Prof. Dr. Frank Ulbrich is a Lecturer and Programme Director for the BSc Business Administration at the Lucerne School of Business (HSLU). He holds a PhD in Business Administration from the Stockholm School of Economics. His academic career spans roles at universities in Sweden, the UK, Canada, and Switzerland, alongside IT & Management consulting experience. Research focuses on management education, project management, information management, and organizational change. He has published extensively in areas like shared services, digital transformation, and curriculum development. Notable awards include multiple Emerald Literati Awards and a Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. Education: PhD in Business Administration (Stockholm School of Economics) Affiliations: Institute of Business and Regional Economics at HSLU Teaching Subjects: Academic Methods, Higher Education Management, Project Management, Digital Transformation Recent presentations include discussions on bridging academia-industry gaps, curriculum integration of SDGs, and data-driven learning strategies. His work emphasizes aligning education with labor market needs and advancing evidence-based teaching practices.
Jean C. Oi serves as the William Haas Professor of Chinese Politics in Stanford University's Department of Political Science and holds multiple leadership positions including Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Director of the China Program, and Lee Shau Kee Director of the Stanford Center at Peking University. Professor Oi earned her PhD from the University of Michigan and previously taught at Lehigh University and Harvard University before joining Stanford in 1997. Her research centers on comparative politics with specialized expertise in Chinese political economy and reform processes in transitional systems. She has made seminal contributions to understanding rural politics in China, introducing the influential concept of 'local state corporatism' to describe China's development model in her award-winning book Rural China Takes Off (1999). Her current research examines China's Belt and Road Initiative, fiscal politics and central-local relations, and structural change in China. Professor Oi maintains an active publication record with works spanning four decades, including her most recent 2025 article 'A Perfect Storm: Fiscal Discipline, COVID, and Local Government Debt in China' which analyzes how pandemic-era policies exposed China's fiscal vulnerabilities. Choice Outstanding Academic Title (1999) for Rural China Takes Off Professor Oi leads significant collaborative research initiatives, including directing the Stanford China Program at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center. Her fieldwork with Chinese scholars has examined rural community organization, public goods provision, and fiscal pressures from rapid urbanization, culminating in works like Challenges in the Process of China's Urbanization (2017).
Ian Greer is a Research Fellow at Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labour Relations , with a career focused on marketisation , industrial relations , and transnational solidarity . He holds a PhD from Cornell University and has previously studied at Bard College. His work examines labor dynamics in globalised industries , welfare states , and multinational corporations , often through qualitative comparative methods . Education : BSc (Bard College), MSc/PhD (Cornell University) Greer's research spans marketisation of employment services , social movement unionism , and labour policy in crisis situations . His publications include studies on European welfare-to-work schemes , healthcare privatisation , and labour migration . He is associated with the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) at the University of Leeds. Greer's recent work analyses precarious labor and project-based employment in social services across Slovenia and France. He also contributes to debates on social dumping , work-first welfare states , and activist labor strategies in sectors like healthcare and automotive manufacturing. He has no listed scientific awards. His work often involves collaboration with scholars like Marco Hauptmeier , Charles Umney , and Nathan Lillie , though no formal advisees are named in the provided text. His email is icg2@cornell.edu .
Prof Kulwant Singh is a Professor of Strategy and Policy at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. His research focuses on strategy, management, organizational behavior, applied economics, and business systems in regional and global contexts. He holds a permanent academic appointment since January 2022. Teaching philosophy emphasizes contextualizing content for Singapore/Asia-Pacific business environments through case studies and combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications. He prioritizes interactive seminars to enhance student engagement and theoretical understanding in strategy education. Research interests include corporate diversification strategies, political ties' impact, alliance portfolio management, institutional transitions, and innovation dynamics in emerging markets. His work bridges universal strategic theories with Asia-specific business practices. Award-winning contributions include developing teaching materials for regional business contexts and advancing understanding of strategic competition in complex environments. Active in academic leadership through conference organization and editorial roles in strategy research.
