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Business & Economics

Dr Majella Giblin

B.Comm, M.Econ.Sc, PhD, PG Dip.

Contact Details

Senior Lecturer, Associate Head of External Engagement & Alumni Relations
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics
University of Galway
Newcastle
Galway. Ireland
T: 00353 91 492356
E: majella.giblin@universityofgalway.ie
 
researcher
 

Biography

Majella Giblin is a Senior Lecturer in the Management Discipline at J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway. She is also the Associate Head of External Engagement & Alumni Relations for the School. She was awarded a Ph.D. in the area of industrial clusters from University of Galway and she also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (University of Galway), Master of Economic Science degree (University of Galway) as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education Studies (Trinity College Dublin). Majella has over 16 years experience in the academic environment. Prior to her current position, she held the position of Ussher Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Trinity Business School (from 2011 to 2016), Trinity College Dublin. She also previously worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher with the Whitaker Institute at NUI Galway, a lecturer in Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and as an economic consultant. 

Her research interests include; high-tech industrial clusters, entrepreneurial ecosystems, technological entrepreneurship, innovation, born-global firms, MNE subsidiary evolution, regional development and related public policy, focusing primarily on the Medical Technology sector. Majella's research transcends theoretical boundaries by integrating the intellectual traditions of international business, regional science, strategic management and evolutionary economics. She has published in international peer-reviewed ABS rated journals, including Global Strategy Journal, International Business Review, Regional Studies, and Industry and Innovation. Majella has also published chapters in internationally published books and has presented at numerous international conferences. She has been successful in receiving funding for her research from the Irish Research Council and the Royal Irish Academy. Majella is currently a research member of the Innovation and Structural Change cluster at the Whitaker Institute, NUIG. Majella regularly runs lectures and masterclasses to support SMEs innovating. 

Aligned to her research, Majella teaches in the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation, business organisation and research methods. She has taught at all levels; undergraduate, masters and Ph.D., and has been instrumental in designing and delivering new modules and innovative teaching methods in her areas. She believes students learn by being exposed to a variety of perspectives, by gaining first-hand experiences and by reflecting. Therefore her approach to teaching is as a facilitator of discussions, an igniter of interest, a provider of techniques and approaches to develop particular skills and critical thinking abilities. 

Majella has held Programme Directorship roles, is faculty advisor to student led societies and organisations, such as Enactus and engages with the wider community through her research and teaching. In particular she has extensive contacts in the Galway Medical Technology cluster, has been invited to present to policy, strategy and industry development advisory Boards and Committees, such as the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, the National Development Plan Sub-Committee of the BMW Assembly, the Economic and Social Research Institute as well as InterTradeIreland. 




Research Interests

High-tech industrial clusters, innovation systems, technological entrepreneurship, innovation, born-global firms, MNE subsidiary evolution, regional development and related public policy, Software and Medical Technology sectors. 

Research Projects

  Project Start Date End Date
THRIVE - SME Innovation Programme 01-MAY-24 01-MAY-27
Atlantic Futures - Digitalisation: Opportunities and Challenges for Smaller Regional Innovation Systems 01-SEP-22 01-SEP-26
All Island Innovation Programme 01-MAR-18 01-MAR-21
GENERAL RESEARCH ACCOUNT MAJELLA GIBLIN 01-JUN-17 31-MAY-27

