I’ve been an academic since 1987 when I started teaching economics. Among other subjects taught, I have lectured in business and management, strategy and research methods. As well as authoring articles, chapters and conference papers, I have published seven books, the most recent of which were Exploring the Green Economy and Green Manufacturing both publishedby by Bite-Sized Books, London in, respectively, July and October of 2021.

One of my main roles was as Associate Professor with resposnsibility as director of research degrees in business involving oversight of all doctoral programmes including the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). I was also involved as a tutor for the online DBA programme for Liverpool Laureate and participated in the residency workshops for students undertaking research for their thesis.

Research, though at times may cause frustration due to the challenges, ultimately brings joy in examining phenomena that’s intriguing and, significantly, not adequately described in the vast array of literature dedicated to the way in which organisations operate. The key component of organisations – people – may be idiosyncratic, which defies prediction based on elegant models, but can, if sufficiently motivated, be creative and innovative.

My own PhD research, based on studying quality improvement techniques in twelve UK organisations demonstrated the huge latent potential that undoubtedly exists in every organisation. Participative Action Research, of which I’m an enthusiastic advocate, can play a major role in untapping such potential.

Dr. Steven McCabe

Ana has been joining the DoctorateHub at the very early stage back in 2017 and is heading the DoctorateHub office.

Ana holds a PhD from the Engineering and Innovation Department at the Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology, The Open University UK, that has been awarded for her thesis on “The role of behaviour in the transition to more energy efficient use at home”. Her research combined positivist and constructivist paradigms, so to allow for both: statistically analyse the data, whilst also allowing for an exploration of the complex set of variables that influence human behaviour. With this her research used a mixed, multi-method research methodology, using both quantitative and qualitative research procedures. Quantitative research aimed to gain insight and identify issues for the subsequent qualitative phases of the empirical work, while the qualitative research aims to explore attitudes, behaviour and experiences through such methods as interviews or focus groups.

In addition to this Ana received a degree in Economics from the Universidade do Minho (PT), a degree in International Management from the RSM Erasmus University (NL), and a Master in Business Administration in International Industrial Management from the Esslingen University of Applied Science (DE), a MBA program that had been developed to cater the needs of international senior staff from local enterprises such Behr, Bosch, Daimler, Festo, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Kärcher, Porsche or Siemens.

Ana has two decades of work experience as a Project Manager, Business Developer and Management Controller in the field of the Rational Use of Energy, Sustainability, and Smart Cities. Ana has been responsible for the coordination and management of European Funds, or the development of strategic action plans for local municipalities, such as the SEAP (Strategic Action Plan) under the Covenant of Mayors Initiative. As a member of the Finance Group of the European initiative Smart Cities Stakeholder Platform she also improved her experience in the identification, adaptation and implementation of alternative financing models and sustainability models related to smart cities.