Professor Flanagan has written extensively on micro and macro issues in cultural economics, comparative labor economics, and human resource management. His recent research interests include the economics of performing arts organizations, and he has recently completed a study of the economic issues facing symphony orchestras (The Perilous Life of Symphony Orchestras: Artistic Triumphs and Economic Challenges (Yale University Press, 2012). His other research interests incluce the effects of globalization on labor conditions and human resource management issues.

Robert J. Flanagan is the Konosuke Matsushita Professor of International Labor Economics and Policy Analysis, Emeritus, at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He holds a BA in Economics from Yale University, and MA and PhD degrees in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley. Professor Flanagan has published 12 books and over 50 articles in professional journals on labor economics and human resource management. He has also served on the editorial boards of several professional journals.

His research interests have included the economics of performing arts organizations, labor market discrimination, labor union behavior, and the impact of collective bargaining institutions on wages, inflation, and other measures of macroeconomic performance. His most recent book analyzes the economics of symphony orchestras. A previous book examined the effects of globalization on working conditions and labor rights around the world.

Professor Flanagan has taught microeconomics, macroeconomics, and a variety of electives on topics in human resource management in the MBA and Sloan Programs. He has served as Associate Dean of the GSB and Director of the Public Management program.