Virginia Cathro, Our staff, Department of Management

BSc MCom PGDipTertT PhD(Otago)
Senior Lecturer

Room OBS 712
Tel +64 3 479 8052
Email virginia.cathro@otago.ac.nz

Virginia holds a BCom(Hons) Otago in management, a BSc in microbiology, MCom Management with a focus on conflict resolution, a PGDipTertT (Otago) exploring critical reflection and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Otago. Her PhD is titled ‘A comparative examination of virtual and intercultural competence in the context of global virtual teams’.

Teaching responsibilities

Virginia's teaching responsibilities include:

MANT 217 International Management
MANT 222 Interpersonal/International Business Communication
MANT 342 Global Business Strategy
MANT 471 International Business Strategy

Research interests

Virginia's research encompasses a variety of interests that utilise a cross-disciplinary lens through which to view behaviour; with a particular emphasis on individuals engaging as managers and leaders. Virginia researches and teaches in international business, business communication, management functions and international management.

Her research interests are in global virtual teams and the interface of people and technology within organisations. This encompasses practices of conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation and facilitation, and the challenges faced by managers when making complex decisions.

She is interested in the internationalisation of services and in the contrasting global strategies of small and medium enterprises and multinational enterprises. Within this research nexus sustainability issues, product stewardship, transitioning to circular economies and the future of work also catch her interest.

She aligns her research and teaching via a lens of graduate readiness and teaching management concepts that are relevant. She tends to see herself as a pragmatist and is comfortable embracing a critical mindset to bring about productive change.

Virginia's work has been published in a number of leading journals, including:

International Journal of Human Resource Management
Computers in Human Behaviour
Education & Training
Journal of Teaching International Business
Cross Cultural and Strategic Management
Emergence Complexity and Organisation
Journal of Management and Organisation
Review of International Business Strategy

Current supervision

Virginia is currently taking on students who are wanting to research in areas that are aligned to her research interests. Her ongoing research interests include:

Workplace Communication, Group Processes & Team Facilitation, Cross Cultural Teams
Intercultural Communication, Global Virtual Team, Multicultural Virtual Teams
Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Intercultural Negotiation, Changing Nature of Work
Internationalization strategies, internationalization of service
Leadership and communication, e.g., sustainability leadership, governance boards social enterprises and sporting organisations as well as multinational enterprises

Current PhD/DBA doctoral supervision

Gustavo Vanegas Fernandez (2023-) Balancing hard and soft skills training in Business Schools using simulation-based methodologies. An approach from the University of Otago

Completed PhD/DBA doctoral supervision

Mohammad Badi’ al Haj Eid (2023) ‘Towards a Sustainable Circular Economy: Achieving a Balance through the Social Dimension’ supervision Virginia Cathro & Matthew Parackal

Recent past ‘other’ supervision

Masters of International Business, Business & Entrepreneurship and BCom (honours) Dissertations:

Booth, Callum (2022) The Virtual Workplace Post COVID19, Supervision: Virginia Cathro

Newton, Jeremy (2022) How Has the Absence of Face-to-Face Networking Impacted New Zealand Food and Beverage SME Internationalization During Covid-19? Supervision: Virginia Cathro

Liu, Jack (2021) Future Role of Foreign Critical Healthcare Companies in Chinese Telemedicine Market? Supervision: Virginia Cathro

Chen, Jian (Mark) (2020) An examination of Knowledge Management barriers for MNCs in China. Supervision: Virginia Cathro

Tanaga, Michelle (2020) Laook – Online Delivery Meal Kit. Supervision: Virginia Cathro

Other responsibilities

Virginia’s other university related responsibilities include:

Director of International Business – Undergraduate
Divisional Board Representative Otago Business School
Board of Studies Global Studies
Teaching and Learning committee member
Academy of International Business Oceania – Treasurer 2022/23

Publications

Gilbertson, D., Cathro, V., Mail, M., & Mail, A. (2024). Using coaching to support experiential learning in Global Virtual Teams (GVTs): Interrogating perceptions of impact. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice, 21(9). doi: 10.53761/0xm6wg52 Journal - Research Article

Al Haj Eid, M., Dandis, A. O., Cathro, V., & Parackal, M. (2024). Exploring public voice on social media: Twitter users' views on the circular economy. Sustainable Development. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/sd.3028 Journal - Research Article

