Welcome to the Industry Studies Association! We are a professional organization of researchers committed to research grounded a deep understanding of the role that context – industry, location, and organization, plays in understanding phenomena. ISA includes scholars from a wide range of disciplines - management, economics, engineering, law, sociology, and public policy, which focus on many different industry sectors. ISA members often gather data through direct engagement with workplaces and primary informants, e.g., managers, policy makers and employees.

Our annual conference facilitates dialogue among the many disciplines represented within our membership. We believe these interactions motivate high impact, creative research which advances knowledge and impacts practice and policy.

I encourage you to get involved - join us at the annual conference, which offers an opportunity to network with researchers and practitioners from the various disciplines represented in ISA. Sign up and attend a webinar which feature lively discussions among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners on important contemporary topics.

I look forward to seeing you.

We had a very energizing and enlightening conference in Columbus, Ohio, May 31-June 2, 2023. Hosted by the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University, the conference opened with great site visits and the Professional Development Workshop (PDW) on Wednesday morning and concluded with the annual awards luncheon on Friday. During these and in between, there was something for everyone whose research involved a deep focus on an industry and/or an interest in the interface between academic research and public policy.

ISA owes a great debt of gratitude to the Fisher College of Business for fully sponsoring both the space and the excellent food—breakfast, lunch, and snacks—throughout the conference.

The conference certainly tilted heavily towards the theme of “Reconceptualizing Competition: Nation, Region, Firm, and Individual.” As we will recap below, we had plenaries that included current and former policymakers at different levels of government, journalists that cover these issues, and of course thought leaders doing research on industry and industrial policy.

You can see the full program here. Read below for a summary that attempts to capture the energy that was present throughout the three days in Columbus!

We hope to see you next year in Sacramento, California!