Nicholas Athanassiou

Nicholas Athanassiou is a Professor at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business, specializing in International Business and Strategy. He holds a PhD from the University of South Carolina, an MBA from the University of Michigan, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a BS from the Greek Naval Academy. His research focuses on top management teams' international business capabilities, social networks in global strategy decision-making, and family business dynamics. He also explores teaching methodologies in international business, emphasizing experiential learning.

Key research interests include cross-border knowledge transfer, cultural distance effects, and the role of social capital in global operations. His work often integrates network theory with organizational behavior, particularly in multinational corporations. Athanassiou has served as Academic Director of the BS in International Business (2003-2017) and MS in International Management (2006-2016), shaping Northeastern's global business programs. He is a member of prominent academic associations like the Academy of International Business and has guest-edited journals like Management International Review.

Awards include the Joseph G. Riesman Research Professorship (2000). His career spans executive roles at PepsiCo, KFC, and Heublein, followed by academic leadership roles. He advises on program development and has organized workshops on social networks in management. His research bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in global leadership development and family firm governance.