DENNIS HELDING JACOBSEN

I am a PhD candidate in Organizations and Management at Yale School of Management. My research is focused on how we construct our social worlds at work, and the ensuing consequences these choices have on our personal and professional development.

Laying the groundwork for my ongoing empirical research, I recently published a review paper that offers a comprehensive and systematic analysis and synthesis of research that extends a dynamic lens to the study of intraorganizational social networks. This paper critically examines the literature on the antecedents and consequences of the formation, evolution, and dissolution of social ties in professional environments, while addressing the lack of clear terminology, methodological clarity, and a unified framework in existing literature.

Building on these insights, my empirical dissertation research challenges a foundational assumption commonly applied in the network dynamics literature: that the relationship between social networks and individual attributes is a “one-way street.” Rather, my research proposes the idea that, more often than we think, the way we construct our networks and the influence those networks exert on us are highly interdependent and can result in complex coevolutionary lock-ins. This perspective not only challenges traditional views but also opens new avenues for understanding how workplace relationships and personal attributes, such as creativity and emotional well-being, are dynamically interconnected.

In studying these ideas, I employ a multi-method approach, combining primary longitudinal observational data with experimental techniques. I have collaborated closely for several years with companies from culturally diverse backgrounds, including Italy and Indonesia, allowing me to explore these dynamics in varied organizational contexts.

My scientific exploration of social dynamics parallels a lifelong personal fascination with the complexities of how and why we structure our social worlds the way we do, and the ways in which these structures influence us and our actions. From navigating the dynamics of friendship groups to observing behavioral patterns across different interactions, I have always been drawn to understanding these complex social patterns and their implications. This curiosity forms the cornerstone of my research, driving my dedication to exploring and understanding these processes.

Prior to joining Yale, I spent two years as a PhD Fellow at Copenhagen Business School, where I also earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics and Business Administration. Alongside my academic pursuits in Copenhagen, I gained industry experience in internationally operating firms across tech (Jabra), consulting (Ramboll Management Consulting), and transportation (DSB, Denmark's principal railway operator). This experience was instrumental in deepening my insights into the social dynamics and structures encountered within diverse professional settings, and informs the nature and scope of the research questions I now explore.