My main research has focused on the phenomenon of M&As in which I examined in particular the relationship between deal characteristics, subjective uncertainty and employee reactions. This work draws on the theoretical frameworks of social identity theory, organizational culture, stress and change in organizations. I adopt a meso perspective interested in effects of context on the individual. My experimental dissertation study uncovered a phenomenon of collective rumination. I am currently developing a collective rumination scale and am exploring possible avenues for applying this new group process construct.
My secondary research interests are related to women leaders, equality and diversity, and identity work. I am currently developing a theoretical contribution to the identity literature by outlining a role identity negotiation process based on qualitative data collected from women in the UAE.
I am also passionate about Positive Organizational Scholarship and would particularly like to focus my future research on outcomes that are beneficial or generative for individuals as well as organizations.
• Group Dynamics and Social Support
• Positive Organizational Scholarship
• Organizational culture, identity and change
• Women leadership and entrepreneurship
• Social capital and networks in organizations
PUBLICATIONS
Marmenout, K. (2010). Employee Sensemaking in Mergers: How Deal Characteristics Shape Employee Attitudes. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 46(3), 329-359.
Marmenout, K. Coaching for Work-Life Balance (book chapter forthcoming, in The Coaching Kaleidoscope Insights from the Inside, Edited by Manfred Kets de Vries, Laura Guillen Ramo, Konstantin Korotov, Elizabeth Florent-Treacy).
Marmenout, K. (2009) Women-focused Leadership Development in the Middle East: Generating Local Knowledge, INSEAD Working paper No 2009/25/IGLC.
Marmenout, K. and Probst, G. 2007. Unternehmenskultur und nachhaltiges Wachstum (Organizational Culture and Sustainable Growth) In S. Raisch & G. Probst & P. Gomez (Eds.), Wege zum Wachstum – Wie Unternehmen nachhaltig profitables Wachstum erzielen Gabler Verlag.
Marmenout, K. 2006. Organizational Culture Profile. In R. A. Reynolds & R. Woods & J. D. Baker (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Electronic Surveys and Measurements: 310-312: Idea Group Reference.
MANUSCRIPTS UNDER REVIEW / IN PREPARATION
Marmenout, K. (2011). Peer interaction in Mergers: Evidence of Collective Rumination. Human Resource Management, 50(6), 783-808.
Marmenout, K. Global Standards - Local Realities: Equality in the UAE (under review International Journal of Human Resource Management).
Marmenout, K. Career or Family? Tensions and Trade-offs for Working Women in the Middle East (R&R Career Development International).
with Florent, E. and Kets de Vries, M., Fatima Al Jaber and Al Jaber Group: Traditions and Transitions in a UAE family enterprise (chapter in “Father-Daughter Succession in Family Business” eds. Daphne Halkias, Paul M. Swiercz, Celina Smith, Robert S. Nason, forthcoming January 2011).
Marmenout, K. A Social Network Approach to Post-Merger Integration (in preparation for Human Resource Management).
Marmenout, K. Collective Rumination or Social Support? How context affects peer interaction (in preparation for OBHDP).
Marmenout, K. and Probst, G. Aligning your Culture with your Growth: Where to go and how to get there. (in preparation).
PEER REVIEWED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
“Global Standards and Local Realities: Equality and Diversity in the UAE” accepted for presentation at EGOS 2010, Lisbon.
“The Effects of Deal Characteristics and Collective Rumination: How Employees make sense of a Merger” presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Chicago.
“Women Leadership Development in the Middle East: Generating Local Knowledge”, symposium (organizer & presenter) accepted for presentation at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, Chicago.
“Social Interaction and Employee Attitudes in Mergers” presented at the 2008 Academy of Management Annual Meeting, Anaheim.
“Balancing Culture in a Global Context”, presented at the 26th International Conference of the Strategic Management Society, Vienna, Austria, 2006.
“A holistic approach to intergroup conflict”, presented at the Virtual Conference of the “Business as an Agent of World Benefit: Management Knowledge Leading Positive Change” Global Forum, October 22-25, 2006, Cleveland, OH.
“They Don't Like Us, We Don't Like Them...Antecedents of Outgroup Derogation in Mergers”, presented at the 2006 Academy of Management Meeting, August 11-16 August, Atlanta, GA.
“Beyond Culture Clashes: A Process Model of Post-Merger Order Negotiation”, presented at the European Academy of Management meeting 2006, Oslo, Norway.
“Conflict in Mergers: Integrating Psychological, Social and Cultural Perspectives on Merger Failure”, presented at the 2005 Academy of Management Meeting, August 5-10, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“A Disputing perspective on Post-Merger Integration”, presented at the 18th Annual conference of the International Association for Conflict Management, June 12-15, 2005, Sevilla, Spain.
Marmenout, K. 2004. A Social Network Approach to Post-Merger Integration. Conference proceedings of the 2nd IASTED International Conference on Alliances, Mergers, and Acquisitions, MIT, Cambridge, MA.
