Joseph Cheng

Research Professor of Business Administration

Contact

86 Wohlers Hall

1206 S Sixth St

Champaign, IL 61820

217-333-2963

jlcheng@illinois.edu

Website

Listings

Educational Background

Ph.D., Business Administration, University of Michigan, 1977
B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Wisconsin at Madison, 1974

Positions Held

Research Professor of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023 to present
Director of Special Projects, Discovery Partners Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2018-2023
Research Professor, School of Business, George Washington University, 2016-2018
Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013-2023
Professor and Michael J. Crouch Chair in Innovation, Australian School of Business, University of New South Wales, Australia, 2013-2016
Visiting Professor, Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, Stanford University, 2012
Visiting Scholar, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, 2011
Director, The CIC Center for Advanced Study in International Competitiveness, 2010-2013
Visiting Professor, Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Hong Kong, 2008-2009
Director, Illinois Global Business Initiative, 2007-2013
Visiting Scholar, Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley, 2003
Visiting Scholar, School of Economics and Political Science, University of Sydney, 2003
Director, Center for International Business Education and Research, University of Illinois, 1999-2006
Professor, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois, 1996-2013
Associate Professor, Ohio State University, 1992-1996
Assistant to Associate Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1980-1992
Lecturer in Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1977-1980

Recent Publications

Cheng, J., & Love, E. (2022). Designing Chief Innovation Officer Postions: A Strategic Contingency Framework. Journal of Organization Design, Springer International Publishing, 11 115-128.
Cheng, J., Love, E., & Chhillar, D. (2020). National Innovation Ecosystems in the G-20 Countries: Institutions, Knowledge Infrastructure, and Firm Capabilities. Knowledge Infrastructure, and Firm Capabilities (August 26, 2020).
Eesley, C., Eberhart, R., Skousen, B., & Cheng, J. (2018). Institutions and Entrepreneurial Activity: The Interactive Influence of Misaligned Formal and Informal Institutions Strategy Science, 3 393-407.
Cheng, J., & Yiu, D. (2016). China Business at a Crossroads: Institutions, Innovation, and International Competitiveness. Long Range Planning, 49 (5), 584-588.

