The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, ranks seventh in the world for entrepreneurship research productivity, according to the 2022 TCU Global University Entrepreneurship Research Productivity Rankings, the only research-focused ranking of entrepreneurial programs.
“This ranking and the growth in our entrepreneurship-related publications in the past few years is an extraordinary accomplishment, especially in light of the fact that our entrepreneurship-focused faculty size is smaller than most, if not all, of the schools reported above us,” said Russell Crook, head of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship at the university’s Haslam College of Business.
UT tied for seventh place globally despite having qualifying publications from only five faculty members (Melissa Cardon, Crook, David Gras, Timothy Munyon and David Williams). Crook said Williams — who directs the college’s Ph.D. in Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Organizations program — has been especially instrumental in advancing the university’s reputation for entrepreneurship.
“Until Dave Williams arrived on campus in 2010, there was very little focus on entrepreneurship in teaching, research or outreach,” Crook said. “He has been transformative for the department, college and university.”
A Growing Reputation
Launched in 2009 by Texas Christian University’s Neeley School of Business, the rankings track research articles that were published during the previous five-year period in three top entrepreneurship journals (Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Journal of Business Venturing and Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal). The rankings collect data on these articles according to authorship and university affiliation.
“These are the journals entrepreneurship scholars strive to publish in because they are the best of the best,” Crook said.
He said rankings like this one demonstrate the department’s expertise and help UT to grow its reputation for high-quality research — important factors in attracting students, faculty and external resources.
“We are producing a substantial body of research focused on entrepreneurship, much of which has practical application to our students and alumni involved with entrepreneurship and innovation,” he said.
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CONTACT:
Stacy Estep, writer/publicist, sestep3@utk.edu
