Tina AMBOS
Full Professor
Institute of Management
Director, Center for Innovation & Partnerships
Ph.D., Vienna University of Economics and Business
Uni Mail - 3236
+41 22 379 82 03
Email
Short bio
Tina C. Ambos is Professor of International Management and the Director of the Institute of Management.
Before joining the University of Geneva in September 2015, she was a professor at the University of Sussex, where she also served as the Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange for the Business and Management Department. Earlier she held the chair of the Department of International Management at Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU), Austria as well as positions at Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna), the University of Edinburgh and London Business School. She studied in Austria, Australia and Canada and received a Venia Docendi (Habilitation), a Ph.D. and a Magister (Mag.rer.soc.oec) in business administration from WU Vienna and a Magister degree (Mag.phil) in Philosophy from the University of Vienna.
Tina Ambos’ research and teaching interests include knowledge management, innovation and strategic management of the multinational corporation. During her career she has worked with several multinational corporations as well as entrepreneurial technology firms on case studies, research and consulting projects. Her research in this field is regularly presented at the leading international conferences and has been published in top international journals, amongst others Organization Science, Journal of International Business Studies, MIT Sloan Management Review, Long Range Planning, Journal of Management Studies. She is the author of the book “Effective Knowledge Transfer in Multinational Corporations” published by Palgrave Macmillan.
Since 2015, Tina is Associate Editor for Long Range Planning. She also serves on the Consulting Editors Board of the Journal of International Business Studies and the editorial review boards of Management International Review, Global Strategy Journal, and polylog. Zeitschrift für Interkulturelles Philosophieren.
She is also the Academic Director of the International Organizations MBA (IO-MBA). (http://iomba.unige.ch).
Research & publications
O’Brien, D., Sharkey Scott, P., Andersson, U., Ambos, T.C & Fu, N.(2018 forthcoming) The Micro-Foundations of Subsidiary Initiatives: How Subsidiary Manager Activities Unlock Entrepreneurship, Global Strategy Journal.
Birkinshaw, J., Ambos, T.C., Bouquet, C. (2017): The Corporate HQ as a Boundary Spanner. Insights from a Process Study, Journal of Management Studies, 54 (4), pp. 422-454.
Ambos, T.C. & Müller-Stewens, G. (2017): Rethinking Strategy-Making in the Multidivisional Firm: A Retrospective, Special Issue Introduction, Long Range Planning, 50 (1), pp. 8-16.
Ambos, T.C., Ambos, B., Eich, K.J., Puck, J. (2016): Imbalance and Isolation: How Team Configurations Affect Global Knowledge Sharing, Journal of International Management, 22 (4), pp. 316-322.
Semrau, T., Ambos, T.C., Kraus, S. (2016): Entrepreneurial Orientation and SME Performance Across Societal Cultures: An International Study, Journal of Business Research, 69, (5) pp. 1928-1932.
Kraus, S., Ambos, T.C., Eggers, F. & Cesinger, B. (2015), Distance and Perceptions of Risk in Internationalization Decisions: A Conjoint Choice Experiment, Journal of Business Research.
Strutzenberger, A. & Ambos, T.C. (2014): Unravelling the Subsidiary Initiative Process: A Multilevel Approach, International Journal of Management Reviews, 16 (3), pp. 314-339.
Ambos T.C., Nell, P. & Pedersen, T. (2013): The Complementarity of Knowledge Stocks and Flows Within and Across Value-Chain Functions, Global Strategy Journal, 3, pp. 183-299.
Ambos, T.C., Andersson, U. & Birkinshaw, J. (2010): What are the Consequences of Initiative-Taking in Multinational Subsidiaries, Journal of International Business Studies, 41 (7), pp. 1099-1118. (lead article)
Ambos, T.C. & Birkinshaw, J. (2010): How do New Ventures Evolve? An Inductive Study of the Process of Charter Change in Technology Ventures, Organization Science, 21, pp. 1125-1140. (lead article)
Ambos, T.C., Schlegelmilch, B.B., Ambos, B. & Brenner, B. (2009): Evolutions of Organizational Structure in the Internationalization of Banks: The Case of UniCredit Group in CEE, Long Range Planning, 42, pp. 633-653.