Other Publications

Articles

Cheng, J., & Yiu, D. (2016). China Business and International Competitiveness: Economics, Politics, and Technology. Special Issue. Long Range Planning.
Cheng, J. (2014). Country Context and Management Research: Learning from John Child. Management And Organizational Review, 10 (3), 337-346.
Cheng, J., Birkinshaw, J., Lessard, D., & Thomas, D. (2014). Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in International Business: Integrative Knowledge and Transformative Theories. Special Issue. Journal of International Business Studies.
Cheng, J., Birkinshaw, J., Lessard, D., & Thomas, D. (2014). Advancing Interdisciplinary Research: Insights from the JIBS Special Issue. Journal of International Business Studies, 45 (6), 643-648.
Cheng, J. (2014). Innovation Agenda is Selling Australia Short. BusinessThink.
Cheng, J. (2014). John Child and Chinese Management Research. Special Issue. Management And Organizational Review.
Cheng, J. (2013). Managing National Health Care: Economics, Culture, and Strategic Choice. Special Issue. European Journal of International Management, 7 (2).
Cheng, J., Guo, W., & Skousen, B. (2011). Advancing New Theory Development in the Field of International Management: Contributing Factors, Investigative Approach, and Proposed Topics. Management International Review, 51 (6), 787-802.
Moon, H., Cheng, J., Kim, M., & Kim, J. (2011). FDI, Economic Decline and Recovery: Lessons from the Asian Financial Crisis. Multinational Business Review, 19 (2), 120-132.
Cheng, J., Henisz, W., Roth, K., & Swaminathan, A. (2009). Advancing Interdisciplinary Research in the Field of International Business: Prospects, Issues, and Challenges. Journal of International Business Studies, 40 1070-1074.
Cheng, J. (2007). Critical Issues in International Management Research: An Agenda for Future Advancement. European Journal of International Management, 1 23-28.
Rhee, J., & Cheng, J. (2002). Foreign Market Uncertainty and Incremental International Expansion: The Moderating Effect of Firm, Industry, and Host Country Factors. Management International Review, 42 419-439.
Cheng, J., & Kesner, I. (1997). Organizational Slack and Response to Environmental Shifts: The Impact of Resource Allocation Patterns. Journal of Management, 23 1-18.
Cheng, J. (1994). On the Concept of Universal Knowledge in Organizational Science: Implications for Cross-National Research. Management Science, 40 162-168.
Cheng, J., & Bolon, D. (1993). The Management of Multinational R&D: A Neglected Topic in International Business Research. Journal of International Business Studies, 1-19.
Cheng, J., & Bozeman, B. (1993). Resource Dependence and Interorganizational Linkage among R&D Labs: The Impact of Research Orientations. Journal of High Technology Management Research, 4 225-270.
Cheng, J. (1991). Toward a Systems Paradigm for MNC Research: An Organizational Approach. Advances in International Comparative Management, 6 161-179.
Cheng, J. (1989). Toward a Contextual Approach to Cross-National Organization Research: A Macro Perspective. Advances in International Comparative Management, 4 3-18.
McKinley, W., Cheng, J., & Schick, A. (1986). Perceptions of Resource Criticality in Times of Resource Scarcity: The Case of University Departments. Academy of Management Journal, 29 623-632.
Cheng, J., & Miller, E. (1985). Coordination and Output Attainment in Work Units Performing Nonroutine Tasks: A Cross-National Study. Organization Studies, 6 23-39.
Cheng, J. (1984). Organizational Coordination, Uncertainty, and Output Performance: An Integrative Study. Human Relations, 37 829-851.
Cheng, J. (1984). Organizational Staffing and Productivity in Basic and Applied Research: A Comparative Study. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 31 3-6.
Cheng, J. (1984). Paradigm Development and Communication in Scientific Settings: A Contingency Analysis. Academy of Management Journal, 27 870-877.
Cheng, J. (1983). Interdependence and Coordination in Orgainzations: A Role-System Analysis. Academy of Management Journal, 26 156-162.
Cheng, J. (1983). Organizational Context and Upward Influence: An Experimental Study of the Use of Power Tactics. Group and Organization Studies, 8 337-355.
Cheng, J., & McKinley, W. (1983). Toward an Integration of Organization Research and Practice: A Contingency Study of Bureaucratic Control and Performance in Scientific Seetings. Administrative Science Quarterly, 85-100.
Cheng, J. (1979). A Study of Coordination in Three Research Settings. R & D Management, 9 213-219.
Miller, E., & Cheng, J. (1978). The Overseas Assignment: A Closer Look at the Circumstances that Influenced the Decision to Accept an Overseas Position. Management International Review, 18 25-34.

Book Chapters

Cheng, J., & Cooper, D., A Rugman (Ed.) (2003). A Strategic Context Approach to International Human Resource Management Research. Leadership in International Business Education and Research ( pp. 235-250). Stamford, CT: Elsevier Science Ltd.
Cheng, J., & Rhee, J. (2002). International Research and Development. International Encyclopaedia of Business and Management ( pp. 3379-3390). UK: International Thompson Business Press.
Cheng, J., & Schaffer, A., F. Luthans (Ed.) (2002). Organization Theory and Design. Virtual OB New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cheng, J., J. L. C Cheng & R. Peterson (Ed.) (2000). Interview with John Child. Advances in International Comparative Managment ( pp. 4-26).
Cheng, J., M. Warner (Ed.) (1998). Rosalie L. Tung. The IEBM Handbook of Managment Thinking ( pp. 686-689). UK: International Thompson Business Press.
Cheng, J., B.J. Punnett and O. Shenker (Ed.) (1995). Cross-National Project Teams: Toward a Task Contingency Model. Handbook of International Management Research ( pp. 507-520). London: Blackwell Publishing House.
Cheng, J., F. Luthans (Ed.) (1995). Organization Theory and Design. Virtual OB ( pp. 422-451). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Cheng, J., J. L. C. Cheng (Ed.) (1987). Research Trends: A Five-Year Analysis of Projects Reported in the Directory. International and Comparative Management Research Direcotry: Highlights of Current Projects and Recent Publications ( pp. 39-42). International Management Division, Academy of Management.
Cheng, J., B. Bozeman, M. Crow, & A. Link (Ed.) (1984). Managing Coordination to Enhance Research Performance: an Organizational Approach. Strategic Management of Industrial R&D ( pp. 161-170). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.