El-Kassar, A.-N., Makki, D., Gonzalez-Perez, M. A., & Cathro, V. (2023). Doing well by doing good: Why is investing in university social responsibility a good business for higher education institutions cross culturally? Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, 30(1), 142-165. doi: 10.1108/CCSM-12-2021-0233 Journal - Research Article

Cathro, V. I. (2021). A comparative examination of virtual and intercultural competence in the context of global virtual teams (PhD). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/12496 Awarded Doctoral Degree

Cathro, V. (2020). An odyssey of virtual global team activity in the experiential learning environment of the Global Enterprise Experience (GEE). Computers in Human Behavior, 107, 105760. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2018.10.026 Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

2023

Journal - Research Article

2021

Awarded Doctoral Degree

2020

Journal - Research Article

2018

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Cathro, V. (2018, June). Student engagement within the offering of a degree program of international business: Do efforts to creating a connected cohort impact upon student satisfaction, engagement and success? Verbal presentation at the SERGE Symposium 2018, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2017

Journal - Research Article

Cathro, V., O'Kane, P., & Gilbertson, D. (2017). Assessing reflection: Understanding skill development through reflective learning journals. Education + Training, 59(4), 427-442. doi: 10.1108/ET-01-2017-0008

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Cathro, V. I. (2017, July). Challenges of GVT in the international business classroom: A longitudinal exploration of experiences (2007-2016). Verbal presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business (AIB), Dubai, UAE.

2016

Journal - Research Article

Westropp, S., Cathro, V., & Everett, A. M. (2016). Adult third culture kids' suitability as expatriates. Review of International Business & Strategy, 26(3), 334-348. doi: 10.1108/RIBS-12-2015-0080

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Walton, S. C., O'Kane, P. M., Ruwhiu, D. R., & Cathro, V. I. (2016, August). The 'future of work': Developing plausible scenarios on work and business environments in 2030. Verbal presentation at the 76th Meeting of the Academy of Management: Making Organizations Meaningful, Anaheim, USA.

O'Kane, P. M., Walton, S. C., Ruwhiu, D. R., & Cathro, V. I. (2016, August). Using a 'scenario development' Delphi to understand the complexities of work in the future. Verbal presentation at the 76th Meeting of the Academy of Management: Making Organizations Meaningful, Anaheim, USA.

2015

Chapter in Book - Research

Gilbertson, D., & Cathro, V. (2015). A decade of global enterprise experiences. In V. Taras & M. Gonzalez-Perez (Eds.), The Palgrave handbook of experiential learning in international business. (pp. 149-168). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1057/9781137467720.0017

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Rose, E., Bhaduri, A., Cathro, V., Prasad, S., Raghunath, S., & Raghunath, U. (2015). Virtual organizations: Managing learning and sharing knowledge across borders. In R. Mudambi & T. Kiyak (Eds.), Proceedings of the 57th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business: Global Networks: Organizations and People. (pp. 89). East Lansing, MI: Academy of International Business. [Abstract]

Lynden, K., Taras, V., Berg, D. M., Bird, A., Cathro, V., Gupta, S. F., … Lu, V. N. (2015). Engage them and they'll understand: Existing projects and best practices of integrating experiential learning in international business curriculum. In R. Mudambi & T. Kiyak (Eds.), Proceedings of the 57th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business: Global Networks: Organizations and People. (pp. 36). East Lansing, MI: Academy of International Business. [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Ruwhiu, D., Walton, S., O'Kane, P., & Cathro, V. (2015, December). Gazing into the future of work: Implications for management education. Verbal presentation at the 29th Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference: Management for Peak Performance, Queenstown, New Zealand.

