Dr Moustafa Haj Youssef
Liverpool Business School
Faculty of Business and Law
Email: M.HajYoussef@ljmu.ac.uk
ORCID
Dr. Moustafa Haj Youssef is a senior academic specialising in International Strategic Management, with a career focused on advancing research and practice in the field. He currently serves as a Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University, and holds a position as a Visiting Lecturer at the Open University Business School.
Dr. Haj Youssef’s research centres on strategic leadership, managerial discretion, gender-focused entrepreneurship, and corporate governance. His work has been published in several reputable journals, including the Journal of Business Research, International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, Journal of Management Education, Entrepreneurship Research Journal, International Studies of Management & Organisation, and Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society. He has led and contributed to several significant research projects, including a major study on entrepreneurship in the MENA region, funded by a quarter-million USD grant from the Templeton World Charity Foundation.
In his teaching roles, Dr. Haj Youssef has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to student development, leading modules in Strategic Management at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is an affiliate of the Microeconomics of Competitiveness network, developed by the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School. His dedication to education is recognised through teaching awards and high student satisfaction scores. As a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Chartered Management and Business Educator, Dr. Haj Youssef contributes to academia through teaching, research, PhD supervision, curriculum development, and serving as an external examiner at various institutions.
Languages
Arabic
English
French
Degrees
2017, University of Westminster, United Kingdom, PhD in Strategic Management
2014, University of West London, United Kingdom, MSc in International Business Management
2009, University of Balamand, Lebanon, BSc in Computer Science
Certifications
University of Westminster, United Kingdom, Pg Cert SS- Postgraduate Certificate of Special Study in Supporting Learning
APMG International, United Kingdom, PRINCE 2
Academic appointments
Senior Lecturer in International Strategic Management, Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University, 2021 - present
Visiting Lecturer, Open University, 2021 - present
Research Supervisor, Royal Docks Business School, University of East London, 2021 - present
Assistant Professor in Strategic Management, Adnan Kassar School of Business, Lebanese American University, 2018 - 2021
Lecturer in Business Strategy, School of Strategy and Leadership, Coventry University, 2017 - 2018
Visiting Lecturer, Westminster Business School, University of Westminster, 2015 - 2018
Visiting Lecturer, Claude Littner Business School, University of West London, 2013 - 2014
Highlighted publications
Kleindienst I, Haj Youssef M, Harakeh M, Yu M. 2024. Does the CEO effect differ in times of crisis? Evidence from US and China during the global financial crisis Journal of Business Research, 182 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Nolan S, Hussein H. 2024. Navigating turbulence in the UK: how gender shapes self-employed social engagement during crises? International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Teng D, Haj Youssef M, Li C. 2024. When MNEs Bribe More? The Role of Managerial Discretion Cross Cultural and Strategic Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Wasim J, Christodoulou I, Reinhardt R. 2023. The path to entrepreneurship: The role of social networks in driving entrepreneurial learning and education Journal of Management Education, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Hussein HM, Haj Youssef MS. 2023. In and Out of Self-Employment, Are You Really an Entrepreneur: The Rise of a New Division? Entrepreneurship Research Journal, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Hussein HM, Awada H. 2020. The more you value, the less you practice: a study on culture and managerial discretion Cross Cultural and Strategic Management, 27 :26-50 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Teng D. 2019. Reaffirming the importance of managerial discretion in corporate governance: a comment on Andersen (2017) Corporate Governance (Bingley), 19 :240-254 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Dataset
Haj Youssef M. 2025. MENA Entrepreneurship and Labour Market Survey (MELMS) Questionnaire DOI Public Url
Journal article
Arslan N, Haj Youssef M, Ghandour R. 2025. AI and Learning Experiences of International Students Studying in the UK: An Exploratory Case Study Artificial Intelligence in Education, 1 :1-23 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Sayour N. 2025. Exploring Gendered Perspectives on Personality Traits and Entrepreneurial Performance in Lebanon During the COVID-19 Crisis Gender Issues, 42 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Nolan S, Hussein H. 2025. The transition behaviour of self-employed in the UK and the role of unionisation during 2008 economic downturn Journal of Management History, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Christodoulou I, Utomo Putranto S, Haj Youssef M, Simillidou A, Chovancová J. 2024. Strategic Scaling Initiatives and Client Networking Dynamics for Small and Medium Enterprises Growth. A