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2024) 'Creating an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in a 'Knowledge Desert': The Role of International Connectivity and Public Institutional Support'
Giblin, M.; Rodriguez, C.; Buciuni, G and Ryan, P. (2024) 'Creating an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in a 'Knowledge Desert': The Role of International Connectivity and Public Institutional Support'. Small Business Economics, Accepted for publication [DOI] [Details]
(2022) 'Global Value Chain Governance in the MNE: A Dynamic Hierarchy Perspective'
Ryan, P; Giulio, B.; Giblin, M.; Andersson, U. (2022) 'Global Value Chain Governance in the MNE: A Dynamic Hierarchy Perspective'. California Management Review, 64 (2):97-118 [DOI] [Details]
(2020) 'Subsidiary Upgrading and Global Value Chain Governance in the Multinational Enterprise'
Ryan, P., Buciuni, G., Giblin, M. Andersson, U. (2020) 'Subsidiary Upgrading and Global Value Chain Governance in the Multinational Enterprise'. Global Strategy Journal, 10 (3):496-519 [Details]
(2020) 'The Role of MNEs in the Genesis and Growth of a Resilient Entrepreneurial Ecosystem'
Ryan, P; Giblin M.; Buciuni G.; Kogler, D. F.; . (2020) 'The Role of MNEs in the Genesis and Growth of a Resilient Entrepreneurial Ecosystem'. Entrepreneurship And Regional Development, 33 (1-2):36-53 [DOI] [Details]
(2018) 'Subsidiary knowledge creation in co-evolving contexts'
Ryan, P., Giblin, M., Anderson, U. and Clancy, J. (2018) 'Subsidiary knowledge creation in co-evolving contexts'. International Business Review, 27 (5):915-932 [DOI] [Details]
(2015) 'Anchor, incumbent and late entry MNEs as propellents of technology cluster evolution'
Giblin,M., Ryan, P (2015) 'Anchor, incumbent and late entry MNEs as propellents of technology cluster evolution'. Industry And Innovation, 22 (7):553-574 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'Tight Clusters or Loose Networks? The Critical Role of Inward Foreign Direct Investment in Cluster Creation'
Giblin, M., Ryan, P. (2012) 'Tight Clusters or Loose Networks? The Critical Role of Inward Foreign Direct Investment in Cluster Creation'. Regional Studies, 46 (2):245-258 [DOI] [Details]
(2012) 'High-Tech Clusters, Innovation Capabilities And Technological Entrepreneurship: Evidence From Ireland'
Ryan, P. and Giblin, M (2012) 'High-Tech Clusters, Innovation Capabilities And Technological Entrepreneurship: Evidence From Ireland'. World Economy, 35 (10):1215-1385 [Details]
(2011) 'Managing the Global-Local Dimensions of Clusters and the Role of Lead Organizations: The Contrasting Cases of the Software and Medical Technology Clusters in the West of Ireland'
Giblin, M (2011) 'Managing the Global-Local Dimensions of Clusters and the Role of Lead Organizations: The Contrasting Cases of the Software and Medical Technology Clusters in the West of Ireland'. European Planning Studies, 19 (1):23-42 [DOI] [Details]
(2006) '‘KISA in innovation of Irish software firms’'
Martinez-Solano, L.E., Giblin, M., Walshe, E. (2006) '‘KISA in innovation of Irish software firms’'. International Journal Of Services, Technology And Management, 7 (2):137-145 [Details]
(2004) 'From subcontracted R&D to joint collaboration: the role of trust in facilitating this process’'
Ryan, P., Giblin, M., Walshe, E. (2004) 'From subcontracted R&D to joint collaboration: the role of trust in facilitating this process’'. International Journal Of Innovation And Technology Management, 1 (2):205-231 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2020) Evolution of Ireland’s Industrial, Science and Technology Policy.
James Cunningham, Patrick Collins, Majella Giblin (2020) Evolution of Ireland’s Industrial, Science and Technology Policy. London: Now Publishers. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2018) 'Subsidiary Combinative Capability for Knowledge Creation as a Coevolutionary Development Process'