2014

Journal - Research Article

Ruwhiu, D., & Cathro, V. (2014). ‘Eyes-wide-shut’: Insights from an indigenous research methodology. Emergence, 16(4). Retrieved from http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84922340125&partnerID=40&md5=05ccf3fa86fce072e58dedd9f1d5102b

Gonzalez-Perez, M. A., Velez-Calle, A., Cathro, V., Caprar, D. V., & Taras, V. (2014). Virtual teams and international business teaching and learning: The Case of the Global Enterprise Experience (GEE). Journal of Teaching in International Business, 25(3), 200-213. doi: 10.1080/08975930.2014.925738

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Cathro, V. I., O'Kane, P. M., & Gilbertson, D. (2014). The role of reflective journals in developing global virtual team competencies. In K. Meyer & T. Kiyak (Eds.), Proceedings of the 56th Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business: Local Contexts in Global Business. (pp. 131). East Lansing, MI: Academy of International Business. [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Ruwhiu, D., & Cathro, V. (2014, April). AlterNative forms of organisational success: Insight from contemporary models of indigenous tribal enterprise. Verbal presentation at the 5th Latin American and European Meeting on Organization Studies (LAEMOS) Conference, Havana, Cuba.

Walton, S., O'Kane, P., Ruwhiu, D., & Cathro, V. (2014, June). Rethinking businesses to 2030: Scenarios & visioning futures. Verbal presentation at the 25th International Association for Business and Society (IABS) Annual Conference: Reclaiming the Societal Dimension, Sydney, Australia.

O'Kane, P. M., Walton, S. C., Ruwhiu, D., & Cathro, V. (2014, September). What will the world of work look like in 2030, 2060 and beyond? An evaluation of the Delphi Technique in futures based management research. Verbal presentation at the British Academy of Management (BAM) Conference, Belfast, UK.

Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report

Walton, S., Ruwhiu, D., O'Kane, P., & Cathro, V. (2014). Future of work: Dunedin. Dunedin, New Zealand: Department of Management, University of Otago. 55p.

2013

Journal - Research Article

Edgar, F., Cathro, V., Harrison, S., Hoek, J., McKenzie, K., Malcolm, N., … Tyler-Baxter, S. (2013). Employing graduates: Selection criteria and practice in New Zealand. Journal of Management & Organization, 19(3), 338-351. doi: 10.1017/jmo.2013.25

Elkin, G., Martin-Niemi, F., & Cathro, V. (2013). Developing wisdom in future managers: Encouraging practical wisdom via voluntary engagement during undergraduate business education. International Journal of Economics & Business Research, 5(2), 214-225. doi: 10.1504/IJEBR.2013.051899

2012

Authored Book - Research

Samson, D., Catley, B., Cathro, V., & Daft, R. L. (2012). Management in New Zealand. Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning, 887p.

Journal - Research Article

Elkin, J., Cathro, V., & Elkin, G. (2012). The e-mentoring of expatriates: Mapping existing research domains and new opportunities. European Journal of International Management, 6(1), 45-62. doi: 10.1504/EJIM.2012.044757

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

O'Kane, P., & Cathro, V. (2012). Where are our people? The utility of Facebook as an employee crisis communication tool during the Christchurch earthquake. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management (ANZAM) Conference: Managing for Volatility and Instability. [CD-ROM] [Abstract]

2010

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Elkin, J., Cathro, V., & Elkin, G. (2010, June). The e-mentoring of expatriates: Mapping existing research domains and new opportunities. Verbal presentation at the 11th International Human Resource Management Conference, Birmingham, UK.

2008

Journal - Research Article

Kupka, B., Everett, A. M., & Cathro, V. (2008). Home alone and often unprepared - Intercultural communication training for expatriated partners in German MNCs. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 19(10), 1765-1791. doi: 10.1080/09585190802323819

2007

Chapter in Book - Research

Cathro, V., Greatbanks, R., & Everett, A. M. (2007). Cadbury Confectionery: Dunedin's sweet centre. In K. Inkson, V. Browning & J. Kirkwood (Eds.), Working on the Edge: A portrait of business in Dunedin. (pp. 169-178). Dunedin, New Zealand: Otago University Press.

Journal - Research Article

Kupka, B., & Cathro, V. (2007). Desperate housewives: social and professional isolation of German expatriated spouses. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(6), 951-968. doi: 10.1080/09585190701320908

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Corbett, J., Cathro, V., Everett, A. M., Zueva, A., & Rogers, H. (2007). Veil of similarity hides genuine practice distinctions? In S. M. Lee & A. M. Everett (Eds.), Proceedings of the Pan-Pacific Conference XXIV. (pp. 61-63). Pan-Pacific Business Association. [Full Paper]

2006

Journal - Research Article

Gill, L., Phillips, V., & Farnsworth, J. (2006). Satisfaction experiences with tenancy mediation: Why is it so successful? Systemic Practice & Action Research, 19, 325-335. doi: 10.1007/s11213-006-9021-9

2005

Chapter in Book - Research

Phillips, V. I. (2005). Nola Nails. In K. Bartol, M. Tein, G. Matthews & D. Martin (Eds.), Management: A pacific rim focus. (4 ed.) (pp. 271). Boston: McGraw-Hill Irwin.

