Mark Healey is Professor of Strategic Management at Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK. Mark’s research focuses on cognition and emotion in organizations, particularly how they enable and constrain strategic adaptation.  His research has appeared in leading academic journals including Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review and Strategic Management Journal.  Mark has received funding for his research from the Economic and Social Research Council, The British Academy, and the private sector.  Mark’s research has featured in various business periodicals, including The Financial Times, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review.  He received his Ph.D. in Management Sciences from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST).  

Dr Healey’s research focuses on cognition and emotion in organizations and their influences on individual, group and organizational responsiveness. He is particularly interested in managerial and organizational cognition, including cognitive adaptation – how decision makers update their knowledge and thinking in response to changing conditions.

Current applications of his work include:

• Cognition in strategic adaptation (e.g. psychological foundations of dynamic capabilities; cognition and emotion in strategic management)
• Strategic decision making (e.g. overcoming bias and dysfunction; tools and techniques for strategic intervention)
• Group/team cognition (e.g. reflexive and reflective processes; transactive memory).

His work has been published in leading international journals including Academy of Management Review, Organization Studies and Strategic Management Journal. He serves on the editorial boards of Academy of Management Review, Journal of Management Studies and Journal of Organizational Behavior.

Research supervision

I am keen to hear from potential PhD students who want to join my field of research. Click the research tab (above) for more information on my research interests. Currently, I supervise students in the following areas only:

• Strategic management, particular behavioural strategy and strategy process
• Managerial and organizational cognition, including strategic decision making, top management teams, emotion and cognition, cognition in work groups and teams

Given that much of the research I do draws on the behavioural sciences, I particularly welcome applications from students with a background in social psychology, cognitive psychology, cognitive science or anthropology. The research I supervise is also suitable for students who have experience with laboratory experiments, field observation (especially ethnography) and agent-based modelling.

If you’d like to get in touch about a PhD …

1. Before you write to me, read some of my published work (see my Google Scholar profile). This will give you a rough idea of what my research is about.
2. Write to me by email, indicating your interest in one of the above areas.  Tell me how you are qualified to undertake a high quality PhD in this area, e.g. relevant research methods skills, academic qualifications, or subject matter expertise. If you plan to send me a research proposal, please ensure that it engages directly with the literature concerning one of the topics above.