麻豆传媒

Profile

I am a Senior Lecturer (equivalent to Associate Professor) in International Management at 麻豆传媒 Business School.

I am, by inclination, a theory-oriented scholar, aspiring to develop new theories that deepen our understandings of critical academic questions and important practical issues in the fields of organizational paradox, strategic management, international business, management philosophy, and indigenous Chinese management studies. My research has been published in academic journals such as Academy of Management Review (AMR), Journal of Management (JoM), Journal of Management Inquiry (JMI), Asia Pacific Journal of Management (APJM), and Management and Organization Review (MOR).

Roles and responsibilities

• Deputy Degree Program Director for full-time MBA program (since 1 Sept. 2025 -)
• Degree Program Director for MSc International Business Management program (2021 Aug.-2024 Aug.)

Qualifications and certificates

• Ph.D. in Business Economics, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark (2011)    
• M.Sc. in Business Studies, Aston University Business School, UK (2004)     
• B.Eng. in Computer Applications, Southwest Petroleum Institute, China (1999)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Skills of Teaching to Inspire Learning, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK (2007)
• Certificate of Assistant Professor Program in Teaching and Pedagogical Competence, Copenhagen Business School (2016)
• Diploma, The Nordic Research School in International Business (Nord-IB) PhD Program in IB, Uppsala University, Sweden (2010)
• Certificate of Fellowship of Advance HE (formerly the Higher Education Academy), U.K. (2024) 

Previous positions

• Assistant Professor in International Business, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark (2012-2019).

Awards and honours

• 2025: I was invited to give a keynote speech, titled "践行传统文化、破解竞争内卷: "全心关系主义"视角 (Practicing Chinese Traditional Culture to break Competitive Involution: A Quanxin-Relationalism Perspective)", at Session 16A "Dialogue: The Intersection of Practice and Academia" of International Association for Chinese Management Research (IACMR) 2025 Conference, Xi’an, China, 14 June 2025.
• 2024: I was invited to give a keynote speech, titled "A Quanxin-Relationism Perspective on Building a Harmonious Modern Business Civilization (创建和谐的现代化商业文明：一个全心关系主义视角)", at the the Nanjing Forum 2024, held in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 19-20 October 2024.
• 2024: My paper titled “”, presented at the Academy of Management 2024 Annual conference, 9-13 August 2024, Chicago, USA, is a Finalist for the OMT Division Best International Paper Award.
• 2022: Winner of the Best Presentation Award (I am one of four Best Oral Presenters) of the 3rd International Conference on Modern Management based on Big Data (MMBD2022), 15-18 August 2022, online conference, for my speech ""
• 2022: My 2020 article ‘The quan(tum)-xin philosophy: A solution to the ‘Hwang Kwang- Kuo puzzle’ of Chinese indigenous social science’ (全心学：试解华人本土社会科学的‘黄光国难题’) was selected to be included into the inaugural edition of Yearbook of Chinese Management Philosophy (vol. 2020-2021, pp. 253-263) on 5 May 2022.
• 2019: Winner of “2019 Emerald Literati Award: Highly Commended Paper” (for an article published in Cross-Cultural & Strategic Management in 2018:“”)
• 2018: Winner of the Outstanding Research within the Fields of Philosophy and Social Science Prize (the second rank) given by the Government of Shanghai, China in 2018 (2018年上海市第十四届哲学社会科学优秀成果奖之学科学术奖论文类二等奖)
• 2015: Winner of “2015 Emerald Literati Award: Highly Commended Paper” (for an article published in Nankai Business Review International in 2014: "")
• 2014 Winner of the Outstanding Conference Paper award of the 18th World Management Forum & Eastern Management Forum in 2014 (2014年度第十八届世界管理论坛暨东方管理论坛优秀论文一等奖)
• 2007 winner of the Outstanding Doctoral Student Paper award (with $1000 USD prize) of the Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ASBE) 2007 Fall Conference, 10-12 October, Austin, Texas, USA, for my paper "Generic strategy spiral: An invisible hand behind corporate entrepreneurship".

Languages

• Chinese (native)
• English (fluent)

Management

• Deputy Degree Program Director for full-time MBA program (since 1 Sept. 2025 -)
• Degree Program Director for MSc International Business Management (2021 Aug.-2024 Aug)

Teaching

Current:

• BSc course (BUS1002): Global Business Environment (I am the module leader)
• MBA course (NBS8128): Transitions in the Global Political Economy (I am the module leader)
• BSc course (BUS2041): Principles of International Business (lecturer)
• MSc course (NBS8659): Applied Research Project (tutor)

Past:

• MSc course (NBS8599): Research-based Dissertation (as the module leader)
• MSc course (NBS8060): International Business Strategy (as lecturer)

Supervision

In addition to PhD supervision, I have supervised UG and PG students of the following modules:

• BUS3052: Dissertation for BSc International Business Management
• NBS8500: Research-based Dissertation for MSc Global Human Resource Management
• NBS8599: Research-based Dissertation for MSc International Business Management
• NBS8600: Practice-based Dissertation for MSc International Business Management

Main expertise

My research interests include organizational paradox, strategic management, international business, management philosophy, and indigenous Chinese management studies. I am particularly interested in bridging Chinese and Western perspectives in business and management scholarship.

