J. Ronald Fox

Dr. Fox has served as Assistant Secretary of the Army, where he was the senior government official responsible for Army procurement, contracting, and logistics. Prior to his appointment as Assistant Secretary, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. His work in these governmental positions earned him the Exceptional Civilian Service Award from the Air Force and the Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest decoration for public service awarded by the Department of the Army. In 2004 he was named senior advisor on acquisition to the Department of Defense Acquisition History Project.

Prior to joining the Harvard faculty, Dr. Fox served four years as a Naval Officer and later as co-founder and executive vice president of Management Systems Corporation--a consulting firm specializing in project planning and control, subsequently acquired by Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company. While with Management Systems Corporation, Dr. Fox also served as project manager for the design and pilot test of the Navy's Polaris Program cost planning and control system, introducing the work package costing concept to large engineering development programs. That concept has been adopted as a standard planning and control tool by the Department of Defense, NASA, and by large commercial development and construction projects.

He is author of several articles and books, including: Managing Business-Government Relations, Richard D. Irwin, Inc; The Defense Management Challenge: Weapons Acquisition, Harvard Business School Press; Arming America: How the U.S. Buys Weapons, Harvard University Press; Critical Issues in the Defense Acquisition Culture, Defense Systems Management College; and Challenges in Managing Large Projects, Defense Acquisition University Press. Dr. Fox received the Award For Excellence from the American Society of Military Comptrollers for his article on "Reforming the Defense Acquisition Process" appearing in the U. S. GAO Journal.

In 1983, Dr. Fox was appointed faculty chairman of the Harvard General Management Area and in 1985 to the Tiampo Chair of Business Administration. In June 2001 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Harvard Business School.

Dr. Fox has served on the U.S. Comptroller General's Research and Education Advisory Panel, been a member of the Executive Board of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), served as chair of the DAU Board of Visitors, as trustee of the Logistics Management Institute and the Aerospace Corporation, and as director of the American Society for Macro Engineering. He has also been President of the Armed Forces Management Association and has served as consultant to the U.S. Department of Justice and to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In 2006 he was named to the Defense Acquisition University Hall of Fame.

Books

• Fox, J. Ronald, David Allen, Walton Moody, and Philip Shiman. Defense Acquisition Reform, 1960-2009: An Elusive Goal. U.S. Government Printing Office, 2012. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Donn B. Miller. Challenges in Managing Large Projects. Washington, D.C.: Defense Acquisition University Press, 2006. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. Critical Issues in the Defense Acquisition Culture: Government and Industry Views from the Trenches. Washington, D.C.: Defense Systems Management College, 1994. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. Defense Management Challenge: Weapons Acquisition. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 1988. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. Managing Business-Government Relations: Cases and Notes on Business-Government Problems. Homewood, IL: Richard D. Irwin, 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. Teacher's Manual for Managing Business-Government Relations. Richard D. Irwin, 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. Arming America: How the U.S. Buys Weapons. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1974. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. Defense Industry Contract Financing and Profit Policy. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1970. (J. Ronald Fox-Chairman, Leonard Spacek-Vice Chairman.) View Details

Journal Articles

• Fox, J. Ronald, and Edward Hirsch (Defense Acquisition Univ.). "The Long-Missing Essential Ingredient in Acquisition Reform." National Defense (July 2008). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "A-12 Termination Sets Harmful Precedent for Defense Programs." National Defense (2003). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Unreasonable Pressures on Defense Program Managers." Inside the Pentagon (October 1994). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Training the Wise Buyer." Training the Wise Buyer GAO Journal 24, no. 7 (fall 1989). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Why the Military Can't Learn to Shop." New York Times (September 4, 1988). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Private Industry's Lessons for the Pentagon." Los Angeles Times (July 31, 1988). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "The Troubles of Procurement." Governance (spring 1985). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Revamping the Business of National Defense." Harvard Business Review 62, no. 5 (September–October 1984). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Evaluating Management of Large, Complex Projects; A Framework for Analysis." Technology in Society 6 (1984). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Breaking the Regulatory Deadlock." Harvard Business Review 59, no. 6 (November–December 1981). View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Funds Control Versus Cost Control." Army Logistician 3, no. 3 (May–June 1971). View Details

Book Chapters

• Fox, J. Ronald. "Obstacles to Improving the Defense Acquisition Process." Chap. 9 in American Defense Annual. Lexington Books, 1989. View Details

