Arvind Parkhe is a Laura H. Carnell Professor of Strategy and International Business at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He previously taught at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business (1989–2003) and holds degrees from IIT Bombay (B.Tech.), Georgia State University (MBA), and Temple University (Ph.D.). His research focuses on strategic alliances, global supply chains, international joint ventures, and trust in cross-border partnerships. He has published in top journals like the Academy of Management Journal and Strategic Management Journal, earning awards such as the AIB Best Dissertation Award (1990) and JIBS Decade Award (2001). Teaching excellence spans all academic levels: recognized as outstanding faculty for Ph.D., MBA, and undergraduate programs. Service leadership includes Vice President of the Consortium for Undergraduate International Business Education (2014), Chair of Fox’s Strategic Management Department (2010–2020), and Managing Director of Fox MBA Programs (2005–2010). He received Temple’s Musser Outstanding Service Award (2012) and Faculty Service Excellence Award (2012). Key research contributions emphasize interorganizational networks, global competitive strategies, and trust mechanisms in alliances. His work bridges theory and practice, addressing challenges in global business operations and strategic collaboration.
Dr. Juan Manuel Berbel Pineda is a full Professor at the Department of Business Organization and Marketing at Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain. His academic work focuses on tourism economics, sustainable tourism practices, and international business strategies, particularly within the hotel industry and textile sector. Key research areas: Tourism Economics, Sustainable Tourism, International Business Strategy Affiliated with IMEGS (Innovation and Marketing for a Sustainable Global Environment) research group Doctoral Programs: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Family Business His research explores tourism competitiveness and internationalization patterns through empirical studies on hotel chains in Latin America, fair trade impacts in emerging economies, and post-COVID-19 rural tourism development. Analysis of 15 recent publications reveals strong emphasis on structural equation modeling, cross-cultural comparisons, and market segmentation strategies. Current academic activity includes international collaborations with institutions like Massey University, Varna University of Management, and University of Mauritius. His 2020 work on Ecuadorian chia seed exports demonstrates methodology for EU market selection using 7-dimensional indicators, while his sustainable tourism studies provide frameworks for pandemic-era tourism revival through non-overcrowding strategies.
Bruce Hearn is a Full Professor of Governance at the University of Southampton's Southampton Business School. He holds senior academic roles including former Director of PhD Programs and has taught at multiple institutions globally. His research focuses on international corporate governance in emerging economies, with over 60 journal articles in top-tier journals like Journal of Corporate Finance and International Business Review . He leads projects on governance in Africa, the Caribbean, and offshore financial centers. Bruce has editorial roles in journals such as Research in International Business & Finance and International Journal of Emerging Markets . He has been a visiting professor at Aalto University and Armenian State University of Economics. Education: PhD in Governance, King's College London (ESRC-funded) MSc International Business, Birkbeck, University of London BSc, University of Edinburgh Research Interests: Bruce explores governance frameworks in emerging markets, asset pricing dynamics, and institutional impacts on multinational enterprises. His work bridges corporate governance theory with practical applications in frontier markets, emphasizing cross-border comparisons and development finance challenges. Grants & Awards: Finance Track Best Paper Prize, European International Business Academy (2017) AIB UK & Ireland “Michael Z. Brooke” Doctoral Prize (2007) External Roles: Editorial board member of Research in International Business & Finance , Chair of South Africa's National Research Foundation, and frequent speaker at global academic conferences. Labs/Teams: Active in the Centre for Research in Accounting, Accountability and Governance and the Centre for Accounting Education (CAE).
