Dr Aqueel Wahga

Professional biography

I am associated with The Open University since October 2012; first as a PhD student (2012-2017) and after that as a Central Academic.

Currently, I am Director of MBA Programme. I also act as Director of the Centre for Social and Sustainable Enterprise (CSSE)

Professional memberships:

• Fellow Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Member, Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)  
• Member, Sustainable Development Research Network (SDRN)
• Member, Zero Emissions Enterprise (ZEE) Network, UK
• Member, Case Centre, UK
• Member of AMBA
• Treasurer, Entrepreneurship SIG, British Academy of Management

Research interests

My research interests broadly relate to entrepreneurship, sustainability, and enterprise education. I am also interested in enterprise development, enterprise policy, innovation, dynamic capabilities of firms, SMEs and entrepreneurial universities. Moreover, I like to engage with socio-economic and political issues. My current research looks into the processes that underpin the development of sustainability-oriented capabilities in SMEs, while also examining the environmental drivers and barriers in these firms. This research particularly investigates the role of intermediaries that act as proto-institutional sponsors/actors having the aim to institutionalise and advance environmental practices in SMEs of developing countries like Pakistan. The other research stream examines the entrepreneurial character of universities in emerging economies such as Pakistan and Kenya.

Teaching interests

I have multiple teaching interests ranging from entrepreneurship and enterprise policy and development to innovation, sustainability, business studies, business research methods, business ethics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. I have been the Module Production Team Chair for B209 Entrepreneurship and  Innovation and currently Chairing Module Presentation Team. I have led on the update of Block 5 of B100 An Introduction to Business and Management. Moreover, I am member of Module Presentation Team of B327: Creating future: sustainable enterprise and innovation. Most recently, I have also acted as Innovation and Enterprise Pathway Qualification Lead finding and promoting innovative ways to advance entrepreneurship and enterprise teaching. Furthermore, I am the academic lead for our new and innovative programme - Business Export Exchange Programme (BEEP).