Comprehensive Case Study analysis Journal of Trade Science, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Awada H. 2024. Tacit Knowledge Sharing in a Lebanese Family Business: The Influence of Organizational Structure and Tie Strength Journal of Family Business Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Christodoulou I, Haj Youssef M, Wasim J, Phan T, Reinhardt R, Bao Ngoc N. 2024. Breaking Barriers: Unveiling Motivations, Challenges, and Policy Recommendations for Women's Entrepreneurship in Vietnam Journal of Asia Business Studies, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, El Masri T, Christodoulou I, Thanh LM. 2024. Graduate Employability in Lebanon: Leveraging Alumni Networks and Cross-Cultural Competencies Journal of Asia Business Studies, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Kleindienst I, Haj Youssef M, Harakeh M, Yu M. 2024. Does the CEO effect differ in times of crisis? Evidence from US and China during the global financial crisis Journal of Business Research, 182 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Nolan S, Hussein H. 2024. Navigating turbulence in the UK: how gender shapes self-employed social engagement during crises? International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Teng D, Haj Youssef M, Li C. 2024. When MNEs Bribe More? The Role of Managerial Discretion Cross Cultural and Strategic Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Wasim J, Christodoulou I, Reinhardt R. 2024. Intersecting Bonds: A Perspective on Polygamy's Influence in Arab Middle East Family Firm Succession Journal of Family Business Management, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Wasim J, Christodoulou I, Reinhardt R. 2023. The path to entrepreneurship: The role of social networks in driving entrepreneurial learning and education Journal of Management Education, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Hussein HM, Haj Youssef MS. 2023. In and Out of Self-Employment, Are You Really an Entrepreneur: The Rise of a New Division? Entrepreneurship Research Journal, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Wasim J, Haj Youssef M, Christodoulou I, Reinhardt R. 2023. Higher education student intentions behind becoming an entrepreneur Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Houlden N, Jackson V, Haj Youssef M. 2023. Is cyber security being taught correctly? ITNOW: The Magazine for the IT Professional, 65 :46-47 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Teng D. 2021. Market entry strategies in the Middle East: Unveiling the sponsorship strategy International Studies of Management and Organization, 51 :253-275 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Teng D. 2021. Managerial discretion and corporate governance: The bonded relationship Corporate Ownership and Control, 18 :75-85 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Hussein HM, Awada H. 2020. The more you value, the less you practice: a study on culture and managerial discretion Cross Cultural and Strategic Management, 27 :26-50 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Teng D. 2019. Reaffirming the importance of managerial discretion in corporate governance: a comment on Andersen (2017) Corporate Governance (Bingley), 19 :240-254 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Hussein HM, Christodoulou I. 2019. Competitiveness and managerial discretion: an empirical investigation at the national-level Competitiveness Review, 29 :181-203 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Christodoulou I. 2018. Exploring cultural heterogeneity: The effect of intra-cultural variation on executives’ latitude of actions in 18 countries International Journal of Cross Cultural Management, 18 :241-263 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Christodoulou I. 2017. Strategizing in a focused context: managerial discretion in the Arab world Journal of Strategy and Management, 10 :430-452 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Christodoulou IP, Ludwig S, Dassler T. 2017. Culture Influence on Managerial Discretion and the Implications for National Competitiveness Academy of Management Proceedings, 2017 :13530-13530 DOI Publisher Url
Haj Youssef MS, Christodoulou IP. 2017. Assessing the Generalizability of Managerial Discretion: An Empirical Investigation in the Arab World Journal of Management and Strategy, 8 :28-36 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Christodoulou I. 2017. Intra-Cultural Variation, Zone of Acceptance and Managerial Discretion: A Theoretical Discussion Business and Management Research, 6 :42-53 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef MS, Christodoulou I. 2017. Assessing Miles and Snow Typology through the Lens of Managerial Discretion: How National-Level Discretion Impact Firms Strategic Orientation Management and Organizational Studies, 4 :67-73 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Harakeh M, Hussein H, Sayour N. Policy Brief: Addressing Barriers and Empowering Entrepreneurs in Lebanon. F1000Research, 14 :13-13 DOI Publisher Url
Internet publication
Haj Youssef M, Wasim J. 2025. Learning to be an entrepreneur means building connections as well as studying business Publisher Url
Report
Haj Youssef M, Harakeh M, Hussein H, Sayour N. 2024. Brief on Entrepreneurship in Lebanon Unlocking Potentials: Addressing Barriers and Empowering Entrepreneurs in Lebanon DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Sayour N, Hussein H, Harakeh M. Policy Brief on Entrepreneurship in UAE: Fostering Inclusive Growth for Nascent Entrepreneurs in the UAE