Current work

My current research focuses on developing a strategic and actionable alternative to mainstream organizational paradox theory. I contend that the term 'paradox' currently encompasses a disparate range of phenomena across disciplines; my work systematizes these into seven distinct categories through an ABCDEFG typology. Within this framework, I identify D-type (dual-goals) paradoxes as the primary concern of organizational paradox scholarship.

Guided by a symmetry-based theory building methodology that I propose, the alternative theory posits that paradoxical tensions experienced by decision-makers—whether at the national, organizational, or individual level—stem fundamentally from an asymmetry between capacity and expectation (ACE). From this perspective, tensions are not irresolvable contradictions but functional imbalances. Consequently, these tensions can be resolved through two primary strategic pathways:

• Increasing Capacity via TAMED routes.
• Decreasing Expectation via SMART strategies.

My alternative theory also offers a symmetry-based justification for the both/and ontology of organizational paradox being both inherent and constructed. It is inherent, as it is underpinned by the invariant and objective structure of the functional relationship "Paradoxicality = f (ACE)". In this view, the asymmetry between capacity and expectation (ACE) serves as the universal, material cause of paradoxical tension. Simultaneously, paradox is constructed because the magnitude of paradoxicality—the specific "solution" to the equation—is relative to the unique experiences of individual actors due to their specific capacities and expectations. Thus, the ACE perspective reconciles the ontological debate by demonstrating that the invariant "law" of paradox necessitates varied, relative manifestations of felt tension.

The persistence of organizational paradox is explained by the recursive nature of this ACE reduction and regeneration model. Through a continuous cycle of symmetry restoration—where tensions are resolved by closing the ACE gap—and subsequent symmetry breaking—where success drives higher expectations—paradox emerges not as an eternal fixture, but as a dynamic, repeating phenomenon.

References:

Xin Li (2026) “Symmetry-based theory building: An effective research strategy in and from the Global South”, accepted for presentation at the 86^th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, 31 July - 4 August 2026, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Xin Li (2026) “Paradox being both inherent and constructed: A symmetry-based justification”, accepted for presentation at the 42^nd European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS) Colloquium, at University of Bergamo, Italy, 9-11 July 2026.

Xin Li (2026) “Is paradox resolvable or not: Toward an ABCDEFG typology of paradox”, presented at Paradox Research, Education and Practice (PREP) annual conference 2026, March 23-25, 2026, online.

Xin Li (2025) “Get paradoxical tension TAMED: Solving paradox by increasing capacity”, presented at Paradox Research Education and Practice (PREP) annual conference 2025, March 10-12, 2025, online.

Xin Li (2025) “Microstructure of ‘both/and’: SMART strategies for simultaneously engaging paradoxical opposites”, published online on 15 November 2025, Journal of Management

Xin Li (2022) Solving paradox by increasing technological capacity: A critique of the concept of business model innovation at TikTok, Management and Organization Review, 18(1): 203-208.

Xin Li (2021) Solving paradox by reducing expectation, Academy of Management Review, 46(2): 406-408.

Xin Li (2021) Quantum approach to organizational paradox: A Copenhagen perspective, Academy of Management Review, 46(2): 412-415.

Funding received

• 2015: Danish Carlsberg Foundation’s Postdoctoral Fellowship in Denmark, research grant (Danish Kroner 1,324,000) for the 3-year project titled “An Inquiry into the Survival and International Success of Resource-Poor Firms from China” (ID: CF15-0270).
• 2016: Danish Otto Mønsted Foundation’s Visiting Professors from Abroad grant (Danish Kroner 98,000) for inviting Prof. Arie Y. Lewin of Duke University, US, to be a visiting professor at Copenhagen Business School.

Future research

In addition to what I have been doing, I have interests in following research areas:

• Digital transformation of business organizations
• Application of Chinese philosophy (e.g., Xinxue or Xin-Philosophy) in management studies
• Applications of relevant ideas from physics (e.g., quantum and relativity theories) in management studies

PhD supervision

I have supervised 5 PhD students with the following research topics respectively:

1. Coopetition strategy in sustainable entrepreneurship from a paradox lens
2. How early career academics cope with the paradoxical tensions within the higher education system in China
3. How small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) implement digital transformation to enhance agility and resilience
4. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and Artificial Intelligence in the UK Retail and E-commerce industry
5. The Rise of Confucian Enterprises: Drivers, Practices, and Competitiveness

I welcome potential PhD applicants proposing to do PhD research within the following research fields:

• paradox research
• international business
• strategic management
• digitalization and artificial intelligence