Johanna Clancy, Paul Ryan, Ulf Andersson, Majella Giblin (2018) 'Subsidiary Combinative Capability for Knowledge Creation as a Coevolutionary Development Process' In: Contemporary Issues in International Business. Institutions, Strategy and Performance. London: Palgrave Macmillan. [Details]
(2017) 'Born Globals and the Medical Technology Cluster in the West of Ireland'
Natasha Evers, Majella Giblin (2017) 'Born Globals and the Medical Technology Cluster in the West of Ireland' In: European Born Globals: Job creation in young international businesses. London: Routledge. [Details]
(2008) 'Regional Innovation Systems and Public Policy: Ireland's Medical Technology Cluster'
Fahy, J., Giblin, M., Green, R. (2008) 'Regional Innovation Systems and Public Policy: Ireland's Medical Technology Cluster' In: Public Policy for Regional Developmen. :66-88 Oxon: Routledge. [Details]
(2003) 'Industrial Clusters - the Role of Organisations and Institutions'
Ryan, P., Giblin, M. and Green, R. (2003) 'Industrial Clusters - the Role of Organisations and Institutions' In: Innovation and the Knowledge Economy. :144-158 Adelaide, Australia: City of Playford. [Details]
(2001) 'The Boundaryless Cluster: Information and Communications Technology in Ireland'
Green, R., Cunningham, J., Duggan, I., Giblin, M., Moroney, M., Smyth, L. (2001) 'The Boundaryless Cluster: Information and Communications Technology in Ireland' In: Innovative Clusters: Drivers of National Innovation Systems, Paris. :47-64 Paris: OECD. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(2017) The 21st McGill International Entreprenuership Conference
Natasha Evers, Majella Giblin (2017) Born Globals and the Medical Technology Cluster in the West of Ireland The 21st McGill International Entreprenuership Conference , 30-AUG-17 - 01-SEP-17 [Details]
(2017) Academy of International Business Annual Meeting
Johanna Clancy, Paul Ryan, Ulf Andersson, Majella Giblin (2017) MNE Subsidiary Survival and Advancement in a Coevolving Dual Context Academy of International Business Annual Meeting Dubai, UAE, , 01-JUL-17 - 05-JUL-17 [Details]
(2016) Academy of International Business Annual Meeting
Paul Ryan, Ulf Andersson, Alessandra Perri, Majella Giblin (2016) Subsidiary Strategies for Local Knowledge Sourcing and Protection: The Role of Partner Heterogeneity Academy of International Business Annual Meeting New Orleans, USA, , 27-JUN-16 - 30-JUN-16 , pp.1-20 [Details]
(2016) European International Business Academy Annual Conference
Paul Ryan, Johanna Clancy, Ulf Andersson, Majella Giblin (2016) Coevolution for the Dually Embedded MNE Subsidiary European International Business Academy Annual Conference Wien University, Vienna, , 02-DEC-16 - 04-DEC-16 , pp.10-25 [Details]
(2016) Irish Academy of Management Annual Conference
Johanna Clancy, Paul Ryan, Majella Giblin, Ulf Andersson (2016) The Janus-Faced Subsidiary: A Coevolutionary Framework of Dual Network Embeddedness Irish Academy of Management Annual Conference University College Dublin, , 31-AUG-16 - 02-SEP-16 , pp.20-34 [Details]
(2015) European International Business Academy 41st Annual Conference
Ryan, P., Anderrson, U., Perri, A., Giblin, M. (2015) The role of local partner heterogenity in MNE subsidiaries knowledge creation and protection: the case of Galway medical technology cluster European International Business Academy 41st Annual Conference Rio de Janeiro, [Details]
(2013) Academy of International Business (AIB) Annual Meeiting
Ryan, P., Giblin, M., Collings, D., Fahy, J. (2013) Industry Clusters Life Cycle Extension: Specialisation, Adaptation and Connectivity in Staving Off Extinction Academy of International Business (AIB) Annual Meeiting Istanbul, Turkey, , 03-JUL-13 - 06-JUL-13 [Details]
(2013) DRUID Conference 2013
Giblin, M., Ryan, P., Fahy J. (2013) Satellite Clusters, Flagship MNE Subsidiares and Mothership Ecosystems: Specialization, Adaptation and Connectivity in Staving Off Technology Cluster Malaise DRUID Conference 2013 , pp.1-37 [Details]
