Prof Christian Harrison

Professor of Leadership and Enterprise

Christian Harrison is a Professor of Leadership and Enterprise in the University of Bolton. Prior, to joining University of Bolton, he was a Reader in Leadership and the Chair of the Staff Forum for Research of the University of the West of Scotland, United Kingdom. He graduated with a First-class degree in Pharmacy and practised as a pharmacist, assuming managerial positions before moving into the field of Management. Prof Christian Harrison has an MBA and was the valedictorian of the University of Aberdeen Business school MBA class with a Distinction. In addition, he also possesses a PhD in Leadership and other postgraduate research and teaching qualifications in his repertoire.

Christian is a well-known and recognised scholar in the field of Leadership and works across the globe on research projects. He is a recognised expert on leadership and provides regular expert media commentary on Scottish Television News (STV), Scotland Tonight, the Herald, the Conversation, Sunday Post, the Guardian Nigeria. He is very active in teaching and is also the leader of a range of modules on leadership. He is also the author of numerous published research papers on Leadership which is his major research interest and serves as the Director of Studies/First Supervisor of several PhD and DBA students. He has successfully supervised several doctoral students to completion and his current students are working on projects on Authentic leadership, Entrepreneurial leadership, Transformational leadership, Ethical leadership etc. He has also examined over 30 doctoral theses to date.

Furthermore, he is an active member of several learned organisations. He is the Chair of the Leadership and Leadership Development Special Interest Group of the British Academy of Management. As Chair, Christian fosters more dialogue in the domain of leadership and develops alongside this, uplift in activity and research with the aim of bringing together the academic and practitioner experiences and viewpoints. He is the Chair of the Academy for African Studies. As Chair, Christian promotes and advocates for African scholarship and research. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management (FIBAKM). He is also an active member of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), International Council for Small Business (ICSB), Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management (IBAKM), Higher Education Academy (HEA), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) and serves on several review panels and committees. He is an external examiner to other UK universities such as Heriot Watt University, De Montfort University and University of Aberdeen. Christian is the editor of New Frontiers in African Business and Society by Emerald Publishing. He is also the editor of Routledge Studies in Leadership and Leadership Development, associate editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Business Research and Management (IJBRM), associate editor of the Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (HSS) and review editor of Organisational Psychology.

Additionally, he has a good track record of securing grants and research funding and has a very strong external research network and collaborative partnership with organisations. He mentors and develop colleagues on contemporary teaching practice in Higher Education. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Certified Management and Business Educator of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CMBE). He is also a Fellow Certified Business Administrator (FCBA) and a Fellow Certified Knowledge Manager (FCKM) of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management (IBAKM). He was instrumental in developing the British Academy of Management (BAM) Education Practice Award which recognises inspiring and impactful management education practice. He is the founder and Chair of the African Studies Track in the British Academy of Management. The track is committed to fostering dialogue on contemporary African research which directly impacts BAM members and the wellbeing of the broader academic research community.

Christian works extensively as a consultant, speaker and trainer on leadership skills development within organisations. He has delivered several CPDs and sessions on leadership to the Scottish Government Directors, UK Cabinet office staff, NHS, corporate organisations, SMEs etc. He is the founder of the NGO; The Leadership Mould Initiative International. The NGO supports students and moulds future leaders. He is the author of the bestselling book entitled ‘Leadership Theory and Research: A Critical Approach to New and Existing Paradigms’, which is published by the globally renowned publishing company; Palgrave MacMillan. The book was written to enable students (undergraduate and postgraduate), scholars, practitioners, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders to learn more about the concept of leadership. It provides a critical insight into leadership research. Emerging paradigms and theories of new approaches to leadership are identified and addressed. In addition, Christian has also authored several video publications on leadership namely; Traditional Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Established Theories and Concepts; Modern Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Contemporary Theories and Concepts; Emerging Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Developing Theories; Making Sense of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Leadership and Management Research. These videos cover established leadership theories providing a nuance conceptualisation of the field and are published by Palgrave Macmillan.

Christian has won several awards based on his expertise. He was the top academic commentator in the University of the West of Scotland for 2022, with his analysis appearing in 215 different publications. He was the recipient of the Award for Outstanding Leadership by the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2022. He was the recipient of the Award for Excellence by the Nigerian Society of Engineers in 2020. He was the recipient of the Best Developmental Paper, British Academy of Management Leadership and Leadership Development Track (2021). He also won the award for the Best Reviewer; British Academy of Management African Studies Track (2020).

