Director of the Business School for the Creative Industries, Professor of Business Innovation

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  • Research
Professor Cindy Millman

Cindy is a Professor in Business Innovation. A senior academic with business management experience in higher education; An experienced researcher (working on several large projects funded by EU and UK funding bodies) in international entrepreneurship and creative innovation fields, with a specific focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as a lens of entrepreneurship education and gender in general, and enterprise and entrepreneurship particularly in the creative industries.

Professor Cindy Millman

Bio

Cindy joined Business School for the Creative Industries (BSCI), University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in January 2023. Cindy was previously Associate Director of Birmingham City Business School, Birmingham City University (BCU) where she had worked for 20 years. Cindy holds a PhD in international entrepreneurship and innovation; a master in MSc Management and Marketing (with Distinction) both awarded from BCU. Prior to her academic career, Cindy had worked in industry and commerce for over 10 years, in China, in the field of international business, as a merchandiser and a manager of a large state-owned corporation in the fashion industry. This international business experience has influenced her current research interests, and she has published over 25 refereed research papers in various international journals, as well as numerous conference contributions and book chapters.

Cindy is a senior academic with business management experience in higher education (HE); An experienced lecturer with both academic and practical international entrepreneurial business experience; An experienced researcher (have worked on several large projects funded by the EU and the UK funding bodies) in international entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation field, with a specific focus on SMEs and enterprise. Cindy contributed to 2008 RAE, 2014 and 2021 REF, both in research outputs and impact case studies.

Cindy provides leadership for: students' educational, teaching and learning experience; academic integrity of programmes, compliance with the University quality framework and other accreditation bodies; and monitoring and evaluation of programme and performance in line with Office for Students (OfS) metrics and thresholds. She led and supported the University’s preparation for external reviews and inspections, such as those by the QAA, Ofsted, NMC, HCPC and/or other Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs).

Cindy is experienced in leading academic staff in her previous roles as Associate Director for Business School, and Deputy Head of Department (Strategy, Management and Marketing), one of two academic departments in the Business School. She held strategic and operational responsibility for managing and delivering a complex academic portfolio, ranging from Foundation, UG, PGT, PGR (including DBA), Apprenticeship and Executive Corporate Education courses with more than 4500 students. Cindy develops, validates and oversees transnational educational courses (TNEs) delivered through partnerships in countries, such as Sri Lanka, Maylasia and Singapore. She is experienced in managing and leading staff, e.g. recruitment, career development, implementing transparent workloads' allocations supported by appraisal and staff development systems. She conducts individual performance reviews to ensure key strategic KPIs are delivered, and staff were supported in achieving their goals.

Cindy is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE), experienced in leading reviews and developing strategies to enhance academic portfolio, for home/EU and TNEs/international markets. These were awarded in recognition of teaching practice and the role in advancing the quality of business and management education in HE.

Research statement

To date, Cindy has published 23 refereed articles in international journals, 43 conference papers, 2 book chapters; delivered other outputs such as research reports and working series papers. Cindy's research interests are within the broad spectrum of business enterprise, involved knowledge transfer, and has a great level of interest in prompting creative education, innovation and enterprise. Cindy is a visiting professor in China and has an extensive track record of research, PhD supervisions, and has worked within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) nationally and internationally and industry in promoting entrepreneurial education. Her research is centred around the following themes:

  • International entrepreneurship with emphasis on social capital, marketing and strategy
  • Innovation with emphasis on research and development (R&D), process, innovation strategy, network, channels and management
  • Entrepreneurship education with emphasis on internet entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intentions by doing country comparative studies

Research supervision

Cindy is interested in supervising PhD students in different areas of international business, strategy, management, culture, entrepreneurship and innovation.

