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Gwyneth Edwards

Gwyneth Edwards, PhD Candidate
Professional Website
 PhD anticipated 2011
MBA John Molson School of Business, Concordia University
Mechanical Engineering, McGill University

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Gwyneth Edwards (ing., MBA) is a Lecturer in Strategic Management and a PhD candidate at the John Molson School of Business. Gwyneth’s research interests are in the areas of corporate strategy, top management teams and the transfer of strategic practices. She has 17 years of management experience in multinational corporations and high tech fields, specifically telecommunications. She has published in the Case Management Journal, numerous conference proceedings and contributed a book chapter on multinational corporations in emerging economies. She has also presented extensively at international conferences and has been invited as a guest lecturer to share her combined business and academic experiences.

Research Interests

  • Strategy formulation and implementation in multi-divisional and multinational firms
  • The identification and transfer of strategic practices
  • Top management teams and their influence on strategy
  • Strategy as practice

Dissertation

Corporate strategy during turn-around and downfall: CEO sensegiving through electronic mediums and the outside influence of the media.  The thesis is a longitudinal study of a Canadian-based multinational corporation over a three year period – from turn-around to bankruptcy protection.  Under study: the way in which the CEO gives sense to the 30,000 employees on the company’s corporate strategy, through a series of email communications over the period.  The role of the media is also considered, as a moderator of the CEO-employee sensemaking activity.

Selected Research

Conference Proceedings

  • Edwards, G., Molz, R., & Langley, A. (2011). Outcomes of practice transfer in the Multinational Enterprise.  Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Montreal).
  • Edwards, G. (2009). A communitarian theory of management.  Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Niagara Falls), 30, Business History: 1-14. Best Student Paper.
  • Edwards, G. (2009). Bridging the digital divide:  the case of a Bell, Nortel and Chapleau.  Case Track Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Niagara Falls). Laurier School of Business and Economics Best Case.
  • Edwards, G. (2009) Understanding strategy through strategic organizational practices.  Presentation at Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Chicago).
  • Edwards, G. (2008) Emergent global institutional logic in the multinational corporation. Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Halifax), 29, 8: 35-50. Best Paper.

Publications

  • Edwards, G. (2011). Bridging the digital divide:  the case of a Bell, Nortel and Chapleau. Case Research Journal, 31:3.
  • Edwards, G. (2010). Emergent global institutional logic in the multinational corporation, in R. Molz, C. Ratiu & A. Taleb (Eds.), The Multinational Enterprise in Developing Countries.  Abington, UK: Routledge.
  • Brown S., Miller, R., Fernandes, S. & Edwards, G. (2004).  VoIP and QoS in a global enterprise.  In S. Dudley, S. Joshi, L. Thorpe & T. Mendonca (Eds.), Essentials of Real-Time Networking:  How Real-Time Disrupts the Best-Effort Paradigm (pp. 435-464).  USA: Nortel Networks. 
  • Edwards, G. (2004). Smart growth takes smart companies. Intelligent Community Forum, (Spring): 2-3.

