Department of Business Management and Analytics

PhD in Management, University of York, U.K.

M.Sc. in Management with Business Finance, University of York, U.K.

2015.9-Present    Co-Director & Associate Professor, Surrey International Institute, DUFE 

2014.9-2015.7     Associate Professor, SIB, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics

Foundation of Business Management, International Business, Globalization of Emerging Markets, Comparative Country Studies

Internationalization strategies, Institutional impact, Green innovation, Digital innovation

Published Papers:

(1) Zhou Qijun, Zhen Nan, Li Nicolas, Yu Honglan, Qu Yi (corresponding author) (2025).

Growing bigger and becoming visible—exploring how venture boards influence funding performance in digital startups. Journal of Small Business Management (SSCI Core Journal, Management A1), 64, 2, 1–31.

(2) Hong Song, Qu Yi (corresponding author), Pang Michael Yao Pin g, Muhammad Imran Rasheed (2025).

When and how inclusive leadership fuels positive job outcomes, investigating through the lens of social-cognitive theory. Current Psychology and Cholo Gy. (SSCI Core Journal, Management—Zone 1), 45, 1, 435–451.

(3) Qu Yi, Pang Zuyi, Ban Nannan, Huang Minfeng (2025) A Study on the Construction Path of Regional Public Brands for Agriculture in Hebei Province—Taking "Chengde Shanshui" as an Example. Hebei Agriculture, 370(1), 21-23.

(4) Qu Yi & Wei Yingqi (2024). "Does Eco-Innovation of Emerging Market Firms Benefit from MNC Knowledge Spillovers in a Multi-dimensional Task Environment?" Management International Review (SSCI Core Journal, Management—Zone 1). 17, 8505.

(5) Qu, Y., Huang, C. H., & Xing, R. F. (2024). The impact of corporate ecological product innovation on Chinese consumers' purchase intention: The moderating effect of institutional publicity innovation. Journal of Shandong University of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), 40, 4, 5-30.

(6) Qu Yi, Wang Dayu, and Wu Xiaoran (2023), "Accelerating the Development of a Regionally Influential Innovation Hub to Support Dalian's 'Two Leading Zones'," hosted by the Party School of the Dalian Municipal Committee of the CPC. First Prize in the Dalian 2023 Silver Beach Forum Essay Contest.

(7) Qu Yi, Wang Dayu (2023) "Accelerating the Development of the Dalian Regional Innovation Center," Dalian Daily, August 18, 2023.

(8) Qu Yi, Wang Dayu (2023) "Accelerating the Development of a Regionally Innovative Center with National Influence to Support Dalian's 'Two Leading Zones' Development," Northeast Window, 08, 718, 44–45.

(9) Li Juan & Qu Yi (2023). "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Firms' Energy and Resources Efficiency."

Resources Policy (SSCI Core Journal, Management A1), 82, 103507.

(10) Li Juan & Qu Yi (2023). "Evolution and Impacting Factors of Global Renewable Energy Products Trade Network:"An Empirical Investigation Based on ERGM Model. Sustainability (SSCI Core Journal), 15, 8701.

(11) Qu Yi, Jashim Khan & Su Yuyan (2023). Impulse buying trends in live-stream commerce:

The role of viewing frequency and anticipated emotions influencing scarcity-induced purchase decisions. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services (SSCI Core Journal, Management A1), 75, 103534.

(12) Qu Yi & Andrzej Cieślik (2022). "The role of regional formal institutions in China's OFDI location choice and firm performance."

Asia and the Global Economy (ABS Core Journal), 10(2): 1–10.

(13) Li Juan & Qu Yi (2022). "The role of institutional linkages and regional institutions in the location choice of outward foreign direct investment". Journal of Social Economics Research, 9(1):10-26.

(14) Zhu Hua & Qu Yi (2022). "How Different Drivers of Liability of Foreignness Affect EMNEs Symmetrically at the Pre-M&A Stage."

Asian Development Policy Review. 10(1): 16-34.

(15) QuYi, QuTin g & WuYaoan (2017). "The Role of Regional Formal Institutions and FDI in Innovation in Chinese Enterprises."

AsiaPacific Business Review (SSCI Core Journal), 23(1), 27-43.

(16)Qu Yi & Wei Yingqi (2017). "The Role of Domestic Institutions and FDI on Innovation -Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Firms". Asian Economic Papers (SSCI Core Journal), 16(2), 55-76.

(17) Qu Yi, Wei Yingqi & Zheng Nan (2017). "Linking R&D Strategy, National Innovation System and FDI to Firm Performance."

Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies (ABS Core Journal), 15(1), 41-58.

(18) Nan Zheng & Yi Qu (2015). "What Explains the Performance of Chinese Exporting Firms?" Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies (ABS Core Journal), 1, 51–70.