(2012) International Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Giblin, M. (2012) Fostering a cluster or a clustering process: balancing evolutionary and interventionist forces in the case of medical technology . In: Muffato, M. and Giacon, P eds. International Symposium on Entrepreneurship and Innovation Venice, Italy, , pp.21-36 [Details]
(2011) International Clusters Conference: Clusters as Drivers of Competitiveness - Strategies and Policy Issues
Giblin, M (2011) Foreign Direct Investment as the Intentional Instigator of an Industrial Cluster Conference International Clusters Conference: Clusters as Drivers of Competitiveness - Strategies and Policy Issues Fribourg, Switzerland, [Details]
(2010) Regional Studies Association Annual Conference
Giblin, M. (2010) Local Entrepreneurs in Global Clusters: The Significance of Spatial and Relational Propinquity in New Firm Formation Regional Studies Association Annual Conference Hungary, , 24-MAY-10 - 26-MAY-10 [Details]
(2009) DRUID Summer Conference
Giblin, M. (2009) A Balancing Act: the global-local dimensions of industrial clusters DRUID Summer Conference Copenhagan, Denmark, , 17-JUN-09 - 19-JUN-09 [Details]
(2008) EUNIP 2008 Conference
Giblin, M., Ryan, P. (2008) The significance of 'lead' multinational firms in regional industry clusters: the case of the medical technology sector in Ireland EUNIP 2008 Conference San Sebastian, , 10-SEP-08 - 11-SEP-08 [Details]
(2007) EUNIP 2007 Conference
Giblin, M., Ryan, P. (2007) High-technology clusters in a peripheral region of a small, open economy: the role of local and global linkages EUNIP 2007 Conference University of Florence, Department of Economic Sciences and PIN s.c.r.l., Prato, Florence, Italy, , 12-SEP-07 - 14-SEP-07 [Details]
(2004) EUNIP 2004 Conference
Walshe, E., Giblin, M., Ryan, P. (2004) R&D Outsourcing: A growth strategy for the SME as a vendor company' EUNIP 2004 Conference University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, , 13-DEC-04 - 15-DEC-04 [Details]
(2004) IAM Conference 2004
Walshe, E., Giblin, M., Solano-Martinez, L.E. (2004) 'The role of Knowledge Intensive Service Activities in the innovative capability of the Irish software sector IAM Conference 2004 Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, [Details]
(2003) IAM Conference 2003
Ryan, P., Giblin, M., Walshe, E. (2003) From vertical R&D outsourcing to joint collaboration: the role of trust in facilitating this process IAM Conference 2003 UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business, Dublin, Ireland, , 02-SEP-03 - 03-SEP-03 [Details]
(2003) EUNIP 2003 Conference
Ryan, P., Moroney, M., Giblin, M. (2003) Strategic Business Networks in Industrial Clusters' EUNIP 2003 Conference Porto, Portugal, , 18-SEP-03 - 20-SEP-03 [Details]
(2003) SEGERA Conference - Innovation in Europe: Dynamics, Institutions and Values
Giblin, M., Ryan, P., Moroney, M. (2003) Industrial Clusters: the role of organisations and institutions SEGERA Conference - Innovation in Europe: Dynamics, Institutions and Values Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark, , 08-SEP-03 - 09-SEP-03 [Details]
(2002) .IAM Conference 2002
Green, R., Giblin, M., Grimes, S., Kane, A., Moroney, M., Ryan, P. (2002) Atlantic Technology Corridor: Dynamics of Cluster Development in Ireland' .IAM Conference 2002 Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland, [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2010) Capabilities and Competitiveness: A Methodological Approach for Understanding Irish Economic Transformation.
Best,.M., Ryan, P., Das, S., Tulum, O., Giblin, M. (2010) Capabilities and Competitiveness: A Methodological Approach for Understanding Irish Economic Transformation. Centre for Innovation and Structural Change, NUI Gaway, Galway. [Details]
(2005) Knowledge Intensive Service Activities in the Irish Software Industry: Country Report for the OECD KISA Project 2002-2005.
Martinez-Solano, L.E., Giblin, M., Walshe, E. (2005) Knowledge Intensive Service Activities in the Irish Software Industry: Country Report for the OECD KISA Project 2002-2005. OECD, Paris. [Details]