Conference & Seminar Presentations

  • Edwards, G., Molz, R., & Langley, A. (2011). Outcomes of practice transfer in the Multinational Enterprise.  Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Montreal).
  • Edwards G. (2011). Job satisfaction in the multinational enterprise. Presentation at Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Montreal).
  • Chikhouni, A., Edwards, G., & Farashahi, M. (2011) Institutional distance and emerging country multinationals. Academy of Management Annual Meeting (San Antonio).
  • Hafsi, T., Edwards, G., Farashahi, M., & Molz, R. (2011). Distance and MNC strategic decisions.  Presentation at Academy of International Business UK Conference (Edinburgh).
  • Edwards, G. (2010) What is a strategic organizational practice in a multinational corporation? Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Montreal).
  • Edwards G. (2010) Country institutional profile and job satisfaction. Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Montreal) – IB paper workshop invitation.
  • Chikhouni, A., Edwards, G., & Farashahi, M. (2010) Institutional duality and emerging country multinationals. Academy of International Business Annual Meeting (Brazil).
  • Saka-Helmhout, A. & Edwards, G. (2010) Actors and agency: MNE innovation and change in diverse institutional settings. Symposium at Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Montreal).
  • Brotheridge, C., Murphy, P. & Edwards, G. (2010) Sustaining business: A meeting of management scholars and entrepreneurs. Professional Development Workshop at Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Montreal).
  • Edwards, G. (2009). A communitarian theory of management.  Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Niagara Falls), 30, Business History: 1-14. Best Student Paper.
  • Edwards, G. (2009). Bridging the digital divide:  the case of a Bell, Nortel and Chapleau.  Case Track Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Niagara Falls). Laurier School of Business and Economics Best Case.
  • Edwards, G., Molz, R., & Langley, A. (2009). The reconstruction of strategic organizational practices.  Presentation at European Group for Organizational Studies Annual Meeting (Barcelona).  Nominated for Best Student Paper (decision pending 2010 meeting).
  • Edwards, G. (2009) Understanding strategy through strategic organizational practices.  Presentation at Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Chicago).
  • Hafsi, T., Edwards, G., Farashahi, M., & Molz, R. (2009). MNC strategy and institutional distance.  Presentation at Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Chicago).
  • Edwards, G. (2008) Emergent global institutional logic in the multinational corporation. Proceedings, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada Annual Meeting (Halifax), 29, 8: 35-50. Best Paper.
  • Edwards, G. (2007). Wireless business models.  Chapleau Research Colloquium, University of Toronto. 
  • Edwards, G. & L (2006). Building a technology and communications community. Ontario Rural Development Conference (Collingwood).
  • Merritt, C. & Edwards, G. (2006). Rural broadband: choices and challenges for change (2006). Canadian Institute Rural Broadband & Connectivity Conference (Calgary).
  • Mar, H., Edwards, G., Tanglao, M., & Merritt, C. (2005).  Technology, applications and municipal economic development: a research proposal. Presented to federal and provincial (Ontario) government entities, university research teams, First Nation chiefs, and School Board Directors.
  • Edwards, G. (1996). IT @ Nortel: comparing theory to practice.  Nortel strategy session (Toronto).

Teaching

Concordia University, Montréal, Canada
  • Lecturer – Strategy and Competition (2010–2011)
  • Graduate Research Assistant (2007–2010)
Invited Presentations, Montréal, Canada
  • Reflections on Careers, McGill University (2010)
  • Chapleau Case Presentation, John Molson School of Business, MBA 625 (2011)

Selected Honours & Awards

  • Laurier Best Case, ASAC Annual Meeting, 2009
  • Best Student Paper, ASAC Annual Meeting, 2009
  • Nomination, Best Student Paper, EGOS Annual Meeting, 2009
  • Outstanding Case Reviewer, ASAC Annual Meeting, 2009
  • Best Paper, ASAC Annual Meeting, 2008
  • Outstanding Reviewer, ASAC Annual Meeting, 2008

Scholarships & Funding

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Fellowship (2009-2011)
  • Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la société et la culture (FQRSC) Fellowship (2009-2013) – 2nd of 30
  • Concordia University Graduate Fellowship (2009-2010)
  • Bourses d’études Hydro Québec de l’Université Concordia (2009-2011)
  • International Business Conference Grant, John Molson School of Business, Concordia University (2009)
  • 1st Runner up - Canadian Federation of University Women Dr. Alice E. Wilson Award (2008)
  • Humberto Santos Fellowship, Concordia University (2008-2009)
  • Hydro Quebec Award, Concordia University (2008-2009)
  • TD-Meloche Scholarship, Engineers Canada (2008-2009) - Top 3 nation wide
  • Concordia University PhD Entrance Bursary (2007-2008)
  • Tuition waiver, John Molson School of Business, Concordia University (2007-2012)
  • D.I. McLeod MBA Scholarship (1993), Queen’s University – Declined (went to JMSB for MBA)