(19) Yaoan Wu & Yi Qu (2015). The Role of Institutional Distance in the Target Firm Performance of Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions—Evidence from Emerging Economies Firms Investing in Developed Economies. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Symposium on Global Manufacturing and China.

(20) Yi Qu & Yingqi Wei. The Role of Regional Formal Institutions and FDI in Innovation – Evidence from China's Manufacturing

Firms. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Academy of International Business—UK & Ireland Chapter: York, 2014.

(21) Nan Zheng & Yi Qu. What explains the performance of Chinese exporting firms? Joint Conference of CEA-U.K. and Hunan University. Conference Proceedings: Changsha, 2014.

(22) Yi Qu & Yingqi Wei. The Role of Formal Institution and FDI in Innovation—Evidence from China's Manufacturing Firms.

Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Academy of International Business – UK & Ireland Chapter: Birmingham, 2013.

Research Project Grants

(1) lead the Dalian Municipal Federation of Social Sciences' 2025 Key Project, "Policy Recommendations for Promoting the Development of Dalian's Duty-Free Economy," Dalian Municipal Federation of Social Sciences, 20,000 yuan; project completed.

(2) Lead the Liaoning Provincial Social Science Planning Fund Project for 2025, titled "Research on the Mechanism of How Filling Institutional Gaps in the Context of Digital New Media Impacts the Communication of Liaoning's Urban Image." Liaoning Provincial Social Science Planning Fund Office, 10,000 yuan, currently under research.

(3) Lead Liaoning Province's 2025 commissioned research project on decision-making consulting and new-type think tank studies:"Policy Agility and New-Quality Productivity: A Dual-Core Synergistic Driving Model for Urban Renewal in Liaoning in the Digital Era." The Liaoning Provincial Decision-Making Advisory Committee is currently under study.

(4) Principal Investigator, 2025 Key Research Project of Dalian Federation of Social Sciences: Research on Activating the Development Vitality of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Dalian through Finance, Dalian Federation of Social Sciences, Project No.: 2025dlskzd244, Completed.

(5) Lead the 2024 Liaoning Provincial Association for Science and Technology Innovation Think Tank Project:"The Synergistic Relationship Among Institutional Innovation in Liaoning, Digital and Intelligent Knowledge Spillovers, and Corporate Green Innovation"

Liaoning Provincial Association for Science and Technology, Project Approval Number: LNKX2023QN26, completed.

(6) Lead the 2024 Liaoning Provincial People's Government Decision-Making Advisory Committee project: "A Study on Countermeasures for Liaoning to Explore New Approaches to Urban Image Communication in the Era of Digital New Media."

Liaoning Province Decision-Making Advisory Committee, currently under research.

(7) Lead the 2024 Liaoning Province Social and Economic Development Research Project: "Institutional Innovation in Liaoning Province and the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Eco-Innovation within Liaoning's Business Ecosystem," Liaoning Provincial Federation of Social Sciences.

Project Approval Number: 2024lslybkt-062, 10,000 yuan, September 2023–September 2024, ongoing.

(8) Lead the 2024 Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation project (a sub-provincial key project): "Suggestions on Promoting Capital Market Development to Support Scientific and Technological Innovation," Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation. Project Approval Number: 2024dlskzd014, November 2023 – April 2024, completed.

(9) Lead the 2024 Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation project (a sub-provincial key project): "Suggestions on Strategically Developing the Low-Altitude Economy to Empower Dalian's High-Quality Economic Development," Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation. Project Approval Number: 2024dlskzd055, 30,000 yuan, completed.

(10) Lead the 2024 Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation Project (a sub-provincial key project): "A Study on the Synergistic Relationship Among Institutional Innovation, Digital and Intelligent Knowledge Spillovers, and Green Innovation in Dalian Enterprises," Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation. Project Approval Number: 2024dlskzd112, currently under research.

(11) Lead the 2024 Northeast University of Finance and Economics postgraduate teaching reform project: "Innovation in Postgraduate Education and Digital-Intelligent Knowledge Spillovers Empowering New-Model Productivity," with a funding of 5,000 yuan; currently ongoing.

(12) Lead the 2023 Liaoning Province Science and Technology Innovation Think Tank Project: "Institutional Innovation in Liaoning Province and the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Ecosystem-Based Innovation in Liaoning Enterprises," Liaoning Provincial Association for Science and Technology.

Project Approval Number: LNKX2023FH25, No funding, June 2023 – October 2023, Project completed.

(13) Lead the 2023 Dalian Academy of Social Sciences essay research project: "Accelerating the Development of a Regionally Influential Innovation Hub to Support Dalian's 'Two Leading Zones'," Dalian Academy of Social Sciences.

Project Approval Number: 2023dlsk y zw010, June 2023 – November 2023, Completed, Excellent.

 (14) Lead the 2022 research project of the Dalian Municipal Development and Reform Commission Research Center: "Research on Building the Dalian High-tech Zone into a Northern Science and Technology Innovation Base with National Influence."

