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Farzad (Haider) Alvi

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Farzad (Haider) Alvi, PhD, JD, MBA, AB

Associate Professor, Innovation Finance

 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2636-362X
    20122023

    Research activity per year

    Personal profile

    Research Interests

    My research embraces the messiness of context rather than attempting to sanitize complexity. Messy liminal spaces offer rich insight, and I seek out these spaces on a macro and micro level. I research the diffusion of standards from Global North to Global South in the transnational sphere, and the micro-foundational agency and entrepreneurial orientations required to navigate through turbulence. I allow myself to be vulnerable to contexts through use of autoethnography and action research and am currently working with colleagues on methodological advances in this area. Finally, I endeavour for my research to have impact on society. By sitting on Boards of organizations, I utilize my scholarly insights to directly influence managerial decisions. My work on post-colonial contexts has had an impact on the globalization of a Global South enterprise doing business in indigenous communities, and my theorizing on innovation finance has influenced the creation of inclusive ecosystems in Canada.

    Personal profile

    I am a former corporate financier turned academic and company director. Having grown up in North America, I went on to work in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. During my 11-year career as a banker focused on the financial services sector, I advised government shareholders and banks in 17 emerging market countries on mergers, restructurings, and privatizations. Subsequently, I was involved with social impact investing in Latin America. As an academic, I have held university appointments in Mexico City, Toronto and Edmonton. My research investigates the individual agency and entrepreneurial orientations required to navigate through turbulent contexts, and increasingly on the role of innovation finance. My research often takes a critical view of Global North hegemony. I am presently the Chair of the Board of OECM and Member of the Board of Edmonton Unlimited (formerly Innovate Edmonton). I also sit on several volunteer boards.

    Education/Academic qualification

    PhD, University of Cambridge

    … → 2009

    J.D, Indiana University Bloomington

    … → 1994

    MBA, (University of Toronto)

    … → 1992

    A.B, The University of Chicago

    … → 1988

    External positions

    Member of the Board of Directors, Edmonton Unlimited

    1 Aug. 2020 → …

    Chair of the Board of Directors, OECM

    27 Nov. 2016 → …

    Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

    In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

    1. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
      SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
    2. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
      SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    3. SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
      SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
    4. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
      SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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    Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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    • 9 Journal Article
    • 2 Other contribution (peer reviewed)
    View all 11 research outputs