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Ali Z. BigdeliView profile

Professor

• Servitization
• Organisational Change
• Business Model Design
• +2 more

Professor Ali Z. Bigdeli is an academic at Aston University , serving as Associate Dean Research and Professor of Industrial Service Innovation at Aston Business School . He co-directs the Advanced Services Group , a center focused on servitization and advanced services. His work bridges academia and industry, with partnerships spanning multinational corporations like Goodyear, Thales, and BAXI, and he has facilitated over 30 seminars for senior executives. PhD in Management and Information Systems (2012), Brunel University London MSc in Management and Information Systems (2009), University of Manchester MBA (2008), Iran University of Science and Technology BSc in Electronic Engineering (2006), Azad University His research centers on servitization , organisational change , and business model innovation , particularly in manufacturing firms transitioning to service-based capabilities. Recent article trends highlight intersections between digitalization , sustainability , and value networks , with a focus on IoT, AI, and collaborative ecosystems. Scientific Awards include Senior Fellow of Advance HE . His grants include £255,200 from ESRC and £2.02 million from Innovate UK for projects on servitization and advanced services. He supervises 11 PhD/DBA students and has examined external candidates at Brunel, Warwick, and Manchester Universities.

Michael BreenView profile

Associate Professor

• International Political Economy
• Corruption Studies
• International Financial Institutions
• +3 more

Dr. Michael Breen is an Associate Professor in the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University, part of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences. He specializes in international political economy, focusing on power dynamics within international financial institutions and the socio-economic impacts of corruption. His research spans over 30 peer-reviewed articles and two books, addressing topics such as IMF governance, regulatory evasion, and corruption in public infrastructure. He co-directs DCU’s Anti-Corruption Research Centre (ARC) and advises the European Commission’s DG Home Affairs on anti-corruption strategies. Notable roles include presenting at the UN and European Commission, as well as supervising numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Dr. Breen has secured significant research funding from bodies like the Irish Research Council and Enterprise Ireland, leading projects on governance reform and financial stability. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with applied policy analysis, emphasizing the interplay between institutional structures and real-world outcomes. Key themes include regulatory compliance in multinational corporations, crisis management in disaster contexts, and transparency in global financial systems.

Stacey FitzsimmonsView profile

Associate Professor

• Bicultural Individuals
• Multicultural Individuals
• International Management
• +3 more

Stacey Fitzsimmons is an Associate Professor at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria. She holds a BBA and BA in Philosophy from Wilfrid Laurier University and a PhD in International Business from Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on bicultural/multicultural individuals in the workplace, international management, immigrant employees, and diversity/inclusion strategies. Her work investigates how globally mobile employees (including migrants and refugees) contribute unique problem-solving skills and bridge cultural divides in organizations. Current projects include 'From Refugees to Talent,' examining refugee employment integration, and the 'GLOBE Project,' studying culture and leadership across 143 countries. Major awards include the Gustavson Award of Excellence (2021) and Emerging Scholar Award from WAIB (2016). She serves as Associate Editor at Academy of Management Perspectives and holds editorial roles at Journal of International Business Studies.

Valentina MaranoView profile

Associate Professor

• International Business
• Corporate Governance
• Sustainability
• +3 more

Valentina Marano is an Associate Professor in the International Business & Strategy Group at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, and an Associate Fellow at the Center for Emerging Markets. She holds a PhD in International Business from the University of South Carolina, an MA from George Washington University, and a BA from Università degli Studi di Roma Tre in Rome, Italy. Her research focuses on multinational corporations, corporate sustainability, and comparative corporate governance. Notable areas include sustainability in global supply chains, voluntary environmental programs’ effectiveness, and the role of governance in firm internationalization. She frequently publishes in top-tier journals like Academy of Management Review and Journal of International Business Studies . Marano sits on editorial review boards for Business & Society , Global Strategy Journal , and others. She teaches global strategy, international business, and corporate sustainability to undergraduates and MBAs. Awards: 2024 Best Reviewer (JIBS), 2023 DMSB Summer Research Award, 2023 Best Paper (EIBA), and multiple best reviewer recognitions. Recent Contributions: Organized symposiums on global sustainability challenges at the 2023 Academy of Management Annual Meeting, and presented work on CSR contracting and environmental governance. Her work bridges institutional theory with practical corporate governance challenges, emphasizing how firms navigate sustainability in global contexts. She actively engages in interdisciplinary research collaborations and policy discussions on environmental and social responsibility.