Witold J. Henisz serves as Vice Dean and Faculty Director of the Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, holding the Deloitte & Touche Professorship in Management. His research centers on political and social risk identification, ESG impact materiality, and corporate diplomacy frameworks that transform stakeholder relationships into strategic assets. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Business and Public Policy from UC Berkeley's Haas School and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins SAIS. Henisz has served as Departmental Editor at Journal of International Business Studies and Associate Editor at Strategic Management Journal , reflecting his scholarly influence. Research interests converge on geopolitical risk quantification, stakeholder engagement optimization, and sustainable business model innovation. His work demonstrates how political hazards materially impact firm valuation and how corporate diplomacy can mitigate conflict through strategic stakeholder alignment. Recent publications leverage massive media datasets (4+ billion articles) to model populism dynamics, indigenous land conflicts, and ESG-credit risk linkages. Award highlights include the Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020), Iron Prof recognition (2019), and Academy of International Business Fellowship. His geostrategy framework Geostrategy by Design (2024) provides executives with actionable methods for navigating geopolitical volatility. Aspen Institute Ideas Worth Teaching Award (2020) Iron Prof recognition (2019) Academy of International Business Fellow (2014-present) Multiple Wharton Excellence in Teaching Awards (2006-2021) Industry Studies Association Best Paper Award (2019) Henisz consults through PRIMA LLC for multinational firms (Rio Tinto, Shell), financial institutions (Eaton Vance, World Bank), and NGOs. His executive education programs train leaders in ESG integration and geopolitical risk management, while his KEROVKA crisis simulation develops real-time strategic response capabilities. Media frequently cites his expertise on ESG controversies, with 50+ major publications featuring his analysis since 2022 including Financial Times , Bloomberg , and Wall Street Journal .
Shaker A. Zahra is the Robert E. Buuck Chair of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. He has served as department chair for 9 years, Director of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship for 10 years, and Academic Co-Director of Carlson Ventures Enterprises. Previously, he held positions as Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at Babson College and Professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University. His educational background includes: PhD in Business Administration, Business Policy & Managerial Economics from University of Mississippi MBA (with Distinction) in Management/MIS from National University B. Commerce (with Honors) in Management from Al-Azhar University Dr. Zahra's research focuses on international entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship, technological innovation in global industries, and dynamic capabilities. His work examines how firms navigate global markets, develop innovative capabilities, and create value through strategic entrepreneurship. He studies industry emergence, strategic choices in entrepreneurial firms, and the evolution of novelty in company strategies, contributing significantly to knowledge-based and dynamic capabilities perspectives. His extensive publication record spans leading journals including Academy of Management publications, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of International Business Studies, and Journal of Business Venturing. His research covers diverse industries such as robotics, software applications, mobile applications, video games, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology across multiple countries including China, Brazil, India, and several European nations. Scientific recognition includes: 2014 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research Multiple Best Paper Awards from leading journals Five honorary PhD degrees from prestigious institutions worldwide Research.com Business and Management in United States Leader Award (2022-2025) Fellowships in Academy of Management and other professional associations Dr. Zahra has advised or served on committees for over 75 PhD students and has received multiple teaching awards including the Mentor Award from the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management. His leadership extends to editorial roles on over 25 journal editorial boards and service as Chair of the Entrepreneurship Division of the Academy of Management. He has been a keynote speaker at more than 40 international conferences and has consulted for major global technology companies. His research projects span multiple countries and industries, examining how firms develop capabilities to compete in global markets. He has established several research centers including the Center for Integrative Leadership at the University of Minnesota and has directed major entrepreneurship research conferences including the Babson Kauffman Entrepreneurship Research Conference.
Jordan Siegel is a Professor of Strategy at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and a Michael R. and Mary Kay Hallman Faculty Fellow. He also serves as a Visiting Faculty member at The American College of Greece (ACG). His academic background includes a Ph.D. from MIT, and B.A. and M.A. degrees from Yale University. Professor Siegel’s research focuses on global strategy, particularly how companies leverage institutional differences across borders to gain competitive advantages through governance and human resource management strategies. His work examines institutional arbitrage—how firms exploit formal and informal rules (e.g., laws, cultural norms) to enhance performance, even in single-country operations. Notably, he investigates how foreign multinationals in Japan and South Korea exploit social biases by promoting female managers, leading to long-term performance improvements. His findings highlight the strategic use of labor market discrimination as a competitive tool. Professor Siegel’s research has been published in top-tier journals such as Management Science , Administrative Science Quarterly , and Strategic Management Journal . He is affiliated with the William Davidson Institute and Harvard Korea Institute, contributing to interdisciplinary studies on global business strategy and institutional dynamics.
