Faculty Directory

Professor of Management

Robert Herbold Professor in Strategy

Education

PhD Arizona State University (2004)

MBA University of Montana (1997)

BS University of Montana (1996)

Academic Expertise

Positions Held

At the University of Washington since 2012

Associate Professor at Texas A&M University, 2011-2012

Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, 2006-2011

Assistant Professor at Clemson University, 2004-2006

Commercial Lending, 1997-2000

Selected Publications

1. “Orchestrating resources with suppliers for product innovation“

   Journal Article:Chirico F, Naldi L, Hitt MA, Sieger P, Sirmon DG, Xu K., (in press). Journal of Product Innovation Management,
2. “Resource Interdependence and Successful Exit: A Configurational Perspective on Young Technology Firms“

   Journal Article:Pahnke EC, Sirmon DG, Rhymer J, Campbell JT., (2023). Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Vol. 17, pp. 507-534.
3. “Leveraging resources for innovation: The role of synchronization“

   Journal Article:Carnes, C. M., Hitt, M. A., Sirmon, D., Chirico, F., Huh, D. W., (2022). Journal of Product Innovation Management, Vol. 39, pp. 160-176.
4. “From Seats at the Table to Voices in the Discussion: Antecedents of Underrepresented Director Participation in Board Meetings“

   Journal Article:Tuggle, C. S., Sirmon, D., Borgholthaus, C. J., Bierman, L., Bass, A. E., (2022). Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 59, pp. 1253-1283.
5. “How Competitive Action Mediates The Resource Slack – Performance Relationship: A Meta-Analytic Approach“

   Journal Article:Carnes, C.M., XU, K., Sirmon, D.G., Karadag, R., (2019). Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 56, pp. 57-90.
6. “Reflections on Scientific Misconduct in Management: Unfortunate Incidents or a Normative Crisis?“

   Journal Article:Honig, B., Lampel, J., Baum, J.A.C., Glynn, M.A. Jing, R., Lounsbury, L., Schüßler, E., Sirmon, D.G., Tsui, A.S., Walsh, J.P., van WITTELOOSTUIJN, (2018). Academy of Management Perspectives, Vol. 32, pp. 412-442.
7. “Pre-exit bundling, losing professionals, and firm performance“

   Journal Article:Brymer, R., & Sirmon, D.G., (2018). Journal of Management Studies, pp. 146-173.
8. “Living and dying: Synthesizing the literature on firm survival across stages of development“

   Journal Article:Harrison, J., Josefy, M., Sirmon, D.G., & Carnes, C.M., (2017). Academy of Management Annals, pp. 770-799.
9. “The mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation: A meta-analysis of resource orchestration and cultural contingencies“

   Journal Article:Miao, C., Coombs, J.E., Qian, S., Sirmon, D.G., (2017). Journal of Business Research, pp. 68-80.
10. “Fuzzy logic and the market: A configurational approach to investor perceptions of acquisition announcements“

    Journal Article:Campbell, J.T., Sirmon, D.G., & Schijven, M., (2016). Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 59, pp. 163-187.
11. “Utilizing the firm’s resources: How TMT heterogeneity and resulting faultlines affect TMT tasks“

    Journal Article:Ndofor, H.A., Sirmon, D.G., & He., X., (2015). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 36, pp. 1656-1674.
12. “Socioemotional wealth as a mixed gamble: Revisiting family firm R&D investment with the behavior agency model“

    Journal Article:Gomez-Mejia, L., Campbell, J.T., Martin, G., Hoskisson, R.E., Makri, M., & Sirmon, D.G., (2014). Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Vol. 38, pp. 1351-1374.
13. “Organizational decline and turnaround: A review and agenda for future research“

    Journal Article:Trahms, C., Ndofor, H., Sirmon, D.G., (2013). Journal of Management, Vol. 39(5), pp. 1277-1307.
14. “Shareholder Influence over Director Nomination via Proxy Access: Implications for Agency Conflict and Stakeholder Value“

    Journal Article:Campbell, J.T., Campbell, T.C., Sirmon, D.G., Bierman, L., & Tuggle, C.S., (2012). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 33(12), pp. 1431–1451.
15. “Entrepreneurial orientation, generational involvement and participative strategy: A configurational approach to entrepreneurship in family firms“

    Journal Article:Chirico, F., Sirmon, D.G., Sciascia, S., & Mazzola, P., (2011). Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, Vol. 5(4), pp. 307–326.
16. “Firm Resources, Competitive Actions and Performance: Investigating a Mediated Model with Evidence from the In-Vitro Diagnostics Industry“

    Journal Article:Ndofor, H.A., Sirmon, D.G., & He, X., (2011). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 32(6), pp. 640–657.
17. “The Current State of Strategic Entrepreneurship and Future Opportunities“

    Journal Article:Hitt, M.A., Sirmon, D.G., Ireland, R.D., & Trahms, C., (2011). Academy of Management Perspectives, Vol. 25(2), pp. 57-75.
18. “Franchising and the Family Firm: Creating Unique Sources of Advantage“

    Journal Article:Chirico, F., Ireland, R.D., & Sirmon, D.G., (2011). Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Vol. 35(3), pp. 483-501.
19. “Resource Orchestration to Create Competitive Advantage: Breadth, Depth and Life Cycle Effects“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D., & Gilbert, B.A., (2011). Journal of Management, Vol. 37(5), pp. 1390-1412.
20. “The Case for Random Coefficients Modeling in Entrepreneurship Research: An Illustration of Growth Strategies and Post-IPO Performance“

    Journal Article:Holcomd, T.R, Combs, J.G., Sirmon, D.G., & Sexton, J., (2010). Organizational Research Methods, Vol. 13(2), pp. 348-389.
21. “Commanding Board of Director Attention: Investigating How Organizational Performance and CEO Duality Affect Board Members Attention to Monitoring“

