Farshid Shams

Background

About Farshid Shams

I am an Associate Professor of Strategy and Organization Studies at York University. I received my PhD in management from the University of Bath, United Kingdom. I also hold an MBA from the University of West London (UK) and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering. I formerly held a full-time academic position in the Faculty of Business Administration at Lakehead University (Canada). My current research centres on contemporary professional work, processes of organising and matters of identity in and around organizations. I investigate these topics primarily in professional knowledge-intensive service settings such as universities and social work organizations and strive to understand how professionals’ everyday practices lend support to the long-term stability of their organizations or lead to the initiation of a process of change from inside. Drawing on a wide range of theoretical concepts such as practice-driven institutionalism, identity work and sensemaking, my work corresponds to two broad streams of social-symbolic work in pluralistic settings and strategic management. I have taught several courses such as career management, entrepreneurial venture management, strategy and international business.