Research

My research focus: Resource allocation as a way for strategic renewal

My research focuses on corporate strategy and strategic change. Specifically, I study how diversified firms use resource allocation and redeployment for the purpose of strategic renewal and technological change.

To address my research questions, I typically employ econometric methods but occasionally also utilize interpretative qualitative approaches.

Resource allocation in diversified firms

In the field of strategy, resource allocation is an important area of research because the way how a firm allocates resources has a strong influence on whether the company manages to renew itself, innovates successfully, and survives in the long run --  or whether the firm ends up failing to achieve these goals. In other words, decisions about resource allocation can make or break a firm. I thus believe that it is crucial for us as academic researchers to understand these allocations in more depth.

Gaining a deeper understanding of resource allocation in firms also has crucial implications for wealth creation at the societal level: In society, more resources are allocated in firms than through markets. In other words, the 'visible hand' of managers is more active in allocating resources than the 'invisible hand' of markets. Poor resource allocation within firms causes not only waste of financial resources, but also physical and intellectual resources, resulting in a system-wide loss of wealth.

Research training at Cambridge

I obtained my PhD in Strategic Management from the University of Cambridge, Judge Business School. As a foundation for my PhD, I studied for an MPhil in Innovation, Strategy & Organization at Cambridge, a research program at the intersection of strategic management, OT, and innovation, and finished top of class. During this time, I became fascinated with academic research and the process of trying to get to the bottom of understanding complex strategy issues. While at Cambridge, I obtained several prizes for my research, including the Winter Doctoral Conference Best Paper Award and the Director’s Research Excellence Prize.

My doctoral committee consisted of the following members:

• Yasemin Kor (chair; Cambridge University)

• Shahzad Ansari (Cambridge University)

• Kulwant Singh (National University of Singapore)