Brent joined the MSU AFRE faculty in June 2008 as an Assistant Professor of Food Industry Management. His primary research interests include the dynamics of entrepreneurship and the use of simulation methods to explore organizational phenomena in the agri-food system. Current and previous research studies have focused on modeling the process of identification and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities in the agri-food system, the role of social capital in network formation and sustainability, financing alternative governance structures in agri-food industries, and business development in LDCs. In addition to his research, Brent also teaches courses in food industry management and food marketing. Prior to joining the AFRE faculty, Brent was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Strategy in the College of Business at the University of Illinois.

Professional Interests

• Strategic management and the economics of entrepreneurship and innovation
• New institutional economics and the use of alternative governance and marketing structures (i.e. contracting, direct marketing) in the food chain
• Finance and governance issues associated with network formation and their sustainability
• Value chain analysis in emerging and developing countries
• Simulation methods, in particular system dynamics and agent-based modeling

Selected Publications

Ross, Robert B. 2008. Modeling the Economic Returns to Entrepreneurial Behavior: Theory and Applications. Saarbrucken: VDM Verlag Dr. Mueller e.K.

Ross, R. B. 2008. Modeling the Economic Returns to Entrepreneurial Behavior: Theory and Applications.  Saarbrucken: VDM Verlag Dr. Muller.

Ross, R.B. and R.E. Westgren. 2007. The Dynamics of Rent Creation on a Strategic Landscape. In G.T. Solomon (editor), Best Paper Proceedings of the 2007 Academy of Management Meeting. Briarcliff Manor, NY: Academy of Management.

Ross, R.B., and R.E. Westgren. 2006. Economic Returns to Entrepreneurial Behavior. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 38(2): 403-419.

Ross, R.B., and P.J. Barry. 2005. Contract Hog Production: A Case Study of Financial Arrangements. Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers Rural Appraisers, 68: 17-22.

Ross, B. and P. J. Barry. 2002. Financing Capabilities of Network Hog Production. Journal of the American Society of Farm Managers Rural Appraisers, 65: 10-14.