerning industry. The first Sloan Industry Center, the International Motor Vehicle Program at MIT, was established in 1990, and the Sloan Foundation’s program eventually grew to include a total of 26 centers at 19 universities across the United States
Each Sloan Industry Center consists of a multidisciplinary group of faculty members and students who study many aspects of a single industry or engage in cross-industry analysis. In the industry studies tradition, research conducted at the Centers employs a wide variety of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and is characterized by the researchers having close contact with the people in industry. This contact often leads scholars to challenging and important problems, provides access to unique data sources, and presents opportunities for direct observation through site visits. Well over 700 faculty members and nearly 1,000 graduate students have taken part in research at the Centers, from the beginning of the Sloan program. Nearly 400 Ph.D.'s have been produced as a result of related activities. Most of these scholars have gone on to academic positions and many continue to study industries.
The Sloan Industry Centers that are affiliated with the Industry Studies Association are listed below, along with links to each Center's website. Alternately, look for an industry of interest among those listed in the side bar, and you will navigate directly to the research center that specializes in that industry.
