Personal profile
About
Dr. Berna Polat Aksu is an endowed professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at and the founding chair of the Management & Entrepreneurship Department at St. Mary’s College School of Economics and Business Administration. She is currently leading the School's Executive Education Programs and Strategic Partnerships, and is also the Director of the Center for the Regional Economy, which coordinates outreach, community involvement, consulting, research, and events, especially in the field of entrepreneurship, for the School.
Dr. Aksu has been teaching executive, graduate, and undergraduate students for more than 20 years. She is the recipient of a 2015 Saint Mary's College Teaching Excellence Award. Over her career, Dr. Aksu has worked with and consulted for startups as well as large corporations. Her research has been published in edited books and international scholarly journals such as the Academy of Management Discoveries, Journal of International Finance and Economics, Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research, and the Journal of Learning in Higher Education.
Specialties: strategy, global management, entrepreneurial mindset, top management teams, creativity and innovation, corporate governance.
Contact Information
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Strategic Management, University of Washington
… → 2005
MBA, Finance and Marketing, San Francisco State University
… → 1994
BA, International Relations and Political Science, Bosphorus University
… → 1990
External positions
Assistant Professor, California State University, East Bay
Jan 1 2004 → Jan 1 2008
Research Interests
- Strategic management
- entrepreneurship
- governance
- emergence and evolution of new ventures and new markets
- competitive strategy in dynamic industry environments
- learning and innovation
- international entrepreneurship
- social responsibility
Disciplines
- Business
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15 minutes of fame? The impact of media visibility and media reputation on the relationship between corporate political activity and government contract awards
Hadani, M., Aksu, B. & Coombes, S., Jan 1 2021, In: Academy of Management Discoveries. 7Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Post 2015 strategies to improve business models in corporate Turkey
Bedford, N. & Aksu, B., Sep 12 2018, In: Innovative Marketing.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Ayasdi: Demystifying the Unknown
Aksu, B., Morgan, C. & Cooper, J., Oct 1 2016.Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
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Impact of Venture Capitalists on Founder Turnover: Implications for Firm Governance
Aksu, B., Jan 1 2016, In: Strategic Management Quarterly. 4Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Unleashing Creativity in Business Students: Challenges and Opportunities
Munshi, N., Aksu, B., Lam, N. & author(s), A., Aug 9 2016.Research output: Contribution to conference › Presentation
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Saint Mary's College of California (External organization)
Aksu, B. P. (Member)
Jan 1 2010 → Jan 1 2011Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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Faculty Lead, SEBA Strategic Collaboration with the Keiretsu Forum
Aksu, B. P. (Member)
Jan 1 2009 → Jan 1 2012Activity: Other
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Saint Mary's College of California (External organization)
Aksu, B. P. (Member)
Jan 1 2008 → Jan 1 2009Activity: Membership › Membership of network
Prizes
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Stull Professor of Entrepreneurship - Saint Mary's College of California (2016, 2012)
Aksu, B. P. (Recipient), 2016
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Excellence in Teaching Award, Saint Mary’s College (2015)
Aksu, B. P. (Recipient), 2015
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Outstanding Faculty Service Award - Saint Mary's College of California, School of Economics and Business Administration (2014, 2011)
Aksu, B. P. (Recipient), 2014
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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CBE Moscow Program Research Grant
Aksu, B. P. (Recipient), 2007
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)