Adam Smith Business School

Name: Cheng-ting (Steven) Tsou

Dr Tsou is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Deputy Program Director of the International MBA (IMBA) at National Central University in Taiwan. His teaching and research focus on strategy, innovation, technological transitions, and international business. Before entering academia, he spent more than a decade in the automotive industry, working across the Asia-Pacific region with companies including Ford, FCA/Stellantis, and XPeng Motors in roles spanning strategy, product management, and international business.

His interest in understanding how firms and industries respond to technological change eventually led him to pursue a PhD in Management at the University of Glasgow. His time at the Adam Smith Business School allowed him to connect his extensive industry experience with academic research and marked an important transition in his career from practitioner to scholar. Outside academia, Steven enjoys travelling, automobiles, and watches.
 
Why did you choose the Adam Smith Business School?

I chose the Adam Smith Business School primarily because of the opportunity to work with Professor Dong-Hyu Kim, whose research expertise closely matched my own interests. Finding the right supervisor was the most important consideration for me when choosing a PhD programme, particularly as I was transitioning from an industry career into academic research.

The University of Glasgow’s long academic tradition and the legacy of Adam Smith were also important attractions. The combination of a strong supervisory fit and the opportunity to study at a university with such a distinguished intellectual heritage made the Adam Smith Business School the right choice for me.

What did you enjoy the most about your programme? 

I particularly enjoyed the strong academic atmosphere and the opportunity to engage in discussions on a wide range of research topics. The programme exposed me to different perspectives, theories, and methodological approaches, and these exchanges often encouraged me to think beyond my own research area. I found the intellectual discussions with faculty members and fellow researchers especially valuable, as they helped broaden my academic perspective and develop the way I approach research questions today.

How has your degree helped you in your career?

My degree has been instrumental in enabling me to transition successfully into academia. It helped me secure a faculty position at one of Taiwan’s leading universities, where I now teach core courses in areas such as strategic management and organizational theory. More importantly, the PhD training at Glasgow significantly strengthened my research capabilities, from developing theoretically grounded research questions to designing and conducting rigorous empirical studies. These skills have become the foundation of both my academic career and my ongoing research.

What have you been up to since graduating from the Business School?

Since graduating, I have joined National Central University in Taiwan as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration, where I teach courses in strategic management, organizational theory, and related areas. After my first year at the university, I took on several additional responsibilities, including serving as Deputy Program Director of the International MBA (IMBA), receiving a joint appointment with the Graduate College of Sustainability and Green Energy, and becoming Deputy Executive Director of the Aalto × NCU EMBA programme, a collaboration between National Central University and Aalto University in Finland.

Alongside teaching and academic administration, I have continued to develop my research agenda, particularly in technological and sustainability transitions, strategy, and the automotive industry. I have published and advanced several research projects in international journals while also working closely with students and industry practitioners. Overall, the period since graduation has marked my transition from a doctoral researcher into a broader academic role spanning research, teaching, international programme development, and academic leadership.

What was the most important thing you learnt while studying at Glasgow?

The most important things I learnt at Glasgow were how to manage my time effectively and how important it is to build strong academic and professional networks. A PhD requires balancing research, writing, conferences, and many other commitments, so learning how to prioritise and manage my time became essential. At the same time, Glasgow taught me that academic development is not only about individual research, but also about building relationships with supervisors, colleagues, and scholars from different backgrounds. These skills have continued to be extremely valuable in my career today.

What is your top piece of advice for current students - our future alumni?

My top advice would be to make good use of both your time and the resources available at the University. There are many opportunities beyond your formal programme, so take advantage of seminars, workshops, and academic events whenever possible. I found sessions involving journal editors particularly valuable, as they offered practical insights into academic publishing that are difficult to learn from textbooks alone.

At the same time, be selective and manage your time carefully. The value of studying at Glasgow comes not only from completing your degree, but also from making full use of the academic community and opportunities around you.

Tell us your fondest memory of the Business School.

My fondest memories of the Business School are the discussions I had with my supervisors and other faculty members about my thesis and research papers. These discussions could sometimes be quite intense, with ideas and arguments being challenged from different perspectives, but I almost always came away with new insights and a clearer understanding of how to improve my work. Looking back, those intellectually demanding conversations were some of the most valuable and memorable parts of my time at Glasgow.
 

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First published: 5 October 2026