Strategic Decision-Making and Top Management Teams – Reconnecting the Separate Fields

Speaker: Dr Neil Shepherd (Aston Business School)

Abstract

Despite over three decades of research, relatively little is known about the influence of top managers on the strategic decision-making process. Neil Shepherd will present an overview of his research examining both the direct, and indirect effects of top managers on the strategic decision-making process. Using a combination of in-depth interviews and surveys, Neil provides new insights into the complex interplay between top management team characteristics (e.g. cognitive diversity, expertise, and power decentralisation), and key strategic decision-making processes (e.g. intuition, politics, and behavioural integration).

Biography

Neil received his PhD (2014), MSc, and BSc all from Aston Business School, where he is currently a lecturer in strategy. Neil’s research interests include strategic decision-making, top management teams, strategy implementation, mergers and acquisitions, and the internationalization of SMEs. Prior to pursuing an academic career, Neil qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant and worked for KPMG in London in mergers and acquisitions. 

All academic faculty and doctoral researchers are welcome. A light lunch will be provided. For catering purposes, please confirm your attendance to Sandra McCalla: S.McCalla@bham.ac.uk