Dr. Manuel Villasalero Diaz
Dr. Manuel Villasalero
Dr. Manuel Villasalero is a tenured professor of business organization and vice-rector of economics and planning at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain, where he obtained his doctorate with a thesis on knowledge management in diversified companies. He is the author of various articles on knowledge management, open innovation, business creation, corporate strategy and human resource management, which have been published in journals such as the International Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Knowledge Management, Journal of Technology Transfer, Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Journal of Euromarketing, European Journal of International Management and the Journal of Intellectual Capital, among others. He is a member of the board of directors of various companies, including technology-based companies originating from the university.
Why did you become a member of the International Atlantic Economic Society?
International economics and business have always been top priorities in my research agenda. Last fall, I had the opportunity to attend the 94th International Atlantic Economic Conference in Washington D.C with a doctoral student and other senior researchers from some Spanish universities. We enjoyed a wonderful organization, a friendly setting to exchange insights, a close affinity with our research lines and engaging plenary sessions. In fact, we will also attend the 95th Conference to be held in Rome, Italy and look forward to the 96th Conference in Fall 2023 in the United States. On a more personal note, I also think that Atlantic cooperation, no matter in economic or other affairs, is essential for free societies.
What types of projects/research are you currently working on and what inspired/motivated you to pursue these interests?
From my early doctoral work on highly diversified corporations, I noticed the power and influence of large firms in the economy and society. My working model is today’s multinational firm as a network of industry divisions and foreign subsidiaries with extensive knowledge, product and capital exchanges with sister units located worldwide and external constituencies in the host countries. I am now working with colleagues and doctoral students on multinational innovation and digital transformation issues using this working model. The IAES provides a perfect fit to deal with these topics in an international-enriching context.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering entering your line of work/field of study?
Nowadays, adopting an international posture is no longer a choice, but a necessity. It does not matter whether we are talking about economics, politics, business or the arts. The fields of international economics and business are no exception in this regard. I would suggest they think about the influence that multinational corporations have on everyday lives in both developed and developing countries, directly or indirectly, through local networks of small and medium-sized enterprises in the host countries. I would then advise them to look in the direction of considering an overarching, systemic framework of causal linkages in the analysis of relations in the international arena.
Going forward, what other projects/research are you planning to or hoping to pursue?
I am increasingly interested in closely connecting with businesses and institutions on these topics. For example, I now have a university-business partnership to foster the exchange of ideas and bidirectional knowledge transfer between academics and managers on digitalization, innovation and internationalization. The project is sponsored by MEISA, a Spain-based 2,500 employee company interested in leaping ahead of the competition in some key issues that will prove crucial in the coming years. The kind of first-hand, deep knowledge that this kind of exchange provides us in the interface of research and consulting is important to for our academic work and profitable for our business counterparts.
What’s your favorite hobby?
I am interested in nature, sports and technology. I enjoy activities in the countryside, going to the gym, practicing sports, and experimenting with new technologies as an early adopter in many cases. For example, now that most people are looking for hybrid and electric vehicles, my Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Hyundai Kona, is about to celebrate its fourth birthday. I also love wine and all the culture around it, tasting the different grapes, comparing the various vintages, pairing the wine with delightful food and above all, sharing them around a good conversation with colleagues and friends in a quiet place. Cheers IAES members and everyone interested in the field!