Dr
Melanie
Hassett

FHEA, SFHEA

Management School

Associate Dean for Education (interim - role share) & MBA Director

Senior Lecturer in International Business

Melanie, MBA Director
Profile picture of Melanie, MBA Director
melanie.hassett@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 0984

Full contact details

Dr Melanie Hassett
Management School
Room D038a
Sheffield University Management School
Conduit Road

Sheffield

S10 1FL

Profile

I joined Sheffield University Management School in September 2016 to work as a Lecturer in International Business.

My doctoral thesis was on "Key persons' organisational commitment in cross-border acquisitions" and I was awarded my doctoral degree in 2010 at Turku School of Economics, University of Turku in Finland.

My doctoral research is based on a longitudinal case study employing a mixed method approach to analyse the acquired key personnel’s organisational commitment during the post-acquisition integration phase for a two-year time period.

I received the Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Awards 2011 – Highly Commended. I have over fifteen years of experience in international M&As through a number of research projects, some which involved a number of companies and research partners.

I have published my work in numerous books and journals, and organised workshops and seminars for professionals and students.

Qualifications

Dr - University of Turku

MSc - University of Turku

FHEA, SFHEA - University of Sheffield

Research interests

My research interest lies in internationalization strategies, particularly cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As), post-acquisition socio-cultural integration and organisational change, emotions and cultural differences. My research interest is on the human side, such as emotions and change management, in international business strategy (M&A) and more recently in SME internationalisation.

My research expertise also lies in research methods, particularly qualitative research methods, longitudinal, case study and mixed method approaches. This is reflected in a book, namely “Handbook in Longitudinal Research Methods in Organisation and Business Studies�, published by Edward Elgar in 2013, as well as an article on time, which was published in Management International Review in 2016 “TEMPUS FUGIT – A hermeneutic approach to internationalization process�. Currently, I am a co-editor in a Special Issue on “When Time Matters: Rethinking the Role of Time in IB Theory and Practice� to the Journal of World Business.

Publications

Books

  • (2013) . Edward Elgar Publishing.

Edited books

  • Raitis J, Harikkala-Laihinen R, Hassett ME & Nummela N (Eds.) (2018) Socio-Cultural Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions The Nordic Approach. Palgrave Pivot.

Journal articles

  • Hassett M (2025) . Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions, 15, 19-38.
  • Plakoyiannaki E, Paavilainen-Mäntymäki E, Hassett M, Liesch PW, Andersson U & Rose EL (2024) . Journal of World Business, 59(2).
  • Hassett ME, Reynolds N-S & Sandberg B (2018) . International Business Review, 27(4), 737-754.
  • Harikkala-Laihinen R, Hassett ME, Raitis J & Nummela N (2018) . Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, 25(1), 183-208.
  • Hurmerinta L, Paavilainen-Mantymaki E & Hassett ME (2016) . Management International Review, 56(6), 805-825.
  • Stahl GK, Angwin DN, Very P, Gomes E, Weber Y, Tarba SY, Noorderhaven N, Benyamini H, Bouckenooghe D, Chreim S , Durand M et al (2013) . Thunderbird International Business Review, 55(4), 333-356.

Book chapters

  • Hassett M & Teerikangas S (2022) Cultural Dynamics in Acquisitions In King DR (Ed.), Acquisitions and Corporate Strategy Alliances, Performance, and Divestment New York: Routledge.
  • Reynolds NS & Hassett ME (2021) The role of sustainability agency in mergers and acquisitions, Research Handbook of Sustainability Agency (pp. 248-259).
  • Harikkala-Laihinen R, Nummela N, Hassett M & Raitis J (2020) , Managing Emotions in Organizations (pp. 19-50). Springer International Publishing
  • Hassett ME, Harikkala-Laihinen R, Nummela N & Raitis J (2018) , Individual, Relational, and Contextual Dynamics of Emotions (pp. 163-187). Emerald
  • Hassett ME, Harikkala-Laihinen R, Nummela N & Raitis J (2018) In Petitta L, Härtel CEJ, Ashkanasy NM & Zerbe WJ (Ed.), Individual, Relational, and Contextual Dynamics of Emotions (pp. 163-187). Emerald Publishing Limited
  • Hassett ME & Nummela N (2018) In Raitis J, Harikkala-Laihinen R, Hassett M & Nummela N (Ed.), Socio-cultural integration in mergers and acquisitions - The Nordic Approach PalgravePivot
  • Hassett ME & Nummela N (2018) , Socio-Cultural Integration in Mergers and Acquisitions (pp. 119-124). Springer International Publishing
  • Raitis J, Harikkala-Laihinen R, Hassett ME & Nummela N (2017) Finding Positivity During a Major Organizational Change: In Search of Triggers of Employees’ Positive Perceptions and Feelings In Zerbe WJ, Härtel CEJ, Ashkanasy N & Petitta L (Ed.), Emotions and Identity (pp. 3-16). Emerald
  • Hassett M, Vincze Z, Urs U, Angwin D, Nummela N & Zettinig P (2017) , Value Creation in International Business (pp. 109-139). Springer International Publishing
  • Degbey WY & Hassett ME (2016) Creating Value in Cross-Border M&As through Strategic Network In Tüselmann H, Buzdugan S, Cao Q, Freund D & Golesorkhi S (Ed.), Impact of International Business Challenges and Solutions for Policy and Practice (pp. 158-177). Palgrave Macmillan
  • Alfoldi EA & Hassett ME (2013) , Handbook of Longitudinal Research Methods in Organisation and Business Studies Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Hassett ME & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki E (2013) , Handbook of Longitudinal Research Methods in Organisation and Business Studies Edward Elgar Publishing
  • Hassett M (2012) , Advances in Mergers and Acquisitions (pp. 19-38). Emerald Group Publishing Limited
  • Hassett M & Reynolds N () The role of agency in Sustainability in M&A transactions In Teerikangas S, Onkila T, Koistinen K & Makela M (Ed.), Research Handbook of Sustainability Agency Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
  • () In Risberg A, King DR & Meglio O (Ed.) Routledge

