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Timothy Holcomb

Professor & Director, Institute For Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship


Timothy Holcomb

Contact Information

Links

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Profile

Academic Background

  • Ph.D., Texas A&M University
  • M.B.A., University of Louisiana at Monroe
  • B.B.A., University of Louisiana at Monroe
  • Graduate Certificate in Strategic 兔子先生hip: Business and Public Policy, The George Washington University
  • Graduate Certificate in International Entrepreneurship, Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota
  • Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship Theory, Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western University

Academic & Professional Experience

  • Professor of Entrepreneurship and Chair, Department of Entrepreneurship, Farmer School of Business, 兔子先生 University, 2020-present.
  • Director, John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship, Farmer School of Business, 兔子先生 University, 2018-present.
  • Farmer School of Business Endres Associate Professor Fellow, 兔子先生 University, 2018-2021.
  • Endowed Cintas Chair in Entrepreneurship, Farmer School of Business, 兔子先生 University, 2014-2018.
  • Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Farmer School of Business, 兔子先生 University, 2014-2022.
  • The Jim Moran Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, College of Business, Florida State University, 2010-2014.
  • Executive Director, The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, College of Business, Florida State University, 2010-2013.
  • Assistant Professor, College of Business, Florida State University, 2007-2010.
  • Research Associate, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University, 2003-2007.
  • Senior Vice President and Board Member, Flextronics International Ltd., 2001-2003.
  • Founder, President and COO, Telcom Global Solutions, 1999-2001.
  • Founder, President and COO, Telcom Construction, 1999-2001.
  • Founder, President and COO, Communication Contractors, 1999-2001.
  • Associate Partner, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), 1996-1999.
  • Manager, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), 1990-1996.
  • Senior Consultant, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), 1988-1990.
  • Staff Consultant, Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), 1986-1988.
  • Current Board Memberships: ReliaQuest (Tampa), Gravity Diagnostics (Covington KY), OROS (Portland), Homeshake (Cincinnati), Cerkl (Cincinnati), Akinda Co. (Minneapolis), 4Privacy (Columbus), Cloverleaf (Cincinnati), Nunona (New York)