Professor Christian Harrison is willing to speak to the media on leadership, enterprise, education, employability and other related matters.

Research Interests
Accepting PhD Students
• Leadership
• Entrepreneurial Leadership
• Leadership approaches and paradigms
• Leadership Development
• Leadership in Emerging and Developing Economies
• Enterprise Development
Please contact me to discuss any ideas.

External Positions
• Chair, Leadership and Leadership Development Special Interest Group, British Academy of Management
• Chair, Academy for African Studies
• Founder/Chair, African Studies Track, British Academy of Management
• Fellow, Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management.
• Associate Vice President Europe, Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management
• Council Member, British Academy of Management
• Executive Member, Expert Working Group, Ethnic Diversity in Education, Advance HE.
• Collection Advisor: Routledge Open Research/Taylor & Francis
• Editor, Routledge Studies in Leadership and Leadership Development
• Editor, New Frontiers in African Business and Society, Emerald
• Associate Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Business Research and Management
• Associate Editor, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications
• Review Editor, Organisational Psychology
• Editorial Board: Leadership
• Editorial Board: International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Guest Editor, International Review on Entrepreneurship Journal
• External Examiner, University of Aberdeen
• External Examiner, De Montfort University
• External Examiner, Heriot Watt University

Recent Publications
Books
Harrison, C. and Omeihe K.O. (2023). Contextualising African Studies: Challenges and the Way Forward (New Frontiers in African Business and Society). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Contextualising_African_Studies.html?id=dPAE0AEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
Omeihe, K. O. and Harrison, C. (2022). The African Context of Business and Society. (New Frontiers in African Business and Society). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://books.emeraldinsight.com/page/detail/the-african-context-of-business-and-society/?k=9781801178532
Harrison, C. (2018). Leadership Theory and Research: A Critical Approach to New and Existing Paradigms, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan. http://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783319686714#

Journal Papers
Omeihe, I., Harrison, C., Simba, A. and Omeihe, K. (2023) “The role of the entrepreneurial leader: a study of Nigerian SMEs”. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 49(2), 187-215
Sawyerr, E. and Harrison, C. (2023), "Resilience in healthcare supply chains: a review of the UK’s response to the COVID19 pandemic". International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 53(3), 297-329 https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-09-2021-0403
Adetuyi, A. M., Tarbert, H. and Harrison, C. (2022). A Study of Agricultural Companies Development in Nigeria: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Agricultural Science, 7. ISSN: 2367-9026
Ahmed, F. and Harrison, C. (2022). “Entrepreneurial leadership development in teams: a conceptual model.” International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation https://doi.org/10.1177/14657503221143977
Ahmed, F. and Harrison, C. (2022). “Entrepreneurial leadership skills and competencies: a systematic literature review” International Review of Entrepreneurship [Accepted/In press]
Ahmed, F and Harrison, C. (2021). “Challenges and competencies of entrepreneurial leaders in driving innovation at DIY laboratories.” Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 33(10), 1132-1146, https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2021.1908538
Bagheri, A. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Entrepreneurial leadership measurement: a multi-dimensional construct.” Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development 27 (4), 659-679. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-01-2019-0027
Ehinmowo, O., Harrison, C. and Olutumise, A. S. (2020) “Income inequality among entrepreneurs in Ondo state, Nigeria”. International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 24(1), 19-38 https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBG.2020.104955
Harrison, C., Omeihe I., Simba, A. and Omeihe, K. (2020) “Leading the way: the entrepreneur or the leader?”. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2020.1840853
Khan, M., Hassan, A., Harrison, C and Tarbert, H. (2020) “CSR reporting: a review of research and agenda for future research”. Management Research Review, 43(11), 1395-1419. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2019-0073
Mcquade, K.E., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2020), "Systematically reviewing servant leadership", European Business Review, 33(3), 465-490.https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-08-2019-0162
Clark, C. and Harrison, C. (2019) “Entrepreneurship: an assimilated multi-perspective review”. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 31(1), 43-71 https://doi.org/10.1080/08276331.2018.1446665
Clark, C., Harrison, C. and Gibb, S. (2019) “Developing a conceptual framework of entrepreneurial leadership: A systematic literature review and thematic analysis”. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 17(3), 347-384 https://www.senatehall.com/entrepreneurship?article=639
Sawyerr, E. and Harrison, C. (2019) “Developing resilient supply chains: lessons from high-reliability organisations”. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 25(1), 77-100 https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-09-2018-0329
Clark, C. and Harrison, C. (2018) “Leadership: the complexities and state of the field”. European Business Review, 30(5), 514- 528 https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-07-2017-0139
Harrison, C., Burnard, K and Paul, S. (2018). “Entrepreneurial leadership in a developing economy: a skill-based analysis”. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 25(3), 521-548 https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-05-2017-0160
Harrison, C., Paul, S. and Burnard, K. (2016). “Entrepreneurial leadership in retail pharmacy: developing economy perspective”. Journal of Workplace Learning, 28(3), 150-167 https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-01-2015-0004
Harrison, C., Paul, S. and Burnard, K. (2016). “Entrepreneurial leadership: a systematic literature review”. International Review of Entrepreneurship, 14(2), 235-264 https://www.senatehall.com/entrepreneurship?article=544