Grzegorz Lechowski is a visiting researcher at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center within the Research Group Globalization, Work, and Production. His work focuses on technological, organizational, and regulatory changes in globalized industrial and digital economies, with expertise in digital sovereignty, geopolitics of tech, and automotive sector transitions. Doctoral candidate at Freie Universität Berlin Co-edited the 2025 book Global Shifts in the Automotive Sector with M. Krzywdzinski, J. Humphrey, and T. Pardi Collaborated with institutions like ETUI, SASE, and Gerpisa Network Research Themes : Lechowski examines the EU's digital sovereignty discourse, geopolitical tensions in tech value chains, and electromobility's impact on automotive labor and production. His studies span state-business dynamics, Industry 4.0, and global production reorganization. Key Trends in Publications : His outputs highlight geopolitical disruptions in automotive and digital sectors, EU industrial policy, green transitions, and reconfiguration of global value chains. Topics include electric vehicle supply chains, labor rights in electromobility, and corporate adaptation to regulatory shifts. Teaching : Lecturer at Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg for courses on globalization of industry and labor (2021) and introduction to sociology (2020). Projects & Collaborations : Co-led a VolkswagenStiftung-funded study on automotive responses to the pandemic (2021–2023). Participated in the Blankensee Colloquium on global digital economies (2022).
Ji Li is the John S. and Marilyn Long Professor of U.S.-China Business and Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, where he joined in July 2019. Previously, he served as a Professor of Law and Zhuang Zhou Scholar at Rutgers University with associate faculty affiliations at the Division of Global Affairs. Ph.D. in Political Science, Northwestern University J.D., Yale Law School (Olin Fellow in Law, Economics, and Public Policy) Professor Li's research focuses on Chinese law and politics, international business transactions, comparative law, contracts, and empirical legal studies. His scholarship examines how Chinese multinational companies adapt to U.S. legal systems, state-owned enterprise compliance, and the intersection of U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry with international legal norms. His recent publications (2023-2024) explore topics like foreign investment screening regulations, digital age civil rights challenges, and evolving rule of law concepts in China. These works span disciplines including international law, comparative law, corporate law, and civil rights law, with a specific emphasis on cross-jurisdictional legal adaptation, regulatory compliance, and geopolitical implications. Scientific awards include: Zhuang Zhou Scholar at Rutgers University Olin Fellow in Law, Economics, and Public Policy at Yale Law School Professor Li's ongoing research projects investigate China's engagement with international legal orders and transnational actor responses to U.S.-China tensions. He has presented at prestigious venues including the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy, and international conferences in Amsterdam and New York.
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.
Ben Branyan is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut's School of Public Policy and currently serves as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Greenwich Public Schools in Greenwich, CT. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Calvin College. With over 25 years of experience, he specializes in strategic operational leadership, budget management, and organizational transformation through innovative strategies. He has held senior roles including Town Administrator/COO for Greenwich, CT; Town Manager/CAO for Stratford, CT; and COO for Stratford Public Schools. Branyan is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, applying its principles to drive efficiency in public and non-profit sectors. He actively contributes to community service, serving as Vice-Chair of nOURish Bridgeport, Inc., member of Stratford Board of Education Finance Committee, and former Board Trustee of Sterling House Community Center. As an adjunct professor, he integrates real-world public administration and operations management expertise into teaching, emphasizing problem-solving skills for future leaders. His career highlights include managing multimillion-dollar budgets, overseeing agency operations, and leading organizational restructuring initiatives. He maintains dual professional roles in academia and public service, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical governance challenges.
Debarshi K Nandy is Barbara and Richard M. Rosenberg Professor of Global Finance at Brandeis International Business School. He serves as MSF Program Director and Senior Associate Dean, with affiliations in Economics and Social Policy. Research focuses on venture capital, FinTech innovation, and entrepreneurial finance. Holds a Ph.D. from Boston College and M.S. from University of Calcutta. Research explores venture capital ecosystems, corporate payout policies, private equity impacts on trade, and behavioral aspects of financial decision-making. Recent work examines hedge fund strategies and student debt effects on investment behavior. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on financial intermediation mechanisms, with methodological innovation in natural experiments and empirical finance techniques. Fama/DFA Prize for Capital Markets and Asset Pricing Best Paper in Financial Institutions (FMA) Provost Research Award Directs Masters in Finance program and mentors startups. Affiliated with U.S. Census Bureau and NBER, with NSF and SSHRC research grants supporting work in financial innovation.
