Prof Shaowei He

Shaowei He joined the University of Northampton in 2008 after obtaining his PhD in Economic Development from the University of Birmingham. His research interests cut cross the boundaries of international business, economic geography and international relations. His current research focuses on how MNEs, states, and regions interactively construct corporate strategies, national interests, and regional development paths amidst volatile geopolitics. Shaowei has received research grants from Leverhulme/British Academy and British Council. His work has appeared in leading academic journals such as Journal of World Business, Human Resource Management, Human Resource Management Review, and Management and Organization Review. Shaowei servers as a member of the Editorial Review Board of Management and Organization Review.  

Shaowei was the Director of the China and Emerging Economies Centre at the University between 2016 and 2022 and the Research Lead for the Faculty of Business and Law between 2021 and 2023. 

Current research focuses on three connected issues: how MNEs, states and regions interactively construct corporate strategies, national interests, and regional development paths amidst geopolitical volatility; how firms secure or lose legitimacy within the ever-changing strategic environment; how managers interpret and respond to the changing environment and, in particular, how managerial emotions, power relations and organisational practices shape post-acquisition integration, parent–subsidiary relationships, and corporate legitimacy. Shaowei has been invited by institutions in the UK, Hungary, Brazil, China and Kazakhstan to speak about the impact of Chinese MNEs.

Research funding:

2026                British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant (£9,805, Co-I): Strategic coupling with multiple global production networks amid volatile geopolitics: Chinese EV investments in Hungary

2025                      National Media and Infocommunications Authority, Hungary (HUF 3,400,000. Co-I): Chinese investment in Hungary and its potential knowledge impact

2019                      British Council (£30,000, PI): UK-China Outward Mobility Internationalisation Partnership Fund

2015                      British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant (£10,000, PI): Emerging economy multinational enterprises’ acquisitions in developed countries and capability upgrading in their acquired firms

2015                      British Council Researchers Link programme (£35,000, PI): The impact of emerging economies on the world economy

2014                      Santander University Award (£1,000, PI): internationalisation of Chinese innovative enterprises

2011                      Santander University Award (£2,500, PI): China’s foreign direct investment

2009                      British Council Prime Minister's Initiative 2 (PMI2) for International Education (£35,000, PI): developing global entrepreneurs.

Umair Tanveer, 1^st supervisor, University of Northampton

·         Dissertation: A Transition from Linear to the Circular Economy to Enhance Sustainability in the Packaging Industry

·         Completion date: Mar. 2026

Taher Sahibi, 1^st supervisor, University of Northampton

·         Dissertation: Emotion and Knowledge Transfer in International Acquisitions

·         Completion date: Dec. 2023

Jelena Vukicevic, 1^st supervisor, University of Northampton

·         Dissertation: Foreign direct investment from China: implications for British business partners

·         Completion date: Mar. 2015

Sheng Hu, 2^nd supervisor, University of Northampton

·         Dissertation: Are Enterprise Ecology projects more than just good intentions? A critical evaluation of policy and practice

·         Completion date: Mar. 2015

Sean Rickard, 2^nd supervisor, University of Northampton

·         Dissertation: Reforming the common agricultural policy to promote efficient and sustainable food production

·         Completion date: Apr. 2014

Undergraduate

• Operating in Emerging Markets
• Political Economy of China
• Asian Business​ Development

Postgraduate

EMBA: Contemporary Issues in Business