Media Publications
Harrison, C. (2023). For innovation in universities, we must stop ineffective traditional paradigms. The Guardian Nigeria. https://guardian.ng/features/education/for-innovation-in-universities-we-must-stop-ineffective-traditional-paradigms/
Harrison, C. (2023). Christian Harrison: How I became a professor at 35. The Nation. https://thenationonlineng.net/christian-harrison-how-i-became-a-professor-at-35/
Harrison, C. (2023). Who can voters trust in Scottish politics? The Herald. https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/viewpoint/23355196.can-voters-trust-scottish-politics/
Harrison, C. (2023). Why young people in every sphere – not just business and politics – should learn to lead, The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/why-young-people-in-every-sphere-not-just-business-and-politics-should-learn-to-lead-198331
Harrison, C. (2022). A de facto referendum could work for the SNP – but it's a huge risk, The Herald. https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/23172893.de-facto-referendum-work-snp---huge-risk/
Harrison, C. (2022). Entrepreneurs know that failure is sometimes necessary – here’s what we can learn from them, The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/entrepreneurs-know-that-failure-is-sometimes-necessary-heres-what-we-can-learn-from-them-192438
Harrison, C. (2022). What's so bad about changing your mind?, The Herald. https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/23026247.opinion-bad-changing-mind/
Harrison, C. (2022). Whoever leads the Yes or No campaigns could tip balance on independence, says Christian Harrison, The Herald. https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20237527.whoever-leads-yes-no-campaigns-tip-balance-independence-says-christian-harrison/
Harrison, C. (2022). How Ukraine's heroic President Zelenskyy shows the world what a real leader looks like, The Herald. https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19991168.ukraines-heroic-president-zelenskyy-showed-world-real-leader-looks-like/
Harrison, C. (2022). Five rules for effective leadership in difficult times, The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/five-rules-for-effective-leadership-in-difficult-times-174948
Harrison, C. (2021). Four Key Rules for Successful Leadership, The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/four-key-rules-for-successful-leadership-171166

Book Chapters
Harrison, C. (2022), "Challenges Faced by Entrepreneurs in Nigeria: A Study of the Retail Pharmacy Sector", Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (Ed.) The African Context of Business and Society (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 189-213. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-852-520221010
Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (2022), "Introduction to the African Context of Business and Society: The way Forward", Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (Ed.) The African Context of Business and Society (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-852-520221001
Omeihe, I. and Harrison, C. (2022), "Defining Authentic Leadership: A Developing Economy Perspective", Omeihe, K.O. and Harrison, C. (Ed.) The African Context of Business and Society (New Frontiers in African Business and Society), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 31-54. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-852-520221003

Video Publications
Harrison, C. (2023). Using semi-structured interviews to research entrepreneurial leadership [Video]. Sage Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529667608
Harrison, C. (2020). Making Sense of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Leadership and Management Research, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39787-6
Harrison, C. (2020). Traditional Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Established Theories and Concepts, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40805-3
Harrison, C. (2020). Modern Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Contemporary Theories and Concepts, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39775-3
Harrison, C. (2020). Emerging Paradigms of Leadership: A Critical Insight into Developing Theories, Switzerland, Palgrave MacMillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-39779-1

