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Professor Benjamin Laker

Director of Impact and Global Engagement

Professor of Leadership
Postgraduate Research Director of Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour

Ben Laker Photo 2 75nnwalis

Specialisms

  • Economic Inequality, 
  • Internationalisation, 
  • Societal Prosperity

Location

Room GB10, Greenlands campus

Professor Benjamin Laker is Director of Impact and Global Engagement and Professor of Leadership at Henley Business School. He also serves as Postgraduate Research Director for the department of Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour.

Benjamin studies the impact of leadership on society, with a current focus on how leaders influence public health outcomes. He is an Associate Editor of the British Medical Journal's BMJ Leader.

In addition to publishing research in Harvard Business Review, Human Resource Management, the Journal of Consumer Research and MIT Sloan Management Review, Benjamin has written two books. His first, Too Proud To Lead, examined dysfunctional leadership and received praise from the Financial Times. His second, Closing the Service Gap, was endorsed by Apple, Google, Microsoft and the Wall Street Journal for explaining how platforms can advance economic prosperity.

Benjamin delivers keynotes to corporate and government audiences on developing leadership practices that improve social prosperity. He is often asked to attend New York Times panel discussions, United Nations Climate Change Conferences and United States House Select Committee hearings that supply public policy recommendations to the United States Congress. His proximity to lawmaking effectuates opportunities to frequent Bloomberg, BBC and CNN newscasts.

