RIIKKA M SARALA, PHD
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
Ph.D. (Econ.), 2008, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration
Academic Positions
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Bryan School of Business and Economics,
Department of Management
Assistant Professor, 2009-present
Visiting Professor, 2008-2009
Columbia University, Graduate School of Business, NYC, NY
Visiting Scholar, 2006 – 2007
EM Lyon Business School, Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Lyon, France
Visiting Research Fellow, 2005 – 2006
Selected Publications
Vaara, E., Junni, P., Sarala, R., Ehrnrooth, M., & Koveshnikov, A. (2013, in press). The
Attribution Tendencies in Mergers and Acquisitions”. Strategic Management Journal.
Junni, P., Sarala, R.M., Taras, V. & Tarba, S. (2013, in press). Organizational
Ambidexterity and Performance: A Meta-Analysis. Academy of Management
Perspectives.
Vaara, E., Sarala, R., Stahl, G., & Björkman, I. (2012). The Role of Organizational
Cultural Differences in Post-acquisition Integration: Uncovering the Dual Processes of
Social Conflict and Knowledge Transfer.” Journal of Management Studies, 49(1), 1-27.
Sarala, R. & Vaara, E. (2010). Cultural Differences, Cultural Convergence and
Crossvergence as Explanations of Knowledge Transfer in International Acquisitions.
Journal of International Business Studies, 41(8), 1365-1390.
Taras, V., Caprar, D.V., Rottig, D., Sarala, R.M., Zakaria, N., Jimenez, A., Wankel, C.,
Lei, W.S., Minor, M.S., Bryla, P., Ordenana, X., Bode, A., Schuster, A., Vaiginiene, E.,
Froese, F., Bathula, H., Yajnik, N., Baldegger, R., & Huang, V.Z. (2013, in press). A
Global Classroom? Evaluating the Effectiveness of Global Virtual Collaboration as a
Teaching Tool in Management Education. Academy of Management Learning and
Education.
Recent Professional Presentations
Junni, P., Sarala, R.M., Taras, V. & Tarba, S. (2013). A Meta-analysis of the Effect of
Organizational Ambidexterity on Performance. Paper presented at the Academy of
Management Annual Meeting, Aug 9-13, Orlando, FL.
Taras, V. & Sarala, R.M. (2013). The Effects of International Collaboration Exercises on
International Management Learning Outcomes. Paper presented at the Academy of
Management Annual Meeting, Aug 9-13, Orlando, FL. Winner of the Global Forum Best
Symposium Award, Management Education Division.
Junni, P., Sarala, R.M., Tarba, S., Morag, O. & Raviv, A. (2013). The Determinants of
Integration Effectiveness in Mergers and Acquisitions. Paper presented at the Strategic
Management Society Meeting, Sep 28-Oct 1, Atlanta, GA.
Teaching Experience
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Operations in Foreign Jurisdictions (Undergraduate)
Introduction to International Business (Undergraduate)
Experience Business Abroad (Graduate)
Managing in a Global Environment (Graduate)
Strategy Analysis (Graduate)
Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration
Managing International Mergers and Acquisitions (Graduate)
Introduction to International Business: Teaching Assistant for Professor Ingmar
Björkman (Undergraduate)
Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration
Quantitative Research Methods: Quest Lecturer (PhD level)
PhD Dissertation Committees
Timothy Jacks (Committee Member and Co-Advisor), 2010-2012
University and Professional Service
University of North Carolina, Greensboro:
Study Abroad Selection Committee, 2010, 2012-2013
New Faculty Mentoring Program, 2009-2010
Bryan School of Business and Economics:
Planning and Development Committee, 2013
MBA Curriculum Revision Committee, 2012
Committee on Online Learning, 2011
Management Department Head Search Committee, 20122013
Information Systems and Operations Management Search
Committee, 2013
Department of Management:
Planning and Development Committee, 2013
Curriculum Committee, 2011-2013
Web Site Management Committee (Chair), 2008-2010
Journal Ranking Committee, 2011
Ad Hoc Reviewer:
European Journal of International Management
California Management Review
Human Resource Management
Journal of Management Studies
Journal of Strategy and Management
Scandinavian Journal of Management
Thunderbird International Business Review
International Studies on Management and Organization
Conference Reviewer:
Academy of International Business
Academy of Management
European Academy of Management
European Group of Organization Studies
Africa Academy of Management
Awards
Global Forum Best Symposium Award, Winner, Management Education & Development
Division, Academy of Management Conference, 2013.
Best Paper Award, Finalist, Academy of International Business Conference, 2012
Douglas Nigh Award for Best Interdisciplinary Paper by Junior Scholars, Finalist,
International Management Division, Academy of Management Meeting, 2012
Best Paper Award, Finalist, Academy of Management South-East Conference, 2012
Best PhD Paper Award, Runner Up, Strategic Management Society Conference, 2005
Best Conference Paper Award, Finalist, Strategic Management Society Conference, 2005
Best Paper from an Underrepresented Country Award, Finalist, International
Management Division, Academy of Management Meeting, 2005
Best Thesis in International Business and Finance Award, Citibank, 2003
Best Thesis in Strategic Management Award, Runner Up, Finnish Strategic Management
Society, 2003
Nominated for Bryan School Teaching Award, 2013.
Bryan School Junior Research Excellence Award, $1,000. 2012.
Bryan School Dean’s Research Scholar Grant Award. $ 3,000. 2012.
Department of Business Administration Scholars Program Grant Award. $ 5,000. 2012.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Grant Award. $ 3,000. 2011.
New Faculty Mentoring Program Grant Award. $ 1,000, 2009.