Tomas Karlsson

Tomas Karlsson is an Associate Professor at the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. He has held visiting scholar positions at Stanford University (2002), University of Alberta (2003), Wilfrid Laurier University (2006), and Queensland University of Technology (2007). He previously served as a lecturer at Lund University (2009) and earned his PhD in Entrepreneurship from Jönköping International Business School (2005).

• Current: Associate Professor, Chalmers University of Technology
• Visiting Scholar: Stanford, University of Alberta, etc.
• Education: PhD in Entrepreneurship, Jönköping International Business School

His research focuses on institutional theory in entrepreneurship, new venture creation processes, and entrepreneurial education. He investigates how institutional forces shape business planning, the role of legitimacy strategies in venture development, and pedagogical approaches to improve entrepreneurial self-efficacy. His work spans Sweden, the US, and global contexts, often analyzing team dynamics, lean startup methodologies, and startup accelerator ecosystems.

Recent publications (2013–2021) examine institutional impacts on business plans, entrepreneurial education effectiveness, and legitimacy strategies in nascent ventures. These studies employ diverse methodologies, including personal diaries, pre-post educational assessments, and cross-national comparisons. Key collaborations include researchers from institutions like Lund University, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Queensland University of Technology.

Current projects include Scandinavian Growth Creators 2 (2023–2026) and Scandinavian Growth Creators (SGC): Business development in microcompanies through co-creation and in-depth learning (2019–2022), funded by Tillväxtverket and Interreg. These initiatives aim to enhance business development for microcompanies via collaborative innovation.

Contact: tomas.karlsson@chalmers.se | ORCID | Chalmers Profile