Working Papers

• Fox, J. Ronald, David Allen, Thomas Lassman, Walton Moody, and Philip Shiman. "Defense Acquisition Reform, 1960–2009: An Elusive Goal." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 11-120, May 2011. (Revised May 2012.) View Details

Cases and Teaching Materials

• Fox, J. Ronald. "Development and Production of Missiles and Ships." Harvard Business School Case 390-053, November 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Twelve Mini-Case Studies of Defense Acquisition." Harvard Business School Case 390-054, November 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Problems in the Development and Manufacture of Defense Systems." Harvard Business School Background Note 390-055, November 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "R. Fox Testimony Before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee." Harvard Business School Background Note 390-081, November 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Reforming Defense Acquisition: Dealing with Persistent Management Problems." Harvard Business School Background Note 390-082, November 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Productivity on Missile Development Program 309." Harvard Business School Case 388-119, March 1988. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Paul Morrison. "How Management in Government Differs from Business." Harvard Business School Background Note 386-085, October 1985. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Paul E. Morrison. "Informal Networks: Keys to Successful Management." Harvard Business School Background Note 385-153, September 1984. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Chain Saws (A)." Harvard Business School Case 382-086, April 1982. (Revised May 1983.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Government Relations at TRW, Inc. (A)." Harvard Business School Case 383-104, December 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Government Relations at TRW, Inc. (B)." Harvard Business School Case 383-105, December 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Senator Kennedy and the Airlines." Harvard Business School Case 382-091, November 1981. (Revised November 1982.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Chain Saws (C)." Harvard Business School Case 382-088, April 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Chain Saws (B)." Harvard Business School Case 382-087, April 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Lynne O. Cabot. "Work of a Regulatory Agency: The EPA and Toxic Substances." Harvard Business School Case 380-081, February 1980. (Revised November 1981.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congressman Ned Pattison." Harvard Business School Case 380-113, December 1979. (Revised November 1981.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Role of Congress in the U.S. Government Decision-Making Process." Harvard Business School Background Note 382-057, November 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Role of the Executive Branch in the U.S. Government Decision-Making Process." Harvard Business School Background Note 382-058, November 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Note on Lobbyists and Interest Groups." Harvard Business School Background Note 382-059, November 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Allan Gray. "Steel Industry and Imports (A)--1977." Harvard Business School Case 379-041, October 1978. (Revised November 1981.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "The Business Administrator and Government Policy - A Course Description for Teachers." 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Trigger Price Mechanism." Harvard Business School Background Note 382-033, October 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Note on Political Action Committees (PACs)." Harvard Business School Background Note 382-060, October 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Senator Edward Kennedy and the CAB, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 382-051, September 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Allied Chemical Corp. (A), Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 382-024, September 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Allied Chemical Corp. (B) and (C), Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 382-025, September 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Consolidated Edison (A&B), Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Case 382-026, September 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "RAWAN Proposal Evaluation Group, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 382-008, August 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Comet Energy, Inc. (A), (B), and (C), Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 382-012, August 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Steel Industry and Imports (C)--1978, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-230, July 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Framework for Analyzing Government Involvement in Business." Harvard Business School Background Note 381-188, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Contract and Consensus at General Motors--1900-1984, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-203, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Work of a Regulatory Agency: The EPA and Toxic Substances TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-207, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Steel Industry and Imports (A)--1977, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-209, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congressman Ned Pattison, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-210, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Procter & Gamble and the Federal Trade Commission TN." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-212, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Steel Industry and Imports (B)--1978, Teaching Note." Harvard Business School Teaching Note 381-213, June 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "RAWAN Proposal Evaluation Group." Harvard Business School Case 380-147, February 1980. (Revised April 1981.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Structure of the U.S. Government Decision-Making Process." Harvard Business School Background Note 381-022, October 1980. (Revised April 1981.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Note on Government Contracting and Methods of Government Procurement." Harvard Business School Background Note 381-026, October 1980. (Revised April 1981.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Comet Energy, Inc. (C)." Harvard Business School Case 381-137, March 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Consolidated Edison (A&B)." Harvard Business School Case 380-076, November 1979. (Revised October 1980.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Allan Grey. "Gulf Oil Corp. and the United States Government (A)." Harvard Business School Case 379-048, February 1979. (Revised September 1980.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Orbiting Space Observatory." Harvard Business School Case 380-146, February 1980. (Revised September 1980.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Allan Gray. "Steel Industry and Imports (C)--1978." Harvard Business School Case 379-043, October 1978. (Revised September 1980.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Procter & Gamble and the Federal Trade Commission." Harvard Business School Case 380-077, November 1979. (Revised September 1980.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Allan Gray. "Steel Industry and Imports (B)--1978." Harvard Business School Case 379-042, October 1978. (Revised October 1979.) View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Gulf Oil Corp. and the United States Government (B)." Harvard Business School Case 379-114, February 1979. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and R. Lorette. "F-237." Harvard Business School Case 368-037, November 1967. View Details

