Dr. Michael Lawless
Dr. Mike Lawless leads Entrepreneurship initiatives at the School of Business at USD. He founded, and then tripled participation and funding for the V2 Pitch Competition and the USD Legacy Entrepreneurship Conference. Mike launched a mentoring program for student entrepreneurs, and a process to help Mexican entrepreneurs to develop their new ventures. He was recognized with the 2016 USD award for “Innovation in Experiential Education.”
His article on “stretch goals” won the Academy of Management Review Best Article of 2011. Mike researches and teaches Strategy, Managing Technology and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. He moved from the University of Maryland in 2011, where he won the Krowe Award, the highest recognition for MBA teaching, and a Top 15% teaching award. He was previously a visiting professor at INSEAD, where he designed and taught “Private Equity” and “Building Business in India” on the Singapore campus. Just prior, he was at Duke University and the University of Colorado. He has taught Strategic Management, Managing Technological Innovation to Executive, MBA and Executive MBA, and PhD students. He has been a visiting professor at UCLA, Dartmouth, and Warwick University, UK. Mike has lectured at Oxford, IESE, and the University of Peking, among others. He has held national elected office in the Academy of Management. His MBA and PhD are from UCLA.
Through his companies, Michael Lawless, Inc. and Venture Doctor, Mike has advised large and small firms and Federal agencies. He has consulted with start-ups in various stages, and launched two consulting firms and a food company. He has helped clients with competitive analysis, business launches, new product development, innovation management, change management, and entrepreneurship. His clients have included IBM, Qwest, and Phillips Petroleum and Phillips Electronics. Mike has been a principal or advisor on startups in IT, consumer goods, and consulting.
Mike’s research is on the evolution of organizations, effects of technological change on markets, innovation, and entrepreneurship. His work has been supported by a National Science Foundation grant. He has published many articles in top refereed journals—to include AMJ, AMR, SMJ, and OS. He has written a book, and edited two series of research volumes on managing technology. He served on the editorial board of AMJ and was Senior Editor at OS.
A retired Navy officer, Mike has extensive operational and management experience. He has a diverse background in intelligence collection and analysis, tactical air intelligence, design of training programs, inter-agency and inter-service coordination, and business processes. Recognition includes the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), Rifle and Pistol Expert, squadron Battle “E” and others.
Mike has supported school, church, and youth organizations. He has been a longboard surfer and an advanced SCUBA diver for over 20 years. Mike has also competed in many triathlons including the IronMan.