Ambos, T.C. & Ambos, B. (2009): The Impact of Distance on Knowledge Transfer Effectiveness in Multinational Corporations, Journal of International Management, 15 (1), pp. 1-14. (lead article)
Ambos, T.C., Mäkelä, K, Birkinshaw, J. and D’Este; P. (2008): When does university research get commercialized? Institutional and individual-level predictors of commercial outputs from research-council funded projects, Journal of Management Studies, 45 (8), pp. 1424-1427.
Birkinshaw, J., Bouquet, C., Ambos, T.C. (2007): Managing Attention in the Global Company, MIT Sloan Management Review, Summer, pp. 39-45.
Ambos, T.C., Ambos, B. & Schlegelmilch, B.B. (2006): Learning from the Periphery: An Empirical Investigation of Headquarters’ Benefits from Reverse Knowledge Transfers, International Business Review, 15 (3), pp. 294-312.
Schlegelmilch, B.B & Chini, T.C. (2003): Knowledge Transfer between Marketing Functions in Multinational Companies: A Conceptual Model, International Business Review 12 (2), pp. 215-232.
Tina C. Ambos is Professor of International Management and the Director of the Center for Innovation and Partnerships.
Before joining the University of Geneva, she was a professor at the University of Sussex and the management faculty's Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange. Earlier she held the chair of the Department of International Management at Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria), as well as positions at WU Vienna, the University of Edinburgh and London Business School. She received a Venia Docendi (Habilitation) and a Ph.D. from WU Vienna.
Tina’s research and teaching interests include global strategic management and innovation in the context of multinational corporations, technology start-ups and international (non-for-profit) organizations. Her research in this field is regularly presented at the leading conferences and has been published in top international academic as well as practitioner journals. Tina also served as Associate Editor for Long Range Planning from 2015-2018 and is a member of the Consulting Editors Board of the Journal of International Business Studies and the editorial review boards of Management International Review, Journal of International Management, Global Strategy Journal and Long Range Planning.
Selected publications
Journal article
Grabski, T., & Ambos, T. (2025). The choices we collectively make: Orchestrating hybridity to tackle Grand Challenges. Journal of Management Studies.
Klarner, P., Ambos, T., & Birkinshaw, J. (2024). How to implement bottom-up organizing. Lessons from agile piloting and scaling.. California Management Review.
Tatarinov, K., & Ambos, T. (2024). Technology-Enabled Organization Designs for Tackling the Grand Challenges: The Case of Giga”. Journal of Organization Design.
Tatarinov, K., Ambos, T., & Tschang, T. (2023). Scaling Digital Solutions for Wicked Problems: An Ecosystem Perspective. Journal of International Business Studies, 54 (4), 631-656. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-022-00526-6.
Ambos, T., Hughes, M., Niemand , T., & Kraus, S. (2023). Subsidiary managers' initiative pursuit: A behavioral agency model. Journal of International Management, 29 (3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2023.101026.
Ambos, T., Tippmann, E., & Nell, P. (2023). Realizing Subsidiary Initiatives: A network mobilization view. Journal of International Management, 29, 101080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2023.101080.
Ambos, T., & Tatarinov, K. (2023). Fit for Solving the Grand Challenges. Journal of Organization Design, 12, 255-262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41469-023-00148-8.
Ambos, T., Chyba, K., & Tatarinov, K. (2023). The United Nations' Innovation Learning Journey. Stanford Social Innovation Review.
Casajús-Burutaran, A., & Ambos, T. (2023). Do You Have a Corporate Philanthropy Strategy? Sloan Management Review MIT.
Andrews , D., Fainshmidt, S., Ambos, T., & Haensel, K. (2022). The attention-based view and the multinational corporation: Review and research agenda. Journal of World Business, 57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2021.101302.
Ambos, T., & Tatarinov, K. (2022). Innovation for Impact: An International Business Perspective on Transforming the United Nations. AIB Insights. https://doi.org/10.46697/001c.31014.
Ambos, T., Tippmann, E., Del Giudice, M., Monaghan, S., & Ringov, D. (2022). Scale-ups and scaling in an international business context. Journal of World Business. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwb.2022.101397.
Ambos, T., & Tatarinov, K. (2021). Building Responsible Innovation in International Organizations through Intrapreneurship. Journal of Management Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12738.
