Professor Na Fu
Professor of Responsible Leadership, Trinity Business School
Biography
Professor Na Fu is Chair of Responsible Leadership and Fellow at Trinity College Dublin. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and Co-Director of the Trinity Centre for Digital Business and Analytics.
Driven by a passion for empowering people, Professor Fu has made significant contributions to advancing the understanding and practical applications of responsible leadership through her research, teaching, and international collaborations. As a leading expert, Professor Fu has developed impactful frameworks that enable organizations to build responsible businesses, with a focus on enhancing employee well-being, promoting equality and inclusion, and driving digital transformation and AI in management. Her work has garnered global recognition, and she has published in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Management, Human Resource Management, Human Resource Management Journal, Human Relations, and Journal of Business Ethics among others. She serves as Associate Editor for the Human Resource Management Journal and is on the editorial boards of seven other prestigious journals. Her research has shaped both academic theory and practical applications in the fields of responsible leadership and sustainable business.
Professor Fu's work has been honoured with multiple prestigious best paper and projects awards, including from the Academy of Management, the Labour and Employment Relations Association and Emerald, underscoring her role as a global expert in people management. She has established a global network across Europe, the U.S., Australia, and Asia.
In addition to her scholarly achievements, Professor Fu has secured over €7.9 million in research funding, underscoring her dedication to responsible leadership and digital transformation. She coordinates the Horizon Europe-funded TechConnect project (€3M, 2024-2027) and is involved in the Digital Europe Programme"s LEADS (€2M, 2022-2024) and LEADSx2030 (€2M, 2024-2028). These initiatives have advanced EU digital skills policy, promoting inclusive and future-ready competencies. Additionally, she has secured funding from the Health Research Board, the Irish Research Council, and Enterprise Ireland, further amplifying her impact and solidifying her role as a driving force in shaping sustainable and innovative practices.
Beyond academia, Professor Fu is a recognized industry influencer. She is frequently invited to deliver keynote addresses, serve as a judge for industry awards, and contribute to industry reports. Her insights have been featured in leading media outlets such as RTE, the Irish Times, People Management, Global Voice, Forbes, and the BBC, further amplifying the impact of her work on a global scale.
Publications and Further Research Outputs
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Fahy, A., McCartney, S., Fu, N., & Roche, J., Investigating the Indirect Impact of Transformational Leadership on Performance and Work Alienation: Evidence from School Principals Navigating COVID-19, Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 2024
McCartney, S. & Fu., N., Enacting people analytics: Exploring the direct and complementary effects of analytical and storytelling skills, Human Resource Management, 63, (2), 2024, p187 - 205
Wojtczuk-Turek, A., et al., Sustainable human resource management and job satisfaction" unlocking the power of organizational identification: A cross-cultural perspective from 54 countries, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2024
Awais, A., Fu, N. & Jones, S. , Developing students" resilience during the crisis: A moderated model linking college support, study demands, student resilience, and students" change-oriented behaviour, Higher Education Quarterly, 2023
Fu, N., Keegan, A., & McCartney, S. , The duality of HR analysts' storytelling: Showcasing and curbing, Human Resource Management Journal, 33, (2), 2023, p261-286
Zhao, X., Liang, X. & Fu, N., Whose Customer Orientation? Exploring the Relationships between Leaders, Team Customer Orientation Climate, and Customer Satisfaction, Journal of Service Theory and Practice, 33, (5), 2023, p629 - 646
Zhao, X., Fu, N., & Freeney, Y. , Leader-follower (in)congruence in transformational leadership and team performance, Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 2023
Fu, N., Flood, P., Rousseau, D., Morris, T. & Johnstone, M., When are clients helpful? Capitalising on client involvement in professional service delivery, PLOS ONE, 18, (2), 2023, pe0280738
Li, M., Fu, N., Harney, B. & Chadwick, C. , Untangling Human Resource Management and Employee Wellbeing Relationships: Differentiating Job Resource HR Practices from Challenge Demand HR Practices, Human Resource Management Journal, 2023
McCartney, S., & Fu, N. , Promise versus reality: Ongoing debates in people analytics, Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 2022
McCartney, S., & Fu, N. , Linking HR analytics to organizational performance: Why, how, and when, Management Decisions, 2022
Yao., Z., Luo, J. Fu., N, Zhang, X., & Wan, Q. , Rational counterattack: The impact of workplace bullying on unethical pro-organizational and pro-family behaviors, Journal of Business Ethics, 2022
Kilroy, S., Fu, N., Bosak, J., Hayes, R. & Schaufeli, W. , Reducing day-level emotional exhaustion: The complementary role of high involvement work practices work practices and engaging leadership, Human Resource Management Journal, 2022
Robbins, P., & Fu., N. , Blind faith or hard evidence? Exploring the indirect performance impact of design thinking practices, R&D Management, 2022
Enabling Neurodiversity at Workplace via Inclusive Human Resource Practices. in, editor(s)Giannantonio, C. & Hurley-Hanson, A. , Generation A: Research on Autism in the Workplace, Howard House, UK, Emerald Publishing Limited, 2022, pp85 - 111, [Molloy, A., O'Donoghue, A., & Fu, N.]
