Dr. Eric Zhao

Professor

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Biography

Eric's research is at the cross-disciplinary intersection of strategic management, organization theory, and entrepreneurship. He is a Professor of Strategy at St Hugh’s College, University of Oxford. Prior to joining Oxford, Eric was visiting faculty at Stanford University and held the Pauline Glaubinger Chair in Entrepreneurship at Indiana University. His article in the Strategic Management Journal, titled 'Optimal Distinctiveness: Broadening the Interface of Institutional Theory and Strategic Management', and his solo-authored book, Optimal Distinctiveness: A New Agenda for the Study of Competitive Positioning in Organizations and Markets, are regarded as foundational contributions to the burgeoning literature on optimal distinctiveness. His research streams focus on societal-level institutions, patriarchy, racial and ethnic segregation, religious diversity, and social class, shaping entrepreneurial actions and performance, with broader implications for organizations’ roles in addressing grand social challenges. Eric's work has been published in leading management and entrepreneurship journals and is widely cited. He has received major early career awards, including the Academy of Management Emerging Scholar Award for Entrepreneurship in 2019 and the Strategic Management Society Emerging Scholar Award in 2022.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor of Strategy

2019-09-01 — Present

University of Oxford • Oxford, ENG, GB

Conducts research and teaches courses in strategy, organization theory, and entrepreneurship at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Awards

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Academy of Management Emerging Scholar Award

2019-08-01
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Strategic Management Society Emerging Scholar Award

2022-08-01

Requirements for University of Oxford

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:24
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Politics, International Relations, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy or Sociology
Application Checklist
  • Three academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Statement of Purpose (1,000 words)
  • Two academic essays (2,000 words each)
Specialization Notes

Department of Politics and International Relations - Higher Level English requirement.