Conference proceedings

  • Hassett M, Hurmerinta L & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki E (2025) Temporal Distance and Theorizing in International Business Research – ontological and epistemological considerations.. ‘That’s interesting’
  • Hassett M, Hurmerinta L & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki E (2024) Multitemporality in IB fieldwork – defining the temporality of the phenomenon, informants and researcher. “International Business in Evolution: Disruptions, Transformations and New Internationalisation Trendsâ€�
  • Hassett M & He Y (2024) Subsidiaries’ local network embedding processes - Focus on Chinese Sales subsidiaries in the UK electronic market. “International Business in Evolution: Disruptions, Transformations and New Internationalisation Trendsâ€�
  • Zuo P, Hassett M & Jones M (2023) Social Capital Application in International Entrepreneurship: A Critical Literature Review. International Business Resilience under Global Disruptions
  • Hassett M, Paavilainen-Mantymaki E & Hurmerinta L (2023) A Paradigmatic approach to time in IB research – Ontological, epistemological and methodological considerations. "International Business Resilience under Global Disruptions", 5 July 2023 - 9 July 2023.
  • Nummela N, Harikkal-Laihinen R, Hassett M & Raitis J (2020) Managers’ emotional leadership in cross-border M&As. How Crossing Borders Changes Business
  • Paavilainen-Mäntymäki E, Hassett ME & Hurmerinta L (2017) Temporal Paradigm- Obtaining new insights about the internationalisation process of the firm. Speed, Diversity & Complexity in International Entrepreneurship. Whitaker Institute at the National University of Ireland, Galway
  • Hassett ME, Harikkala-Laihinen R, Nummela N & Raitis J (2017) Emotions in cross-border acquisitions – Perspectives from the parent company. Contemporary Issues in International Business - Are we seeing the tail end of Globalisation, 6 April 2017 - 8 April 2017.
  • Zsuzsanna Vincze ZV, Hassett ME, Niina Nummela NN & Peter Zettinig PZ (2016) Challenges, Competitive Advantages and Opportunities of M&As from India - Overcoming Liability of Foreigness. 42nd Annual Conference of the European International Business Academy
  • Riikka Harikkala-Laihinen RHL, Hassett ME, Niina Nummela NN & Johanna Raitis JR (2016) Cultural Integration through Value Socialisation Following Cross-Border M&As. 42nd Annual Conference of European International Business Academy
  • Hassett M, Paavilainen-Mantymaki E & Hurmerinta L () A paradigmatic approach to time in International Business Research - AIB Insight Paper Development. International Business Resilience under Global Disruptions
  • Reynolds N & Hassett M () What does Sustainability mean for M&A. 36th EGOS Colloqium, 2 July 2020 - 3 July 2020.
Research group

Entrepreneurship, Strategy and International Business (ES&IB)

Grants
DateGrantValue
2020

QR Allocation for Evidence-Based Policy-Making funding Internationalisation Confidence Project

Focus India Growth Champions Scheme (ICP: FIGCS)

£14,480
2019

SUMS Research Stimulation Fund Workshop

“A Future Past? Managerial Understanding of the Future UK – India Bilateral Investment Relationship�

£2500
2018SUMS Research Engagement Fund£750
2018

Department for International Trade

In relation to SUMS Research Engagement Fund

£1125
2018SUMS Research Stimulation Fund£1500
2017

Society for the Advancement of Management Sciences (SAMS)

Sandpit SMEs Going Global

£2500
2016SUMS Research Stimulation Fund£1000
2014

TEKES - Finland

EmoMA research project (Emotions in M&As – Managing emotions in global virtual world)

400 000 € (£345 220)
Teaching interests

I have been teaching students across undergraduate, postgraduate and PGR levels. I am a passionate lecturer who puts the student at the heart of the teaching experience. I strive to enable students to reflect on their learning, and critically analyse how to apply theories and concepts in real life cases. Learning is a journey, and my role is to inspire students, encourage them to be curious but critical. Research based teaching is not only about grounding what I teach in the most recent, cutting edge research but also allowing students to learn by doing small research projects of their own.

Teaching activities

I have been a module leader for MGT6052 International Business Strategy and have also taught MGT376 International Business. I have been the Programme Director of MSc International Management and the Director for Postgraduate Education.

PhD Supervision

I am interested in supervising students in the areas of cross-border mergers and acquisitions, post-acquisition socio-cultural integration and internationalisation strategies of MNEs and SMEs.

I am currently supervising:

I have previously supervised:

Name Thesis title Year of completion
Yingying He Subsidiaries' local network embedding processes - Focus on Chinese Sales subsidiaries in the UK electronic market 2024
Wei Zhang Corporate Performance, Corporate Investment and Corporate Financing during Severe Disruption: CEO Experience, CEO Power and Corporate Governance impact before and after Global Financial Crisis 2023

Are you interested in applying for a PhD?

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