Research outputs

Referred Journal Articles

  • Osei-Nimo, S., Millman, C. and Aboagye-Nimo, E. 2022. The Interplay of Alcohol and Wellbeing in the Workplace: Combining Soft Systems Methodology and Foucauldian Approach. Systemic Practice and Action Research. DOI: 10.1007/s11213-022-09591-2.
  • Liu, Y, Zheng, F, Millman, C and Wang, S.X. 2020. Research on Teaching Satisfaction under the Application of Social Media Tools from the Perspective of Multiple Incentives. Solid State Technology, 63 (1). pp. 2487-2507.
  • Millman, C. and Li, Z. 2017. Establishing a Viable Institutional Environment for Entrepreneurship in China: A Case Study of Zhejiang Province, Strategic Change, 26, 237-242.
  • Scott, J.M.; Harrison, R.T.; Hussain, J. and Millman, C. 2014. The Role of Guanxi Networks in the Performance of Women-led Firms in China, International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 6(1), 68-82.
  • Martin, L.M.; Warren-Smith, I.; Schofield, C. and Millman, C. 2013. Exploring SME Advice and Training Needs for Entrepreneurial Rural Firms, The International Journal of Entrepreneurship & Innovation, 14(2), 95-102.
  • Li, Z., Millman, C. and Chi, R. 2013. Innovation Source and Performance: A Firm-level Analysis of High-tech Sector in China, Global Business and Economics Review, 15(4), 327–349.
  • Millman, C., Li, Z.W. and Chi, R.Y. 2012. Technology Imports, Product Exports and Firms’ R&D Investment: An Empirical Analysis of Firms in the Chinese High Technology Sector, Prometheus: Critical Studies in Innovation, 30(2), 179-198.
  • Martin, L.M., Schofield, C., Millman, C. and Reddy-Sursani, S. 2011. White and Male? Constructing Student Perceptions of Entrepreneurs as ‘Other’, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 12(3), 179-187.
  • Li, Z.W. and Millman, C. 2011. Government Support, International Trade and Firm’s R&D Investment: Evidence from Chinese High-Tech Industries, Journal of Science and Technology Policy in China (JSTPC), 2(2), 146-158.
  • Millman, C. 2011. E-Commerce Adoption by Micro Firms: A Qualitative Investigation in the UK Tourism Sector, International Journal of Online Marketing, 1(2), pp. 1-24.
  • Millman, C. and El-Gohary, H. 2011. New Digital Media Marketing and Micro Business: A UK Perspective, International Journal of Online Marketing, 1(1), pp. 41-62.
  • Li, Z.W., Chi, R.Y. and Millman, C. 2010. Technology Imports and Product Exports on Firms’ R&D Investment: An Empirical Study of Chinese High-tech Industry, Studies in Science of Science, 28(10), 1495 – 1501.
  • Hussain, J., Scott, J.M., Harrison, R. and Millman, C. 2010. Enter the Dragoness: Firm Growth, Finance, Guanxi, and Gender in China, Gender in Management: An International Journal, 25(2), 137 – 156.
  • Millman, C., Li, Z.W., Matlay, H and Wong, W.C. 2010. Entrepreneurship Education and Students' Internet Entrepreneurship Intentions, Evidence from Chinese HEIs, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 17(4), 569-590.
  • Millman, C., Wong, W.C., Li, Z.W. and Matlay, H. 2009. Educating Students for e-Entrepreneurship in the UK, the USA and China, Industry & Higher Education, 23(3), 243 - 255.
  • Millman, C., Matlay, H., and Liu, F. 2008. Entrepreneurship Education in China: A Case Study Approach, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 15(4), 802 – 815.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C., Scott, J., Hannon, P., and Matlay, H. 2007. Ethnic Minority Graduate Entrepreneurs in the UK: Characteristics, Motivation and Access to Finance, Industry & Higher Education, 21(6), 455-467.
  • Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2007. Exploring Small Copreneurial Food Companies; Female Leadership Perspectives, Women in Management Review, 22(3), 232-239.
  • Wright, L.T., Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2007. Research Issues in Building Brand Equity and Global Brands in the PC Market, Journal of Marketing Management, 23(1/2), 137-143.
  • Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2006. Small Rural Hospitality Firms: How Have Bed and Breakfast Establishments Embraced the Internet?, Journal of Rural Enterprise and Management, 2(2), 7–22.
  • Hannon, P., Scott, J., Sursani, S., and Millman, C. 2006. The State of Education Provision for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship: A Mapping Study of England’s HEIs, International Journal of Entrepreneurship Education, 4, 41-72.
  • Mckeown, J., Millman, C., Reddy, S., Smith, K. and Martin, L.M. 2006. UK Graduate Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education, Education and Training, 48(8/9), 597–613.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C. and Matlay, H. 2h006. SMEs Financing in the UK and in China: A Comparative Perspective. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 13(4), 584–599.

