Eric Yanfei Zhao is the Associate Dean for Research and a Professor of Strategy at Saïd Business School and St. Hugh’s College, University of Oxford. He is also a Gradel Institute Researcher at the Gradel Institute of Charity, New College, University of Oxford.

Eric’s research explores topics such as optimal distinctiveness, AI and firm strategy, resource management and resourcefulness, institutions and entrepreneurship, as well as social enterprises and nonprofit organizations. His work has been published in leading journals across strategy, organization theory, entrepreneurship, and international business and is widely cited.

He has been recognized with top early career awards from the Academy of Management (AOM) and the Strategic Management Society (SMS). His book, Optimal Distinctiveness, is published by Cambridge University Press.

Grimes, Matthew, Trent Williams, and Eric Yanfei Zhao (2020) "Beyond hybridity: Accounting for the values complexity of all organizations in the study of mission and mission drift." Academy of Management Review, 45(1): 234-239. [PDF]

Grimes, Matthew, Trent Williams, and Eric Yanfei Zhao (2019) "Anchors aweigh: The sources, variety, and challenges of mission drift." Academy of Management Review, 44(4): 819-845. [PDF]

Cobb, Adam, Tyler Wry, and Eric Yanfei Zhao* (2016) "Funding financial inclusion: Institutional logics and the contextual contingency of funding for microfinance organizations." Academy of Management Journal, 59(6): 2103-2131. [PDF]