Carole Couper

Carole Couper is an Associate Professor in Strategy and International Business at the Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK. She joined the university on 1st August 2022, bringing extensive industry and academic experience in international business, SME internationalisation, and cross-cultural research. She previously served as a Lecturer in Executive and Professional Education at Sheffield University Management School.

Education:

• PhD in Management, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow (2016)
• MSc Management Research (2011)
• Licence in Chinese Studies (BA equivalent), France (1989)

Her research focuses on SME internationalisation between institutionally distant markets, particularly the UK and China, qualitative research methods in cross-national contexts, and trust-building in international partnerships. She explores how small firms navigate institutional differences and develop international networks. Her recent publications emphasize bilingual and dialogical approaches to qualitative research, reflecting her fluency in English, French, and Mandarin Chinese.

Her work has appeared in leading journals such as the Journal of International Business Studies, Asia-Pacific Journal of Management, and Management & Organization Review. The trend in her publications shows a strong focus on methodological innovation in international business research, especially in multilingual and cross-institutional settings.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• 2016 Adam Smith Business School Alumni Prize for PhD Excellence
• Excellent Reviewer Award, Journal of International Business Studies (2021)
• Excellent Reviewer Award, Family Business Review (2015, 2014)

Carole is an active member of the academic community, serving on the Steering Committee of the Research Methods Special Interest Group (RM SIG) and the Executive Education Working Group (EEWG) within the British Academy of Management (BAM). She is also a Fellow of Advance HE and has been invited to join the Review Boards of the Journal of International Business Studies and Management and Organization Review. She supervises PhD students in areas including SME internationalisation, cooperative strategies, institutional distance, and novel research methodologies. She has contributed to policy research, including a briefing for the Conference Board of Canada on Canadian SMEs in emerging markets.

She teaches on Executive MBA and MSc International Business programmes, drawing on her industry experience in international sales and marketing with companies such as Diageo and Scottish & Newcastle. She has lived and worked in Belgium, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, enriching her cross-cultural expertise.