“In terms of research, business schools are seedbeds for innovation and knowledge creation”

Dr. Lorraine Eden is Professor of Management and Emerita Professor of Business in the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. Rennes School of Business International Scientific Committee Member, she has just been awarded the City of Rennes Medal by the Mayor of Rennes Nathalie Appéré on 6th of June, 2019.

What is your feeling about this reward from the city of Rennes?

I think it is a wonderful honor that the City of Rennes is bestowing this award on the members of the International Scientific Committee of the Rennes Business School. The award shows the high regard that the City has for the Rennes Business School and its contributions to Brittany and to France.

As a Canadian who traces her country’s roots back to an explorer from Brittany (the famous French Explorer Jacques Cartier), receiving this award is particularly meaningful. I am very honored to be receiving this award.

Receiving a Gold Medal from the City of Rennes on June 6, 2019 is particularly significant for me and I am sure also for the other members of the International Scientific Committee.  June 6, 2019 is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. D-Day has particular meaning for me : during World War II, my Dad was an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, Fleet Air Arm, on loan to the British Air Force. My parents were married in 1946 then moved to Canada. So 75 years ago today, they were across the Channel from Normandy. As a Canadian by birth, and an American by naturalization, I am proud of the Canadians and Americans that fought for freedom in World War II.

As members of the Rennes SB ISC, what do you want to bring to the Rennes SB?

One of the contributions that I hope to bring to the School is an emphasis on interdisciplinary research and teaching. My background is unusual in that I have spent large parts of my academic life in three quite different departments/schools: economics, international affairs, and business, which may give me perhaps a better understanding of governance structures in different institutions.  As a result, also, most of my research is interdisciplinary in focus and I like to work with scholars from different intellectual backgrounds. I am also particularly interested in the strategies and structures of multinational enterprises and how they respond to exogenous shocks such as technological change and regional integration.  My current research projects on transfer pricing and on technological change (Industry 4.0) may also contribute to innovative lines of teaching and research.

How is Rennes School of Business and its ISC a « bridge » between the territory – Rennes & Brittany – and « the international »?

By training young people – educating and equipping them for the careers of the 21st century – business schools play a critical role in the long run competitiveness of a city, region and country. A large, major business school such as the Rennes Business School must also play a flagship role as a leader and a bridge between the academic community and the business and public policy communities.  In terms of research, business schools are also seedbeds for innovation and knowledge creation. The business school mindset – focused on regional and global activities – is also very important for bringing a « global view » together with « local activities.»  The International Scientific Committee helps to provide that bridge between the local and the international.

Dr. Lorraine Eden is Professor of Management and Emerita Professor of Business in the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. She holds the Gina and Anthony Bahr (‘91) Professorship in Business in the Department of Management at the Mays Business School of Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. She is an expert in the field of International Transfer Pricing, which is the pricing of products that move between subunits of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). She has more than 180 publications, which have received nearly 13,000 Google Scholar citations.

• More Information about the International Scientific Committee of Rennes School of Business