Academic Service

  • Leader, AOM 2010 (Montreal) Service Project (with YWCA)
  • Local Arrangements Committee, 2010 Academy of Management Annual Meeting (Montreal)
  • President and co-founder, John Molson Doctoral Student Society (2009/2010)
  • VP Management, Doctoral Student Society (2009/2010)
  • Reviewer, Journal of Management History (2011)
  • Co-organizer, Montreal Local Global Research Group conferences (2009 & 2010)
  • Reviewer, Academy of Management Annual Meetings (BPS, OMT, MOC, SAP & IB) (2008-2011)
  • Discussant, 2009 EGOS Annual Meeting (Barcelona)
  • Reviewer, 2011 ASAC Annual Meeting
  • Reviewer and Discussant, 2009 ASAC Annual Meeting, Outstanding Reviewer Award, Case Track
  • Reviewer and Discussant, 2008 ASAC Annual Meeting (Halifax), Outstanding Reviewer Award
  • Reviewer for R. Molz, C. Ratiu & A. Taleb (Eds.), The Multinational Enterprise in Developing Countries.

Career Experience

  • 2007 - PRESENT: Business Consultant
    Strategic management, including corporate strategy, business plans and business modelling.
  • 1992 - 2009 Nortel Networks
  • CIO Advisor - External (2008 - 2009; part-time)
    Directly supported the Nortel CIO (global) in all external speaking engagements, including negotiation with conference organizers, engagements, content and presentation material.
  • Senior Engineer, Solutions Design - R&D (2007 - 2009)
    Responsible to analyze future market and solution opportunities within Nortel's strategic industries.  Significant analysis on the global hospitality industry.  Also responsible to provide sales support for complex solution opportunities world-wide, including Motor City, Dubai.
  • Program Director, Project Chapleau Research Initiative (2005-2006)
    Program director for multi-million dollar Bell/Nortel CEO initiative. Key responsibilities: 
    • Program definition and goals;
    • Customer, stakeholder and partner management;
    • Budgeting and procurement;
    • Wireless mesh and application business models;
    • Vertical enterprise solutions (health, education and municipal);
    • University research coordination; communications, government relations and PR. Research team included academics from University of Toronto, University of Guelph, University Health Network, Laurentian University and Nipissing University.
  • Senior Manager, Information Services (1992-2004)
    Strategic and operations experience within the fields of IT and Telecom. Key roles included
    • Product Engagement: Managed the method in which the IS organization engaged the business units on the Nortel products used within the global enterprise network (size of a tier 1 service provider). 
    • Strategy and CIO Communications: Business management, communications and research responsibilities for IS, including the organization’s strategy and CIO communications (internal and external). Core team member of $3 Billion / 7 year outsourcing contract to CSC.
    • Marketing and Communications: Marcomms of IS services to the global Nortel employee base.  Accountable for $10 Million budget and 50 employees.
    • Account Management:  Business strategy, process and new product introduction for the information technology account management organization and external opportunities. Member of team responsible to launch new solutions business.
    • Telecommunications Supervisor: Managed the Nortel St. Laurent telecommunications services, including 8 employees, 2 service contracts and a $4 Million budget.
    • Recognition:
      • Customer Champion award (global) - for Chapleau project
      • CIO Award (2) for IS Strategy Formulation
      • Honourable Mention, IABC Gold Pen Award for IT newsletter
      • President’s Award – financial systems consolidation
      • Awards of Merit (7) – customer service, staff support, teamwork, project management, JV consolidation, sales and automation.
  • 1984 - 1992  Canadian Forces Communication Reserve
    Officer, Communications and Electronics Engineer
    Progressed through the ranks from Private to Commissioned officer, while completing college and university. Gained unique leadership, teamwork and instructional skills along with military strategy and organizational knowledge. Major roles:
    • Training officer responsible for the development of squadron training plan (~100 soldiers) and course training packages
    • Course officer for bilingual military training camp, responsible for 15 instructors and 100 recruits
    • Course instructor on leadership and telecommunications.
    • Recognition:
      • Most outstanding officer award
      • LCOL Hart award for most outstanding squadron member
      • Most outsanding Master Corporal award
      • National Student Bursary for engineering school
      • 1st in Canada, National leadership course