Books and Monographs

Cheng, J., Maitland, E., & Nicholas, S. (2009). Managing Subsidiary Dynamics: Headquarters Role, Capability Development, and China Strategy. Emerald Group Publishing, Ltd.
Sharpiro, D., Von Glinow, M., & Cheng, J. (2005). Managing Multinational Teams: Global Perspectives. London: Elsevier.
Hitt, M., & Cheng, J. (2004). Theories of the Multinational Enterprise: Diversity, Complexity, and Relevance. London: Elsevier.
Cheng, J., & Hitt, M. (2003). Managing Multinationals in a Knowledge Economy: Economics, Culture, and Human Resources. London: Elsevier.
Hitt, M., & Cheng, J. (2002). Managing Transnational Firms: Resources, Market Entry, and Strategic Alliances. London: Elsevier.
Cheng, J., & Peterson, R. (2000). Advances in International Comparative Management. Stamford, CT: JAI Press.
Cheng, J., & Peterson, R. (1998). Advances in International Comparative Management. Stamford, CT: JAI Press.
Cheng, J. (1997). International and Comparative Management Research Directory: Highlights of Current Projects and Recent Publications. International Management Division, Academy of Management.

Conference Proceedings

Cheng, J., Rhee, J., Rajan, B., & Okada, M. (1997). Evaluating the Incremental Model of Firm Internationalization: A Literature Reveiw and Findings from Honda Motor Company. Annual Academy of International Business Meeting.
Cheng, J. (1994). Managing Innovation in U.S. and Japanese Overseas Labs: The Effects of Corporate, Scientific, and Local Cultures on R&D Performance. ( pp. 66-69). International Federation of Scholarly Associations of Management.
Cheng, J. (1989). Toward a Systems Typology of Multinational Corporations: Some Conceptual and Research Implications. ( pp. 106-110). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Cheng, J., & Kesner, I. (1988). Responsiveness to Environmental Change: The Interactive Effects of Orgainzational Slack and Strategic Orientation. ( pp. 165-169). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Cheng, J. (1984). The Role of Cross-National Research in Organizational Inquiry: A Review and Proposal. ( pp. 266-270). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Cheng, J. (1983). Paradigm Development and Communication in Scientific Settings. ( pp. 266-270). Academy Best Papers.
Cheng, J. (1982). Organizational Coordination and Productivity in Four European Nations: An East-West Comparison. ( pp. 58-63). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Cheng, J. (1982). Organizational Coordination, Uncertainty, and Output Performance. ( pp. 230-234). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Cheng, J. (1980). Coordination and the Performance of Research Teams: An Organizational Study. ( pp. 380-384). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.
Miller, E., & Cheng, J. (1976). Circumstances that Influenced the Decision to Accept an Overseas Assignment. ( pp. 336-339). Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings.

Other Publications

Cheng, J. (2009). Think Big: Hong Kong Will Need to Make Major Changes to Survive a New World Economic Order.
Cheng, J. (2000). Restructuring Recommendations for the Faculty of Business and Information Systems.
Cheng, J. (1998). Managing Innovation in Overseas Labs: The Effects of Corporate, Scientific, and Local Cultures on R&D Performance.

