Amanda Ferguson

Amanda Ferguson is a Professor in the Department of Management at Northern Illinois University's College of Business, specializing in organizational behavior with emphasis on team dynamics. Her research examines how team composition and processes influence effectiveness through multi-level analyses.

Education Background

• Ph.D. in Organisational Behaviour, London Business School (2012)
• M.B.A., Missouri State University
• B.S., Missouri State University

Research Focus

Professor Ferguson investigates intragroup conflict evolution, trust dynamics, and configuration effects in teams. Her work bridges microfoundational perspectives with macro outcomes, revealing how individual differences interact with team structures. Recent studies demonstrate how team familiarity buffers external pressure and how attribute alignment patterns predict performance beyond traditional pairwise analyses.

Publication Trends

Her 2020-2024 publications show increasing methodological sophistication through configurational approaches and microfoundational analyses. Key themes include conflict resolution frameworks (2024), expanded team composition models (2024), and temporal dynamics in team processes. Articles consistently appear in top-tier journals like Administrative Science Quarterly and Academy of Management Journal.

Scientific Recognition

• 2022 Outstanding Publication in OB Award (Organizational Behavior Division, Academy of Management)
• 2019 Outstanding Article Award (Group and Organization Management Editorial Team)

Professional Background

Prior to academia, she served as Senior Sales Representative at Eli Lilly and Company. At NIU, she teaches Organizational Behavior courses focusing on team effectiveness, drawing from both scholarly research and industry experience. Her office is located in Barsema Hall (BH 245Q) with contact: 815-753-6307.