Ambos, T., Fuchs, S., & Zimmermann, A. (2020). Managing interrelated tensions in headquarters–subsidiary relationships: The case of a multinational hybrid organization. Journal of International Business Studies, 51 (6), 906-932. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-020-00307-z.
Ambos, T., Cesinger, B., Eggers, F., & Kraus, S. (2020). How does De-Globalization affect location decisions ? A Study of managerial perceptions of risk and return. Global Strategy Journal, 10 (1), 210-236. https://doi.org/10.1002/gsj.1335.
Gibson, C., Birkinshaw, J., Mcdaniel Sumpter, D., & Ambos, T. (2019). The Hierarchical Erosion Effect: A New Perspective on Perceptual Differences and Business Performance. Journal of Management Studies, 56 (8), 1713-1747. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12443.
O'Brien, D., Sharkey Scott, P., Andersson, U., Ambos, T., & Fu, N. (2019). The microfoundations of subsidiary initiatives: how subsidiary-manager activities unlock entrepreneurship. Global Strategy Journal, 9 (1), 66-91. https://doi.org/10.1002/gsj.1200.
Ambos, T., Ambos, B., Eich, K. J., & Puck, J. (2017). Gemeinsam stärker. Harvard Business Manager, 102.
Ambos, T., & Mueller-Stewens, G. (2017). Rethinking the role of the centre in the multidivisional firm: A retrospective. Long Range Planning, 50 (1), 42583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2016.11.003.
Birkinshaw, J., Ambos, T., & Bouquet, C. (2017). Boundary spanning activities of corporate hq executives insights from a longitudinal study. Journal of Management Studies, 54 (4), 422-454. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12260.
Semrau, T., Ambos, T., & Kraus, S. (2016). Entrepreneurial orientation and SME performance across societal cultures: An international study. Journal of Business Research, 69 (5), 1928-1932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.082.
Ambos, T., Ambos, B., Eich, K. J., & Puck, J. (2016). Imbalance and Isolation: How Team Configurations Affect Global Knowledge Sharing. Journal of International Management, 22 (4), 316-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2016.03.005.
Kraus, S., Ambos, T., Eggers, F., & Cesinger, B. (2015). Distance and perceptions of risk in internationalization decisions. Journal of Business Research, 68 (7), 1501-1505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.01.041.
Strutzenberger, A., & Ambos, T. (2014). Unravelling the Subsidiary Initiative Process: A Multilevel Approach. International Journal of Management Reviews, 16 (3), 314-339. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12022.
Ambos, T., Nell, P., & Pedersen, T. (2013). Combining Stocks and Flows of Knowledge: The Effects of Intra-Functional and Cross-Functional Complementarity. Global Strategy Journal, 3 (4), 283-299. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-5805.2013.01063.x.
Ambos, B., Asakawa, K., & Ambos, T. (2011). A dynamic perspective on subsidiary autonomy. Global Strategy Journal, 1 (43193), 301-316. https://doi.org/10.1002/gsj.25.
Ambos, B., & Ambos, T. (2011). Meeting the challenge of offshoring r&d: an examination of firm- and location-specific factors. R & D Management, 41 (2), 107-119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9310.2010.00625.x.
Ambos, T., & Birkinshaw, J. (2010). How do new ventures evolve? an inductive study of archetype changes in science-based ventures. Organization Science, 21 (6), 1125-1140. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1090.0504.
Ambos, T., & Birkinshaw, J. (2010). Headquarters' Attention and Its Effect on Subsidiary Performance. Management International Review, 50 (4), 449-469. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11575-010-0041-4.
Ambos, T., Andersson, U., & Birkinshaw, J. (2010). What are the consequences of initiative-taking in multinational subsidiaries? Journal of International Business Studies, 41, 1099-1118. https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2010.19.
Ambos, T., Schlegelmilch, B. B., Ambos, B., & Brenner, B. (2009). Evolution of organisational structure and capabilities in internationalising banks: the CEE operations of unicredit's vienna office. Long Range Planning, 42 (43256), 633-653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2009.09.004.
Ambos, T., & Schlegelmilch, B. B. (2009). Managing knowledge in international consulting firms. Journal of Knowledge Management, 13 (6), 491-508. https://doi.org/10.1108/13673270910997141.
