Shasha Zhao

Dr. Shasha Zhao is Associate Professor of International Business and Innovation at Surrey Business School, University of Surrey, where she also serves as Co-Director of the Centre for Social Innovation Management. She holds a visiting professorship at Shandong University, China, and is Co-President of the Academy of International Business Sustainability Shared Interest Group. Her academic affiliations also include associate roles at the University of Aberdeen and the Institute for Sustainability at the University of Surrey.

Her educational background includes a PhD in International Business from Alliance Manchester Business School, an MSc in Global Business Analysis, a Master of Philosophy, and a BA (Hons) in Management from the University of Leeds. She also holds a PGCert in Higher Education and a PG Diploma in Marketing.

Dr. Zhao’s research centers on innovation and knowledge management in multinational enterprises (MNEs), particularly those from and operating in emerging economies, and their implications for sustainable development. She explores digital technologies, Industry 4.0, and social innovation in international business contexts. Her work bridges theory and policy, addressing grand challenges such as inequality, climate change, and post-pandemic recovery. She has published in leading journals including Journal of World Business, International Business Review, and Asia Pacific Journal of Management.

Her recent publications reflect a strong thematic focus on MNEs’ roles in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with particular attention to Asia, innovation in peripheral regions, and the integration of sustainability into corporate strategy. Her articles frequently employ case studies, literature reviews, and conceptual frameworks to examine business model innovation, knowledge sourcing, and stakeholder engagement.

• Best Paper Award, Euro-Asia Management Studies Association (EAMSA)
• Research featured in WHO Covid-19 Research Database
• Twice recipient of The Surrey Values Awards
• Nominated for 'Most Empowering Teacher' Award
• Keynote speaker at AIB Oceania Conference 2021
• Invited expert at UN World Investment Forum (2021, 2023)

Dr. Zhao actively supervises PhD students and has secured research funding from ESRC, ERASMUS+, and UGPN. She serves on the University Research Ethics Committee and acts as an external examiner for multiple UK universities. She is also editing several special issues on MNEs and sustainability in top journals. She leads research projects on EMNE innovation, state-owned enterprises, and innovation in peripheral regions.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Higher Education Academy, and contributes to global policy dialogues with UNCTAD, WTO, and UNDP. Her work emphasizes systemic change, ethical leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration to foster a more sustainable and equitable global economy.