Exploring the Drivers and Barriers for E-learning System Impact in the Higher Education Sector in, Allen, S. Gower, K. and Allen, D. , Handbook of Teaching with Technology in Management, Leadership, and Business, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021, pp364 - 376, [Chiong, N. & Fu, N. ]
ICT usage at work as a way to reduce the gender earnings gap among European entrepreneurs in, editor(s)Lechman, E. , Technology and Women's Empowerment, London, UK, Routledge, 2021, pp101 - 118, [Barrientos, J.H., Fu, N., Millán, J.M, & van Stel, A. ]
Fu, N., Flood, P., Rousseau, D., & Morris, T. , Resolving the individual helping and objective job performance dilemma: The moderating effect of team reflexivity', Journal of Business Research, 129, 2021, p236 - 243
Mathias, M., Fu, N., & Oliveira, O. , Structuring a training-oriented High Performance Work System: A systematic review on frontline employees in the service sector, Human Resource Development Review , 20, (4), 2021, p399 - 435
Zhao, X., Fu, N., Freeney, Y. & Flood, P. , Revisiting the effect of emotional labor: A multi-level investigation in front-line service teams, Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 2020, p1 - 10
Zhao, X., Fu, N., Taylor, S., & Flood, P. , The dynamic process of customer psychological contracts in a service context, International Journal of Market Research, 2020
Fu, N., Flood, P.C., Rousseau, D., & Morris, T. , Line Managers as Paradox Navigators in HRM Implementation: Balancing Consistency and Individual Responsiveness , Journal of Management, 46, (2), 2020, p203 - 233
Keating, S., Fu, N., & Crowley-Henry, M. , Developing a strong HRM system: The role of line managers, Annals of Social Sciences & Management studies , 2, (5), 2019, p1 - 14
Fu, N., Bosak, J., Flood, P.C., & Ma, Q. , Chinese and Irish Professional Service Firms Compared: Linking HPWS, Organizational Coordination, and Firm Performance , Journal of Business Research, 95, 2019, p266 - 276
Alfes, K., Shantz, A., Bailey, C., Conway, E., Monks, K., & Fu, N., Perceived HR system strength and employee reactions toward change: Revisiting HR's remit as change agent, Human Resource Management, 58, 2019, p239 - 252
O'Brien, D., Sharkeyscott, P., Andersson, U., Ambos, T., & Fu, N. , The Micro-Foundations of Subsidiary Initiatives: How Subsidiary-Manager Activities Unlock Entrepreneurship, Global Strategy Journal, 9, (1), 2019, p66 - 91
Conway, E., Monks, K., Fu, N., Alfes, K., &Truss, K., Reimagining alienation within a relational framework: evidence from the public sector in Ireland and the UK, International Journal of Human Resource Management, 2019
Harney, B., Fu, N., & Freeney, Y., Balancing Tensions: Buffering the Impact of Organisational Restructuring and Downsizing on Employee Well-being, Human Resource Management Journal(UK), 28, (2), 2018, p235 - 254
Kilty, C., Wiese, A., Bergin, C., Flood, P., Fu, N., Horgan, M., Higgins, A., Maher, B., O'Kane, G., Prihodova, L., Slattery, D., Stoyanov, S., & Bennett, D. , Clinical Learning Environments for Postgraduate Medical Education: Challenges and Priorities. A National Stakeholder Consensus Study, BMC Medical Education, 2017
Wiese, A., Kilty, C., Bergin, C., Flood, C., Fu, N., Horgan, M., Higgins, A., Maher, B., O'Kane, G., Prihodova, L., Slattery, D., Bennett, D., Protocol for a Realist Review of Workplace Learning in Postgraduate Medical Education and Training , Systematic Reviews:Open Access, 6, (10), 2017, p1 - 6
Fu, N., Flood, P.C., Bosak, J., Rousseau, D.M., Morris, T., O'Regan, P., High-Performance Work Systems in Professional Service Firms: Examining the Practices-Resources-Uses-Performance Linkage, Human Resource Management, 56, (2), 2017, p329-352
Fu, N., Flood, P. & Morris, T. , Organizational ambidexterity strategy and firm performance: The moderating role of organizational capital', Journal of Professions and Organization, 3, 2016, p1 - 16
Conway, E., Fu, N., Monks, K., Alfes, K., & Truss, K. , Demands or resources? The relationship between HR practices, employee engagement, and emotional exhaustion within a hybrid model of employment relations, Human Resource Management, 55, (5), 2016, p901 - 917
