Jim Whitbeck

My research explores questions at the intersection of entrepreneurship and organization theory: How do entrepreneurs respond to failure in order to achieve success? In what ways do they leverage cultural resources to help navigate market complexities? Through diverse studies ranging from determining the dynamics of performance after crowdfunding failure to unpacking the multidimensional distinctiveness of tabletop board games, I examine the nuanced relationships between entrepreneurial cognition, cultural mobilization strategies, and business outcomes. This agenda deepens our understanding of entrepreneurship as a dynamic and culturally embedded process, a topic which has fascinated me since the beginning of my own experience as an entrepreneur founding, managing and successfully exiting from my own venture.

In the classroom, I am passionate about teaching entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity to both undergraduate and graduate students. My teaching approach aims to equip students with the mindset and skills necessary to navigate the dynamic and evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.