Book Chapters

  • Scott, J.M., Hussain, J., Harrison, R. and Millman, C. 2010. International Research Handbook on Successful Women Entrepreneurs – China. In S. Fielden and M. Davidson (Eds.), International Research Handbook on Successful Women Entrepreneurs (ch. X). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Millman, C., Reddy, S. and Martin, L.M. 2008. Policy Measures Taken in Different Countries: The UK. In A. Lundström, M. Almerud and L. Stevenson (Eds.), Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policies (ch. 2, pp. 96-101). Sweden: Innovation Policy Research for Economic Growth (IPREG) Working group on Future Research. ISBN 91-89301-24-2.

Selected Referred Conference Papers

  • Osei-Nimo, S., Millman, C. and Aboagye-Nimo, E. 2022. Bridging the Gap for Young Designers: A Focus on Fashion Entrepreneurship, 45th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, Leeds, UK
  • Osei-Nimo, S., Millman, C. and Aboagye-Nimo, E. 2021. An Exploration of the Innovation Practices and Challenges of Freelancers In the UK Construction Sector, 44th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, Cardiff, UK   
  • Zeng, K., Li, Z.W. and Millman, C. 2021. Co-workers’ Entrepreneurial Performance and Employee Entrepreneurship: A Social Learning Perspective, 81st Academy of Management Annual Conference, virtual.
  • Osei-Nimo, S., Aboagye-Nimo, E. and Millman, C. 2020. Alcohol in the Workplace: A Soft Systems Approach, British Academy of Management Annual Conference, virtual.
  • Hawela, M., Millman, C. and Dsane-Laryea, E. 2019. Applying the Flipped Classroom Approach to the Under and Post Graduate Foundation Degrees, BAM Management, Knowledge and Education Conference, York, UK.
  • Jenkins, J.; Carey, C. and Millman, C. 2018. Creative Discipline Education in Architecture and Photography Shaping Entrepreneurial Outcomes. 41st Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, Birmingham, UK.
  • Gkikas, A. and Millman, C. 2018. Immigrant Entrepreneurship: Spatial and Temporal Dimensions, 41st Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, Birmingham, UK.
  • Millman, C. 2012. Entrepreneurial Learning: Capabilities and Knowledge Transfer in SMEs’ Internationalisation, 35th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Harrison, R.T., Scott, J.M., Hussain, J. and Millman, C. 2012. The Role of Guanxi Networks in the Performance of Women-led Firms in China, The Joint Australian Centre Entrepreneurship Research Exchange and Diana International Entrepreneurship Conference. Fremantle, Western Australia.
  • Millman, C. 2011. Social Capital, Knowledge Transfer and Innovation: A Dynamic Perspective on Small Firms' Internationalisation, 34th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, Sheffield, UK. Nominated for the Best Track (Network & Innovation) Paper.
  • Millman, C. and El-Gohary, H. 2010 Innovative Marketing, Use of New Digital Media in Micro Firms, 33rd Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, (ISBE), Annual Conference, London, UK.
  • Millman, C., Chi, R.Y. and Li, Z.W. 2010. The Influence of Gender, Situational and Self-Efficacy Factors in Forming Entrepreneurial Intentions: Evidence from Chinese Entrepreneurs. International Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ICSB) Conference. Ohio, USA.
  • Millman, C., Li, Z.W. and Chi, R.Y. 2010, Innovation, Exports and Technology-Imports - Evidence from Chinese High-Tech Firms, Proceedings of International Society for Professional Innovation Management, Bilbao, Spain.
  • Millman, C. and Li, Z.W. 2010. Firm-Level Resources and R&D Investments - Evidence from Small Chinese High-Tech Firms, Proceedings of International Networks of Business and Management Journal, Valencia, Spain.
  • Millman, C., Li, Z.W. and Chi, R.Y. 2010. Technology Imports, Exports and R&D - Empirical Analysis of Chinese High-Tech Firms”, Proceedings of European Academy of Management (EURAM) Conference, Rome, Italy.
  • Scott, J., Harrison, R., Hussain, J. and Millman, C. 2009. Enter the Dragoness: Firm Growth, Finance, Guanxi, and Gender in China. XXIII Research in Entrepreneurship and Small Business (RENT) Conference. Budapest, Hungary.
  • Millman, C. 2009. E-commerce Adoption by Micro Firms in the Tourism Sector: A Qualitative Investigation. 32nd Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Annual Conference. Liverpool, UK.
  • Li, Z.W., Millman, C. and Chi, R.Y. 2009. Government Support & Internationalisation on Chinese High-tech Firms' R&D Investment. 32nd Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Annual Conference. Liverpool, UK.
  • Wong, W.C., Millman, C., Li, Z.W. and Matlay, H. 2009. Internet Entrepreneurship - Issues and Barriers for UK and US Students: A Comparative Study. Western Decision Sciences Institute (WDSI) Conference. Hawaii, USA.
