About Dr Ayanthi Pathirathne
I am a Lecturer in Business and Management here at the University, where I began my academic journey as an Academic Tutor in 2023. Before transitioning into academia, I accumulated 18 years of industry experience as a supply chain specialist in multinational pharmaceutical companies in Sri Lanka.
I hold a PhD from the University of Sunderland, where my research focused on exploring and evaluating multicultural factors and their influence on the business strategies of UK-based multinational corporations. Additionally, I earned a master’s in Business Management from the University of Middlesex and am a qualified Chartered Marketer through the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
My passion lies in investigating the applicability of strategy theories and practices in diverse cultural settings. I am particularly interested in developing eclectic strategic frameworks that better reflect the socio-cultural dynamics of developing regions, with a focus on Europe and Asia.
Teaching and supervision
I specialise in teaching a range of business-focused subjects, including:
- Managing Business Continuity and Resilience
- Strategic Leadership for a Sustainable Future
- International Business in Context
- Business Consultancy Project
Beyond teaching, I supervise MBA dissertations and serve as the module leader for a Transnational Education (TNE) module, as well as marking other TNE modules.
Additionally, I co-supervise several doctoral students pursuing PhDs, with research topics centred on strategy in both theory and practice, spanning developed and developing countries.
Interests
My research interests encompass a broad spectrum of strategic topics, including strategy formation, strategic change, and innovation processes, all within an international or global context.