I passed my viva many years ago, in 1993; however, this does not mean that I have forgotten how it was. I do recall it as it was just yesterday … After my viva, I was part of many Viva exams, of my students at bachelor, masters and PhD level as well as examination & viva committee member of many other students’ theses.

I started my research path as a young researcher at the University of Technology Vienna (Austria), where I obtained my PhD from and at University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). After finishing my PhD, I was working as a Researcher - free-lancer, when I was involved in several national and international interdisciplinary research projects working with research groups from different international universities and research institutions. My research career continued at the Austrian Academy of Science.

In 2003, I was appointed at University of Maribor, Slovenia as an Assistant Professor in the field of Quality Management and Environmental Protection Management, teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In 2006, I was elected to Associate Professor and in 2014 to Full Professor.

From 2014 to 2021, I was engaged with the University of Wollongong in Dubai, Faculty of Business as an active researcher, with strong engagement in the development and support of the UOWD research platform, the Higher Degree by Research (PhD/DBA) program.

During all my university career time I was engaged in research and/or teaching which is evidenced in my publication record, which contains over 350 items, including journal publications, conference participations, teaching activities and other research and teaching related activities.

I hope I will be able to pass some of my experience to you and help you progressing faster in your PhD journey.

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