Chapters
Haj Youssef M, Awada H. CEO CELEBRITIES AND STRATEGIC DECISION MAKING International Encyclopedia of Business Management Elsevier
Al Chami R, Haj Youssef M. Challenging Patriarchy: The Transformation of Women's Roles under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Tabassum N, Shankar Nayak B. Impact of Patriarchy and Gender Stereotypes on Working Women Springer
Conference publication
Al Maassarani M, Ghandour R, Haj Youssef M. The Haptic Experience and its Impact on Purchase Decision in the Retail Context: A Comparative Study Between Augmented Reality and In-Store Haptic Experience British Academy of Management 2024 Conference Proceedings, British Academy of Management (BAM) Public Url
Haj Youssef M, Sayour N, Valaei N, Hussein H, Harakeh M. The Impact of Big Five Personality Traits on Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Configurational Comparative Study of Home and International Entrepreneurs in the Middle East International Entrepreneurship Research Conference (IERC 2025)
Haj Youssef M, Sayour M, Valaei N, Hussein H, Harakeh M. The Impact of Big Five Personality Traits on Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Configurational Comparative Study of Home and International Entrepreneurs in the Middle East Academy of International Business Middle East North Africa (AIB MENA) Annual conference
Haj Youssef M, Sayour N, Valaei N, Hussein H, Harakeh M. Personality Traits and Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Study of Home and International Entrepreneurs 85th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management
Media Coverage:
Interview with 'The Last Show' Podcast in New York to discuss my latest research on Entrepreneurship Education 2025
Phys.org - Learning to be an entrepreneur (opens in a new tab) 2025
Yahoo finance - Learning to be an entrepreneur (opens in a new tab) 2025
Policy Brief presentation and discussion with Lebanese Prime Minister, Mr. Najib Mikati 2024
www.pcm.gov.lb (opens in a new tab)
youtu.be (opens in a new tab)
www.aljadeed.tv (opens in a new tab)
Faculti. 2022. Interview with Dr. Moustafa Haj Youssef 2022
www.youtube.com (opens in a new tab)
faculti.net (opens in a new tab)
Interview 2022
youtu.be (opens in a new tab)
faculti.net (opens in a new tab)
Award:
High Commendation - Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Public Engagement., Liverpool John Moores University. 2024
Outstanding reviewer award, Emerald Publishing, https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/our-awards/emerald-literati-awards. 2024
Nominee for VC Awards for Excellence in Research and Knowledge Exchange, LJMU. 2023
Teaching Award, Coventry University. 2018
Teaching Award, University of Westminster. 2017
Best paper award for Strategizing in Emerging Markets, Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg Universit. 2016
Teaching Award, University of Westminster. 2015
Conference presentation:
Entrepreneurial Determinants in the MENA Region, Entrepreneurship for Sustainability & Impact (ESI), Oral presentation, https://www.qu.edu.qa/en-us/conference/esi2024/. 2024
Linking entrepreneurship to society: the effect of entrepreneurs’ transition behaviour on the impact society during stable and turbulent times., Annual Conference of the European Academy of Management, Dublin, Ireland, Oral presentation. 2023
Enacting high discretion in a low discretion environment: The character assassination of Carlos Ghosn, 12th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, Leeds, United Kingdom, Oral presentation. 2023
Is it worth investing in education? The returns to the most dynamic group of entrepreneurs., British Academy of Management, Manchester, UK, Oral presentation. 2022
Short term fluctuations in the CEO effect: Evidence from US and China during the global financial crisis, Academy of Management, Seattle, USA, Oral presentation. 2022
Returns to education to different groups of entrepreneurs, European Academy of Management, Winterthur, Switzerland, Oral presentation. 2022
In and out of self-employment, are you really an entrepreneur?, British Academy of Management, Oral presentation. 2021
Short-term fluctuations in the CEO effect: evidence from the 2008 financial crisis, European Academy of Management, Oral presentation. 2021
When MNEs Bribe? The role of managerial discretion, Academy of International Business, Oral presentation. 2021
Market entry strategies in the Middle East, British Academy of Management, Oral presentation. 2020
The CEO effect on firm performance during stable and turbulent environments: Evidence from China, 11th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, Paris/France, Oral presentation. 2020
Cultural practices and variations influence on managerial discretion and its implication on national competitiveness, British Academy of Management, Birmingham/UK, Oral presentation. 2019
Culture and managerial discretion: an empirical investigation in 18 countries, European Academy of Management, Lisbon/Portugal, Oral presentation. 2019
Managerial discretion as a time varying construct and its role in changing the effect of CEO on firm performance, 10th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, Passau/Germany, Oral presentation. 2019
Reaffirming the importance of managerial discretion in corporate governance research, British Academy of Management, Bristol/UK, Oral presentation. 2018
Exploring Cultural Heterogeneity and Homogeneity: The Role of Managerial Discretion, 9th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, Geneva/Switzerland, Oral presentation. 2018