Reference: Badewi, A. A., Eid, R. and Laker, B. (2023) Determinations of system justification versus psychological reactance consumer behaviours in taboo markets. Information Technology & People, 36 (1). ISSN 0959-3845 doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-12-2018-0555
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. (2023) Embrace Mistakes to Build a Learning Culture. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Soga, L. R. and Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. (2023) Closing the service gap: how to connect customers, employees and organisations. FT Publishing International, Upper Saddle River. ISBN 9781292444352
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Lebene Soga - Dr Yemisi Bolade-Ogunfodun
Reference: Zahoor, N., Khan, Z., Meyer, M. and Laker, B. (2023) International entrepreneurial behavior of internationalizing African SMEs - towards a new research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 154. 113367. ISSN 0148-2963 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113367
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Athota, V. S., Pereira, V., Hasan, Z., Vaz, D., Laker, B. and Reppas, D. (2023) Overcoming financial planners’ cognitive biases through digitalization: a qualitative study. Journal of Business Research, 154. 113291. ISSN 0148-2963 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.08.055
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Mariani, M. M. , Borghi, M. and Laker, B. (2023) Do submission devices influence online review ratings differently across different types of platforms? A big data analysis. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 189. 122296. ISSN 0040-1625 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122296
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Marcello Mariani - Dr Matteo Borghi - Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Behl, A., Singh, R., Pereira, V. and Laker, B. (2023) Analysis of industry 4.0 and circular economy enablers: a step towards resilient sustainable operations management. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 189. 122363. ISSN 0040-1625 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122363
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Malik, A., Sharma, P., Vinu, A., Karakoti, A., Kaur, K., Gujral, H. S., Munjal, S. and Laker, B. (2022) Circular economy adoption by SMEs in the emerging markets: towards a multilevel conceptual framework. Journal of Business Research, 142. pp. 605-619. ISSN 0148-2963 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.12.076
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Patel, C. , Malik, A. and Budhwar, P. (2022) What to do when you become your friend's boss - especially when you know a little too much about each other. In: Gallo, A., Edmondson, A. C., Opie, T. R. and Clark, D. (eds.) Making Real Connections. HBR Women at Work Series. Harvard Business Review Press. ISBN 9781647822194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Soga, L. R. , Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. , Mariani, M. , Nasr, R. and Laker, B. (2022) Unmasking the other face of flexible working practices: a systematic literature review. Journal of Business Research, 142. pp. 648-662. ISSN 0148-2963 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.01.024
Reference: Soga, L. , Laker, B. , Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. and Mariani, M. (2022) Delegation strengthens teams working remotely. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Reference: Laker, B. , Malik, A., Budhwar, P. and Pereira, V. (2022) Days without meetings – a way to be productive. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Roulet, T. and Laker, B. (2022) Your career needs a little luck. Here’s how to cultivate it. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Pereira, V., Budhwar, P. and Malik, A. (2022) The surprising impact of meeting-free days. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Pandey, J., Hassan, Y., Pandey, J., Pereira, V., Behl, A., Fischer, B. and Laker, B. (2022) Leader signalled knowledge hiding and erosion of co-created value: micro-foundational evidence from the test preparation industry. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. ISSN 0018-9391 doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2022.3149005
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. (2022) The benefits and risks of rehiring a boomerang employee. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Pereira, V., Malik, A. and Mariani, M. (2022) First-time managers are burning out. Here’s how to manage. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Professor Marcello Mariani
Reference: Laker, B. (2022) What does the four-day workweek mean for the future of work? MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. and Pereira, V. (2022) 4 triggers cause the majority of team conflicts. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Pereira, V., Malik, A. and Soga, L. (2022) Dear Manager, you’re holding too many meetings. Harvard Business Review, 100 (5). 23. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Lebene Soga
Reference: Huang, X., Wang, X., Han, L. and Laker, B. (2022) Does sound lending infrastructure foster better financial reporting quality of SMEs? European Journal of Finance. ISSN 1466-4364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/1351847X.2022.2075281
Henley faculty authors:
Liang Han, Visiting Professor - Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Malik, A., Sharma, P., Kingshott, R. and Laker, B. (2022) Leveraging cultural and relational capabilities for business model innovation: the case of a digital media EMMNE. Journal of Business Research, 149. pp. 270-282. ISSN 0148-2963 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.05.004
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Pereira, V., Asgari, N. and Farahani, R. Z. (2022) 4 steps to making a successful career change. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Pereira, V., Behl, A. and Khan, Z. (2022) Switching careers? Here’s how to write a strong resume. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. (2022) Before starting your own business, ask these four questions. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Tillotson, J., Bhatnagar, K. and Pereira, V. (2022) Are your team gatherings inclusive for people with food-related allergies? Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Behl, A., Gaur, J., Pereira, V., Yadav, R. and Laker, B. (2022) Role of big data analytics capabilities to improve sustainable competitive advantage of MSME service firms during COVID-19- a multi-theoretical approach. Journal of Business Research, 148. pp. 378-389. ISSN 0148-2963 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.05.009
