As a response to our invitation, Doctor Guo Hai, from School of Business, Renmin University of China, came to UIBE Business School and gave an academic forum to teachers、master students and doctoral students in December 6, 2012. Prof Wu Jianfeng was the presenter of this academic forum.

Doctor Guo is a teacher in School of Business, Renmin University of China, his main research is focus on Strategy and Innovation of Business Model，many paper has been published in famous Journal, such as: Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of Business Research, Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Management and Organization Review, Systems Research and Behavioral Science. At present, Doctor Guo is a leader of one program held by the youth program of national natural science fund, and take part in a program which belongs to Group of key projects of national natural science funds.

The topic of this academic forum is an article: “Managerial political ties and firm performance during institutional transitions: An analysis of mediating mechanisms”。In this article, Doctor Guo based on Social Network theory and Institutional Theory, built a model of three mediators: legitimacy of management、institutional support and recognize of institutional entrepreneurial opportunity. Tried to indicate the mediate effect of the relationship between mangers’ political connection and firm performance.

We had a good communication and discussion here, found several advices to enrich this topic.