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Kathryn J Aten
Associate Chair
Organizational Sciences Academic Group
Phone: (831) 656-2644
Email: kjaten@nps.edu
Overview
Dr. Kathryn Aten studies how organizations evaluate, adopt, and integrate emerging technologies and how those technologies reshape work, communication, and decision-making in complex institutional environments. Her research examines organizational systems, technology adoption, and information environments, focusing on how organizations adapt to new technologies and changing operational demands.
Drawing on qualitative and design-oriented research methods—including design research, observation, interviews, and open-ended surveys—she investigates how organizations respond to technological change.
Dr. Aten's research supports Navy and Marine Corps leaders seeking to reduce technology acquisition and transition costs, design effective systems for manning and training, and strengthen organizational resilience in technology-enabled operations. Her recent work has examined organizational problem solving in contested logistics, the role of public–private partnerships in securing critical infrastructure, and the potential of non-human knowledge workers to transform organizations.
Her research appears in journals including the Journal of Management Inquiry, the Journal of the Association for Information Systems, the Journal of World Business, and Energy Research and Social Science, as well as in technical reports supporting Navy and Marine Corps decision-making.
Dr. Aten is an award-winning case writer and has served as Program Chair and President of the Western Case Writers Association. She also serves on the editorial boards of two case research journals.
She holds a joint appointment in the Organization Sciences Academic Group and the Information Sciences Department at the Naval Postgraduate School and teaches for the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.
Drawing on qualitative and design-oriented research methods—including design research, observation, interviews, and open-ended surveys—she investigates how organizations respond to technological change.
Dr. Aten's research supports Navy and Marine Corps leaders seeking to reduce technology acquisition and transition costs, design effective systems for manning and training, and strengthen organizational resilience in technology-enabled operations. Her recent work has examined organizational problem solving in contested logistics, the role of public–private partnerships in securing critical infrastructure, and the potential of non-human knowledge workers to transform organizations.
Her research appears in journals including the Journal of Management Inquiry, the Journal of the Association for Information Systems, the Journal of World Business, and Energy Research and Social Science, as well as in technical reports supporting Navy and Marine Corps decision-making.
Dr. Aten is an award-winning case writer and has served as Program Chair and President of the Western Case Writers Association. She also serves on the editorial boards of two case research journals.
She holds a joint appointment in the Organization Sciences Academic Group and the Information Sciences Department at the Naval Postgraduate School and teaches for the Center for Homeland Defense and Security.
Education
-
PhD - University of Oregon 2009
NPS Experience
- 2017 - current: Associate Professor
- 2010 - 2017: Assistant Professor
Research Interests
Technology adoption and transition, technology-mediated education, technology in work,
and talent management of technical professionals.
and talent management of technical professionals.
Teaching Interests
Strategic management of information technology, organizational strategy and innovation, qualitative research methods, and research design.
Awards
- 2024 - Tate Award--Best Published Case 2024, North American Case Research Association
- 2023 - LCDR David L. Williams Outstanding Professor Award, Naval Postgraduate School
- 2015 - Best Paper Nomination, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada