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Geoffrey Parker Named to Thinkers50 2021 Ranking

Nov 24, 2021   |   by Julie Bonette

Geoffrey G. Parker, Dartmouth professor of engineering and director of the Master of Engineering Management program, has been named to the Thinkers50 2021 ranking, which recognizes top global management thinkers.

Professor Geoffrey Parker (Photo by John Sherman)

Parker was recognized for developing "the concept of two-sided markets, which is used extensively in platform business models, and [delivering] the first comprehensive analysis of platform technology," alongside his research partner Marshall Van Alstyne of Boston University.

"It's an incredible honor to be counted among such an accomplished set of people. Our work has spanned decades during which we've tried to understand the ways in which new information and communications technologies are changing the very fabric of organizations, industries, the economy, and at a very high level, society itself," said Parker, who has taught at Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth since 2016.

Thinkers50 has become an international resource for identifying, ranking, and sharing leading management ideas.

"One of the things that Des and Stu (founders of Thinkers50) work hard at is to systematically seek out ideas and identify those that have significant impact. I have the good fortune to have been able to work with many organizations to try understand how digital technology is changing their processes and markets, and it's always gratifying to see the ideas we've worked on get put into action," Parker said.

In 2019, Parker and Van Alstyne received the Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award. Parker was also recognized for similar work earlier this year when he was chosen as a 2021 INFORMS Information Systems Society (ISS) Practical Impacts Award winner, which honors an information systems academic or practitioner who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and sustained impact on the industry.

Parker’s current research focuses on antitrust tools and policy, pathways for digital transformation, business to business versus business to consumer systems, and data sovereignty. He has recently worked with the European Commission and is currently working with the World Economic Forum and multiple companies.

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