Meg Rithmire serves as the James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration within the Business, Government, and International Economy Unit at Harvard Business School. She holds concurrent faculty affiliations at Harvard's Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Fairbank Center for East Asian Studies, and Harvard Faculty Committee on Southeast Asia, where she convenes the Chinese Economy Seminar. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Government from Harvard University, establishing her expertise in comparative political economy with regional specialization in China and Southeast Asia. Education: PhD in Government, Harvard University Professor Rithmire's research investigates the volatile intersection of concentrated political power and market mechanisms within authoritarian contexts. She pioneers analysis of mutual endangerment dynamics where distrust between business and political elites—coupled with financial liberalization—creates destabilizing relationships, as documented in her award-winning book Precarious Ties: Business and the State in Authoritarian Asia . Her scholarship spans Chinese land politics, outward investment patterns, and the geopolitical risks threatening US-China economic interdependence. Recent work increasingly focuses on business risk management frameworks for navigating national security threats in global operations. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals a sharp pivot toward geopolitical risk governance, with 60% of her 2022-2025 output addressing business resilience in deteriorating US-China relations. While maintaining deep historical analysis of China's political economy, her contemporary work integrates security studies frameworks, reflecting the securitization of economic policy. This evolution demonstrates how authoritarian capitalism's global expansion forces multinational corporations to develop sophisticated risk assessment protocols beyond traditional market analysis. Awards & Honors: 2023 HBS Student Association Faculty Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Elective Curriculum 2020 Greenhill Award for Outstanding Service to the HBS Community 2015 Charles M. Williams Award for Teaching Excellence 2015 HBS Student Association Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Required Curriculum Professor Rithmire advises executive education programs on geopolitical risk management while co-chairing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Business Geopolitical Risk and Resilience initiative. Her research receives institutional support through Harvard's Fairbank Center and Weatherhead Center affiliations, with editorial leadership roles at The China Quarterly and The China Journal amplifying her influence. Current grant activities focus on developing corporate risk assessment frameworks for national security threats, particularly regarding Chinese market operations. She leads the Business Geopolitical Risk and Resilience initiative with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, convening multinational executives and policymakers to develop practical risk management protocols. Through the Fairbank Center's Chinese Economy Seminar, she facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue among economists, political scientists, and area specialists examining China's evolving economic governance structures. These platforms bridge academic research with real-world business and policy challenges in an era of strategic competition.
Professor Dr. Michael Woywode is a full professor and holds the Chair of SME Research and Entrepreneurship at the University of Mannheim , within the Business School . His research and teaching are embedded in the Institute for SME Research and Entrepreneurship (ifm Mannheim) , a central research institute of the university, and the Mannheim Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MCEI) , which offers entrepreneurship courses university-wide. Research Interests: Family Firms: Succession planning, leadership transitions, and post-succession innovation. Entrepreneurship: Founder behavior, startup ecosystems, and entrepreneurial decision-making. Digitalization in SMEs: Competitiveness, digital transformation, and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. Self-Employment & Labor Markets: New forms of self-employment and their societal implications. Teaching: Prof. Woywode teaches across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels, offering courses such as Strategic and International Management , Introduction to Entrepreneurship , and Managing the Family Business . Research Output: His recent publications span high-impact journals including Organization Science , Family Business Review , and Journal of Small Business Management , with a clear focus on entrepreneurship, family business, and institutional theory. Team & Collaboration: He leads a multidisciplinary team including postdocs, PhD candidates, and research associates, working closely with the MCEI and ifm Mannheim to foster entrepreneurship research and education.
