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Alec Johnson

Associate Professor

  • Education
  • B.S., Engineering Mechanics, University of Wisconsin
    M.S., Management/International Business, University of Wisconsin
    Ph.D., Strategy/Entrepreneurship, University of Wisconsin
  • Research Interests
  • Methods of innovation, including design thinking and lean startup.

Alec Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.

Johnson’s current research focus is in methods of innovation, including design thinking and lean startup. Additionally, he has expertise in early-stage venture development, business models and entrepreneurial finance.

Johnson teaches in the undergraduate entrepreneurship concentration, including the award-winning Foundations of Entrepreneurship course, the Fundamentals of Innovation course and the Entrepreneurial Strategies Capstone. In May 2015, he was awarded the prestigious Julie Hays Teaching Award.

Johnson’s work focuses on entrepreneurial strategy and finance. He is active in developing case studies focused on opportunity identification, business models, entrepreneurial management and entrepreneurial finance.

  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2018). Transit team acquisition analysis case study. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, (19)(2), pp. 129-143
  • Johnson, A. C., & Ebben, J. J. (2017). ArtsApp case study: Will music schools embrace multimedia software?. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange (EIX),
  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2015). Simply sport bikes case study. The CASE Journal, (11)(1), pp. 113-132
  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2014). Borealis software case study. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, (15)(4), pp. 118-126
  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2011). Cash conversion cycle management in small firms relationships with liquidity, invested capital, and firm performance. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (24)(3), pp. 381-396
  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2011). SP equity case study. Journal of Management Policy and Practice, (12)(3), pp. 91-107
  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2006). Bootstrapping in small firms: An empirical analysis of change over time. Journal of Business Venturing, (21), pp. 851-865
  • Johnson, A. C., Ebben, J. J., & Pricer, R. (2006). Organization strategy for successful firm performance. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, (6)(5), pp. 73-83
  • Ebben, J. J., & Johnson, A. C. (2005). Efficiency, flexibility, or both? Evidence linking strategy to performance in small firms. Strategic Management Journal, (26), pp. 1249-1259
  • Johnson, A. C., Nenide, B., & Pricer, R. W. (2004). Determining the ability of firms to use debt to finance operations: A theoretical and pragmatic approach to financial analysis and strategic decision making. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, (4)(2), pp. 7-25
  • Johnson, A. C., & Ebben, J. J. (2004). Fluent Systems, LLC Case A: Concept to market by leveraging university resources. Case Research Journal
  • USASBE - Special Recognition in Innovation of Entrepreneurship Education, 2013
  • FamDoo
  • The Venture Catalyst Group
  • USASBE - USA Small Business Entrepreneurship, Reviewer
  • Associate Professor, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul / Minneapolis (2008 - present)
  • Co-Founder, Medcademy, (2016 - present)
  • Co-Founder, CourseCal, (2013 - present)
  • Assistant Professor, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul / Minneapolis (2001 - 2008)
  • Associate Director - Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management, Minneapolis (1999 - 2001)
  • Intro to Business Course Coordinator, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison (1998 - 1999)
  • Product Development Engineer, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co, Akron (1989 - 1993)