About
David J. Ketchen is the Harbert Eminent Scholar and Professor of Management at Auburn University's Raymond J. Harbert College of Business. With over 200 scholarly publications and more than 65,000 citations, his research has significantly impacted strategic management, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management fields.
Dr. Ketchen's educational background includes:
- PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from Penn State University (1994)
- BS in Marketing from Penn State University (1988)
His research focuses on the intersection of strategic management, entrepreneurship and franchising, and supply chain management. Ketchen's work examines organizational performance, knowledge management, and research methodology applications to business problems. He is particularly known for contributions to resource-based view theory and meta-analyses of high-performance work practices. His research has been featured in top journals and mainstream media including The Wall Street Journal and Forbes Magazine.
Analysis of Ketchen's publication record reveals strong emphasis on strategic management theory, particularly resource-based view, and practical applications. His work spans entrepreneurship, supply chain management, and research methodology with consistent focus on understanding what drives superior organizational performance. Many of his most cited works involve meta-analyses synthesizing existing research to provide clearer insights for scholars and practitioners.
Dr. Ketchen has received numerous prestigious awards:
- Fellow of the Academy of Management (2023)
- Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award (2018)
- Creative Research and Scholarship Award from Auburn University (2018)
- Research.com Business and Management in United States Leader Award (2022-2025)
- Smeal Graduate Distinguished Achievement Award from Penn State University (2012)
Ketchen has mentored numerous students and entrepreneurs throughout his career. He has been particularly active in supporting military veterans through the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, helping them launch successful businesses. His former students have gone on to lead companies like BRF Mobile Lube Services and FetchMe delivery service. Beyond traditional academic advising, Ketchen has developed innovative educational programs including an online Master of Science in Brewing Science and Operations and graphic novel textbooks that enhance visual learning.
Dr. Ketchen co-founded and actively participates in Auburn's Brewing Science and Operations Program, which has helped dozens of participants without business experience launch their own breweries. He also serves on the board of directors for the Why Not Win Institute, a non-profit focused on cultivating personal excellence, and participates in the Brewers Association Mentoring Program to support underrepresented groups in the brewing industry.
