Ariel Avgar, Ph.D.

Ariel Avgar is a David M. Cohen Professor of Labor Relations, Law and History at the ILR School at Cornell University and is a Senior Associate Dean for Outreach and Sponsored Research. His research focuses on two primary areas within employment relations. First, Avgar explores the role that employment relations factors play in the healthcare industry. As such, he examines the effects of a variety of workplace innovations, including new technology, delivery of care models and innovative work practices, on patients, frontline employees and organizational performance. Second, Avgar studies conflict and its management in organizations with a focus on the strategic choices made by firms. He seeks to better understand the consequences of conflict for employees and employers. In addition, Avgar’s research investigates the adoption and implementation of organizational-level conflict management practices and systems. He served as law clerk for the president of the Israeli National Labor Court before being admitted into the Israeli Bar. Prior to joining ILR, Avgar was an associate professor (2014–2016) and assistant professor (2008–2014) at the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He holds a BA in sociology and an LLB in law from Hebrew University, and a PhD in industrial relations from the ILR School at Cornell University. Avgar’s research has been published in a number of journals including ILR Review; Industrial Relations; British Journal of Industrial Relations; Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution; International Journal of Conflict Management; International Journal of Human Resource Management; Negotiation and Conflict Management Research; Advances in Industrial and Labor Relations; Health Services Research; and Medical Care. He received the 2008 Best Dissertation Award and the 2013 John T. Dunlop Scholar Award, both from the Labor and Employment Relations Association, and he serves as the editor-in-chief for the association. Avgar’s paper (with Eric J. Neuman) titled “Blind Spots and Mirages: A Dyadic Approach to the Study of Team Conflict” received the 2012 Best Paper: New Directions Award from the Academy of Management's Conflict Management Division.