Dr Vanessa Bretas
Lecturer in Management
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway
Vanessa's research focuses on global strategy, international business and entrepreneurship. Her research has been published in international journals and she has co-authored a book series on the internationalisation of franchise chains and a book chapter on the impacts of Covid-19 on international business. Her research interests are international entry strategies, entrepreneurship growth and scaling. She is also a member of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth and Scaling (CEGS) at the University of Galway. She is National Representative for Ireland for EIBA 2024-2027. She has taught in the areas of International Business and Strategy at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Vanessa's work contributes to these SDGs
Vanessa has co-written a Teaching Case which allows students to critically analyse Signify Health’s strategy and present ideas for how they might have scaled and structured the company’s R&D operations differently.
Key Target: 8.3 Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises
This teaching case gives students a meaningful example of real-world decision-making. It offers students unique insights into the company’s motivations for looking abroad to scale up operations, the key factors informing the choice to move to Galway, and the different management structures considered for the company’s first overseas hub.
Teaching
Strategic Management Through the combination of lectures and case studies, this module develops the ability to formulate and critically evaluate strategies of organisations for their sustained success. The application of strategic management concepts is explored with a sustainability perspective of financial, environmental and social objectives. The pedagogy and learning outcomes of this module are designed to equip postgraduate students with the fundamental skills and concepts required for successful strategic management, such as strategic thinking.
Supporting Targets: 8.1 Sustainable economic growth, 8.3 Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises; 4.7 Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
Business Strategy Adopting the perspective of a general manager, this module focuses on what leaders must do to ensure their organisation creates and captures value and does so in a sustainable manner. It equips students with knowledge to formulate and evaluate a well-conceived strategy. Given the integrative nature of strategy, this module traverses the entire spectrum of business and management. Practitioner insights and case studies from a diverse range of organisations are used to enhance the learning of strategy in different contexts.
Supporting Targets: 8.1 Sustainable economic growth, 8.3 Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises; 4.7 Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
Engagement
Vanessa actively engages with companies in developed and developing countries, conducting research and participating in events. At the European International Business Academy (EIBA) conference, she contributed to a panel on the impact of teaching abroad, emphasising its role in fostering a globally-oriented mindset. Additionally, Vanessa collaborates with Brazilian scholars on a research project aimed at uncovering the technological maturity of local firms.
Direct impact SDG Targets
4.B - Expand higher education scholarships for developing countries
4.C - Increase the supply of qualified teachers in developing countries
8.1 - Sustainable economic growth
8.3 - Promote policies to support job creation and growing enterprises
10.B - Encourage development assistance and investment in least developed countries
12.6 - Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and sustainability reporting
17.17 - Encourage effective partnerships
Indirect SDG Targets
5.5 - Ensure full participation in leadership and decision-making
8.2 - Diversify, innovate and upgrade for economic productivity
8.A - Increase aid for trade support
9.3 - Increase access to financial services and markets
10.6 - Enhanced representation for developing countries in financial institutions
10.A - Special and differential treatment for developing countries
17.11 - Increase the exports of developing countries
Research
Featured Publications
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References |
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Bretas, V. P. G. and Alon, I. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on franchising in emerging markets: An example from Brazil. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 39(6), 6-16. |
3 |
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Alon, I., Bretas, V. P. G., Sclip, A. and 1 more (...) (2022). Greenfield FDI attractiveness index: A machine learning approach. Competitiveness Review, 32(7), 85-108. |
8; 10 |
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Alon, I. and Bretas, V. (2021). Covid-19 and international business. International Business and Management, 36253-36268. |
3 |