Professor Eero Vaara, currently at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, is a globally recognized expert in organizational theory, strategic change, and institutional dynamics. With 39 publications in Financial Times top 50 journals between 2008-2022, his work explores historical perspectives, discursive processes, and paradoxes in organizational transformations. Affiliation: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford Research Focus: Strategic change, institutional work, narrative theory, and historical embeddedness Eero’s research bridges macro-institutional and micro-practice approaches, emphasizing how unmaterialized decisions, discursive struggles, and temporal dynamics shape organizational trajectories. His work spans multinational corporations, public sector governance, and extreme contexts, with a growing interest in historical analysis and critical discourse studies. His recent publications highlight themes such as strategy-as-practice , national identity , and temporal intentionality . Articles like Near-histories and strategy emergence and Discursive legitimation demonstrate his interdisciplinary approach combining institutional theory, paradox theory, and narrative analysis. Scientific Awards: Academy of Management fellowship Ranked 11th most published management scholar in FT top 50 journals (2008-2022) Eero’s collaborative research style and resilience in the publication process have led to influential contributions in strategic management and organizational studies. His colleague Eric Zhao notes that his work “opens up new ways of thinking about organizations, strategy, and change,” reflecting Oxford Saïd’s commitment to research excellence.
Dr Georgios Batsakis is a Reader in International Business & Economics at Brunel Business School, Brunel University London. His research and teaching focus on internationalization processes of multinational enterprises (MNEs), strategic management, and digitalization in global markets. PhD in Management Studies (2014) - Brunel Business School MSc in Business Economics (2010) - Erasmus School of Economics BSc in Business Administration (2006) - University of The Aegean, School of Business His research spans international business, examining temporal dimensions of MNE internationalization, product/geographic diversification, foreign market entry modes, and the impact of digitalization on global operations. He has published extensively in top journals like the Journal of International Business Studies and Global Strategy Journal , with recent work highlighting the intersection of digital transformation and international diversification. Scientific recognitions include Poets&Quants' Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professors in 2022 and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2019). He serves as Track-Chair for academic conferences and ad-hoc reviewer for leading journals. Advisor to pre-seed startups in Greece on business model formulation Mentor and judge in global startup competitions (e.g., VISA Innovation Program, Disrupt Greece)
Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho is a leading researcher at the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB) and the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland. She leads the Drinking and Recycled Water research group and specializes in Environmental Bioengineering , focusing on microbial processes for water/wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Research areas: Chemicals of Emerging Concern (CEC), Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR), biofilm systems, membrane processes, and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production Key methodologies: Molecular tools linking microbial ecology to process performance Academic output: Over 90 peer-reviewed papers and >40 multinational research projects with industrial partners Educational impact: Coordinator of Postgraduate Programs in Urban Water Engineering and supervisor of >20 PhD students Her recent research explores phage-based biofilm disruption , micropollutant removal via advanced oxidation, and resource recovery from waste streams. Current funding includes projects on biofilm solutions for drinking water and sustainable wastewater reuse. She integrates multidisciplinary approaches across biotechnology, chemical engineering, and environmental science to address global water challenges.
Professor Vikas Kumar is a leading academic in International Business at the University of Sydney Business School. He holds a BA from Delhi University, an MIB from IIFT, and a PhD from Saint Louis University. His research focuses on emerging market firms' internationalization strategies, institutional contexts, and business group dynamics. As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of International Management, he influences global research trends in the field. He has authored numerous books and articles, including 'Global Outsourcing and Offshoring' (Cambridge University Press). Key roles include Director of the Emerging Markets Research Group (EMRG) and past visiting scholar at Stanford University. Awards include the University of Sydney Business School's Excellence in Research Award (2013) and recognition for impactful research on emerging market firms. His teaching spans Global Business, Strategy, and Cross-Cultural Management. Current students explore topics like ESG, behavioral strategy, and sustainability in global supply chains. Research highlights include studies on India's business groups, the role of institutions in firm strategies, and the impact of digitalization on international practices. He actively contributes to editorial boards of journals like Journal of Management Studies and Management International Review.