Conference Papers
Ahmed, F., and Harrison, C. (2022). Innovation strategies of SMEs’ entrepreneurial leaders: evidence from Pakistan. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Alonge, T. and Harrison, C. (2022). Crisis leadership and leadership styles: before, during and after. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Omeihe, I., Harrison, C. and Omeihe, K. (2022). Authentic leadership repair within a developing economy context. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Omeihe, I., Harrison, C., Omeihe, K. and Olusegun, O. (2022). Authentic entrepreneurial leadership within the Igbo trade apprenticeship system. In British Academy of Management 2022 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2022). British Academy of Management.
Adetuyi, A., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2021) “A study of agricultural companies’ development in Nigeria: a systematic literature review”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Ahmed, F. and Harrison, C. (2021). “Entrepreneurial leadership (EL): an investigation of entrepreneurial competition on EL’s competencies development”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Harrison, C. (2021). “Leading during crisis: a Scottish higher education perspective”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Mcquade, K., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2021) “Leadership and the consequences of morality”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Mendy, J. and Harrison, C. (2021). “Distributed leadership in SMEs: a review, critique and new directions”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Omeihe, I., Harrison, C. and Omeihe, K. (2021). “Authentic leadership skills within a developing economy context”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Omeihe, I., Harrison, C. and Omeihe, K. (2021). “Authentic leadership: a systematic literature review”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Omeihe, I., Omeihe, K. O. and Harrison, C. (2021). The Rise or Fall of Authentic Leadership. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2021, No. 1, p. 13926). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Zaghmout, B. and Harrison, C. (2021). “Distributed leadership in the tourism industry: a study of Dubai”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud, Lancaster.
Adeshipo, A. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Ethical leadership in the public sector: an African perspective”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Adetuyi, A., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2020) “National economic policy and corporate sector development: a study of South-western Nigerian agricultural companies’ development”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Anyanwu, S., Aiyedogbon, J. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Innovative development in Africa: cluster and triple helix approach”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud
Harrison, C. (2020). “Challenges faced by entrepreneurs in a developing economy: a study in the retail sector”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Mcquade, K., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2020) “Servant leadership: the skills of those who serve”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Mendy, J. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Leadership and the changing world of work: a review, a critique and new directions”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Omeihe, I. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Authentic leadership moments: the impact of authentic leadership behaviours in an emerging economy context”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Zaghmout, B. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Distributed leadership in the tourism industry”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud.
Zaghmout, B. and Harrison, C. (2020). “Distributed leadership: systematic literature review”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, BAM Conference in The Cloud
Adikwu, V., Emmanuel, K. and Harrison, C. (2019). “Significance of guidance and counselling in entrepreneurial development and women empowerment in federal capital territory Nigeria”. Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development (CAREED), Annual Conference, Paisley.
Anyanwu, S., Hassan, A., Adikwu, V. and Harrison, C. (2019). “Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and macroeconomic policy environment in Nigeria”. Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development (CAREED), Annual Conference, Paisley.
Emeanulu, L., Harrison, C. and Fletcher, M. (2019) “The effectiveness of risk management strategy on business performance: A knowledge management perspective”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Birmingham.
Harrison, C., Collins, S., Gilardi, M., Balaraman, P., Reilly, C. Valentin, S. and Papadopoulou, C. (2019). “Leadership skills in higher education: a study of Scotland”. British Academy of Management (BAM), Annual Conference, Birmingham.
Harrison, C., Collins, S., Gilardi, M., Balaraman, P., Reilly, C. Valentin, S. and Papadopoulou, C. (2019). “Leadership in higher education: A study of the west of Scotland”. Learning, Teaching and Research Conference Annual Conference, Paisley.
Adeshipo, A. S. and Harrison, C. (2018). “Ethical leadership: the way forward”. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings [565] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
Adeshipo, A. S. and Harrison, C. (2018). “Ethical leadership: an effective and efficient leadership approach for the Nigeria public sector”. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings (Vol. 2018). [567] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
Hassan, A., Struthers, J., Talbot, S., Harrison, C., Nziku, D., Collins, S. and Moore, A. (2018). “Female entrepreneurs and their contribution to the Egyptian economy”. 23-23. Centre for African Research and Economic Development (CAREED), Annual Conference, Paisley, United Kingdom.
Mcquade, K., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2018). Servant leadership: a thematic analysis. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings [800] Bristol: British Academy of Management.
Mcquade, K., Harrison, C. and Tarbert, H. (2018). Servant leadership: the skills of those who serve. In British Academy of Management 2018 Conference Proceedings [551] Bristol: British Academy of Management.

Scopus Author ID: 57188665207

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-christian-harrison-2a96124b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrChrisHarrison

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