Zach ThompsonView profile

Assistant Professor

• Digital Marketing
• Branding
• Behavioral Change
• +3 more

Zach Thompson is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Marketing at the Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee. Previously, he held roles as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the University of Bristol and Senior Lecturer/Head of Department at the University of Greenwich. He holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from Durham University, an Executive MBA (Distinction) from Plymouth University, and a BSc in Business Management and IT (First Class Honours). His research focuses on the intersection of branding, behavioral change, and identity, with notable contributions to social marketing and digital pedagogy. Thompson has secured funding for pedagogy research and led initiatives such as the Enterprise Hub at Greenwich, fostering industry partnerships and live project collaborations. He has also contributed to curriculum redesign, notably increasing pass rates by 18% through blended learning approaches. Thompson has over 10 years of lecturing experience across digital marketing, brand management, and communications, supervising over 400 student dissertations. His work extends to nonprofit sectors, including homelessness and poverty alleviation initiatives. Notable awards include the Inspirational Lecturer of the Year (2018) and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. His academic leadership roles include managing departments with budgets exceeding £500k and annual revenues of £10m. He has pioneered programs such as the Digital Marketing Institute Professional Diploma and established partnerships with multinational corporations to integrate industry projects into curricula. Thompson’s research emphasizes authentic assessment methods and digital transformation in education.

Chan LiView profile

Professor

• Auditing
• Accounting Regulation
• Internal Controls
• +3 more

Chan Li is the C.A. Scupin Professor of Accounting at the University of Kansas School of Business. She holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Kansas, an M.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Akron, and a B.A. in Business English from Sichuan International Studies University, China. Prior to joining KU, she was a tenured professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on archival auditing, including the economic consequences of auditing, regulatory impacts on audit environments, auditor judgment, and audit quality. Key areas of interest include internal controls, SOX compliance, and the effects of audit regulations on financial reporting. She has published over 30 articles in top journals such as The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research, and Journal of Accounting and Economics. Teaching interests include Accounting Information Systems, Financial Accounting, and Auditing. Her recent work explores topics like PCAOB inspection deficiencies, auditor experience with distressed clients, and the role of internal control audits in operational efficiency. She has also investigated ESG rating activities by accounting firms and the implications of foreign component auditors on financial reporting quality. Her research consistently addresses regulatory challenges and their implications for audit quality, corporate governance, and financial transparency. Chan Li’s contributions span theoretical and applied dimensions of auditing, with a focus on bridging academic insights with practical audit practices.

Thomas HoutView profile

Adjunct Professor

• Strategic Management
• Global Business Strategy
• Operations Management
• +3 more

Thomas Hout is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer of Strategic Management at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He spent 30 years as a strategy consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), working across offices in Boston, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. His expertise spans global competition strategies, operational efficiency, and emerging market dynamics. Hout is the author of two influential books: Competing Against Time (a business bestseller) and Japanese Industrial Policy , and has published widely in outlets like Harvard Business Review , Foreign Affairs , and Asia Wall Street Journal . Education: MBA from Stanford University and BA from Yale University. He has taught winter quarters at the University of Hong Kong for over a decade. His professional activities include roles at Harvard Business School, co-founding BCG’s Strategy and Operations practice group, and serving on the Harvard Business School Press Editorial Review Board. Awards include the BCG Fellowship (1994). Teaching focuses on international supply chains, strategic management, and operations in global corporations. Recent courses include Managing Operations and Supply Chains and International Supply Chain Strategy . His research highlights include analysis of Chinese industrial policies, global trade conflicts, and low-cost operator strategies. Key Publications: Over 8 HBR articles, 12 op-eds, and seminal works on time-based management and Sino-American trade dynamics. Awards: BCG Fellowship (1994). Grants/Consulting: Extensive BCG experience shaping corporate strategies for global firms. Labs/Teams: Co-founded BCG’s Strategy & Operations practice group, contributing to operational excellence methodologies.