“Prestige and Reputation in Inter-Organizational Networks”, accepted for presentation at Western Business Management Conference, Las Vegas, October 2004.
“Collective efficacy: A case for an integrated dynamic model”, accepted for presentation at IWOT, Trier, Germany, Sept. 2004.
“Perceptions of Organizational Culture: How Individuals Experience Fit”, presented at Academy of Management SIM doctoral consortium, New Orleans, August 2004.
“Efficacy Beliefs in Groups”, presented at ASAC Conference, Quebec City, Canada, June 2004.
TEACHING CASES
Probst, G. & Marmenout, K. 2006. Deutsche Bank: Becoming a Global Leader with European Tradition (case & teaching note).
Marmenout K. & Florent, E. 2009. Fatima Al Jaber and Al Jaber Group: Traditions and Transitions in a UAE family enterprise (teaching note).
With Tassabehji R. and Florent, E. 2009 Reem Al-Shemari and the Abu Dhabi Brand - Generation Y Leadership in the UAE (forthcoming - case & teaching note)
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
2003-now CONSULTING AND RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS
Gender Equality Project (Switzerland)
Lead Researcher performing Gender Equality Assessment of major MNEs.
Major International Banking Institution (UAE)
Provided work-life balance workshops and counseling related to policies and practices improving work-life balance.
Major Pharmaceutical Company (Switzerland)
Social Network Analysis: designed a study and presented to senior management potential benefits of the social network approach to organizational surveying, performance appraising and improving intergroup communication.
Major European Bank (Germany)
Conducted qualitative study based on interviews with key-informants to complement the bank’s internal annual employee surveys with richer insights and recommendations for action, specifically related to reinforcing the ‘One Bank’.
The Joint WUSC-CECI Volunteer Cooperation Program (Canada)
Conducted a developmental evaluation of the merger of the two NGOs. Interviewed key-participants and facilitated intergroup workshops according to appreciative enquiry methods. The intervention also allowed reaching a joint understanding of the challenges ahead and the mutual strengths both organizations could rely on to implement the joint program.
2001-2003 CAP GEMINI ERNST & YOUNG Brussels, Belgium
Senior Consultant Human Capital
• Led cross-functional teams in various client engagements focusing on process improvement and change initiatives.
• Conceptualized communication strategies and materials, organized information sessions and coordinated change management activities at a major multinational service company.
• Counseled senior management of a major financial institution throughout the transition and post-merger integration of the HRM corporate services. Assisted senior management in identifying, assessing, prioritizing and managing change within their departments.
1999-2001 KPMG Brussels, Belgium
HR Consultant
• Conceptualized HR intranet to improve communication to internal and external stakeholders.
• Introduced a comprehensive induction program substantially improving efficiency and consistency in training and integration of newcomers, creating a strong homogenous culture and a clear branding of service excellence among all staff.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1998-1999 ORESA VENTURES Stockholm, Sweden
HR Associate Brussels, Belgium
1996-1998 UNILEVER BELGIUM Brussels, Belgium
Media Operations Associate
1992-1996 GENERAL CONSULATE OF FRANCE IN CAIRO Cairo, Egypt
• Fluent in French, English, Dutch and Arabic.
• Working knowledge of German and basic Spanish
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
2009-now EMLYON Business School Lyon, France
Assistant Professor of Management
2008-2009 INSEAD Abu Dhabi, UAE
Research Fellow
• Responsible for research program development on Women and Leadership in the Middle East.
• Conducting independent qualitative and quantitative research projects.
• Participating in Conferences and providing Seminars on Women Leadership Development and Work-life Balance.
Spring 2009 DUBAI SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT Dubai, UAE
Lecturer
• Teaching of Organizational Behavior and Development in Master of Public Administration program.
Summer 2008 AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN DUBAI Dubai, UAE
Adjunct Instructor Business
• Taught classes in Business Research Methods and Principles of Management to Bachelor students.
2007 - now UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER Dubai, UAE
Lecturer
• Taught Management, People and Organizations, Implementing strategies, Change Management, Leadership and Entrepreneurship to MBA students and executives.
2005 - 2007 UNIVERSITY OF GENEVA, HEC Geneva, Switzerland
Research and Teaching Assistant
• Assisted and taught organization, change management and coaching classes to master and bachelor students.
• Contributed to research projects and teaching case writing.
2003 - 2005 MCGILL UNIVERSITY, DESAUTELS FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT Montreal, Canada
Research and Teaching Assistant
• Collaborated on research projects related to organizational injustice, creativity and person-organization fit.
• Conducted a field project on the merger of two Canadian NGOs.
• Assisted in Human Resource Management classes for BCom students.
TEACHING INTERESTS
• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership, Motivation & Coaching
• Change Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Cross-cultural Management
• Strategic Human Resource Management