Melissa Graebner

Melissa Graebner is a Robert C. Evans Endowed Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Gies College of Business. She serves as Director of the Initiative for Qualitative Research in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (INQUIRE) and Area Chair of Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and International Business. Her work focuses on entrepreneurship, strategic management, and corporate acquisitions, with a particular emphasis on qualitative research methods.

Education details are not explicitly provided in the text, but her roles suggest extensive academic and professional experience. Her research interests include entrepreneurial responses to crises, family ventures, angel investor networks, and post-merger integration processes. Graebner has contributed to understanding trust asymmetries in interorganizational relationships and the challenges faced by newer firms in achieving elite status.

Her recent publications (2020–2024) reflect a focus on theoretical frameworks, strategic decision-making, and innovation ecosystems. Notable themes include acquisition dynamics, qualitative methodology evolution, and sustaining superior performance in complex environments. While specific honors or awards are not listed, her leadership roles indicate significant recognition in her field.

Graebner advises on doctoral programs and engages in grant activities, though specific details are not provided. She oversees INQUIRE, fostering qualitative research in innovation and entrepreneurship. Her work bridges strategic theory with practical entrepreneurial challenges, emphasizing both academic rigor and real-world applicability.