Virpi OutilaView profile

Assistant Professor

• Cross-cultural Management
• Multinational Enterprises
• Knowledge Transfer
• +2 more

Dr. Virpi Outila is an Assistant Professor of International Business at San José State University's Lucas College of Business. Her research focuses on people management in cross-cultural contexts, headquarter-subsidiary relations, practice/knowledge transfer in multinational enterprises, and emerging economies. She specializes in qualitative and language-sensitive research methods. Her work has been published in leading journals including Organization Studies, Journal of World Business, and Journal of International Management. Her research explores cultural adaptation of management practices, particularly in Russian business contexts. Recent publications examine language hierarchies in multinationals, performance management transfer to Russia, and trust-control dynamics in cross-cultural settings. Her work combines international business theory with linguistic analysis to understand how management concepts are translated across cultural boundaries.

Alistair UlphView profile

Professor

• Environmental Economics
• Climate Change Policy
• International Environmental Agreements
• +3 more

Prof Alistair Ulph is a leading academic in environmental economics and sustainable consumption, affiliated with the Sustainable Consumption Institute at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on international environmental agreements, consumer behavior, climate policy, and the intersection of environmental policy with economic theory. Key research areas include modeling consumer responses to environmental policies, analyzing the role of risk aversion in international agreements, and exploring synergies between climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in sustainable consumption and climate action. Notable contributions include studies on carbon taxation impacts, the value of social conformity in policy design, and dynamic models of sustainable behavior. His interdisciplinary approach bridges environmental science, behavioral economics, and international relations. Ulph’s publications span high-impact journals like Journal of Environmental Economics and Management and Environmental and Resource Economics , with over 27 peer-reviewed articles. His research has been cited in policy documents and referenced in Wikipedia, demonstrating real-world application.

• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Sustainable Development
• Business Ethics
• +4 more

Dr Jon Burchell is a Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management at the University of Sheffield's Management School, joining in 2006. His research bridges critical approaches to management with corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainable development, and responsible management education. He explores intersections between businesses and third-sector organizations, particularly through the lens of stakeholder dialogue and NGO engagement. Burchell's early work examined European Green parties and anti-corporate movements, evolving into analyses of CSR co-optation and ethical business practices. Teaching focuses on integrating personal values with professional ethics, emphasizing social enterprise and community engagement via his role advising Sheffield ENACTUS. His work contributes to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), advocating for transformative educational practices. Recent research addresses pandemic impacts on voluntary sectors and CSR strategies in developing economies like Bangladesh. Publications span journals such as Journal of Business Ethics , Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly , and Environmental Politics , reflecting his interdisciplinary engagement across management, sociology, and policy studies. He actively bridges academic inquiry with practical initiatives to advance responsible business practices globally.

• International Business
• Strategic Management
• Political Economy
• +7 more

Sinziana Dorobantu is an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Leonard N. Stern School of Business, New York University since 2012. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Duke University (2010), an M.A. in Economics (Duke University), and a B.A. in International Relations and Communications from the American University in Bulgaria. She previously served as a Senior Fellow and Lecturer at the Wharton School and the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, and as a consultant at the International Finance Corporation. Research Interests: Her work focuses on multinational firms' stakeholder engagement strategies, international expansion of state-owned/private firms in infrastructure industries, and the financial implications of political and social risk management. Central themes include nonmarket strategy, corporate governance, and the intersection of business and political economies in high-risk markets. Academic Contributions: Her research bridges strategic management, political economy, and international business, with notable contributions to understanding how firms navigate complex institutional environments through stakeholder relationships. Her studies reveal how effective engagement with stakeholders like governments, communities, and NGOs enhances firm value and operational stability. Teaching & Leadership: Teaches Global Strategy at Stern. She serves as an Associate Editor for the Academy of Management Journal , highlighting her influence in shaping strategic management research. Professional Activities: Advisor on corporate diplomacy and risk governance, with expertise in infrastructure and extractive industries. Active in policy discussions around sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.

