Biography

King Omeihe (PhD) is Head of Discipline (Business Management) at the Business School. He is the co-founder and Chair of African Studies at the British Academy of Management (BAM). He also serves as Chair of the Entrepreneurship in Minority Groups at the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE). Prior to joining the University of Aberdeen, Dr King was the head of the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme at Edinburgh Napier University's Business School, where he drove the school’s commitment to work-based and work-related learning. 

Dr King was awarded in 2020 the ‘Above and beyond’ award by the Edinburgh Napier University for Outstanding Teaching. In 2020, he was nominated for the Tallberg/Eliasson Global Leadership Prize and was recognised by Bright Red Sparks as an Enterprising Educator. In 2019, he received the STAR award from the University of the West of Scotland for Outstanding Teaching. In 2018, he was recognised by the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) as one of the “Enterprise Educators of the Year’’. In addition, in 2018, he was recognised for outstanding and dedicated service by the British Academy of Management for his role on the council (2017-2018).

From 2006 until 2016, Dr King held various managerial positions in Banking at Standard Bank, Access Bank, Zenith Bank and Standard Chartered Bank where he oversaw the growth of the Commercial and Private Banking Portfolio. He has served as an advisor to organisations, government and businesses.

Dr King received his PhD from the University of the West of Scotland, with a major in entrepreneurship and development economics. He received his MBA from the University of Aberdeen and a diploma in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge.

Dr King is happy to consider proposals from PhD candidates exclusively focused on qualitative approaches to small business and entrepreneurship.

Prizes and Awards

Fellow, Royal Anthropological Institute

Fellow, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce

Fellow, Higher Education Academy

Fellow, Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management

Learning Teaching and Assessing: SEDA Recognised Teacher

Certified Management and Business Educator

Certified Knowledge Manager

Certified Business Administrator

Above and Beyond Award for Outstanding Learning and Teaching, Edinburgh Napier University (2020)

Finalist Enterprise Educator of the Year, Bright Red Sparks Award (2020)

Outstanding Teaching Award, University of the West of Scotland STARS Award (2019)

Finalist Enterprise Educator of the Year, Institute of Enterprise Educators-IOEE Award (2018)

British Academy of Management, Recognition for Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award (2018)

Zenith Bank Nigeria, MD/CEO Banker’s Award, Winner, Banker of the year in Operational Efficiency (2008)

Research Overview

King’s contribution to research relies on the use of institutional theory to critically analyse complex entrepreneurial behaviour in society. Much of this work is centrally concerned with understanding how entrepreneurial meaning is interpreted across contexts. Previous projects have focused on understanding the importance of gender nuances and how cultural dimensions of institutions enable and constrain social behaviour. A commitment to qualitative inquiry runs throughout this research.

King's work is complemented by wider institutional roles through which he seeks to influence his profession and the development of his field, including as current Chair of African Studies at the British Academy of Management (BAM), former Chair of Professional Development at the British Academy of Management (BAM), current Chair of Entrepreneurship in Minority Groups at the Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) and by serving on a number of journal editorial boards.

Current Research

King's current research interest in economic sociology examines the role of networks and norms in the emergence of economic institutions and organisations. He is working on an ongoing study of endogenous institutional change focusing on networks and norms of entrepreneurs in West African firms. This includes examining the reflexive basis of reputation in multiplex networks, identifying the sources of trust in low-trust societies, examining networks and their sources of cooperation.

Teaching Responsibilities

King's teaching is in the areas of entrepreneurship and research methods. His core strategy draws strengths in ensuring a valid commitment to excellent teaching and the development of high quality programs. He is the dissertation coordinator for undergraduate studies and leads the research methods course.