Prof. Dr. M. Bjørn von Rimscha is a full-time Professor of Media Economics at the Department of Social Sciences, Media and Sport, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He serves as Prodekan for Studium und Lehre since 2023 and previously held leadership roles including Geschäftsführender Leiter of the Institute for Journalism. His research focuses on media economics, digital transformation, advertising markets, and cross-border media management. Positions: Professor (2015–present), Prodekan (2023–present) Education: Freie Universität Berlin, University of Ulster Key Collaborations: Co-edited De Gruyter Handbook of Media Economics (2024), Handbuch Medienökonomie (2021) His recent work examines digital disruption in media industries, payment models for journalism, and the economic value of creativity. He advises PhD students like Robin Riemann and holds editorial roles at the Journal of Media Business Studies . Contact: b.vonrimscha@uni-mainz.de
J. Daniel Kim is an Assistant Professor of Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches MBA and PhD courses on entrepreneurship and innovation. His research focuses on high-growth entrepreneurship, venture scaling, strategic human capital, mergers and acquisitions, innovation, and labor markets. PhD - MIT Sloan School of Management BA - Dartmouth College His research explores: Startup hiring challenges and firm-driven search strategies Timing and risks of venture scaling Post-acquisition employee retention patterns Founder impact on organizational change Immigrant founder contributions to entrepreneurship Key article trends show: Focus on talent dynamics in high-growth firms Analysis of organizational antecedents in acquisitions Quantitative approaches using population-level data Interdisciplinary connections between entrepreneurship, strategy, and economics Debunking myths about founder demographics Linkage between labor market mechanisms and startup performance Scientific recognition includes: Multiple Teaching Excellence Awards at Wharton (2024-2020) Best Paper Prize from Strategic Management Society (2020) Kauffman Dissertation Fellowship (2017) MIT Sloan Doctoral Thesis Prize (2019) Prof. Kim serves as an economist with the United States Census Bureau and has published in top journals including Strategic Management Journal , Organization Science , and American Economic Review: Insights . His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal , New York Times , and Financial Times .
Dr. Minjie Gao is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Public Services and Technology at King’s Business School, King’s College London. She holds a PhD from Bayes Business School and previously served as a Research Associate at Imperial College Business School’s Centre for Responsible Leadership. Her work focuses on technology-mediated organizational change, managerial incompetence, and leadership in healthcare, finance, and professional service sectors. She teaches across undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and executive education programs, and runs qualitative research workshops for financial institutions. Education: PhD, Bayes Business School Research Interests: Technology’s role in organizational transformation Dimensions of managerial incompetence Leadership in healthcare and financial institutions Qualitative research methodologies Classical organizational theory applications Awards: Recipient of the Best Organization Development and Change (ODC) Division Paper Based on a Dissertation award for her work on non-managerial professionals’ role in emotion management during hospital restructuring. Teaching & Mentoring: Engages in cross-level instruction and qualitative research training. Currently not accepting PhD students.
Scott Hsu serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Finance at the Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, with his office located in WCOB 475B. His academic role centers on empirical finance research with strong institutional linkages. Dr. Hsu's research critically examines how external institutions and managerial characteristics shape corporate behavior. His primary focus areas include corporate political connections , CEO attributes (notably physical attractiveness), private equity dynamics , and venture capital investment patterns . He investigates causal mechanisms through which bankruptcy laws, political networks, and executive experiences influence firm policies, innovation outcomes, and market competition. Analysis of his 12 publications (2010-2025) reveals consistent methodological rigor in studying institutional finance. Key trends include the supply-chain externalities of political connections, CEO appearance effects on firm valuation, and private equity's employment impacts. His work bridges corporate finance with political economy and innovation studies, frequently employing large-scale empirical datasets to uncover non-market forces in corporate decision-making. The 2025 paper on political connection externalities indicates ongoing active research.
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.
Lynn Wu is an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence, analytics, and innovation. She teaches MBA, undergraduate, and doctoral courses on emerging technologies' transformative impact on business and society. Education: B.S. in Finance and Computer Science, MIT M.S. in Computer Science, MIT Ph.D. in Management Science, MIT Sloan Her research explores how AI and digital platforms reshape productivity, workforce dynamics, and innovation strategies, with applications in antitrust policy and startup ecosystems. Key trends in her publications include AI's role in post-IPO innovation, robotics' impact on managerial roles, and social media's ability to mitigate funding disparities. Scientific Awards: Kauffman Best Paper Award (2019) Sandy Slaughter Early Career Award (2019) AIS Early Career Award (2018) ISR Best Published Paper (2014) Best Paper Awards at ICIS (2009), HICSS (2013), etc. She has collaborated with IBM, Google, Meta, and advised the U.S. Department of Justice and World Bank, with her work cited by The New York Times , The Economist , and Harvard Business Review .
