Michael Behnam

Michael Behnam is the Dean and Professor of Strategy and International Business at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago. He has held significant academic and administrative leadership roles across institutions in the United States and Europe, including as Senior Associate Dean and Professor at Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School. His leadership emphasizes experiential learning, global engagement, and ethical business practices.

Education:

• MBA and PhD in Strategy and Ethics, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
• PhD in International Management, EBS University, Wiesbaden, Germany

His research centers on Strategy, International Business, and Business Ethics, with a focus on corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, and ethical governance in multinational corporations. He has extensively published in top journals such as Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Business Ethics, and Business and Society, with over 1,700 Google Scholar citations. His recent work explores digital platform governance, sustainability, and the moral legitimacy of corporate actions.

The trends in his recent publications (2024–2015) reflect a deepening engagement with digital ethics, organizational integrity, and global innovation dynamics. His research bridges theoretical rigor with practical relevance, often applying systems theory, political CSR, and network perspectives to contemporary business challenges. He has contributed to influential frameworks such as Integrative Social Contracts Theory and decoupling in compliance programs.

Scientific Awards:

• Best Competitive Paper Award, ANZIBA (Australia New Zealand International Business Academy), 2004
• Runner-up for Best Overall Dissertation – All Disciplines, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, 1998

As an educator and administrator, Behnam has led the development of new degree programs, global travel seminars, and experiential learning initiatives. He has significantly increased graduate enrollment and faculty diversity. He has advised numerous research projects and co-directed a Humboldt-funded research initiative on ethical conflicts in multinational firms. Though specific advisees are not listed, his mentorship is evident through collaborative publications. He has also consulted for major firms including IBM, Siemens, and BMW, and contributed to executive education.

Behnam is actively involved in professional communities such as the Academy of Management, Academy of International Business, UN PRME, and EBEN. He co-founded a consulting firm and has held positions in investment banking prior to academia. His leadership extends to centers like the Lab for Applied Artificial Intelligence and initiatives promoting responsible innovation. He teaches strategic management and global business courses, including capstone simulations and international seminars.