Justin Frake

Justin Frake is an Assistant Professor of Strategy at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. He holds a PhD from the University of Maryland (2018). His research focuses on causal inference techniques applied to organizational human capital, stakeholder perceptions, and misconduct dynamics. Key research streams include strategic human capital strategies, unintended consequences of organizational policies, and methodological advancements in causal inference. His work has been published in top journals like Management Science, Organization Science, and Strategic Management Journal.

Teaching responsibilities include the MBA core course STRAT 502 (Corporate Strategy) with a 4.85/5 rating, the BBA core STRAT 390 (Corporate Strategy) averaging 5/5, and a PhD seminar on causal inference methods (STRAT 898) rated 5/5. His research employs innovative methodologies such as difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, and partial identification techniques to address collider bias and other causal inference challenges.

Recent work examines societal issues like the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on Black-owned businesses, political polarization in workplaces, and intergenerational transmission of misconduct in police departments. His findings highlight unintended consequences of organizational policies, such as flatter hierarchies reducing female applicant pools and financial resources reducing misconduct in specific contexts.

Collaborations include projects with Derek Harmon, Erin Starr, and Ravi Agarwal. His datasets include novel measures like VRscores for workforce political leanings. Research interests extend to authentic organizational identity, noncompete clauses' societal impacts, and experimental methods in organizational design.