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 innovation studies. His current research focus is on the impact of internationalisation of the Chinese firms and associated issues such as power relationships, communication and culture. 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 and Human Resource Management Review. Shaowei is Visiting Professor of Guangdong University of Finance and Economics and Jianghan University in China. He is a Senior Editor for the International Journal of Emerging Markets. 

Shaowei is also Director of the China and Emerging Economies Centre at the University. He has been leading the Centre in helping British and Chinese institutions to identify and materialise collaboration opportunities. He has advised Silverstone Circuits Ltd. and Moles Solutions. He was recently appointed as Ambassador for International Exchange by the Hunan Provincial Government of China.

Research interests cover multinational enterprises (MNEs) from emerging economies and their impact on the global economy, internationalisation of innovation and regional economic development. Current research focus is on the internationalisation of the Chinese MNEs and its impact on clusters and businesses in both China and overseas. Shaowei has been invited by institutions in the UK, Hungary, Brazil, China and Kazakhstan to speak about the impact of Chinese MNEs.

Research funding:

• 2024 National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMIA) in Hungary, (Co-I, HUF 3,400,000, £7,000 equivalent).  Chinese investment and technology transfer in Hungary and the implications for great power competition
• 2019 British Council (PI, £30,000): UK-China Outward Mobility Internationalisation Partnership Fund.
• 2015 Leverhulme/British Academy Small Research Grant (PI, £10,000): Emerging economy multinational enterprises’ acquisitions in developed countries and capability upgrading in their acquired firms: a multiple case study in the UK.
• 2014 British Council Researchers Link Programme (PI, £35,000): The impact of emerging economies and their multinational enterprises on the world economy.
• 2011 Santander University Award, Santander, £2,500.
• 2011 University of Northampton Chancellor’s Fund, £1,000.
• 2009 British Council PMI2 initiative (PI, £35,000): Enhancing students’ entrepreneurial competences in an international environment.

Taher Sahibi; Business

Emotion and Knowledge Transfer in International Acquisitions.

Undergraduate

• Political Economy of China
• Asian Business​ Development

Postgraduate

Shaowei has supervised three PhD students through to completion.