Professor Macher examines the intersection of strategy, economics and technology. His research interests include industry structure, regulation, competitive strategy, and the organization and economics of innovation in a variety of high technology industries, including biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Recent research examines how federal agencies regulate firms and how firm organization affects technological and innovative performance.

His research has been published in Advances in Strategic Management, California Management Review, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Organization Science, Management Science and Strategic Management Journal, among others. He is the co-editor of a recent book entitled, Innovation in Global Industries: U.S. Firms Competing in a New World, published by the National Academy Press.