Rate My Professor Virginia Cathro

Dr Virginia Cathro is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Management within the Otago Business School at the University of Otago. She holds a BCom(Hons) in management, a BSc in microbiology, an MCom in Management with a focus on conflict resolution, a PGDipTertT exploring critical reflection, and a PhD from the University of Otago titled ‘A comparative examination of virtual and intercultural competence in the context of global virtual teams’. As Director of International Business Undergraduate, she teaches courses including International Management (MANT 217), Interpersonal/International Business Communication (MANT 222), Global Business Strategy (MANT 342), and International Business Strategy (MANT 471). Cathro serves as Divisional Board Representative for Otago Business School, on the Board of Studies for Global Studies, and the Teaching and Learning Committee. She was Treasurer for the Academy of International Business Oceania Chapter in 2022/23.

Her research utilizes a cross-disciplinary approach to behaviors of managers and leaders, emphasizing global virtual teams and the people-technology interface in organizations. Interests include conflict resolution practices such as mediation, negotiation, and facilitation; complex managerial decision-making; internationalization of services; global strategies of SMEs and MNEs; sustainability issues including product stewardship, circular economies, and the future of work; workplace communication; group processes and team facilitation; cross-cultural teams; intercultural communication; and leadership in sustainability governance across social enterprises, sporting organizations, and multinationals. Publications appear in journals such as International Journal of Human Resource Management, Computers in Human Behavior, Education + Training, Journal of Teaching International Business, Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, Emergence: Complexity and Organization, Journal of Management and Organization, and Review of International Business Strategy. Key recent works: Holley and Cathro (2026), Mandatory climate reporting and corporate social responsibility: Organisational transformation and market dynamics in New Zealand, Journal of Sustainable Business; O'Kane and Cathro (2025), Digitally mediated communication, The Handbook of Communication Skills; Al Haj Eid, Dandis, and Cathro (2025), The social dimension of the circular economy: A review towards a comprehensive narrative, Sustainable Development; Gilbertson et al. (2024), Using coaching to support experiential learning in Global Virtual Teams, Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice; Al Haj Eid et al. (2024), Exploring public voice on social media: Twitter users' views on the circular economy, Sustainable Development.