Ralph Currier Davis (December 24, 1894 – c. 1960) was an American industrial and consulting engineer, Professor of Business Organization at Ohio State University, and organizational theorist.
[1][2] In his 1951 book, entitled The Fundamentals of Top Management, Davis built on Fayol's "early work on the scientific approach to management and introduced the rational-planning perspective, which has had enormous influence on both the theory and practice of strategy ever since.
[4] After high school graduation Davis had started his career, in 1913, in the industry as special machinist apprentice.
He last appointment in the industry was head of the management department of the General Motors Institute, where he served from 1927 to 1930.
[4] He served at the College of Commerce and Administration of the Ohio State University until his retirement.