DoctorLahm.com

Welcome to my “home” Website – I do have others. I’m presently an entrepreneurship educator. This means that my primary professional role in life is to teach, research (publish), and serve. I have previously been a “real” entrepreneur, and this experience has been of profound importance in guiding my perspectives.

At Western Carolina University (WCU), where I hold my present faculty appointment, teaching is evaluated based on Student Assessment of Instruction (SAI) data, peer evaluations, and peer review of teaching materials.  The following is quoted from an Annual Faculty Evaluation  as submitted by my Department Chair:

“Dr. Lahm is an excellent educator.  His passion for his topics comes through to students regardless of whether the class is residential or distance.  His pedagogy stresses active learning with multiple class projects and experiences using the most up-to-date tools in the field including screencasting (instructional video content which he produces), social networking and e-publishing.  Drawing on his past experience as an entrepreneur and his very active research agenda, Dr. Lahm combines both the theory and the application of entrepreneurship that makes both easier to learn.  The evaluations by students, peers, and my personal observations of his teaching consistently show his extensive preparation and dedication to his craft.”

I have enjoyed many different kinds of learning experiences through management positions, exposure to numerous industries in service to clients, as an entrepreneur (who often served other entrepreneurs), both public and private sector consulting, and more recently as a member of the higher education community. While I have been privileged to become aware of many similarities across various disciplines, I am also quite comfortable with ambiguity.

Further, interests in several creative areas such as painting, cinematography, and studio still life photography have allowed me to recognize the value of “imagination” in formulating hypotheses worthy of investigation.  For the above reasons, my natural inclination is to impose no limits in terms of subject matter.

However, I have managed to establish a defined research agenda for goal-setting purposes.  My research focus concerns how organizations succeed, or fail, in adjusting their own internal processes, technologies and structure in relation to their operating environments.  Obviously, issues in those environments are also of great relevance, and much of my academic writing concerns those issues (bootstrapping, perils, and public policy affecting entrepreneurs and therefore the economy, for instance).

I am also interested in publishing business trade press manuscripts such as the work tentatively titled, “The Genius of Ignorance,” which concerns the nature of innovation and innovators (illustrated as a book cover mock-up above).

Lahm, R. J., Jr. & Duffield, M. R. (2023).  Rising innovation trends with implications for entrepreneurial start-ups.  Distinguished Research Award.  Institute for Global Business Research (IGBR), April 19-21, 2023.

Black, J. A., Perry, L. G. & Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2023).  Experiential learning as a development tool for entrepreneurial mindsets: The case for stimulation assignments.  Distinguished Research Award.  Institute for Global Business Research (IGBR), April 19-21, 2023.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2022).  Engagement Award.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 29, 2022.

Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society.  Inducted through the Western Carolina University Chapter, April 21, 2022.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. & Lockwood, F. (2021).  Innovative Scholarship Award.  [Nominees-Team Submission].  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 23, 2021.

Master of Entrepreneurship Degree Program. (2021).  [Nominees – Program Faculty Members].  Program of Excellence Award.  Presented to an academic department/unit to recognize an established record of excellence.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 23, 2021.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2021).  Semi-Finalist.  Graduate Faculty Teaching Award.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 23, 2021.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2021).  Institute for Global Business Research Fellow Award.  Institute for Global Business Research (IGBR), April 14-16, 2021.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2021).  The entrepreneurial landscape and impacts of COVID-19.  Distinguished Research Award.  Institute for Global Business Research (IGBR), April 14-16, 2021.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2021).  Nominee. Curtis W. Wood Award for Excellence in Mentoring Graduate Students. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, March 26, 2021.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2020).  Nominee. Curtis W. Wood Award for Excellence in Mentoring Graduate Students. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, March 18, 2020.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. & Rader, C. S. (2019).  Collective bootstrapping: Immigrant entrepreneurs’ financing of new businesses is a ‘family affair.’  Best Paper of Track Award (Management / Marketing / MIS Track / International).  Academic and Business Research Institute International Conference (AABRI), Washington, DC, October 18-19, 2019.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2019).  Student Nominated Faculty of the Year Award.  Nominee.  Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 26, 2019.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2019).  Engagement Award.  Finalist.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 26, 2019.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2019).  Curtis W. Wood Award for Excellence in Mentoring Graduate Students.  Nominee.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, March 22, 2019.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2018).  Small business impacts from the repeal of individual mandate penalties under the ACA.  Best Paper of Track Award (Accounting, Finance, Economics).  Academic and Business Research Institute International Conference (AABRI), Orlando, FL, October 25-27, 2018.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2018).  Graduate Faculty Teaching Award.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 27, 2018.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2018).  Engagement Award.  Finalist.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 27, 2018.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2018).  Student Nominated Faculty of the Year Award.  Nominee.  Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 27, 2018.