Dalian Municipal Development and Reform Commission, 20,000 yuan, May–December 2022, completed.

(15) Lead the 2022 Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation's major research project: "Guiding Dalian's foreign trade enterprises to effectively utilize RCEP-related policies and achieve new breakthroughs in advancing higher-level opening-up," Dalian Municipal Social Science Federation.

Project Approval Number: 2022dlskzd168, 50,000 yuan, June 2022 – May 2023, completed, excellent performance. "An Analysis of Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises,"Project No.: JBK150117, Approval Date: January 2015.

Policy Advice Achievement

(1) The 2025 decision-making advisory report, "Promoting the Upgrading of Agricultural Industrial Chains and Developing Smart Villages to Support Rural Revitalization," was reviewed by Deputy Director Miao Bingsong of the Hebei Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Positive endorsement from a First-Level Inspector (at the level of a director-general).

(2) The 2025 policy advisory report titled "Policy Recommendations for Promoting the Development of Duty-Free Economy in Dalian City" was adopted by the 9th issue of 2025 "Decision-Making Reference" published by the Dalian Municipal Federation of Social Sciences. And received affirmative remarks from Dalian Mayor Chen Shaowang and Vice Mayor Leng Xuefeng.

(3) The 2025, the proposal titled "Suggestions on Promoting Ecological Restoration to Advance Sustainable Ecological Development in Liaoning and Building a Civilized Ecological Circle," submitted to the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress as the first author, was adopted.

And submitted as a proposal to the Third Session of the 14th Provincial People's Congress.

(4) The article "Liaoning Province Empowers the 'Old and Young' Care System with Science and Technology to Tackle Challenges in Elderly Care and Childcare," published in "Liaoning Economy," received an affirmative endorsement in April 2025 from Guo Caiyun, then Vice Governor of Liaoning Province: "Please have the Provincial Department of Civil Affairs carefully study and incorporate these suggestions."

(5) The policy advisory report "A Study on Financial Activation of the Development Vitality of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Our City" was adopted as a proposal at the 4th Session of the 14th Committee of the Dalian Municipal Political Consultative Conference in 2025.

(6) In 2024, the proposal titled "Suggestions on Strengthening Prevention of Marine Ecological Risks and Safeguarding Marine Ecological Security," submitted to the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress as the fourth author, was adopted. And submitted as a proposal to the Second Session of the 14th Provincial People's Congress.

(7) In 2024, the proposal titled "Suggestions on Activating New Momentum for Liaoning's Marine Culture, Sports, and Tourism Industries and Promoting the Development of a High-Quality Demonstration Zone for Integrated Cultural, Sports, and Tourism Development," submitted to the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress as the third author, was adopted. And submitted as a proposal to the Second Session of the 14th Provincial People's Congress.

(8) "Suggestions on Leveraging the Low-Altitude Economy Industry to Empower Dalian's High-Quality Economic Development" was featured in the 5th issue of 2024 of the Dalian Municipal Federation of Social Sciences" "Decision-Making Reference." And received approval from Wang Qiyao, Director of the Standing Committee of the Dalian Municipal People's Congress.

(9) "Suggestions on Promoting Capital Market Development to Support Technological Innovation" were featured in Issue No. 221 of the Dalian Municipal Party Committee Office's "Today's Key Information" for 2023.

(10) In 2023, the policy recommendation titled "Accelerate the Advancement of Technological Innovation in China's Banking Sector to Support Economic and Social Development," proposed as the first author, was published by the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee Office's publication, "Liaoning Information."

(11)2022, First Author. Suggestions on Improving Rural Informatization Construction in Liaoning Province under the Background of Rural Vitalization submitted to Liaoning Provincial People's Congress, and the suggestions were adopted. Proposed by deputies to the National People's Congress and handled as reference materials for the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress.

(12) In 2022, the proposal "On Improving Food Safety in the Takeout Industry and Supporting Its Development," submitted to the Liaoning Provincial People's Congress as the first author, was adopted and subsequently proposed by a deputy to the National People's Congress and processed as a reference document for the Fifth Session of the 13th National People's Congress.

(13) In 2022, as the first author, I proposed a policy advisory suggestion titled "Guiding Dalian's foreign trade enterprises to make good use of RCEP-related policies and achieve new breakthroughs in advancing higher-level opening-up."

1. Most Influential Teacher in the eyes of Graduates of the year 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025.

2. Excellent Party Member of DUFE, 2024

3. Outstanding Tutor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship of DUFE, 2024

4. Excellent Tutor of Liaoning Province "Challenging Cup" Competition, 2023

5. Excellent Faculty Director of DUFE, 2023

6. Third Prize, Liaoning University Micro-course Competition (2021)

7. Outstanding Educator of "Teaching and Educating" of DUFE, 2025