• Articles

  • Wu X, Tian Q, Sun X, Li X. . Academy of Management Review 2026, epub ahead of print.
  • Li X. . Shanghai Management Science (上海管理科学) 2025, 47(5), 74-83.
  • Li, X. . Journal of Management 2025. In Press.
  • Yang D, Wu X, Wang X, Li X. . R&D Management (研究与发展管理) 2025, 37(4), 66-80.
  • Li X, Rong K, Shi X. . Journal of Digital Economy 2024, 2, 330-335.
  • Li X. . Management and Organization Review 2022, 18(1), 203-208.
  • Li X. . Management and Organization Review 2021, 17(4), 755 - 776.
  • Li X. The diversity of Chinese management research: Four approaches and eight patterns (中国管理研究的多样性：四种取向和八种模). Chinese Culture and Management (中国文化与管理) 2021, 2021(1), 131-141.
  • Li X. . Academy of Management Review 2021, 46(2), 406-408.
  • Li X. . Academy of Management Review 2021, 46(2), 412-415.
  • Sharma G, LBartunek J, Buzzanell PM, Carmine S, Endres C, Etter M, Fairhurst G, Hahn T, Lê P, Li X, Pamphile V, Pradies C, Putnam LL, Rocheville K, Schad J, Sheep M, Keller J. . Journal of Management Inquiry 2021, 30(2), 121-137.
  • Li X. . Chinese Culture and Management (中国文化与管理) 2020, 2020(1), 135-153.
  • Li X. . Chinese Culture and Management (中国文化与管理) 2020, 2020(2), 34-56.
  • Li X, Ma L. . Asia Pacific Journal of Management 2020, 37(2), 481-498.
  • Li X. . Asia Pacific Journal of Management 2019, 36(1), 17-32.
  • Dong L, Li X, McDonald F, Xie J. . Baltic Journal of Management 2019, 14(3), 500-519.
  • Li X, Andersen TJ, Hallin CA. . Cross Cultural & Strategic Management 2019, 26(3), 313-336.
  • Li X. . Cross Cultural & Strategic Management 2018, 25(2), 375-379.
  • Li X, Worm V, Xie P. . Asia Pacific Business Review 2018, 24(1), 22-36.
  • Jakobsen M, Worm V, Li X. . Asia Pacific Management Review 2018, 23(4), 251-257.
  • Li X, Worm V, Xie P. . Cross Cultural & Strategic Management 2018, 25(3), 501-514.
  • Li X. . Cross Cultural & Strategic Management 2018, 25(3), 538-544.
  • Xie P, Wang C, Li X. . Management World (管理世界) 2017, 2017(Supplementary Issue), 478-480.
  • Xie P, Meng X, Li X. . Foreign Economics & Management (外国经济与管理) 2017, 39(2), 3-16, 35.
  • Li X. . Management and Organization Review 2016, 12(4), 815-816.
  • Li X. . Chinese Journal of Management (管理学报) 2016, 13(1), 40-48.
  • Li X. . Chinese Journal of Management (管理学报) 2015, 12(2), 157-166.
  • Cheng Z, Li X. . Business Review (商业评论) 2015, 2015(10), 88-102.
  • Li X, Ma L. . Management and Organization Review 2015, 11(4), 795-805.
  • Xie P, Li X, Xie X. . Nankai Business Review International 2014, 5(1), 115-132.
  • Xie P, Meng X, Li X. . Management World (管理世界) 2014, 2014(Supplementary Issue), 67-75.
  • Cao Y, Li X. . Business Review (商业评论) 2014, 2014(5), 126-139.
  • Li X. . Management and Organization Review 2014, 10(1), 7-27.
  • Li X, Gammelgaard J. . Critical Perspectives on International Business 2014, 10(3), 152-171.
  • Li X. Chinese Traditional Philosophy and Indigenous Management Research: Discussion and Reflection’ (中国传统哲学与本土管理研究: 讨论与反思). Chinese Journal of Management (管理学报) 2013, 10(10), 1425-1433.
  • Wuthnow J, Li X, Qi L. Diverse multilateralism: Four strategies in China’s multilateral diplomacy. Journal of Chinese Political Science 2012, 17(3), 269-290.
  • Li X, Worm V. Building China’s soft power for a peaceful rise. Journal of Chinese Political Science 2011, 16(1), 69-89.
  • Li X, Brødsgaard KE, Jacobsen M. Redefining Beijing Consensus: Ten economic principles. China Economic Journal 2010, 2(3), 297-311.

• Book Chapters

  • Li X. . In: Torp SS; Andersen T, ed. Adapting to Environmental Challenges: New Research in Strategy and International Business. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing, 2020, pp.215-228.
  • Jakobsen M, Worm V, Li X. . In: Andersen T, ed. The Responsive Global Organization: New Insights from Global Strategy and International Business. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing, 2017, pp.129-152.
  • Sun X, Cao Y, Li S, Li X. . In: Andersen T, ed. The Responsive Global Organization: New Insights from Global Strategy and International Business. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing, 2017, pp.153-172.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

  • Li X. . In: 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management. 2024, Chicago, Illinois, USA: Academy of Management.

• Review

  • Li X. Book Review: Who’s afraid of China? The challenge of Chinese soft power, authored by Michael Barr. Copenhagen Journal of Asian Studies 2012, 30(1), 117-119.