Knowledge-Intensive Startups Professors and Supervisors

Paula Danskin EnglisView profile

Professor

Berry CollegeUnited States

Paula Danskin Englis is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at Berry College, where she leads the Entrepreneurship Program. She is a core faculty member in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, contributing to teaching, research, and student mentorship in entrepreneurship and strategic management. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Business Administration (Strategic Management), The University of Memphis, 2000 M.B.A., The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 1992 B.S. in Economics (Honors), The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 1989 A.S. in Mathematics, Chattanooga State Community College, 1987 Dr. Englis’s research centers on entrepreneurship , knowledge-intensive ventures , strategic management , and knowledge management . She explores how entrepreneurs develop global mindsets before launching, how knowledge capabilities influence corporate venturing, and how business models evolve in high-tech industries. Her work bridges theory and practice, often involving collaboration with real-world startups. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in international entrepreneurship , particularly the concept of 'born global' firms and early internationalization. Her research also delves into biotechnology spin-offs, coaching in entrepreneurial settings, and media perception of entrepreneurial failure, demonstrating interdisciplinary and applied focus across management and innovation domains. Dr. Englis has published over 70 journal articles, book chapters, and case studies, contributing significantly to academic and practical knowledge in entrepreneurship. She actively mentors students and entrepreneurs, having worked with hundreds of students and startups such as Dynamix, Shootproof.com, Studyhubb, Baked Joy, African SOUP, and AMBEDO. Her work integrates academic rigor with real-world application, supported by her consulting experience in high-tech industries. While no formal grants are listed, her extensive publication record and program leadership suggest sustained research and educational funding. Dr. Englis is affiliated with professional organizations including the Academy of Management and USASBE, reinforcing her engagement with the broader academic and entrepreneurial community.

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Su Jung JeeView profile

Lecturer

University of LeedsUnited Kingdom

Dr. Su Jung Jee is a Lecturer (equivalent to Assistant Professor) in Operations and Technology Management at Leeds University Business School, University of Leeds, affiliated with the Department of Analytics, Technology and Operations. She holds a concurrent position as Associate Fellow at the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET), University of Oxford. Previously, she served as Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield Management School and University of Bradford Management School, with visiting positions at INET Oxford and the Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex. Her research investigates innovation ecosystems through multiple lenses: Core domains: Intellectual property regimes, technology transfer mechanisms, and AI industrial dynamics Methodological expertise: Patent analytics, bibliometrics, and complex systems modeling Applied contexts: Climate technology diffusion, catch-up strategies in emerging economies, and sustainable system transitions Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on: Longitudinal tracking of technology evolution through patent and citation networks Cross-sectoral innovation patterns between AI, clean tech, and manufacturing Policy frameworks for knowledge sharing in developing economies Awards and fellowships: Overseas Postdoctoral Research Fellow, National Research Foundation of Korea (funded Oxford visit) Postdoctoral Researcher Fellowship, NRF Korea (2021) ESRC InterAct ECR Fellowship (2023-2024) Research leadership includes: Co-Principal Investigator for SSHRC New Frontiers project on gender dynamics in STEM (£146k, 2023-2025) Principal Investigator for ESRC project on AI-driven material innovation Consultancy leadership for GIZ on climate technology IP frameworks (2022-2023) Educational background comprises a PhD and BS in Industrial Engineering from Yonsei University, South Korea, specializing in Technology Management and Analytics. She holds Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) status.

