Professor Robert Davison explores how employees utilise information systems in the workplace, particularly in cases where these systems are not employed as intended. He is renowned for his expertise in Action Research. As an editor of both scholarly and practitioner-oriented journals, Professor Davison advocates for the creation of indigenous knowledge, prioritizing local contexts over global perspectives. Since 1992, he has held various positions at CityUHK and considers himself a global citizen, actively presenting his research on international platforms.

What do you enjoy most about teaching CityUHK MBA students?

I relish the questions students ask. I hope to inspire them through my teaching, and a good indicator of that inspiration is when they formulate questions that pertain to their current work or problems that they can envision. These questions often lead to extended discussions that engage the entire class, where I serve as much a facilitator as a teacher.

How do you combine theoretical concepts with the latest industry practices and business trends?

While there are a variety of theories and theoretical concepts available—and I continue to develop new ones through my own research—it is always important to ensure that they are grounded in a reality that is present for us to witness. In order to achieve that effective grounding, I start with a problem situation and then consider which theoretical perspective might illuminate it most effectively. This approach ensures that the theory is relevant but not primary: the problem situation should be the primary object of focus. The same principle applies to industry practices and business trends—we critique them in light of the problem situations to which they relate. Nothing is sacrosanct: everything can be critiqued.

What books would you recommend CityUHK MBA students to read? Why?

This is very difficult. I have not recommended a book for students to read in a couple of decades. While there are textbooks focued on information systems, they are rarely suitable for MBAs, being either too technical or too broad. They are also often written for a North American audience and thus make assumptions about culture, values, and knowledge that may not align with the Hong Kong context. In many cases, reading the local business press or global media such as The Financial Times or The Guardian can be more valuable.

However, I do agree that reading is important. It opens the mind to new ways of thinking and introduces new perspectives. This is as true for business-oriented books as it is for historical, political, or travel writing—and also fiction. I can’t recommend any one book, since each person has interests in different topics. Personally, I read eclectically across a multitude of domains.

What business topics should CityUHK MBA students be the most familiar with when they graduate from our programme?

The simple answer is that a CityUHK MBA graduate should be conversant with contemporary business issues in Hong Kong and the region, as well as with the broader global situation. This foundation enables them to engage in business-related discussions from multiple perspectives and to appreciate how different people think in different ways. While there may be some attraction to a more technical and numerical form of data analysis, I strongly encourage students to be sensitive to issues of culture and people—we are not all the same! People often hold different values and think in different ways.  Awareness of these differences, and how they relate to value creation, is essential.

One career advice to our CityUHK MBA students.

Keep your eyes and ears open! Look out for opportunities. It is hard to predict how a career might unfold—unexpected opportunities may arise at any time. Those opportunities are yours to take advantage of—or not.