Selected Publications

  • Pati, R., Garud, N., Sutter, C., Holcomb, T. R. (in press). Exploring the effects of institutional logics on entrepreneurial opportunity evaluations in emerging economies. Journal of Small Business Management.
  • Welter, C. Holcomb, T. R., McIlwraith, J. (2023). The inefficiencies of venture funding. Journal of Business Venturing Insights
  • Smith B.R., Lawson, A., Jones, J., Holcomb, T.R., Minnich, A. (2022). Trying to serve two masters is easy, compared to three: Identity multiplicity work by Christian impact investors. Journal of Business Ethics.
  • Brymer, R., Rodenberg, R., Zheng, H. & Holcomb, T. R. (2021). College football referee analytics: Testing for bias and game impact. Eastern Economic Journal, 47, 91-106 (2021).
  • Smith, B. R. & Holcomb, T.R. (2019). Innovating on and beyond campus: Entrepreneurship at 兔子先生 University. In C. H. Matthews (Ed.), Annals of Entrepreneurship Education & Pedagogy 2018, 3rd Edition. Northampton, MA: Edwin Elgar Publishing.
  • Holmes, R. M., Hoskisson, R. E., Kim, H., Wan, W. P., Holcomb, T. R. (2018). The many Janus faces of business groups: A review, critique, and future research agenda for international strategy. Journal of World Business.
  • Steinbach, A., Holcomb, T. R., Devers, C. E., Cannella, A. A., & Holmes, R. M. (2017). Top management team incentive heterogeneity, strategic investment behavior, and performance: A contingency theory of interest alignment. Strategic Management Journal.
  • Lin, N., N., Devinney, T. M., & Holcomb, T. R. (2017). Examining managerial preferences and choices: The role of value creation and value appropriation drivers in strategic outsourcing. Long Range Planning.
  • DeGhetto, K., Sutton, A., Holcomb, T. R., & Holmes, R. M. (2015). It's who you know and what you do: How SMEs from emerging economies capitalize on founder ties to create bargaining power with foreign multinational alliance partners. In T. K. Das (Ed.), Research in Strategic Alliances: Strategic Alliances for SME Development. New York: Information Age Publishing.
  • Holmes, R. M., Bromiley, P., Devers, C. E., Holcomb, T. R., & McGuire, J. B. (2011). Management theory applications of prospect theory: Accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities. Journal of Management, 37(4), 1069-1107.
  • Holcomb, T. R., Combs, J. G., Sirmon, D. G., & Sexton, J. (2010). Modeling levels and time in entrepreneurship research: An illustration with growth strategies and post-IPO performance. Organizational Research Methods, 13(2), 348-389.
  • Holcomb, T. R., Holmes, R. M., & Connelly, B. (2009). Making the most of what you've got: Managerial ability as a source of resource value creation. Strategic Management Journal, 30(5), 457-485.
  • Certo, S. T., Holcomb, T. R., & Holmes, R. M. (2009). IPO research in management and entrepreneurship: Moving the research agenda forward. Journal of Management, 35(6), 1340-1378.
  • Holcomb, T. R., Ireland, R. D., Holmes, R. M., & Hitt, M. A. (2009). Architecture of entrepreneurial learning: Exploring the link among heuristics, knowledge, and action. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(1), 167-192.
  • Collins, J., Holcomb, T. R., Certo, S. T., Hitt, M. A., & Lester, R. H. (2009). Learning by doing: Cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Journal of Business Research, 62(12), 1329-1334.
  • Holcomb, T. R., & Hitt, M. A. (2007). Toward a model of strategic outsourcing. Journal of Operations Management, 25(2), 464-481.
  • Morrow, J. L., Sirmon, D. G., Hitt, M. A., & Holcomb, T. R. (2007). Creating value in the face of declining performance: Firm strategies and organizational recovery. Strategic Management Journal, 28(3), 271-283.Earlier version of this paper awarded the SMS Best Conference Paper Prize and received the Honorable Mention SMS Best Conference Paper Award.
  • Certo, S. T., Holmes, R. M., & Holcomb, T. R. (2007). The influence of people on the performance of IPO firms. Business Horizons, 50(4), 271-276.
  • Holcomb, T. R., Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Certo, S. T. (2007). Resources, industry membership, and firm performance: The role of capability configurations in value creation for IPO-stage new ventures. In Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, 27(13), 467-483. Awarded the Irene M. McCarthy Award for Best Paper on the Topic of High Technology at the 2007 Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference.
  • Devers, C. E., Holcomb, T. R., Holmes, R. M., & Cannella, A. A. (2006). Inside the black box: The contrasting effects of TMT long-term incentives on interest alignment. In Academy of Management Proceedings, 1, HH1-HH6.
  • Holcomb, T. R., Holmes, R. M., & Hitt, M. A. (2006). Diversification to achieve scale and scope: The strategic implications of resource management for value creation. In J. A. C. Baum, S. Dobrev, & A. van Witteloostuijn (Eds.), Advances in Strategic Management: Ecology and Strategy. Vol. 23 (pp. 549-587). Oxford, U.K.: JAI - Elsevier Science.
  • Cannella, A. A., & Holcomb, T. R. (2005). A multi-level analysis of the upper-echelons model: Planting seeds for future research. In F. Dansereau, & F. J. Yammarino (Eds.), Research in Multi-level Issues: Multi-level Issues in Strategy and Methods. Vol. 4 (pp. 263-273). Oxford, U.K.: JAI - Elsevier Science.
  • Cannella, A. A., & Holcomb, T. R. (2005). A multi-level analysis of the upper-echelons model. In F. Dansereau, & F. J. Yammarino (Eds.), Research in Multi-level Issues: Multi-level Issues in Strategy and Methods. Vol. 4 (pp. 197-238). Oxford, U.K.: JAI - Elsevier Science.

