Rate My Professor Jon Johnson

Jon Johnson is a University Professor and Walton College Professor of Sustainability in the Department of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Venture Innovation at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, within the Business & Economics faculty. An organization theorist, he has focused his scholarly work on corporate sustainability for many years. Prior to his academic career, Johnson managed a small business, an experience reinforced by Paul Hawken's 1987 book Growing a Business, which motivated him to pursue a Ph.D. in management. He advanced through the ranks at the University of Arkansas, serving previously as executive director of the Applied Sustainability Center and professor of management in the Walton College. Johnson co-founded The Sustainability Consortium, where he serves as chairman of the board, playing a key role in its creation and Walmart's sustainability initiatives. His contributions extend to teaching strategic management in the Walton MBA program and leading Honors College Signature Seminars, such as one examining how history shapes business decisions in shifting global markets.

Johnson's research interests include management, organization theory, corporate governance, social networks, and sustainability. His highly influential publications demonstrate substantial impact in the field. Notable works include 'Meta-analytic reviews of board composition, leadership structure, and financial performance' (Dalton, Daily, Ellstrand, & Johnson, 1998, Strategic Management Journal), 'Number of directors and financial performance: A meta-analysis' (Dalton, Daily, Johnson, & Ellstrand, 1999, Academy of Management Journal), 'Boards of directors: A review and research agenda' (Johnson, Daily, & Ellstrand, 1996, Journal of Management), 'The effects of psychological contract breach and organizational cynicism: Not all social exchange violations are created equal' (Johnson & O'Leary-Kelly, 2003, Journal of Organizational Behavior), 'Beyond “does it pay to be green?” A meta-analysis of moderators of the CEP–CFP relationship' (Dixon-Fowler, Slater, Johnson, Ellstrand, & Romi, 2013, Journal of Business Ethics), and 'Sources of CEO power and firm financial performance: A longitudinal assessment' (Daily & Johnson, 1997, Journal of Management). In 2010, the Ethisphere Institute recognized him as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics. Johnson was promoted to University Professor in 2025, affirming his lasting contributions to business scholarship.