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Pereira, V., Behl, A., Jayawardena, N., Laker, B. , Dwivedi, Y. K. and Bhardwaj, S. (2022) The art of gamifying digital gig work: a theoretical assessment of engagement and motivation. Production Planning and Control. ISSN 0953-7287 doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2022.2083524
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. , Soga, L. R. and Laker, B. (2022) Entwined positionality and interpretive frames of reference: an autoethnographic account. Organizational Research Methods. ISSN 1552-7425 doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/10944281221111401
Henley faculty authors:
Dr Yemisi Bolade-Ogunfodun - Dr Lebene Soga - Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Kumari, A., Shankar, A., Behl, A., Pereira, V. and Laker, B. (2022) Impact of barriers of value co-creation on consumers’ innovation resistance behavior : investigating the moderation role of the DART model. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 184. 122033. ISSN 0040-1625 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122033
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Cobb, D. and Trehan, R. (2021) Too proud to lead: how hubris can destroy effective leadership and what to do about it. Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781472973054
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Matejko, S., Godley, W. and Adewale, A. (2021) How to develop early career talent virtually. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Adeyinka Adewale
Reference: Laker, B. and Roulet, T. (2021) How organizations can promote employee wellness, now and post-pandemic. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Godley, W., Patel, C. and Kudret, S. (2021) Four steps to successful virtual hiring. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel - Dr Selin Kudret
Reference: Laker, B. , Godley, W., Kudret, S. and Trehan, R. (2021) 4 tips to nail a virtual job interview. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Selin Kudret
Reference: Malik, A., Budhwar, P., Patel, C. and Laker, B. (2021) Holistic indigenous and atomistic modernity: analysing performance management in two Indian emerging market MNCs. Human Resource Management, 60 (5). pp. 803-823. ISSN 1099-050X doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.22057
Henley faculty authors:
Dr Charmi Patel - Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. (2021) Why companies should adopt a hub-and-spoke work model post-pandemic. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Godley, W., Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. and Soga, L. (2021) Don’t let WFH get in the way of your next promotion. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Yemisi Bolade-Ogunfodun - Dr Lebene Soga
Reference: Laker, B. (2021) Why modern executives are more susceptible to hubris than ever. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Soga, L. , Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. and Laker, B. (2021) Design your work environment to manage unintended tech consequences. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Dr Lebene Soga - Dr Yemisi Bolade-Ogunfodun - Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Soga, L. , Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. and Malik, A. (2021) What successful freelancers do differently. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Lebene Soga - Dr Yemisi Bolade-Ogunfodun
Reference: Soga, L. , Laker, B. , Bolade-Ogunfodun, Y. and Mariani, M. (2021) Embrace delegation as a skill to strengthen remote teams. MIT Sloan Management Review, 63 (1). pp. 1-3. ISSN 1532-9194
Reference: Laker, B. (2021) Why gig work needs to demonstrate loyalty, and how to do it. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Patel, C. , Budhwar, P. and Malik, A. (2021) Six steps to innovate remotely. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. , Godley, W., Patel, C. and Kudret, S. (2021) Four steps to optimize virtual hires. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel - Dr Selin Kudret
Reference: Laker, B. , Patel, C. , Malik, A. and Budhwar, P. (2020) What to do when you become your friend’s boss. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. , Patel, C. , Budhwar, P. and Malik, A. (2020) How leading companies are innovating remotely. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. and Patel, C. (2020) Strengthen your ability to influence people. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. , Patel, C. , Budhwar, P. and Malik, A. (2020) How job crafting can make work more satisfying. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Roulet, T. and Laker, B. (2020) Now is the time to reconnect with your dormant network. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Mohri, S., Asgari, N., Farahini, R. Z., Bourlakis, M. and Laker, B. (2020) Fairness in hazmat routing-scheduling: a bi-objective Stackelberg game. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 140. 102006. ISSN 1366-5545 doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2020.102006
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. (2020) Emphasize work-life balance for your teams. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. , Godley, W., Patel, C. and Cobb, D. (2020) How to monitor remote workers — ethically. MIT Sloan Management Review. ISSN 1532-9194
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. and Patel, C. (2020) Improve your ability to make an impact with people. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. and Patel, C. (2020) Strengthen your leadership influence. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker - Dr Charmi Patel
Reference: Laker, B. and Roulet, T. (2019) How companies can adapt during times of political uncertainty. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. and Roulet, T. (2019) Will the 4-Day workweek take hold in Europe? Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. and Roulet, T. (2019) Will the three-day work per week take hold in Europe? Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Laker, B. and Roulet, T. (2019) Why a four-day working week can be profitable for business. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Hill, A., Cuthbertson, R., Brown, S. and Laker, B. (2017) Service fitness ladders: improving business performance in low cost or differentiated markets. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 37 (10). pp. 1266-1303. ISSN 0144-3577 doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-03-2016-0142
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Hill, A., Mellon, L., Laker, B. and Goddard, J. (2017) Research: how the best school leaders create enduring change. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Hill, A., Mellon, L., Goddard, J. and Laker, B. (2016) How to turn around a failing school. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker
Reference: Hill, A., Mellon, L., Laker, B. and Goddard, J. (2016) The one type of leader who can turn around a failing school. Harvard Business Review. ISSN 0017-8012
Henley faculty authors:
Professor Benjamin Laker