Yusaf Akbar

Yusaf Akbar is a Professor at the Department of Economics and Business at Central European University (CEU). His research focuses on business strategy, public policy, and emerging markets, particularly the sharing economy and non-market strategies. He has held research fellowships at the Institute for Advanced Study and visiting roles at the University of Trieste and Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, including advising the European Commission and multinational corporations like Accenture and Siemens.

Education: DPhil in Economics from the University of Sussex (2000). Key publications include EU Enlargement and Central Europe: Regulatory Convergence and the Multinational Enterprise and Global Antitrust: Trade and Competition Linkages. Upcoming books include Digitalization in Emerging Markets (Cambridge University Press, 2024) and an edited volume on emerging markets research agendas (Edward Elgar, 2025).

Research interests emphasize strategic calibration in complex environments, AI-augmented decision-making, and systemic vulnerability management. He advises global firms on non-market strategies and has authored case studies for companies like ING Insurance, Vienna International Airport, and Hummus Bar.

Professional roles include Founding Editor of the International Journal of Emerging Markets and Editorial Advisory Board member for Journal of Asia-Pacific Business. Teaching spans universities worldwide, including University of Michigan, Stockholm School of Economics, and Queen’s University.