  • Millman, C., Matlay, H., Li, Z.W. and Wong, W.C. 2008. Educating Students for e-entrepreneurship in UK, USA and China. 31st Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Scott, J.H., Millman, C., Hussain, J. and Harrison, R. 2008. Enter the Dragoness: Financing Growth in Women-led Firms in China. Diana International Research Symposium. Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Li, Z.W., Wong, W.C. and Millman, C. 2008. A Comparative Study of E-entrepreneurship Education in the USA and China. West Lake International Conference on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (WLICSMB).Hangzhou, China.
  • Millman, C., Fan, H.M., Kumar, N. and Martin, L.M. 2007. Exploring Graduate Education to Support Innovation: EU Asia Comparisons. 30th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Glasgow, UK.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C., Scott, J. and Hannon, P. 2007. BME Graduate Entrepreneurs: Motivation, Characteristics and Access to Finance. 30th Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Glasgow, UK.
  • Martin, L.M., Sursani, S.R., Millman, C. and Taylor, J. 2007. Exploring Cluster Development and Innovation in Rural Areas. 30th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Glasgow, UK.
  • Martin, L.M., Janjuha-Jivraj, S. and Millman, C. 2007. The Psychological Contract and Entrepreneurial Small Firms. 30th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Glasgow, UK.
  • Millman, C. and Matlay, H. 2007. E-planning and e-marketing in Small Firms: Evidence from the UK Tourism Industry. 30th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Glasgow, UK.
  • Millman, C. and Matlay, H. 2007. Innovation in E-planning and E-marketing in Small UK Tourism Firms. 8th West Lake International Conference on Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (WLICSMB). Hangzhou, China.
  • Martin, L.M., Janjuha-Jivraj, S., Millman, C., Sursani, S.R. and Pendery, M. 2007. The Good, the Bad and the Unregarded; Typifying Family Business Employees and the Psychological Contract. British Academy of Management Conference. Warwick University, Warwick, UK.
  • Martin, L.M., Millman, C. and Sursani, S.R. 2007. Forming Entrepreneurial Identity - Entrepreneurial Intention and the Effects of Mass Media. British Academy of Management Conference. Warwick University, Warwick, United Kingdom.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C. and Scott, J. 2007. Does Islamic Bank Compete or Complement Commercial Bank in the UK? International Conference on Islamic Capital Markets. Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • Millman, C., Matlay, H. and Liu, F. 2007. Entrepreneurship Education in China: A Case of ‘Know about Your Business’ Programme. International Council of Small Business Conference. Turku, Finland.
  • Millman, C., Hossain, J. and Martin, L.M. 2007. An Exploratory Study of International Joint Ventures and International Entrepreneurship: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Sino-foreign Joint Ventures. International Council of Small Business Conference. Turku, Finland.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C., Scott, J.S. and Hannon, P. 2007. The Entrepreneurial Finance Gap: A Case Study of Ethnic Minority Graduates in the West Midlands, UK. Small Business Finance and Banking Services in Emerging and Developing Countries Conference. University of Glamorgan, Glamorgan, UK.
  • Martin, L.M. and Millman, C. 2007. Marketing or Technology? Finding Entrepreneurial Online Marketers, Results from a Three Country Study. 12th Annual Symposium of the AM SIG in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Marketing. Birmingham, UK.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C., Scott, J. and Hannon, P. 2006. The Entrepreneurial Finance Gap: A Case Study of Ethnic Minority Graduates in the West Midlands, UK. RENT XX Conference. Brussels, Belgium.
  • Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2006. Female Entrepreneurship; Insights from UK and Chinese SET Case Studies. 29th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Cardiff, UK.
  • Hannon, P., Reddy, S., Scott, J. and Millman, C. 2006. Entrepreneurship Education in England, A Mapping Exercise. 29th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Cardiff, UK.
  • Martin, L.M. and Millman, C. 2006. Bizbrother - Who Wins In the Enterprise House? 29th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Cardiff, UK.
  • Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2006. E-business in Small Firms: Innovation, Internet Adoption and Use in the UK and China. West Lake International Conference on Small and Medium Business (WLICSMB). Hangzhou, China.
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C. and Matlay, H. 2006. Financing in SMEs: an UK and China Perspective. International Conference on Financing of SMEs in Developed Countries. University of Warwick, Warwick, UK.
  • Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2005. Small Rural Hospitality Firms: How have B&B Embraced the Internet? 28th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Blackpool, UK.
  • Shi, J.X., Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2005. A Comparison of Policies for SME Innovation. 28th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Blackpool, UK.