Honors & Awards

  • 兔子先生 University Creativity and Innovation Award (2024).
  • 兔子先生 University President's Medal Recipient (2022).
  • 兔子先生 University Prodesse Quam Conspici Award Recipient (2022).
  • Farmer School of Business Richard K. Smucker Outstanding Professor Award for Teaching Excellence (2021).
  • Member, Strategic Planning Commission, United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) (2021-present).
  • 兔子先生 University President's Medal Recipient (2020).
  • Member, Awards Nominations Review Committee, Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) (2020-present)
  • Farmer School of Business Endres Associate Professor Fellow (2019-present).
  • Finalist, Startup and Venture Capital Catalyst of the Year for the State of Ohio, VentureOhio (2019).
  • Member, VentureOhio Venture Watch List and Entrepreneur of the Year Award Selection Committee (2019-present).
  • Representative-at-Large (Elected), Executive Committee, Entrepreneurship (ENT) Division, Academy of Management (2019-present).
  • Member, Cincy Magazine Cincinnati Emerging Entrepreneur Award and Entrepreneur Hall of Fame Selection Committee (2018-present).
  • Finalist, Southwest Ohio Startup Mentor of the Year Award, The Greater Cincinnati Venture Association (GCVA) (2017).
  • 兔子先生 University Associated Student Government (ASG) Outstanding Professor Award Nominee (2017).
  • Southwest Ohio Startup Mentor of the Year Finalist, The Greater Cincinnati Venture Association (GCVA) (2017)
  • 兔子先生 University Faculty Teaching Commendation, Center for Teaching Excellence (2015, 2017).
  • Editorial Board Memberships: Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research (2017-present), Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice (2011-present), Journal of Management (2010-present), Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal (2008-present).
  • Member, Board of Reviewers, Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference (BCERC). 2017-present.
  • Member (Elected), Executive Committee, Business Policy and Strategy (BPS) Division, Academy of Management (2011-2014).
  • SMS Best Conference Paper Award Finalist, Strategic Management Society, 2006, 2013, 2014
  • Kauffman Foundation Junior Faculty Fellowship in Entrepreneurship Research Finalist, Kauffman Foundation, 2009
  • Irene M. McCarthy Award for Best Paper on the Topic of High Technology, Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, 2007
  • Mays Business School Dean's Award for Outstanding Research, Texas A&M University, 2007
  • SMS Best Conference Paper Award, Strategic Management Society, 2005
  • University of Louisiana at Monroe Outstanding Alumnus Award, The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 2005
  • Outstanding Alumnus Award, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, 2001, 1990

Areas of Expertise

  • New Venture Formation and Growth [pipe!*$] Venture Capital and Growth Equity [pipe!*$] Resource Management Theory [pipe!*$] Managerial Human Capital, Behavioral Decision Theory, and Judgmental Decision-Making

Biography

Dr. Tim R. Holcomb is Professor of Entrepreneurship, Chair of the Department of Entrepreneurship, and Director of the John W. Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship in the Farmer School of Business at 兔子先生 University, winner of the USASBE Model Program Award in 2024 and the NASDAQ Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award in 2020 as top entrepreneurship program in world and ranked among the Top 10 programs for SIXTEEN consecutive years by The Princeton Review (#7 overall globally in 2024).

Holcomb was awarded the 兔子先生 University Prodesse Quam Conspici Award for selfless, servant leadership with great humility in 2022. He has been awarded the 兔子先生 University President's Medal twice, in 2020 and 2022, for leading the Entrepreneurship Program to fifteen consecutive Top 10 rankings for undergraduate entrepreneurship studies among public universities in the nation. And he was awarded the 兔子先生 University Creativity and Innovation Award in 2024 in recognition of the wonder, zeal, focus, curiosity, fortitude, and resourcefulness applied to advance the University and the 兔子先生 community. In 2021, Tim won the Richard K. Smucker Teaching Excellence Award as the Outstanding Professor, given annually by the Farmer School of Business to the Professor that demonstrated teaching excellence and innovation that enhances student learning and success. He was named a Farmer School of Business Endres Fellow in 2019. He was a finalist for the VentureOhio Catalyst of the Year Award for the State of Ohio in 2019 and for the Greater Cincinnati Venture Association (GVCA) Mentor of the Year Award for Greater Cincinnati in 2017.