Lahm, R. J., Jr., Perry, L., Schauer, A. & Rumble, Z. (2018).  Outstanding Contribution to Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement. Center for Service Learning, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 19, 2018.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2018).  Curtis W. Wood Award for Excellence in Mentoring Graduate Students.  Nominee.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, March 22, 2018.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2017).  Innovative Scholarship Award.  Finalist.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 21, 2017.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2017).  Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement: Research.  Notable research on, or related to, service learning.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 20, 2017.

Lahm, R. J., Jr., Schauer, A. (2017).  Small business and Obamacare: A Continuous Story of Uncertainty.  Best Paper of Track Award (Management, Marketing, MIS, International). Academic and Business Research Institute International (AABRI) Conference, Asheville, NC, March 21, 2017.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2016).  Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement: Service in Teaching.  Demonstrated Excellence in Using Service Learning as a Teaching and Learning Strategy.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 21, 2016.

Entrepreneurship Program [Significant Contributions as a Faculty Member]. (2016). Certificate of Recognition for Leading Light.  To an academic department or program for exemplary integration of service learning into the curriculum.  Service Learning as a Teaching and Learning Strategy.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 21, 2016.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2016).  Innovative Scholarship Award.  Finalist.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 22, 2016.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2016).  Excellence in Research Award. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 16, 2016.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2016).  Board of Governors Creative and Innovative Teaching Award. Finalist.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 16, 2016.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2016).  Curtis W. Wood Award for Excellence in Mentoring Graduate Students.  Nominee (34 nominees among 493 graduate faculty).  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, March 31, 2016.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2015).  Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement: Service in Teaching.  Demonstrated Excellence in Using Service Learning as a Teaching and Learning Strategy.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 23, 2015.

Entrepreneurship Program [Significant Contributions as a Faculty Member]. (2015). Certificate of Recognition for Leading Light.  To an academic department or program for exemplary integration of service learning into the curriculum.  Service Learning as a Teaching and Learning Strategy.  Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 23, 2015.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2015). Small business and Obamacare: Ripple effects when the cost is “too high.” Distinguished Research Award. Allied Academies, Academy of Entrepreneurship.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2015). First Year Advocate Finalist. Members of the Class of 2018 named faculty and staff from across the campus as exemplary advocates for first year students during the 2013-2014 academic year. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 9, 2015.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2014). Board of Governors Creative and Innovative Teaching Award. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 26, 2014.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2014). BB&T Faculty Research Grant [Award] for the Study of Leadership, Ethics, and Capitalism. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 26, 2014.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2014). First Year Advocate Finalist. Members of the Class of 2017 named faculty and staff from across the campus as exemplary advocates for first year students during the 2013-2014 academic year. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 8, 2014.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2013). First Year Advocate Nominee. Members of the Class of 2016 named faculty and staff from across the campus as exemplary advocates for first year students during the 2012-2013 academic year. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 3, 2013.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2012). Online Collaborative Learning Beyond Course Registration. Creative Use of Technology Award. Association for Continuing Higher Education. (First conceived of Master of Entrepreneurship (M.E.) Program “Entrepreneurship Community”; collaborated with Western Carolina University’s Coulter Faculty Commons Learning Management staff for development of a collaborative learning community). Austin, TX, November 13, 2012.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2012). Board of Governors Creative and Innovative Teaching Award. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 14, 2012.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2011). Graduate Faculty Teaching Award. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 16, 2011.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2011). Creative and Innovative Teaching Award, “Distinguished Teacher.” Academy of Educational Leadership, Orlando, FL, April 7, 2011.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2009). Board of Governors Creative and Innovative Teaching Award. Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC, April 24, 2009.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. & Geho, P.R. (2007). Holes in the corporate veil: Confronting the “myth” of reduced liability for small businesses and entrepreneurs under corporate forms. Distinguished Research Award. Allied Academies, Academy of Entrepreneurship Education.

Lahm, R.J., Jr. (2007). More trouble than it is worth? Detecting and prosecuting plagiarism in business plans. Best Paper Award. Academic Business World International Conference, Nashville, TN, May 28-30, 2007.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2006). Plagiarism and business plans: A growing challenge for entrepreneurship education? Distinguished Research Award. Allied Academies, Academy of Entrepreneurship Education.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2006). State of the entrepreneurial blogosphere. Distinguished Research Award. Allied Academies, Academy of Entrepreneurship Education.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2006). Designing a faculty course Website from scratch: Some lessons learned. Faculty Showcase Award. Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, April 6, 2006.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. & Little, H.T., Jr. (2005). Bootstrapping business start-ups: Entrepreneurship literature, textbooks, and teaching practices versus current business practices? Distinguished Research Award. Allied Academies, Academy of Entrepreneurship Education.

Lahm, R. J., Jr. (2000). Honored as a recipient of the 2000 Award for Distinguished Contribution to HRD Research, for original doctoral dissertation research on: The role of interpersonal “chemistry” in hiring. Georgia State University, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

When I have the chance, I love the sound of water.

I like to hike and take photographs along the way.

I can cook from scratch (I don’t really follow recipes – too boring).

Peaches from a tree on my property (yum!).