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R. Isil YavuzView profile

Assistant Professor

Bryant UniversityUnited States

R. Isil Yavuz serves as an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship within the Department of Management at Bryant University's College of Business, where she teaches entrepreneurship, international business, and international entrepreneurship at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Her academic journey began at Middle East Technical University (METU) where she graduated as valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 CGPA in Business Administration, followed by an award-winning Master's in Social Psychology, culminating in a PhD in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Minnesota. Her educational credentials include: PhD in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, University of Minnesota MS in Social Psychology, Middle East Technical University (METU) BS in Business Administration, Middle East Technical University (METU) – Valedictorian Dr. Yavuz's research program critically examines how cognitive factors and contextual forces interact to shape early internationalization, innovation, and performance in high-technology new ventures. Her work spans international entrepreneurship, high-tech immigrant entrepreneurship, woman entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial financing mechanisms, and entrepreneurship in developing economies, with particular attention to gender dynamics and institutional barriers in Muslim-majority regions. This interdisciplinary focus bridges strategic management, international business, and sociological perspectives on venturing. Analysis of her 14 most recent publications (2006-2025) reveals persistent themes: founder characteristics (gender, immigrant status, education) significantly influence venture financing, internationalization speed, and exit strategies. Her work increasingly addresses gender disparities through feminist theoretical lenses while maintaining strong methodological rigor in high-impact journals like Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice . Notably, over 40% of her recent output focuses on gender dimensions of entrepreneurship. Her scientific contributions have earned significant recognition: Kauffman Foundation Dissertation Fellowship Award (2010) Kauffman Firm Survey Best Dissertation Award (2012) Multiple best paper awards at Academy of Management and Babson Entrepreneurship Research Conferences M.S. Best Master Thesis Award in Social Sciences (2005) While her teaching excellence is evidenced by Faculty Merit Awards (2022, 2025) and College of Business Outstanding Service Award (2022), specific details about current advisees, research grants, or laboratory affiliations are not provided in available documentation. Her professional engagement includes active membership in the Strategic Management Society, Academy of International Business, and Academy of Management.

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Ben WalkerView profile

Senior Lecturer

Victoria University of WellingtonNew Zealand

Ben Walker is a Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Management, where he has been a full-time faculty member since completing his PhD at UNSW Sydney in 2018. As a Māori academic (Ngāti Raukawa), he integrates indigenous perspectives into his research on work and identity. His research centers on four interconnected programs: the work-identity interface examining how work shapes self-perception; counter-perspectives on motivation revealing 'dark' psychological drivers of high performance; Māori workplace experiences addressing challenges and opportunities; and expert engagement mechanisms. He employs diverse methodologies including interviews, experiments, and social media analysis. Walker's publications in premier journals like Academy of Management Annals and Human Relations demonstrate significant scholarly impact. His recent work analyzes positivity bias in job performance research, develops theories of performance-based identity, and explores Māori cultural double-shifts in workplaces. He maintains active media engagement through The Conversation and New Zealand outlets. Victoria University of Wellington Early Career Teaching Excellence Award (2021) Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association Outstanding Lecturer Award (2019) As an educator, Walker has taught over 1,000 students annually in MGMT101 and currently co-leads the ANZSOG Executive Master of Public Administration program. His teaching philosophy emphasizes deep understanding over superficial prescriptions, fusion of academic and student expertise, and evidence-based 'no bullshit' communication. He supervises doctoral research on identity, expertise, and indigenous management topics while maintaining active connections with executive education programs.

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Antonella ZucchellaView profile

Research Fellow

Anglia Ruskin UniversityUnited Kingdom

Antonella Zucchella is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Business and Law, School of Economics, Finance and Law, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Her expertise spans international business and entrepreneurship, with active PhD supervision in these domains. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Management from Bocconi University Full Professorship in management and marketing from Pavia University Visiting Professorship at Strasbourg University Professor Zucchella's research focuses on critical international business dimensions: International Business : Analyzing global market dynamics and cross-border strategic frameworks International Entrepreneurship : Investigating firm emergence and growth in global contexts International Marketing : Examining consumer behavior across cultural boundaries Sustainable Internationalisation : Exploring sustainability-driven global expansion models SME Internationalisation : Developing strategic pathways for small firm global entry Regional Clusters : Studying local ecosystem dynamics in international contexts Her 15 most recent publications (2011-2017) reveal dominant trends in digital transformation's impact on global value chains (Industry 4.0), niche strategy effectiveness in accelerated internationalization, and sustainable firm growth mechanisms. Key journals featuring her work include International Business Review and Journal of International Entrepreneurship , with recurring themes of SME internationalization and knowledge-intensive firm strategies. Scientific Awards: None listed. Professor Zucchella supervises doctoral research in marketing, management, and international business. Her research is supported by significant funding including: EU Erasmus Network COBEREN (2010-2013) on European consumer behavior EU Horizon 2020 PRIMEFISH (2015-present) on consumer behavior and entrepreneurship Consulting for Italian Industrial Association on industrial development strategies

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