Christoph
Loch

Professor of Operations, Information and Technology

• Ph.D., Stanford Graduate School of Business

Christoph Loch is Professor in the Operations, Information and Technology Department. He was a chaired Professor at INSEAD (1994-2011) and served as Dean at the Cambridge Judge Business School from 2011-2021. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Management Science.

His research examines how organizations can make innovation happen, including executing as well as modifying strategy (strategy execution), managing uncertainty and complexity, and managing the motivation of professional employees to offer their best effort and ideas.

He is keen on doing research that achieves impact and he has consulted with organizations (small and large companies as well as nonprofits) in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. He spent a year as a visiting professor in China in 2023-2024.

Publications

Journal Articles (refereed)

LOCH, C., LADAS, K., KAVADIAS, S. (2025). Organizational culture, innovation, and competitive performance. A Multi-level dynamic model. Management Science, 71 (11), 9193-9212. doi:10.1287/mnsc.2024.05087. SI, H., LI, M., LOCH, C. (2025). Working with practitioners in operations management. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 27 (5), 1333-1343. doi:10.1287/msom.2025.0147. FEDUZI, A., FAULKNER, P., RUNDE, J., CABANTOUS, L., LOCH, C. (2022). Heuristic methods for updating small world representations in strategic situations of knightian uncertainty. Academy of Management Review, 47 (3), 402-424. doi:10.5465/amr.2018.0235.

Working Papers

SI, H., KAVADIAS, S., LOCH, C. (2022). Managing innovation portfolios. From project selection to portfolio design. SSRN Electronic Journal.

Books

IBRAHIM, J., LOCH, C., SENGUPTA, K. (2022). How megaprojects are damaging Nigeria and how to fix it. A Practical guide to mastering very large government projects. London: Palgrave Macmillan. LOCH, C., CHICK, S., HUCHZERMEIER, A. (2008). Management quality and competitiveness. Lessons from the industrial excellence award. Berlin: Springer. LOCH, C., DE MEYER, A., PICH, M. T. (2006). Managing the unknown. A New approach to managing high uncertainty and risk in projects. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Edited books

DAVIES, A., LENFLE, S., LOCH, C., MIDLER, C. (2023). Handbook on innovation and project management. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. LOCH, C., KAVADIAS, S. (2007). Handbook of new product development management. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Book Chapters

LOCH, C., SOMMER, S. C., JIANG, M. (2023). Managing unforeseeable uncertainty through learning. In Davies, A., Lenfle, S., Loch, C. H., Midler, C. (Eds.), Handbook of innovation and project management (pp. 201-218). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. LOCH, C., KAVADIAS, S., SOMMER, S. C. (2023). A Cultural evolution theory of balancing innovative and routine projects. In Davies, A., Lenfle, S., Loch, C. H., Midler, C. (Eds.), Handbook of Innovation and Project Management (pp. 258-273). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. IBRAHIM, J., LOCH, C., SENGUPTA, K. (2022). Corruption in large government projects not only inflates the budget but reduces managerial effectiveness. In Lee, H., Ernst, R., Huchzermeier, A., Cui, S. (Eds.), Creating value with operations and analytics: a tribute to the contributions of Professor Morris Cohen. Berlin: Springer.

Non-refereed articles

LOCH, C., SOUFANI, K. (2021). Circular supply chains are more sustainable. Why are they so rare? Harvard Business Review Digital Articles. LOCH, C., STING, F., STEMPFHUBER, D., HUCHZERMEIER, A. (2020). Das Prinzip der roten Karte. Harvard Business Manager, pp. 44-51. KAVADIAS, S., LADAS, K., LOCH, C. (2016). The Transformative business model. How to tell if you have one. Harvard Business Review, 94 (10), pp. 90-98.

Cases

LOCH, C., KAVADIAS, S., LADAS, K. (2021). LEGO. Balancing multiple performance dimensions? Cambridge Judge Business School. LOCH, C., GUTTMAN, A., NAHMIAS, D., ZOTT, C., JOKELA, P. (2008). FriCSo. How to translate a new technology into a business (Model)? (A). INSEAD. LOCH, C., GUTTMAN, A., NAHMIAS, D., ZOTT, C., JOKELA, P. (2008). FriCSo. Designing the new business (Model) (B). INSEAD.

Outputs in other media

LOCH, C., COURTICE, P., SHUCKBURGH , E. (2014). An Opportunity for innovation rather than a challenge. Financial Times. LOCH, C., STING, F. (2010). A Seismic shift in the car industry. The Management challenge and responsibility. Automotive Industries. LOCH, C., VAN DER HEYDEN, L. (2007). Le défi managérial de l'innovation. L’Usine Nouvelle.