Andrew KernerView profile

Associate Professor

• International Relations
• Political Economy of Finance
• Foreign Investment
• +5 more

Andrew Kerner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University (MSU), specializing in the politics of international business, finance, and trade. He holds a PhD in Political Science from Emory University, focusing on corporate governance and securities law reform. His research examines foreign investment, multinational production, investor-state dispute settlement, financialization, and pension reform's political consequences. Kerner has taught at MSU since joining from the University of Michigan, where he was previously an assistant professor. His work spans journals like International Organization and British Journal of Political Science , with recent focus on gender dynamics in central banking and the political economy of economic data. He is also involved in methodological contributions to political science education. Kerner’s research emphasizes globalization’s societal impacts, including how traditional gender roles influence opposition to economic integration and how offshore production shapes public trade policy attitudes. Key themes include the interplay between financial institutions and political systems, regulatory frameworks for international investment, and the societal implications of economic policy shifts. His interdisciplinary approach bridges comparative politics and international relations, addressing both theoretical and applied questions in global political economy.

Alessandro FerrariView profile

Assistant Professor

• Macroeconomics
• International Trade
• International Macroeconomics
• +3 more

Alessandro Ferrari is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Zurich and an Affiliated Professor at the Barcelona School of Economics. He holds a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence. His research focuses on firms’ roles in macroeconomics and trade, international macroeconomics, and the implications of supply chains, fiscal unions, and multinational corporate strategies. He is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). His academic work spans key areas such as the transmission of demand shocks through global supply chains, the geography of multinational firms under profit-shifting frictions, and the welfare implications of currency versus fiscal unions. He also investigates macroeconomic fragility arising from firm heterogeneity and market power dynamics. Education: PhD in Economics from the European University Institute (Florence) Recent research highlights include analyzing the role of inventories in shock propagation, subsidy competition in the U.S., and the causal effects of EU trade agreements on non-trade outcomes. His work bridges theoretical models with empirical evidence, often employing structural estimation and synthetic control methods. He has contributed to understanding systemic risk in banking through funding structure analysis and has explored policy frameworks for risk-sharing in monetary unions. His interdisciplinary approach addresses contemporary challenges in global economics, trade, and financial stability.

Asaduzzaman KhanView profile

Teaching Professor

• Human Resources Management
• Industrial Relations
• International Management
• +3 more

Dr Asaduzzaman Khan is a Teaching Professor in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), part of the School of Business and Management. He joined QMUL in January 2022, previously working at Buckinghamshire New University and the University of Bolton. He holds a PhD and MSc from London South Bank University. His research focuses on cultural barriers for international managers, international HRM, organizational/national culture, and industrial relations issues such as trade unions, health & safety, and minimum wages. He has published in journals like Journal of Human Resource Management and South Asian Journal of Human Resource Management , with a strong emphasis on Bangladesh’s garment and textile industry. Dr Khan teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including courses like BUS269: Organisational Behaviour and BUSM016: Comparative Employment Relations. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and actively engages in editorial roles for HRM journals, alongside memberships in the British Academy of Management and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development.

• Corporate Law
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Corporate Governance
• +5 more

Afra Afsharipour is the Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law and former Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of California, Davis School of Law. She specializes in comparative corporate law, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and transactional law. Her research addresses global corporate governance challenges, ESG integration in deals, and gender dynamics in corporate leadership. She has taught courses on business associations, antitrust, and venture capital. Afsharipour holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School (magna cum laude) and a B.A. in Government from Cornell University. Her professional experience includes roles at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she advised on M&A and corporate governance, and a judicial clerkship with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Her honors include membership in the American Law Institute, American Bar Foundation, and European Corporate Governance Institute. She has been recognized for mentorship (AALS 2018) and diversity advocacy (Lawyers of Color 50 Under 50, 2014). Afsharipour’s scholarship appears in top journals like the Columbia Law Review and has been featured in the New York Times and American Lawyer. She has held leadership roles in the Association of American Law Schools and American Society of Comparative Law. Her work bridges legal theory, corporate practice, and global policy.