Prof. Dr. Sébastien Mena

List of publications available on Google Scholar or in this CV. 

Sébastien Mena is Professor of Strategic Management at the Department of Management of the University of Fribourg. Before joining this institution, he was Professor of Organization and Governance (2020-2024) at the Hertie School of Governance (Germany), Lecturer then Senior Lecturer (2013-2020) at Bayes Business School (UK) and post-doctoral researcher (2011-2013) at the University of Alberta (Canada). Sébastien obtained his PhD from HEC at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland).

Sébastien's research focuses on the role of business in society, with a particular interest for issues of sustainable development and democracy. In particular, he studies the strategic management of sustainability problems - whether social or environmental - in transnational value chains. His work explores how interactions between firms and civil society (NGOs, local communities, activists) influence the way in which firms conceive of their responsibility for sustainability issues. Sébastien also analyzes the strategies that firms implement to address these issues, as well as the impacts of strategic action at different levels.

Sébastien’s research focuses on three interrelated domains: i) business and sustainability, ii) sustainable and democratic governance of value chains and iii) business, innovation and democracy. He draws on theoretical frameworks in management and organization studies such as institutional theory, social movement theory, social innovation or organizational memory studies.

Sébastien's predominantly qualitative research examines diverse contexts, such as the textile value chain in Southeast Asia, the cultivation and export of agricultural commodities (cocoa, vanilla, etc.) in sub-Saharan Africa, alternative food systems in Europe, or organizational innovation for the promotion and defense of democracy.

He is also associate editor of Business & Society and sits on several editorial boards of management and organization academic journals, such as the Academy of Management Review and Organization Studies.

Sébastien teaches Strategic Management at the Bachelor level, as well as several elective courses at Master's level, such as Business and Sustainable Development.