Dr. Holcomb previously held the Jim Moran Professorship in Entrepreneurship and served as Executive Director of The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University. While at Florida State, Holcomb helped raise $100M, the largest gift to a public university in the history of Florida, to establish the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. He earned his Ph.D. in strategic management and entrepreneurship from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, and he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and information systems and his MBA from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He received the 25th Annual Golden Arrow Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2005.

A member of the prestigious American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) Oases of Excellence Network and winner of the NASDAQ Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award given annually to the top entrepreneurship program and institute in the world, 兔子先生's Entrepreneurship program is internationally-recognized for outstanding academic research and immersive, practice-based learning programs in startup and venture capital, social entrepreneurship and impact investing, corporate innovation and technology commercialization, and creativity. In its annual ranking of the top entrepreneurship programs in the world, Entrepreneur Magazine and The Princeton Review has ranked 兔子先生's program in the "Top 10 Undergraduate Public Schools for Entrepreneurship Studies" for 15 consecutive years. The Entrepreneurship program is ranked #9 overall in the world (up from #13 in 2022), #5 globally among public universities (up from #7 in 2022), #3 in the Midwest (up from #4 in 2022), and #1 in Ohio in the 2023 rankings. In addition, the program earned a Top 15 ranking among undergraduate entrepreneurship programs at National Public Universities (#15 overall) by the U.S. News & World Report in the publication's 2020 Best Colleges Rankings Survey.

Holcomb has more than 100 refereed publications in management and entrepreneurship, including eight articles that appear on the prestigious Financial Times 50 (FT50) list and more than 50 refereed presentations and conference proceedings. His work has earned awards from the Academy of Management, the Strategic Management Society, the Kauffman Foundation, Calvin University, and Babson College, and he currently serves on editorial boards for three FT50 journals: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, and Journal of Management. Tim serves on the Board of Reviewers for the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference. He served a 3-year term as an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Entrepreneurship Division in the 21,000 member Academy of Management from 2019-2022 and also served a 3-year term as an elected member of the Executive Committee of the Strategy Division from 2011-2014.

Holcomb has more than 30 years of strategy consulting, international business, and startup experience, including work in the U.S. and more than 25 countries. He has founded eight startups, raising more than $20 million in venture funding for those companies. Tim began his professional career at Accenture in strategy, where he consulted with Fortune 100 companies for thirteen years. He later founded Telcom Global Solutions (TGS) and two related operating companies and served as President and COO. At Telcom, he built a $30M services business with more than 250 employees that helped companies such as AT&T, Telefonica, Vodafone, and Telia Company design, build, and run their fixed and mobile networks before exiting in a sale of the company to Flex (formerly Flextronics), a Fortune 500 firm. He later served as Senior Vice President at Flex (formerly Flextronics), where he established and ran the company's $800M network service division.

Holcomb has advised hundreds of startups and high growth companies during his career. Tim currently advises and/or serves on board of companies that have raised $700 million in funding over past 5 years, including ReliaQuest (Tampa), a Security Model Management leader; Gravity Diagnostics (Cincinnati), a full-service state-of-the-art laboratory; OROS (Portland), an outerwear/fabric technology leader; CERKL (Cincinnati), a personalized communications leader; 4Privacy (Columbus), a network security leader; and Homeshake (Cincinnati), a residential real estate marketplace that allows buyers and sellers to negotiate deals directly, among others.

Specialties: Business Model Innovation [pipe!*$] Startup Methodology and Growth Strategy [pipe!*$] Venture Capital

Courses