Journal - Research Article

McAndrew, I., & Phillips, V. (2005). Documenting play: Using videotaped interviews to debrief collective bargaining games. Human Resource Management Review, 15, 214-225.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

McAndrew, I., & Phillips, V. (2005). Documenting play: Using videotaped interviews to debrief collective bargaining games. Proceedings of the Fourth Conference on Innovative Teaching in Human Resources and Industrial Relations. (pp. 1-13). [Full Paper]

Kupka, B., & Phillips, V. (2005). Realigning the heartbeat of intercultural communication competence assessment for healthy intercultural communication training. Proceedings of the National Communication Association 91st Annual Convention. [Full Paper]

2004

Journal - Research Article

Phillips, V., & Cone, M. (2004). Intercultural negotiation: Negotiator definitions set practice emphasis? Euro Asia Journal of Management, 14(2), 169-184.

Phillips, V., & Bond, C. (2004). Undergraduates' experiences of critical thinking. Higher Education Research & Development, 23(3), 277-294.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

McAndrew, I., & Phillips, V. (2004). Roll tape: Teaching collective bargaining through simulation. Proceedings of the International Employment Relations Association 4th Teaching, Learning and Research Conference. Ballarat: IERA. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Cone, M. H., & Phillips, V. (2004). Accomplishing positive valence in cultural stereotype violations: A framing and re-framing of negotiation practice. Proceedings of the Academy of International Business 2004 Annual Conference. (pp. 149). Sweden: Academy of International Business. [Abstract]

2003

Chapter in Book - Research

Phillips, V. I. (2003). Girl trouble at Paperworks. In K. Bartol, M. Tein, G. Matthews & D. Martin (Eds.), Management: A Pacific Rim focus. (Enhanced ed. ed.) (pp. [CD-ROM]). Macquarie Park, NSW: McGraw-Hill Australia.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Phillips, V. I., & Cone, M. H. (2003). Intercultural negotiation - A new perspective. In I.-F. Lam (Ed.), Proceedings of the Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand Conference 2003: Reflections and new directions. (pp. 1-10). Monash University, VIC: AIRAANZ. [Full Paper]

2002

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Farnsworth, J., & Phillips, V. I. (2002, November). Reflecting on practice: Teaching good management skills. Verbal presentation at the Tertiary Education Research Conference, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

2001

Chapter in Book - Research

Phillips, V. I. (2001). Girl Trouble at Paperworks, E-Challenge Case Study. In K. Bartol, M. Tein, G. Matthews & D. Martin (Eds.), Management: A Pacific Rim Focus. Australia: McGraw Hill.

Phillips, V. I. (2001). Gymsports. In G. R. Elkin (Ed.), Human Resource Management in Action. Contemporary New Zealand Cases - Vol 2. (pp. 30-32). Palmerston North: Dunmore Press Limited.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Farnsworth, J., & Phillips, V. I. (2001). Teaching interpersonal communication: Identifying and resolving some paradoxes within a systems framework. Communication Association of New Zealand Conference. (pp. 1-7). [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Farnsworth, J., & Phillips, V. I. (2001). Teaching interpersonal communication: Identifying and resolving some paradoxes within a systems framework. 2001 Odyssey. Making Space for Communication. Proceedings of New Zealand Communication Association Inc National Annual Conference 2001. (pp. 13). Auckland: New Zealand Communication Association Inc. [Abstract]

1996

Journal - Research Article

Woodward, S., & Phillips, V. (1996). Trial periods: a double-edged sword for employers. Employment Law Bulletin, 62-64.

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Phillips, V. I. (1996). The effects of mediator style and mediation success. Proceedings of the 1996 AIRAANZ Conference. (pp. 401-409). Perth: The Association of Industrial Relations Academics. [Full Paper]