Conference Contributions

  Year Publication
(2017) FOME: 3rd Regional Industrial Policy Seminar,
Majella Giblin, Natasha Evers (2017) The Galway Med Tech Industrial Cluster: A case of regional internationalisation. [Invited Oral Presentation], FOME: 3rd Regional Industrial Policy Seminar, Shannon, Ireland , 12-JUN-17 - 13-JUN-17. [Details]
(2015) 3rd International Clusters Conference, Clusters as Drivers of Competitiveness: Development Issues,
Giblin, M., Ryan, P. (2015) Technology Cluster Evolution: The Medical Devices Cluster in the West of Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], 3rd International Clusters Conference, Clusters as Drivers of Competitiveness: Development Issues, Limerick, Ireland , 30-SEP-15 - 01-NOV-15. [Details]

Non Published Reports

  Year Publication
(2002) ‘Innovation in the Irish Sector: Economy Culture and Communication’.
Green, R., Giblin, M., Ryan, P., Moroney, M. (2002) ‘Innovation in the Irish Sector: Economy Culture and Communication’. Non Published Reports [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2024 Nominated: College/President Teaching Award University of Galway
2021 Nominated: Teaching Award University of Galway
2014 Horizon 2020 Preparatory Grant Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Trinity College Dublin
2010 Royal Irish Academy Postdoctoral Mobility Grant Royal Irish Academy
2008 Government of Ireland Irish Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship Irish Research Council

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Irish Academy of Management IAM Council Member and Treasurer 31-AUG-17 / 31-DEC-25
Academy of International Business Member 01-JAN-20 /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
External Engaement And Alumni Relations Committee Chair 01-JUN-23 /
School External Advisory Board Member 01-JUN-22 /
Irish Academy of Management Council Officer - Treasurer 01-JAN-18 /

Employment

  Employer Position From / To
NUI Galway Research Coordinator 01-SEP-07 / 30-MAY-08
NUI Galway Lecturer Above the Bar 01-SEP-16 /
GMIT Lecturer in Economics 01-SEP-05 / 31-AUG-06
Trinity College Dublin Ussher Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation 01-SEP-11 / 31-AUG-16
NUI Galway Postdoctoral Researcher, IRCHSS 01-SEP-08 / 31-AUG-09
NUI Galway Postdoctoral Researcher 01-SEP-09 / 31-AUG-11

Education

  Year Institution Qualification Subject
2000 NUI Galway Master of Economic Science Economics
2007 NUI Galway PhD Management - Industrial Clusters
2015 Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Teaching Teaching in Higher Education
1999 NUI Galway BACHELOR OF COMMERCE Economics and Marketing

Community Engagement

  Title Type From / To
Policy Development Report on Small & Medium Sized Businesses in Ireland 01-SEP-18 / 24-OCT-19
Outreach Irish MedTech Awards 2023 10-OCT-23 / 07-DEC-23
Outreach North-West Regional Enterprise Plan 01-SEP-23 /
Policy Development National Clustering Programme 23-MAY-24 /

Teaching Interests

Entrepreneurship, innovation, research methods, international business

Current Postgraduate Students (Research)

  Student Degree Type Type
Blake Bowers Doctorate - Structured Ph.D. in the College of Business, Law & Public Policy Co-supervisor (1)
Shaghayegh Sakhteh Doctorate - Structured Ph.D. in the College of Business, Law & Public Policy Supervisor

Modules Taught

  Term/Year Module Title Module Code Subject / Desc
2017/18 EMBA Applied Strategic Leadership Project MG6113
2019/2020 International Entrepreneurship MG5115
Semester 1 2022 - 2023 International Leadership in Practice MG5128
Semester 2 2022-2023 International Entrepreneurship MG5114
2019-2020 International Management in Practice MG5102

External Collaborators

  Name Organisation / Institute Country Description of Collaboration
Professor Ulf Andersson Mälardalen University and Adjunct Professor, BI Norwegian Business School. SWEDEN
Associate Professor Carlos Rodriguez INCAE Business School COSTA RICA
Associate Professor Paul Ryan Trinity College Dublin IRELAND
Associate Professor Alex Wilson Queens University Belfast NORTHERN IRELAND
Associate Professor Giulio Buciuni Trinity College Dublin IRELAND
Associate Professor Dieter Kogler University College Dublin IRELAND
Professor Kristel Millar Ulster University NORTHERN IRELAND
Associate Professor Alessandra Perri Luiss Business School ITALY