Dr Knowledge Mpofu

Senior Lecturer and Course Director (MBA Global Business)

Dr Knowledge Mpofu is a Senior Lecturer and Course Director for the MBA Global Business at Coventry University London. He is a specialist in the area of Leadership and Strategy, and holds a postgraduate qualification in executive Organisational Leadership from the University of Oxford – Said Business School. Knowledge has over 20 years of experience in education that draws from research-informed teaching with a global perspective and business development consultancy in the UK and abroad. Knowledge has taught at different universities in the UK, and has track record of receiving best lecturer awards nominated by students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Knowledge has several years of experience as a Book Reviewer and Consultant (Strategy) for the Oxford University Press (OUP). In some of his achievements, Knowledge produced and contributed online resources that include several case studies and teaching notes for both students and tutors. This was commissioned as a project by the Oxford University Press and the resources published in a major Strategy textbook (Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation), which is used globally at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels

Knowledge has also worked for many years in diverse diplomatic and professional teams as Regional Assessor (Southern Africa) for the Chevening Scholarship programme and Fellowship Scheme since 2016. This is the UK Government’s flagship diplomatic scholarship & fellowship scheme sponsored by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and partner organisations from the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

Qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership – University of Oxford Said Business School (2017)
PhD (SMEs & E-Business) Brunel University – West London (2010)
MSc (Physics & Education) – University of Zimbabwe (2005)
Postgraduate Certificate – Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (PGCLTHE) - Bucks New University (2012)

Professional and Industry Memberships

HEA Fellowship (2011) (No.: PR055726)
PRINCE2 Qualification – Project Management (2017)
CMI Membership (2018) – (No.: P04648467)
Oxford Business Alumni (OBA) Network and Pembroke College – University of Oxford – Lifetime Membership: (No.: 811123120)

Research and Consultancy

Publications and Scholarship Activities

Book Chapter contributions and other selected publications:

Commissioned by the Oxford University Press (OUP) Editorial Team to produce a total of 16 Online case studies and teaching notes for for both tutors and students. The Online case studies project successfully completed as book chapter contribution to the Strategy textbook designed for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels: [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation. Publisher Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780198779421. Published- June 2020. (https://global.oup.com/ukhe/product/strategy-9780198779421?cc=gb&lang=en&)

K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 1: Case study: Amazon Watch – Fighting to protect the rainforest and indigenous people. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 2: Case study: Universal Music Group redefining modern music labels through digital innovation. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 3: Case study: Hays Travel’s decision to acquire Thomas Cook. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 4: Case study: Working with purpose at CVS Health: Is the healthcare model best fit for purpose in the U.S? In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 5: Case study: South Africa’s Rooibos tea industry. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 6: Case study: Stitch Fix puts data to work and reinvents retail. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 7: Case study: BritBox streaming expands in a networked structure. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 8: Case study: Grab for Good and more… in Southeast Asia. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 9: Case study: Uniqlo’s LifeWear clothing concept and functional strategies. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 10: Case study: Zopa – the pioneer in P2P lending and its growth strategy. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 11: Case study: Is Deliveroo riding in Blue Ocean? In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 12: Case study: Boeing’s dominance in a globalised airline industry. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 13: Case study: EMG on sustainability and waste management. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 14: Case study: The UK BIT Nudge Unit: Championing policy interventions and behavioural change. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 15: Case study: Dream11’s Design Thinking that has helped to dominate India’s online fantasy sports gaming. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
K. Mpofu (2020) Chapter 16: Case study: ALU Developing future leaders using a mission-oriented approach. In [MacKay B, Arevuo M, MacKay D and Meadows M (2020) Strategy: Theory, Practice, Implementation]. Oxford University Press.
Madichie N, Mpofu K and Kolo J (2016) Entrepreneurship Development in Africa: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities. ‘Insights from Nigeria and Zimbabwe’s Telecoms Sector’ African Study Centre, University of Leiden, Netherlands. Book Chapter available online: Entrepreneurship Development in Africa: Insights from Nigeria’s and Zimbabwe’s Telecoms. http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/books/b9789004351615s009
Mpofu, K. C (2015) ‘Building networks for success of SMEs in Africa.’ A Guide to Commonwealth Markets. Published by Globaltrader in association with the British Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Export (IOE). Available as an E-book http://commonwealth.gtglobaltrader.com.
Mpofu K. C and Madichie N (2018) Leading organisational change at a London Alternative Higher Education Provider. British Academy of Management Conference 2018, Bristol Business School, University of the West of England – Sept 2018
Mpofu K. C (2017) Leading organisational change at London School of Business and Management. University of Oxford, Said Business School. Postgraduate Diploma in Executive Organisational Leadership.
Madichie N.; Mpofu K. C and Kolo J (2017) International Entrepreneurship Challenges of African Telecoms – A two-country/ two-case illustration. “The International Entrepreneurship: Trends, Challenges, Achievements,” 6-9 June 2017, St Constantine and Helena Resort, Varna, Bulgaria.
Madichie N.; Mpofu K. C and Kolo J (2016) An Exploration of High Performance Teams: Insights from UK Higher Education (HE). LSBM Annual Teaching & Learning Conference, July 2016.
Mpofu, K. C. and Gono S. (2014) ‘Exploring inter-relationships between ICT adoption factors: Insights from SMEs in countries of southern Africa.’ Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference, Manchester, UK.
Mpofu, K. C. and Watkins-Mathys, L. (2011) ‘Understanding ICT Adoption in the Small Firm Sector in Southern Africa.’ Journal of Systems and Information Technology, Vol. 13 (2), pp 179 - 199. Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Mpofu, K. C.; Watkins-Mathys, L. and Milne, D. (2009) ‘ICT Adoption and Development of e-business among SME in South Africa.’ Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship (ISBE) 32nd Conference, Liverpool, UK. Award-winner: Best academic research paper in the track of ‘ICT, IT and E-Business in the Small Firm Sector.’ (http://www.isbe.org.uk/).

Selected Conferences & Workshops attended:

Leading Transformation in Learning and Teaching (LTLT9) in Higher Education (HEA Foundation Leadership Workshop - March 2017) – University of South Wales, Glamorgan Hotel, Cardiff
Oxford Africa Conference (May, 2016) Challenging Narratives: Governance, Youth Leadership and Business in Africa. University of Oxford – Said Business School, Oxford Union & Blavatnik School of Government
Oxford Business Forum Africa Conference (March, 2016) Unreasonable Africa: Bold visions, Decisions and Successes; Exploring the Reality of Business in Africa. University of Oxford – Said Business School & the Oxford Business Network for Africa.
Oxford Business Forum Africa Conference (March, 2016) Unreasonable Africa: Bold visions, Decisions and Successes; Exploring the Reality of Business in Africa. University of Oxford – Said Business School & the Oxford Business Network for Africa.

Webinar events (online) organised at the University of Oxford - Said Business School - focusing on ‘Leadership in Extraordinary Times’ Online series and Webinars, and the following sub-themes:

The new shape of strategy: Drivers and implications – 3rd February 2021
Leadership in extraordinary times: The great decoupling: The future of relations between China and the West – 9th March 2021
Oxford Africa Business Forum 2021: Past, present and future – progressing forward and building the future – 7-8 May 2021 Oxford Africa Conference (May, 2016) Challenging Narratives: Governance, Youth Leadership and Business in Africa. University of Oxford – Said Business School, Oxford Union & Blavatnik School of Government

Profile photo of Knowledge Mpofu