معرفی
Dr. Alexandra Dawson is a Professor in the Department of Management at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, holding the CIBC Distinguished Professorship in Entrepreneurship and Family Business. She serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Family Business Strategy and Journal of Business Research, and is a Review Board Member for Family Business Review.
Her educational background includes:
- PhD in Management and Business Administration from Bocconi University, Italy
- MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, UK
- Master's Degree from Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy
Dr. Dawson's research focuses on entrepreneurship and family business with specialized expertise in women entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial learning, and private equity. Her work investigates intergenerational dynamics in family firms, gender barriers in entrepreneurship, and financial governance structures. She employs mixed-method approaches including narrative analysis to explore how family identity shapes business strategies and succession outcomes. Current projects examine women's entrepreneurial journeys from imposter fears to authentic leadership and the impact of cultural contexts on venturing processes.
Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on diversity in family businesses, psychological barriers for women entrepreneurs, and intergenerational governance challenges. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly in debt financing structures, succession planning, and the relationship between corporate reputation and financial performance in family firms.
Her scholarly contributions have been recognized with:
- JMSB Dean’s award for distinguished scholarship (mid-career, 2014)
- JMSB Dean’s award for distinguished scholarship (established scholar, 2022)
Dr. Dawson has supervised MBA students through the Concordia Small Business Consulting Bureau (2014-2019), providing consulting services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. She founded Concordia University's National Bank Initiative in Entrepreneurship and Family Business (2014-2017), establishing it as a research and education hub. Prior to academia, she worked as a strategy consultant in London and Milan advising businesses and private equity investors.
Her research initiatives include the Concordia Small Business Consulting Bureau collaboration with Montreal's Centaur Theatre and leadership in the National Bank Initiative. She actively contributes to public discourse through media outlets like The Conversation, addressing misconceptions about women in entrepreneurship and advocating for gender-inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems.