Cultural Heterogeneity and Managerial Discretion: An Empirical Investigation, British Academy of Management, Warwick/UK, Oral presentation. 2017
Culture Influence on Managerial Discretion and the Implications for National Competitiveness, Academy of Management, Atlanta/USA, Oral presentation. 2017
Cultural Practices and Variations Influence on Managerial Discretion and the Implications for National Competitiveness, European Academy of Management, Glasgow/Scotland, Oral presentation. 2017
Managerial discretion in emerging markets: What’s new and what’s different, Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg University Emerging Markets Conference, St. Petersburg/Russia, Oral presentation. 2016
National-level antecedents and consequences of managerial discretion: A study CEOs’ discretion across 18 countries, Strategic Management Society, Berlin/Germany, Oral presentation. 2016
Cross-national differences in managerial discretion: Insights from the Middle East, British Academy of Management, Newcastle/UK, Oral presentation. 2016
Managerial discretion in the Arab World: New national-level antecedents, European Academy of Management, Paris/France, Oral presentation. 2016
The impact of cultural practices on CEOs’ discretion: New national-level antecedents, 7th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, Groningen/Netherlands, Oral presentation. 2016
Managerial discretion in the Middle East: An empirical investigation, British Academy of Management, Portsmouth/UK, Oral presentation. 2015
What’s missing in the national-level dimension of managerial discretion?, 6th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, Antwerp/Belgium, Oral presentation. 2015
External PGR examinations performed:
University of Central Lancashire, Professional Doctorate, Strategy in Multinational Corporations (MNCs) – An exploratory study of the subsidiary perspective in an emerging market.. 2023
University of the West of Scotland, DBA, employee optimisation for the fast-food industry: the case of Pizza Hut in the UK. 2022
University of the West of Scotland, DBA, examining the influence of organisational commitment on organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB): A study of employees’ perception in the context of a university setting in Pakistan. 2022
University of the West of Scotland, PhD, investigating the impact of social, motivational, and institutional elements on business survival: study of Vietnamese female entrepreneurs. 2021
Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University, MBA, The role of middle management in creating dynamic capabilities in IT companies. 2019
Research Grants Awarded:
Templeton World Charity Foundation, Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region: The Uncharted Territory, Grant value (£): USD 248,325, Duration of research project: 24 months. 2023
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Entrepreneurial founder's social network and firm's strategic development, Da Teng (PI), Grant value (£): 20000. 2020
Humanities and Social Sciences Youth Foundation, OFDI and its impact on civil war along Belt-Road project countries, Da Teng (PI), Grant value (£): 8000. 2020
Lebanese American University, Seed Fund for Early/Mid Career Researchers, Grant value (£): 7500. 2019
Membership of professional bodies:
Chartered Management and Business Educator (CMBE), Chartered Association of Business Schools. 2021
Chartered Management and Business Educator (CMBE), Chartered Association of Business Schools. 2021
Fellowships:
Senior Fellow, Advance HE. 2021
Other invited event:
CEMS White Nights'21, St. Petersburg Russia, Speaker at the annual international conference of GSOM SPbU & CEMS Alumni and Students.. 2021
Strategic management research division at the department of management, Aarhus University; Aarhus, Denmark, Research seminar. 2020
International Business research division at the department of management, Aarhus University; Aarhus, Denmark, Research seminar. 2020
10th Workshop on Top Management Teams and Business Strategy Research, University of Passau, Passau, Germany, Discussant. 2019
Teaching qualification:
Postgraduate Certificate of Special Study in Supporting Learning. 2015
External collaboration:
Aarhus University, Ingo Kleindienst.
American University in the Emirates, Riad El Chami.
American University of Beirut, Mostafa Harakeh.
Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Da Teng.
Changshu Institute of Technology, Chengchun Li.
Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Jane Woods.
Coventry University, Mei Yu.
Harvard Business School, Microeconomics of Competitiveness Network at HBS.
Heriot-Watt University, Jay Wasim.
Ipsos, Ibrahim Ammari, and Jude Alaloul.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Pip Gaskell, Alison Terry, Jane Billows, and Paul Marsden.
MBSC Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, Tarek El Masri.
Sustainable Business Consultancy & Research, Robert Reinhardt.
UIR-Rabat Business School, Tariq Ahmed.
University of Westminster, Ioannis Christodoulou.
Zayed University, Nagham Sayour.
Other Professional Activity:
External Examiner – University of Northampton.
External Examiner – University of East London.
External masters research supervisor – MBA, University of East London.
Strategy Consultant at M1 Group.
Visiting Lecturer at Open University.
External committees:
Harvard Business School MOC Europe Chapter, Harvard Business School MOC Network, Member.