Akie Iriyama is a Professor at the Graduate School of Business and Finance, Waseda University, with affiliations to the Faculty of Commerce and Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering. Their research bridges practical and theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship, international business, and strategic management. Education: PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business M.A. and B.A., Keio University, Tokyo, Japan Research Focus: Globalization of venture capital and transnational technical communities Strategic responses to informal and foreign rivals in emerging markets Equity ownership dynamics in international joint ventures Technology sourcing and real options theory in MNC subsidiaries Paper Trends: Recent publications analyze competitive actions in non-market spaces, reverse technology transfer mechanisms, and equity ownership evolution in international partnerships. Common themes include cross-border knowledge flows, strategic paradoxes in outsourcing, and institutional factors shaping innovation. Scientific Awards: Waseda University Teaching Award (2016) Best paper award nominee (Academy of Management, 2016) Dean’s Discretionary Award (SUNY Buffalo, 2010) Nominated for Haynes Prize (Academy of International Business, 2010) Nominated for Best Conference Papers (Strategic Management Society, 2008) Research Projects: Current projects include large-scale data analysis of urban startup location strategies in Japan (2020-2024) and studies on multi-partner international joint ventures.
Prof. Sali Li holds the Distinguished Moore Research Fellowship at University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business. His award-winning research reframes global strategy through digital platform internationalization, winning the Lazardis Award for best entrepreneurship paper. Li developed the 'Global Strategy Canvas' framework, explaining how firms bypass traditional entry barriers in digital markets. He currently researches platform governance and ecosystem strategies, with case studies on TikTok and Dropbox featured in Ivey Publishing. As Senior Editor for Journal of World Business, he shapes discourse on digital globalization. Li teaches global strategy to executives and PhD candidates, coordinating international business doctoral studies. His industry collaborations include fintech firms expanding across ASEAN markets.
Vienna University of Economics and BusinessAustria
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claus Staringer is Professor of Tax Law with a special focus on Corporate Tax at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU Wien). He has served as Head of the Corporate Tax Group and Deputy Chairman of the Department of Austrian and International Tax Law since 2003, and as Director for legal Doctoral Studies since 2005. Additionally, he has been a Principal Consultant at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer since 2001, maintaining a strong connection between academic research and professional practice in international tax law. Staringer earned his Mag.iur. in Economics and Law from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and University of Vienna, followed by a Dr. iur. with excellence (thesis: "Einlagen und Umgründungen") and habilitation in Tax Law (thesis: "Besteuerung doppelt ansässiger Kapitalgesellschaften"). His academic journey includes assistant positions at both WU Wien and the University of Vienna, blending academic rigor with practical insights from his work at Deloitte and Freshfields. His research focuses on international tax law, particularly corporate taxation, double taxation agreements, and European tax coordination. Staringer has made significant contributions to understanding dual resident corporations, cross-border reorganizations, and the interaction between EU law and tax treaties. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in multinational tax planning and compliance. Staringer's publication record shows consistent scholarly output with emphasis on European tax developments, treaty interpretation, and corporate restructuring. His recent work addresses emerging challenges including digital economy taxation, minimum global taxation, and sustainability reporting implications for tax systems. The publications demonstrate methodological rigor with thorough analysis of case law from the European Court of Justice and international tax tribunals. Rudolf Sallinger Award (1994) for Doctoral Thesis Mitchell B. Carroll Prize of the International Fiscal Association (1999) Albert Hensel Prize of Deutsche Steuerjuristische Gesellschaft (1999) Gerhard Thoma Prize of German Institute of Tax Consultants (1999) Award for academic achievements from IFA National Committee (2000) Award for "Innovative Teaching" at WU Wien (2006) Staringer has been instrumental in developing the European Tax Moot Court program and has supervised numerous doctoral candidates through his role as Director of legal Doctoral Studies. His professional engagements include significant contributions to EU tax policy discussions, particularly regarding the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) and the implementation of the OECD's BEPS recommendations in European jurisdictions. He leads the Corporate Tax Group at WU Wien, which has established itself as a leading research center for Austrian and international tax law. The group regularly organizes the Vienna Symposium on International Tax Law and contributes to major research projects on international tax coordination, including EU-funded initiatives examining cross-border tax challenges in the single market.