Presentations

• Fox, J. Ronald. "Evaluating the Management of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Project." . View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Keynote Address, Defense Acquisition History Symposium." Defense Acquisition History Symposium, U.S. Army Center of Military History, McLean, VA, September 10, 2001. View Details

Other Publications and Materials

• Fox, J. Ronald. "Keynote Address - Defense Acquisition History Symposium." September 2001. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Testimony on Managing the Trans Alaska Pipeline System." U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., August 1996. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Productivity on Missile Development Program 309 - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." January 1992. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congressional Testimony on Defense Acquisition Reform - U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services, Investigations Subcommittee." U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1990. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "The Development and Production of Missiles and Ships - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." December 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Twelve Mini-Case Studies of Defense Acquisition - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." December 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Problems in the Development and Manufacture of Defense Systems." Discussion Paper, Harvard Business School, November 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "HBS Instructor's Guide to The Defense Management Challenge: See professor for copy." June 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congressional Testimony on Dealing with Persistent Acquisition Problems - U.S. Senate, Committee on Armed Services." U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., May 1989. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congressional Testimony on Defense Acquisition Policy - U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services, Subcommittee on Acquisition Policy." U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., September 1988. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congressional Testimony On Dealing with Cost Overruns and Schedule Slippages - U.S. Senate, Committee on Armed Services." U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., September 1988. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Structure of the U.S. Government Decision Making Process - HBS Technical Note - See professor." May 1988. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Testimony on Evaluating the Management of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Project." California Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, CA, August 1987. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Contracting for Large, Complex Projects - HBS Technical Note: See professor." February 1986. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "The Shorham Nuclear Power Plant (A)- HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1985. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Paul Edwin Morrison. "Informal Networks: Keys to Successful Management - HBS Discussion Paper." May 1984. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Orbiting Space Observatory - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." October 1983. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Teaching Note for Comet Energy (A) (B) (C) DoD Incentive Contracting - HBS Teaching Note." February 1982. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Louis B. Smith. "Comet Energy (A) DoD Incentive Contracting - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Louis B. Smith. "Comet Energy (B) DoD Incentive Contracting - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Louis B. Smith. "Comet Energy (C) DoD Incentive Contracting - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Competition and Antitrust Laws - HBS Technical Note." October 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Teaching Note for Dance of Legislation - HBS Teaching Note." September 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Freedom versus Regulation in a Commons - HBS Teaching Note." September 1981. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Congress Ned Pattison - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1980. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Lynne O. Cabot. "Executive Branch of the U.S. Government - HBS Technical Note." November 1980. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Inventive Plans Related to Rawls' Theory of Justice - HBS Discussion Paper." January 1980. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "Does Equal Opportunity Mean Equal Results - HBS Technical Note." December 1979. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Frank S. Leonard. "Fox Studios: Operating a Small Business - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1979. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and Lt. Col. Richard Lorette, USAF. "The F-237 Program - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." Report, November 1968. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "TFX (A) - Developing an Air Force/Navy Aircraft - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1967. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "TFX (B) - Developing an Air Force/Navy Aircraft - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1967. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "TFX (C) - Developing an Air Force/Navy Aircraft - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1967. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald. "TFX (D) - Developing an Air Force/Navy Aircraft - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." November 1967. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and J. Sterling Livingston. "Radio Station WECB - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." March 1961. View Details
• Fox, J. Ronald, and J. Sterling Livingston. "Radio Station WCMF - HBS Analysis and Decision Case." March 1960. View Details

Areas of Interest

• cost management
• performance measurement
• procurement
• technology management
Industries
• aerospace
• construction
• defense
• energy
Geographies
• United States