Entrepreneurship is often viewed through the lens of opportunity – spotting gaps in the market and creating ventures to fill them. But for Professor Jeffery S. McMullen, entrepreneurship is also a process of discovery, responsibility and social change. His work has reshaped how researchers and practitioners think about the ethics of entrepreneurial action. 

Now joining Imperial Business School as Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Department of Management & Entrepreneurship, he brings a career defined by both scholarly leadership and deep engagement with the practice of entrepreneurship. With awards at undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral levels, Professor McMullen has received recognition for innovative course design in social and sustainable entrepreneurship.  

As a committed mentor, his work has been inspiring new generations of entrepreneurs and academics alike. He has guided many doctoral students and emerging scholars, earning the Academy of Management’s Mentor & Dedication to Entrepreneurship awards. 

As he joins the robust faculty network of the Business School, he is eager to contribute to Imperial's community of practice. “I am excited to explore the potential of entrepreneurship at a world-class STEM university that is dedicated to serving humanity,” he says. “And to do so in the middle of one of the most vibrant cities the world has ever known.” 

Exploring entrepreneurial agency and uncertainty 

At the heart of Professor McMullen’s research is a concern with entrepreneurial agency – whether individuals have the power to act under uncertainty to create value and the consequences of those actions for society. His work spans commercial, social, and sustainable entrepreneurship. 

In 2018, his paper "Entrepreneurial Action and the Role of Uncertainty in the Theory of the Entrepreneur" received the Foundational Paper Award from the Academy of Management’s Entrepreneurship Division, cementing his influence on the field’s theoretical direction. 

He continues to push boundaries with work that draws inspiration from literature and cinema. For instance, his recent article in the Academy of Management Review uses Andy Weir’s The Martian to examine the ethics of profit-seeking and illustrate the conditions under which the entrepreneur’s pursuit of profit can lead to sustainable development.

Another paper "‘Fake it ‘til You Make it’: The Power and Peril of Implied Social Validation in the Entrepreneurial Journey" in Academy of Management Perspectives examines the allure and dangers of the “fake it ’til you make it” mentality. Tracing how implied validation can both fuel and undermine entrepreneurial journeys. Comparing scenes from Pygmalion, Harry Potter, Schindler’s List and The Godfather, he warns society of the ease with which confidence can be mistaken for accomplishment and how this can tempt entrepreneurs to behave like charlatans, despite noble intentions at the beginning of their journey.  

By weaving together cultural references and empirical insight that backs rigorous theory, his research connects abstract concepts to everyday entrepreneurial experiences, resonating with peers. 

A global leader in entrepreneurship scholarship 

Professor McMullen’s influence extends beyond his publications. He has authored more than 100 scholarly works, with over 24,000 citations, and has served on multiple editorial boards. As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Venturing, he has shaped the trajectory of entrepreneurship research worldwide, setting standards for methodological rigour and conceptual innovation. 

Beyond academia, Professor McMullen has served as a consultant, venture creator, a Certified Public Accountant in the Information, Communications, and Entertainment division of KPMG, Denver, and is deeply involved in community leadership, including as an elder in his church.  

At Imperial, he looks forward to working with students from across disciplines, integrating entrepreneurship into the broader STEM ecosystem. Looking ahead, he sees Imperial as the ideal platform for the next phase of his work and says, “Imperial’s position at the intersection of science, technology, and business creates extraordinary opportunities for entrepreneurship research and practice. It’s a place where we can ask not only how entrepreneurs create value, but also for whom and to what end.” 

With his combination of scholarly leadership, teaching excellence, and commitment to service, Professor McMullen embodies the kind of entrepreneurial mindset he studies paired with one that seeks impact and balances opportunity with responsibility. His arrival at Imperial Business School signals an exciting new chapter in the School’s ambition to redefine entrepreneurship for the next generation.