Fu, N., Ma, Q., Bosak, J., & Flood, P, Exploring the impact of intellectual capital on organizational ambidexterity in Chinese and Irish Professional Service Firms, Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 3, (2), 2016, p94 - 144
Fu, N., Ma, Q., Flood, P.C., Bosak, J., Liu, Y., Zhang, Y., When East meets West: Comparing the utilization of high-performance work systems in Chinese and Irish professional service firms, Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 54, (1), 2016, p8-31
Kirrane, M., Lennon, M., O'Connor, C., & Fu, N. , Linking perceived management support with employees' readiness for change: the mediating role of psychological capital, Journal of Change Management, 17, (1), 2016, p47 - 66
Conway, E., Monks, K., Fu, N., Katie, B., Kelly, G., & Hannon, E. , Enhancing Knowledge Exchange and Combination through HR practices: Reflexivity as a translation process, Human Resource Management Journal(UK), 26, (3), 2016, p304 - 320
Fu, N., The role of relational resources in the knowledge management capability and innovation of professional service firms, Human Relations, 68, (5), 2015, p731 - 764
Fu, N., Ma, Q., Bosak, J., & Flood, P. , Exploring the relationships between HPWS, organizational ambidexterity and firm performance in Chinese professional service firms, Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, 6, (1), 2015, p52 - 70
Fu, N., Flood, P.C., Bosak, J., O'Regan, P., & Morris, T. , How do high performance work systems influence organizational innovation in professional service firms?, Employee Relations, 37, (2), 2015, p209 - 231
Fu, N., Exploring the Impact of HPWS in Professional Service Firms: A Practices-Resources-Uses-Performance Approach, Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 65, (3), 2013, p240 - 257
Fu, N., Flood, P.C., Bosak, J., Morris, T. & O'Regan, P. , Exploring the Performance Effect of High Performance Work System on Service Supply Chain in Professional Service Firms, Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 18, (3), 2013, p292 - 307
Feng, B, Jiang, Z-Z., Fan, Z-P., & Fu, N., A method for member selection of cross-functional teams using the individual and collaborative performances, European Journal of Operational Research, 203, (3), 2010, p652 - 661
Fan, Z-P., Feng, B., Jiang, Z-Z., & Fu, N. , A method for member selection of R&D teams using the individual and collaborative information, Expert Systems with Applications, 36, (4), 2009, p8313 - 8323
Non-Peer-Reviewed Publications
Burke, Andrew, Fu, Na, Sheehan, Jimmy and Penney, Geraldine, Ireland's Project Economy 2024: A Barometer of Independent Professionals, Contractors and Solo Self-Employed, 2024
Fu, N., McCartney, S., Fahy, A., & Collings, D., Responsible AI at work: Opportunities and Challenges for People Management, Trinity College Dublin Press, 2023
Huang, W., Fu, N., Wei, W., Gollan, P., & Xu, C.Y., Creating a safer workplace: A linkage model for labour"management partnership, psychological safety, collaborative industrial relations climate and organisational occupational and health safety performance, Journal of Industrial Relations, 2023
Burke, A., Fu, N., Sun, Y, & Sheehan, J., Ireland"s Project Economy 2023: A Barometer of independent professionals, Contractors and Solo Self-Employed, 2023
Zhang, X., Fu, N., & Brennan, L., Challenges and opportunities: International law firms in China, Dublin, Ireland, June, 2022
Burke, A., Fu, N., Nguyen, Tam, & Sheehan, Jimmy, Ireland's Project Economy: A Barometer of Independent Professionals, Contractors, and Solo Self-Employed , Dublin, Ireland, 2021
Fu, Na, Nguyen, Tam, and Prost, Barry, Recruitment during Covid and Trends for 2021, Dublin, Ireland, 2020
Fu, N., Alamro, R., Amin, V., Paterson, K. & McCartney, S. , Digital Transformation and Human Resource Analytics: Adoption, Implementation and Evaluation, Trinity Business + Technology Forum 20: Borderless Business, Dublin/Ireland, 4th of March, 2020, 2020
Trade Unions in, editor(s)Lucey, B., Maher, E. and O'Brien, E. , Recalling the Celtic Tiger, Dublin, Peter Lang AG, 2019, [Fu, N.]