Best Paper Awards and Nominations

  • Millman, C. and Martin, L.M. 2005. Small Rural Hospitality Firms: How have B&B Embraced the Internet? Was nominated and awarded for the Best Track Paper at 28th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Blackpool, UK
  • Hussain, J., Millman, C., Scott, J.S. and Hannon, P. 2007. The Entrepreneurial Finance Gap: A Case Study of Ethnic Minority Graduates in the West Midlands was nominated for best track paper in the ‘Enterprise Education’ track.
  • Martin, L.M., Janjuha-Jivraj, S., Millman, C., Sursani, S.R. and Pendery, M. 2007. The Good, the Bad and the Unregarded; Typifying Family Business Employees and the Psychological Contract was nominated and awarded with the best track paper at British Academy of Management Conference. Warwick University, Warwick, UK.
  • Martin, L.M., Janjuha-Jivraj, S. and Millman, C. 2007. The Psychological Contract and Entrepreneurial Small Firms was nominated and awarded with the best track paper at 30th Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference. Glasgow, UK.

Professional Membership, Affiliation and Consultancy

  • Academy of Management (AoM)
  • British Academy of Management (BAM)
  • Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE)
  • International Council for Small Business (ICSB)
  • The International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM)
  • European Academy of Management (EURAM)
  • the Institute of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (ITLHE)
  • Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Global UG Awards Judge
  • Member of Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (MIKE), Certified Innovation Professional
  • Editorial board member of the International Journal of Online Marketing (IJOM)
  • Associate editor of the International Journal of Management Science and Information Technology (IJMSIT), an official publication of North American Institute of Science and Information Technology (NAISIT).
  • 2017-2021: External Examiner - Lincon International Business School - UG BA Business and Enterprise Programme
  • 2021-Present: External Examiner – Canterbury Christ Church University Sri Lanka – UG BA Business Management Top up Programme
  • 2021-Present: External Examiner – University of Kent – UG BSc International Business Programme
  • 2021-Present: External Examiner – Griffin College Dublin – International MBA and MSc International Business Management

 

External Research Funding awarded:

In Feb 2022 Cindy was awarded by Innovation UK a Management KTP (mKTP) project with a collaborative partner – Evac+ Chair (International) of a total value of £350,000. The research topic is: Product Development and International Marketing with 24 months duration.

Research outputs

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Find links to all Professor Cindy's research outputs and activities available at UCA's online research portal UCARO