Research Interests
My research interests are at the intersection of entrepreneurship, organization theory, and strategic management. My main research area is in optimal distinctiveness, examining how organizations balance the need to be seen as legitimate with the need to reduce competitive pressures.
PUBLICATIONS
Barlow, M.A., Hesterly, W.S., & Verhaal, J.C. (2023). "Catching a Falling Star: Mobility of Declining Star Performers, Peer Effects, and Organizational Performance in the National Football League", Journal of Business Research, 165. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.114053
Barlow, M.A., Verhaal, J.C., & Angus, R. (2019) “Getting Lost in the Crowd: Optimal Distinctiveness, Strategic Categorization, and new Entry on the Google Play App Platform Market”, Strategic Management Journal, 40(8). 1219-1244. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3019
Barlow, M.A. & Verhaal, J.C., & Hoskins, J. (2018). “Guilty by Association: Product-Level Category Stigma and Audience Expectations in the U.S. Craft Beer Industry,” Journal of Management, 44(7). 2934-2496. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316657593
Posthuma, R.A., Flores, G.L., Barlow, M.A., & Dworkin, J.B. (2018). "Social signaling and interorganizational relationships: Lessons learned from the professional sports industry," Business Horizons, 61(4). 521-531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2018.03.001
MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW
Angus, R.W., Barlow, M.A., & Verhaal, J.C. [Optimal Distinctiveness and Absorptive Capacity -- TITLE REDACTED FOR ANONYMITY]
Revise & Resubmit at Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
Angus, R.W., & Barlow, M.A., [Human Capital and Emerging Firms -- TITLED REDACTED FOR ANONYMITY]
Under 2nd Review at Small Business Economics
Angus, R.W., Barlow, M.A., & Schulze, W.S. “Are entrepreneurial new product experiments useful?”
Under Review at Strategic Management Journal
Cavanaugh, J., & Barlow, M.A. “The Importance of Competitive Dynamics in Shaping Entrepreneurial Markets and Entrepreneurs’ Responses”
Under Review at Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
WORKING PAPERS
Verhaal, J.C., Barlow. M.A., Angus, R.W. “Optimal Distinctiveness and Audience Appeal in Identity Cultural Production Market Categories: An Exemplar Conformity Perspective”
DISSERTATION
Title: “Micro-foundations of Firm Performance: Three Essays Examining How Human Capital Affects Firm Performance Across Strategy and Entrepreneurship”
Committee: Jay Barney (Chair), Bill Hesterly, Sharon Alvarez, Bill Schulze, and Lyda Bigelow
Please contact me to obtain copies of my working papers.