Presentations

Prince, J., Prince, N., Skousen, B., Cheng, J., & Rudiger, K. (2011). Calculative HR Practices & HR Function Development: A Comparison of Anglo, Nordic, Germanic and Confucian Countries. Asian Ascendance: The Role of Human Resource Management.
Cheng, J., Skousen, B., & Guo, W. (2011). Advancing New Theory Development in the Field of International Management: Contributing Factors, Investigative Approach, and Proposed Topics Annual Academy of Management Meeting.
Prince, N., & Cheng, J. (2011). Coordination and Control in Multinational Corporations: Economics, Culture, and Strategic Choice. Administrative Science Quarterly Conference on Coordination within and among Organizations.
Cheng, J. (2011). “Managing National Health Care: Economics, Culture, and International Competitiveness.”. International Health Care Services Academic Conference.
Cheng, J., Rhee, J., & Kim, M. (2010). The Internationalization of Research and Development: A Research Update and Future Advancement Annual Academy of International Business Conference.
Cheng, J. (2009). President Obama’s Energy Renewal Plan: Prospects, Issues, and Challenges Conference on Politics and Public Administration, University of Hong Kong.
Cheng, J. (2008). Asia-Pacific and Global Competitiveness: The JACKS Multinationals Asia Academy of Management Bi-Annual Conference.
Cheng, J. (2008). Building an Academic Career Inaugural Doctoral Consortium of the Asia Academy of Management.
Cheng, J. (2008). Critical Roles of Theory, Phenomenon, Country Context, and Disciplinary Knowledge in International Business Research: A Proposed Paradigm Shift Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Hong Kong.
Cheng, J. (2008). Critical Roles of Theory, Phenomenon, Country Context, and Disciplinary Knowledge in International Business Research: A Proposed Paradigm Shift Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.
Cheng, J. (2008). International Business Research: Critical Issues and Future Advancement School of Business Seminar, Queen’s University.
Cheng, J. (2008). Market Uncertainty, Firm Resource, and Business Venturing: The Case of International Expansion INSEAD Singapore.
Cheng, J. (2008). Multinational Strategy, Subsidiary Role, and Managerial Competencies: Toward an Integrative Model School of Business, National University of Singapore.
Cheng, J. (2007). Corporate Governance and Global Competitiveness IGBI Global Business Forum at the School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University.
Cheng, J. (2006). Competing in the Global Marketplace: Opportunities and Challenges. Global Business Management Seminar, City University of Hong Kong, World Trade Center, Hong Kong.
Cheng, J. (1998). Multinational Strategy, Foreign R&D Investment, and Innovation Performance: A Resource Deployment Perspective. Annual Academy of Management Meeting.
Cheng, J. (1997). Managing Cultural Synergy and Innovation in Overseas Labs. Corporate Sponsor Meeting, NSF Center for Innovation Management Studies (CIMS) & Steelcase.
Cheng, J. (1997). Multinational R&D Organization and Performance in U.S. and Japanese Firms. Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Cheng, J. (1996). Managing Multinational R&D for Global Competitiveness: Preliminary Findings from a Study of U.S. and Japanese Firms. University of Michigan School of Business.
Cheng, J. (1995). A Progress Report on the Global Innovation Management Project. Lehigh University School of Business and Economics.
Cheng, J. (1995). Managing Innovation in U.S. and Japanese Overseas Labs: The Effects of Corporate, Scientific, and Local Cultures on R&D Performance. Keio Business School and Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Cheng, J. (1994). "Collaboration in Cross-National Project Teams." Presented at the Symposium on "Incorporating Culture into the Research Process.". Annual Academy of Management Meeting.
Cheng, J. (1994). A Progress Report--Managing Innovation in U.S. an Japanese Overseas Labs: The Effect of Corporate, Scientific, an Local Cultures on R&D Performance Annual Academy of Management Meeting.
Cheng, J. (1990). Cultural Diversity and the Performance of Research Teams: Toward a Task-Contingency Model Center for Innovation Management Studies Research Conference, Lehigh University.
Cheng, J. (1990). Cultural Diversity and the Performance of Research Teams: Toward a Task-Contingency Model Center for Innovation Management Studies Research Conference, Lehigh University.
Cheng, J. (1983). Managing Coordination to Enhance Research Performance Virginia Tech Conference on "Strategic Management of Industrial R&D".
Cheng, J. (1981). National Science Policy and Research Unit Productivity: A Contingency Analysis Albany Conference on Organization Theory and Public Policy.
Cheng, J. (1978). Organizational Coordination in Research Units: A Systems and Social Psychological Perspective 9th World Congress of Sociology.

