Rune Ellemose Gulev

Professor Rune Ellemose Gulev serves as Professor of International Business Management at Kiel University of Applied Sciences (HAW Kiel) in Germany, where he has been employed since 2010. He additionally holds the position of Academic Director of the Centre for Languages and Intercultural Studies (ZSIK). Originally from Denmark, Professor Gulev has built an international academic career with previous appointments including Assistant Professor at the University of Primorska in Slovenia (2008-2010) and involvement with numerous international institutions such as Harvard University, Tecnologica de Monterrey, and Copenhagen Business School.

Professor Gulev's research focuses on the intersection of cultural dynamics and business practices. His primary research interests include Intercultural Management & Cross Cultural Leadership, Managing Sustainability for Modern Businesses, and Strategic Management. He investigates how national cultural variances influence organizational behavior, with specific attention to environments that foster workplace creativity, levels of alcohol acceptance in professional settings, and the connection between consumer cultural orientation and purchasing behaviors. His work bridges theoretical cultural frameworks with practical business applications, particularly examining how trust and cultural values impact innovation, sustainability practices, and economic performance across different national contexts.

Professor Gulev's publication record demonstrates a clear evolution from theoretical cultural frameworks to practical business applications. His early work focused on intercultural subsidiary management and knowledge sharing across cultures, while more recent publications examine specific workplace behaviors like alcohol consumption across cultures (2024) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (2021). His research consistently explores how cultural values shape business practices, sustainability behaviors, and organizational innovation across European and global contexts, with a particular emphasis on trust as a mediating factor in economic and organizational outcomes.

• Best Paper Award at Management International Conference 2008 for 'Cultural Repercussions'

Professor Gulev provides specialized seminars for companies and higher education institutions on improving efficiency in multicultural workplaces. His consulting work spans from team structure optimization to developing culturally appropriate motivational techniques. His expertise is sought internationally, as evidenced by his academic affiliations with institutions across Europe and beyond. As Academic Director of ZSIK, he oversees language and intercultural competence programs that support internationalization efforts at HAW Kiel.

Through his leadership of the Centre for Languages and Intercultural Studies (ZSIK), Professor Gulev directs initiatives that promote intercultural competence across the university. He has been instrumental in developing interdisciplinary programs like the 'International Marketing & PR Minor' that combine business, media, and language studies. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, creating environments where cultural diversity is leveraged as a strategic advantage in both educational and business contexts.