Ambos, T., & Ambos, B. (2009). The impact of distance on knowledge transfer effectiveness in multinational corporations. Journal of International Management, 15 (1), 41640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2008.02.002.
Ambos, B., & Ambos, T. (2009). Location choice, management and performance of international r&d investments in peripheral economies. International Journal of Technology Management, 48 (1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTM.2009.024598.
Ambos, T., Mäkelä, K., Birkinshaw, J., & D'Este, P. (2008). When Does University Research Get Commercialized? Creating Ambidexterity in Research Institutions. Journal of Management Studies, 45 (8), 1424-1447. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2008.00804.x.
Birkinshaw, J., Bouquet, C., & Ambos, T. (2007). Managing executive attention in the global company. Sloan Management Review MIT, 48 (4), 39-45.
Ambos, T. (2006). Die Macht der Bilder zu Margarete Bruns: Die Weisheit des Auges: Bilder in den Kulturen der Welt. Polylog, 15, 105-106.
Ambos, T., Ambos, B., & Schlegelmilch, B. B. (2006). Learning from foreign subsidiaries: An empirical investigation of headquarters' benefits from reverse knowledge transfers. International Business Review, 15 (3), 294-312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2006.01.002.
Birkinshaw, J., Bouquet, C., & Ambos, T. (2006). Attention HQ. Business Strategy Review, 17 (3), 43347. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0955-6419.2006.00411.x.
Chini, T. (2004). Interkulturelle Philosophie Disziplin, Orientierung, Praxis? Ein Literaturbericht. Polylog, 12, 120-131.
Schlegelmilch, B. B., Ambos, B., & Chini, T. (2003). Mercati globali, ‘Reverse Knowledge' eCorporate Governance. Symphonya. Emerging Issues in Management, 2, pp. 33-41.
Academic meeting proceeding with presentation
Canova, L., Tatarinov, K., & Ambos, T. (2022). The Parasite Within: The Evolution of an Innovation Unit.. Academy of Management. Academy of Management.
Academic meeting presentation
Casajùs Burutaran, A., & Ambos, T. (2023). Corporate Philanthropy and the Nonmarket environment.
Ambos, T. (2019). Managing Interrelated Tensions in Headquarters-Subsidiary Relationships. Strategic Management Society Annual Conference.
Ambos, T. (2019). Changing the world from the bottom up? Social Intrapreneurship in International Organizations. AIB Annual Conference.
Ambos, T. (2018). Social Intrapreneurship in International Organizations in the Digital Age. Strategic Management Society Special Conference.
Ambos, T. (2018). What Do Subsidiary Managers Do? A Microfoundations Approach to Understanding Subsidiary Manager Types. Strategic Management Society Special Conference.
Ambos, T. (2018). Social Intrapreneurship in International Organizations in the Digital Age. Strategic Management Society Annual Conference.
Ambos, T. (2018). Subsidiary Initiatives in MNCs: Network Mobilization and Fluidity Across Initiative Phases. Strategic Management Society Annual Conference.
Ambos, T. (2017). A Means to an End: Entrepreneurship and Capability Development in the Multinational Corporation. Strategic Management Society Annual Conference.
Ambos, T. (2017). Crying Wolf: The Impact of Threat Categorization on Firm Performance. Strategic Management Society Annual Meeting.
Ambos, T. (2016). Panel on Contexutal Innovation. Strategic Management Society Special Conference.
Ambos, T. (2016). Strategic Decision Making Trajectory of Competitive Imitation - A Multi-Competitor Market Analysis. Strategic Management Society Annual Conference.
Ambos, T. (2016). Managerial Perceptions and Risk-Return Trade-off in Internationalization. Strategic Management Society Annual Meeting.
Published case studies
Ambos, T., Tatarinov, K., Monteiro, F., & McLachlin, R. (2024). Giga: Connecting Every Child. INSEAD Case Series.
Ambos, T., Canova, L., Tatarinov, K., & Monteiro, F. (2023). UNAIDS Office of Innovation: Changing the Landscape of Health Innovation. INSEAD Case Series.
Ambos, T., Tatarinov, K., & Monteiro, F. (2021). Sucafina: From Traders to Changemakers. The Case Centre.