Working Papers

Cheng, J. Asia-Pacific and the JACKS Multinationals: Economics, Culture, and International Competitiveness.
Cheng, J., & Cooper, D. Managerial Knowledge and Subsidiary Role Performance: A Strategic Context Analysis.
Cheng, J., & Cooper, D. Subsidiary Role and MNC Evolution: A Life-Cycle Perspective.
Cheng, J., & Skousen, B. Institutions and Types of Entrepreneurship: Interactive Influence of Public Policy and Societal Culture.".
Cheng, J., Jones, D., & Skousen, B. Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneur, and Entrepreneurial Firm: Conceptual Integration and Knowledge Accumulation.
Cheng, J., Rhee, J., Kim, M., & Guo, W. R&D Internationalization, MNC Evolution, and Global Competition: From Transnational to Meta-National.
Prince, N., & Cheng, J. Organizational Coordination and Control in Multinational Corporations: Task, Culture, and Strategic Choice.

Grants

"Enhancing NSF's Impact on STEM Translation and Commercialization Success", U.S. National Science Foundation, 2023-2026
"EAGER: Multi-level Research into I-Corps' Impact on Entrepreneurial Development: An Exploratory Study", U.S. National Science Foundation, 2019-2023
"Institutions, Policies, and Development in International Business," Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), U.S. Department of Education, 2017-2018
"Entrepreneurial Innovation in the Asia-Pacific: Antecedents, Consequences, and Policy Implications.", UNSW Business School "Strategy 2020" Research Networks Initiative, 2015-2017
"Innovation, Asia Capability, and Australia's Competitiveness", UNSW Division of Research, UNSW Business School, and the Michael J. Crouch Fund, 2014-2017
"Technology, Culture, and International Competitiveness," Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), U.S. Department of Education, 2002-2006
"Institutions and International Business," Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), U.S. Department of Education, 1999-2002
"Organization and Performance of Foreign R&D Operations in Hong Kong: An Exploratory Study", The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995-1997
"Managing Innovation in U.S. and Japanese Overseas Labs: The Effects of Corporate, Scientific, and Local Cultures", U.S. National Science Foundation's Center for Innovation Management Studies, 1993-1995
"Technological, Environmental, and Cultural Determinism in Organization Form: A Study of Foreign R&D Labs in the U.S.", Virginia Tech College of Business, 1992
"Managing Innovation Abroad: An International Comparative Study of the Organization and Performance of Foreign R&D Subsidiaries", Virginia Tech College of Business, 1991
"Responsiveness to Environmental Change: A Study of Organizational Adaptation in Two Deregulated Industries.", Virginia Tech College of Business, 1989

Service

Consulting Editor, Cross-Cultural and Strategic Management, 2015 to present
Board Member, Journal of Organization Design, 2014 to present
Board Member, Management International Review, 2006 to present
Board Member, Journal of World Business, 1999 to present

Teaching Interests

Teaches courses in global innovation and entrepreneurship, multinational management, and international business.

Research Interests

National innovation ecosystems, foreign R&D investment, global entrepreneurship, strategic management of MNCs, organizational learning and change, philosophy of science.