    Journal Article:Tuggle, C.S., Sirmon, D.G., Reutzel, C., & Bierman, L., (2010). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 31(9), pp. 946-968.
22. “The Dynamic Interplay of Capability Strengths and Weaknesses: Investigating the Bases of Temporary Competitive Advantage“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., Hitt, M.A., Arregle, J.L., & Campbell, J.T., (2010). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 31(13), pp. 1386-1409.
23. “Competition and Knowledge Creation in Management: Investigating Changes in Scholarship from 1988 to 2007“

    Journal Article:Certo, S.T., Sirmon, D.G., & Brymer, R., (2010). Academy of Management Learning and Education, Vol. 9(4), pp. 591-606.
24. “You say illegal, I say legitimate: Entrepreneurship in the informal economy“

    Journal Article:Webb, J.W., Tihanyi, L., Ireland, R.D., & Sirmon, D.G., (2009). Academy of Management Review, Vol. 34(3), pp. 492-510.
25. “Contingencies within dynamic managerial capabilities: Interdependent effects of resource investment and deployment on firm performance“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G.,Hitt, M.A., (2009). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 30(13), pp. 1375-1394.
26. “Resource management in dyadic competitive rivalry: The effects of resource bundling and deployment“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., Gove, S., & Hitt, M.A., (2008). Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 51(5), pp. 919-935.
27. “The role of family influence in firms’ strategic response to competitive threat“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., Arregle, J-L., Hitt, M.A., & Webb, J.W., (2008). Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Vol. 32(6), pp. 979-998.
28. “Managing firm resources in dynamic environments to create value: Looking inside the black box“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., Hitt, M.A., & Ireland, R.D., (2007). Academy of Management Review, Vol. 32(1), pp. 273-292.
29. “The development of organizational social capital: Attributes of family firms“

    Journal Article:Arregle, J-L., Hitt, M.A., Sirmon, D.G., & Very, P., (2007). Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 44(1), pp. 73-95.
30. “Creating value in the face of declining performance: Firm strategies and organizational recovery“

    Journal Article:Morrow, J.L., Sirmon, D.G., Hitt, M.A., & Holcomb, T.R., (2007). Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 28(3), pp. 271-283.
31. “A model of cultural differences and international alliance performance“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., & Lane, P.J., (2004). Journal of International Business Studies, Vol. 35(4), pp. 306-319.
32. “Managing resources: Linking unique resources, management and wealth creation in family firms“

    Journal Article:Sirmon, D.G., Hitt, M.A., (2003). Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Vol. 27(4), pp. 339-358.
33. “Strategic entrepreneurship: The construct and its dimensions“

    Journal Article:Ireland, R.D., Hitt, M.A., & Sirmon, D.G., (2003). Journal of Management, Vol. 29(6), pp. 963-989.

Honors and Awards

Honors and Awards - Research

Best Paper at AMR - Academy of Management Review, Academy of Management (2022)

Top 100 Most Influential Scholar (Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researcher) - 2014, 2017, 2018

“world-class researchers selected for their exceptional research performance, demonstrated by production of multiple highly cited papers that rank in the top 1% by citations for field and year in Web of Science: Economic & Business category.” Clarivate Analytics, 2018.

Robert Herbold Professorship in Entrepreneurship, UW, 2012

Ricky W. Griffin Research Excellence Award, TAMU, 2012

Emerging Scholar Award, SMS (distinguished early career award), 2011

Mays Research Performance Award, TAMU, 2011

Summer Research Performance Grant, TAMU, 2010

Pamela M. and Barent W. Cater ’77 Faculty Research Fellowship, TAMU, 2009

Dean’s Performance Recognition Grant, TAMU, 2009

Center for Human Resource Management Research Grant, TAMU, 2008

Outstanding Reviewer, BPS Division, AoM, 2008

Dean’s Performance Recognition Grant, TAMU, 2008

Mays Research Mini-Grant, TAMU, 2008

Center for Human Resource Management Research Grant, TAMU, 2007

Emerging Scholar Research Excellence Award, Clemson University, 2005

Outstanding Reviewer, Entrepreneurship Division, AoM, 2005

Best Paper/Symposium, AoM – 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018

Best Paper Nominee/Winner, SMS – 2005, 2009, 2011

Best Paper Nominee/Finalist JMS 2008; AMR 2010; AMLE 2011

Honors and Awards - Teaching

18th out of 6,326 most cited scholars in strategy texts (Aguinis et al. 2018. Academy of Management Learning and Education)

Professor of the Year – Core Evening MBA, UW, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Professor of the Quarter (Winter) – Core Day MBA, UW, 2013

Excellence in Graduate Teaching – Foster School, UW 2017

Academic Service

Editorial Review Board, Academy of Management Journal

Editorial Review Board, Strategic Management Journal

Editorial Review Board, Academy of Management Review

Co-editor Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal

Courses Taught

I deliver award-winning courses on Strategic Management to several audiences, including Ph.D., MBA, and professionals. Strategic Management focuses on the multi-faceted concept of “firm strategy” with the intent to help students understand how managers conceive and realize competitive advantage(s) to win in the marketplace. I emphasize that the heart of effective strategy is ensuring that “Uniqueness, Fit and Tradeoffs” exist among the firm’s activities. This is important because evidence regularly demonstrates that these choices differentiate thriving and failing firms. In order to address important strategic concepts, such as, Blue Oceans, network-based platforms, critical areas of differentiation, mergers and acquisition, and firm governance among others, I rely heavily on case-based discussions of exemplar firms (and compare those to firms that are failing). In total, students develop analytical, diagnostic, and rhetorical skills while adding precision to their “strategic toolbox.”