Human Leadership

The pace of technological change, globalization, and heightened stakeholder expectations have vastly expanded the business world’s definition of leadership. Through our innovative teaching practices and educational programs, we train 21st century business leaders to take full advantage of the endless opportunities made possible by technological progress while also managing its far-reaching social consequences.

To embrace the broader implications of innovation, we must imbue future business leaders with a deep appreciation of their ethical responsibilities, the great value of inclusion throughout society, and the ever-expanding societal responsibilities of business.

21st Century Leadership

Prioritizing Ethics and Responsibility

USC Marshall students and faculty share their thoughts on the importance of respecting and regarding societal responsibilities. "Those who do the right thing — those who conduct business with integrity — build a reputation and ultimately in the long term are always more successful," Joe Ucuzoglu '97, CEO Deloitte US.

INSTITUTES + CENTERS

Marshall’s Institutes and Centers are dedicated to business innovation and understanding the implications of that innovation on individuals, organizations, and society.

The Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab (BSEL) is a Center of Excellence at the USC Marshall School of Business building an ecosystem of students and professionals equipped with the business skills and resources to advance market-based approaches to pressing societal issues. Through education, community building, research, professional development, and narrative change, the Lab is a nucleus for social impact at Marshall, USC, and beyond.

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The continued and rapid growth of E-commerce has generated questions about the consequences for society, business, and the global economy. The USC Marshall Initiative on Digital Competition, which started in January 2021, aims to discover insights on these questions through a collaboration of industry practitioners and academics from business disciplines as well as non-business disciplines (e.g., computer science, economics, law, communications); and disseminate these insights to a broad set of audiences that includes academics, business leaders, and the public.

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Today's leaders are burdened with ever-growing expectations and dilemmas. The Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making provides leaders with tools at the intersection of ethics and technology so they can make wise decisions for their organizations while feeling confident about the future. In so doing, we aim to help solve what we believe to be the most difficult, but most important, challenge of our time – how to align emerging technologies with ethical, human-centered values.

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The Global Leadership Program (GLP) is an invitation-only year-long Freshman Leadership Seminar with opportunities for social activities, networking, advising, and a trip to Shanghai or Beijing during spring break.
The GLP is a groundbreaking program open by invitation only to the most academically talented students in each incoming freshmen class. GLP consists of a fall and spring course, BUAD 101 Freshman Leadership Seminar, as well as outside opportunities for social activities, networking, and advising. The experience is capped off with a visit to Shanghai or Beijing during spring break. During the trip, students meet with executives from some of the top companies in Asia and local and national government officials. In their latter years, GLP Alumni have the opportunity to plan events and mentor younger students while continuing to travel abroad to learn about the global impact of business.

ALL INSTITUTES + CENTERS

NEWS + EVENTS

USC Marshall AI for Business Students To Deliver Strategic Insights for Thunder, Salesforce Executives

AI for Business undergraduate students are developing research findings on the latest AI trends for top executives at Thunder and Salesforce.

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Research: How the Perception of Judgment Affects Career Pivots

New research from Marshall faculty suggests people are reluctant to change passions because they’re concerned of what others will think of them.

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From Taiwan to Los Angeles, Social Entrepreneurship Student Builds Legacy at USC Marshall

Recent graduate Rikke Yeh moves beyond the familiar to foster growth, innovation.

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The Hidden Cost of Work-Life Balance: A Q&A with Eva Buechel

While companies understand that work-life balance increases worker productivity, Buechel’s research shows that managers may penalize employees who unplug during off hours.

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New Study Explores People's Reluctance to Downplay Moral Transgressions

Research by Professor Ike Silver and co-authors examines why people tend to escalate moral judgments when responding publicly to moral transgressions.

MORE New Study Explores People's Reluctance to Downplay Moral Transgressions

ALL NEWS + EVENTS

INSIGHT + ANALYSIS

Cited: Peter Cardon in Yahoo! Finance

Cited: Yahoo! Finance cites Cardon’s research that states supervisors who rely heavily on AI to construct subjectivity-based emails risk losing employee trust.

GO TO ARTICLE Cited: Peter Cardon in Yahoo! Finance
Quoted: Ike Silver in MyNewsLA.com

Silver explains that although individual boycotts may not have a major effect on corporations’ bottom lines, their accumulative effect could spark real change.

GO TO ARTICLE Quoted: Ike Silver in MyNewsLA.com
Quoted: Stephanie Tully in ABC10News

Tully explains how and why more people are using AI as personal shopping assistants online.

GO TO ARTICLE Quoted: Stephanie Tully in ABC10News
Research: Stephanie Tully in Harvard Business Review

Tully’s research into artificial intelligence offers a surprising finding: Those with the most knowledge of A.I. and its capabilities are less likely to embrace it.

GO TO ARTICLE Research: Stephanie Tully in Harvard Business Review
Quoted: Nathanael Fast in the L.A. Times

Fast explains that if Kamala Harris can form a compelling narrative about her election loss, she’ll be more likely to succeed in her next venture, whether it be another presidential run or tackling an important issue like A.I.

GO TO ARTICLE Quoted: Nathanael Fast in the L.A. Times