Mark A. Gagnon, Ph.D.

Vitae

Teaching Interests

Entrepreneurship, AgTech (food, Ag & Bio-renewable start-ups), strategy and sustainability in the agricultural sciences

Research Interests

Entrepreneurship in AgTech (food, agriculture and bio-renewables): entrepreneur linkages with new venture practices and performance, investment and venture capital, sustainable entrepreneurship in for-profit contexts

Courses taught

• ENGR 310 - Entrepreneurial Leadership
• AGBM 308w - Strategic Agribusiness
• AGBM 445 - AgTech Entrepreneurship
• AGBM 460 - Managing the Food System
• AGBM/IST/ENGR 497b - Advanced Entrepreneurship Teams
• MGMT 215 - Entrepreneurial Mindset

Biography

Mark Gagnon is the Harbaugh Entrepreneur and Innovation Faculty Scholar in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State University at University Park, PA. Mark co-founded The Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) Program in The College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State in 2012. The E&I Program is successfully equipped to add value to original ideas and research discoveries by creating entrepreneurial success across Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences community.

Dr. Gagnon's scholarly interests are for-profit entrepreneurship that address challenges in food, agriculture and bio-renewables (AgTech). Many of these challenges in the agriculture space naturally fit under the banner of sustainability. His current research examines new technology value proposition development and strategic implementation within AgTech. In addition, Mark investigates the role of founder values and characteristics and their relationship with firm competitive resource bundling and capability development. He teaches courses in entrepreneurship, strategic agribusiness and coordinates the entrepreneurship minor in food and bio-innovation.

Mark is a former entrepreneur and business development executive in forest products and building materials. He has been involved in two green building product start-ups and has managed product portfolios over $300M. Furthermore, he has extensive experience in change management, new product development and has been a part of successful product launches for leading brands. Mark consults with leading agribusiness firms and emerging start-ups in food, agriculture and bio-renewables.

Select Publications

Gagnon, M.A. 2019. Vita-Bar: Preparing for growth. In Sage Business Cases. 2019. 

Gagnon, M.A. and Beaury, R.J. 2017. Staying ahead of the institutional game: Tactics for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at universities. Paper presented at the 2017 Annual Venture Well Open Conference. Washington, D.C.

Gagnon, M.A. and Heinrichs, P.A. 2016. Food entrepreneur sustainable orientation and firm practices. International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics. 4(4): 11-28.

Gagnon, M.A., Michael, J.H., Elser, N.C., and Gyory, C.T. 2013. Seeing green in several ways: The interplay of entrepreneurial, sustainable and market orientations on executive scanning and small business performance. Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness, 7(3): 9-28.

Michael, J.H., Elser, N.C., Gagnon, M.A., and Ray, C.D. 2012. Knowledge Resources and Firm Performance: A Pallet Industry Perspective. Journal of Applied Packaging Research. Dec: 213-224.

Gagnon, M.A. 2012. Sustainable minded entrepreneurs: Testing a values-based framework. Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, 8(1).

Gagnon, M.A. 2011. Saving a green venture: EnviroWood. United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Annual Conference Proceedings. Hilton Head, SC. 2011 Best Business Teaching Case Award.

Gagnon, M.A., Jansen, K.J., and Michael, J.H. 2008. Employee alignment with strategic change: A study of strategy supportive behavior among blue-collar employees. Journal of Managerial Issues. 20(4):425-443.

Industry Experience

Co-Founder/Vice President - DyeNon Building Technologies, Inc., Murfreesboro, TN

Director of Business Development - Bay Tree Technologies-USA, LLC, Memphis, TN

Director of Product Management - Huttig Building Products Corporation, St. Louis, MO

Regional Sales Manager-J.M. Huber Corporation, Charlotte, NC