Professional Service Firms in, editor(s)Lucey, B., Maher, E. and O'Brien, E. , Recalling the Celtic Tiger, Dublin, Peter Lang AG, 2019, [Fu, N.]
Fu, N. & Flood, P., The 2019 Great Place to Work HR Trend Survey , Dublin/Ireland, 2019
Fu, N., Line managers' role in building high performance, How to Instil a High Performing Culture Seminar, Dublin/Ireland, 19 Oct, 2019, Abrivia
Fu, N., High Performance Work Systems in Professional Service Firms: A Practices-Resources-Uses-Performance Approach, LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, 2012
Research Expertise
Recognition
Representations
Council Member for the Irish Academy of Management
Editorial Board Member for international leading journals including Journal of Management Studies Human Resource Management Journal International Journal of Human Resource Management Journal of Professions and Organization Employee Relations Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research. Journal of Management Studies
Research Lead, Abrivia/Trinity College Dublin Annual Salary Survey
Research Lead "The Future of HR in Ireland: HR Manager Annual Survey" collaboration with the Great Place to Work/Ireland
Judge, Irish Family Business Awards
Judge, gradireland Graduate Recruitment Awards
Judge, Irish Early Career Awards Judge
National representative (Ireland), European Academy of Management (EUAM)
Advisory board member, Nirviva
Awards and Honours
Winner of the Benedictine University Scholar-Practitioner Collaboration Award, the Academy of Management Conference 2024
Emerald Literati Outstanding Paper Award
Winner of the Benedictine University Scholar-Practitioner Collaboration Award, Academy of Management Conference
Best Paper Award, Academy of Management Conference
Research Supervision Excellence Award, Trinity College Dublin
Teaching Excellence Award, Trinity Business School
Master of Arts (Honorary), Trinity College Dublin
Teaching Excellence Award, Trinity Business School
Fellowship, Trinity College Dublin
Teaching Excellence Award by Trinity Business School
Research Excellence Award by Trinity Business School
Chartered Fellow, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Research Excellence Award by Trinity Business School
Teaching Excellence Award by Trinity Business School
Best Paper Award in the Leadership and Organizational Behaviour track in the Irish Academy of Management Conference
Research Excellence Award by Trinity Business School
Teaching Fellowship Award by Maynooth University
Carolyn Dexter Award Nominee for Best International Paper at the Academy of Management Conference
Finalist for the Alan Moon Memorial Prize at the International Human Resource Development Conference
Research Proposal Runner Award from Emerald/IACMR Chinese Management Research
Winner of the Thomson South-Western Outstanding Research-Based Paper on Management Consulting at the Academy of Management Conference
Best Paper Nominee at the International Conference of the HR Division
Best Paper Award in the Innovation, Enterprise and Small Business Management track at the Irish Academy of Management Conference
Best Paper Award in the Leadership and Organisational Behaviour track at the Irish Academy of Management Conference
Post-doctoral Fellowship (2 years) by the Irish Research Council
Winner of the Honourable Mention Award in the Labor and Employment Relations Association 2012 Thomas A. Kochan and Stephen R. Sleigh Best Dissertation Awards Competition
William H. Newman Award (Sole authored paper award) Nominee at the Academy of Management Conference
Research Proposal Runner Award from Emerald/IACMR Chinese Management Research
Winner of the Highly Commended Award from the Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Fund
Winner of the Bentley College & HEC School of Management Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award at the Academy of Management Conference
Memberships
Academic Fellow of Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
Academy of Management (AOM)
Evidence-based Management (EBM)
Irish Academy of Management (IAM)
International Association for Chinese Management Research (IACMR)
Relational Coordination Research Collaborative (RCRC)
National representative (Ireland), European Academy of Management (EUAM)