In 1997 the Boards of the Institute of International Business (IIB) at the Stockholm School of Economics, and the European International Business Academy (EIBA) decided to launch a new international award for best PhD thesis in the field of International Business (IB). The prize sum in 2003 amounts to €10,000.
The prize is awarded to the work that in the opinion of the jury has the greatest potential to impact the field of international business in the future. Both theoretical and empirical contributions are appropriate. Emphasis is put on creativity and originality.
The Chairman of the jury, Professor Örjan Sölvell remarks: “The idea behind the award was that it should act as a vehicle to stimulate PhD candidates around the world in the field of International Business, and also to commemorate Gunnar’s important work in the field”.
The following four finalists presented their theses at the EIBA annual meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, last week:
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Charles Thomas Foley (Harvard University), “Essays on the Economics of Multinational Enterprises”.
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Simon Harris (The University of Leeds), “National Values and Strategy Formation by Business Leaders”.
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Camilla Noonan (University of Reading), “The Regional Dynamics of Technology Sourcing by MNEs The Case of Germany”.
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Robert M. Salomon (New York University), “Spillovers to Foreign Market Participants: Assessing the Impact of Exporting and Firm Heterogeneity on Innovative Outcomes”.
The winner this year is Simon Harris.
Professor Örjan Sölvell remarks:
“Simon Harris, PhD from the International Business Centre at University of Leeds is awarded the Institute of International Business Dissertation Award in Memory of Gunnar Hedlund 2003 for his thesis ‘National Values and Strategy Formation by Business Leaders’. According to the jury, this dissertation, in the spirit of Gunnar Hedlund, is characterized by both creativity and originality”.
Motivation by the jury:
“Simon Harris has written a novel piece in the heart of the field of International Business. His work examines the effect of cultural predispositions on strategy processes in firms in three countries: The U.K., The Netherlands and France. The author shows that the greatest differences in strategy formation processes are associated with national values. In addition, it is also shown that different ownership and governance structures within a country can overrule national differences in explaining strategy formation. The main strength of the thesis is the originality of the topic and the multi-method approach to studying it. The author does a very thorough job of considering the culture and strategy process literature, and his data-gathering is also very meticulous. This impressive thesis has the true potential of impacting the field of International Business and therefore worthy of this distinction”.
The Jury consists of professors:
John Dunning, Rutgers University
Danny van den Bulcke, University of Antwerp
Julian Birkinshaw, London Business School
Don Lessard, Sloan School of Management, M.I.T.
Örjan Sölvell, Chairman, IIB