Dr. Seung-Hyun (Sean) Lee

The University of Texas at Dallas supports the Ashbel Smith Professorship. Dr. Ashbel Smith was the first president of the UT System Board of Regents. He had a long and distinguished career in medicine, education and public service. During his term on the Board of Regents, Smith was dedicated to recruiting the best faculty members available and to developing a curriculum befitting a “university of the first class.” Smith became known as both the “father of Texas medicine” and the “father of The University of Texas.” 

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“In today’s world, the only certainty is the inherent uncertainty of the future. Hence, uncertainty is not something to shy away from. With limited downside risk, uncertainty can offer firms unlimited upside potential. Let plenty of ideas bloom, but make sure only the best ones thrive.” 

Dr. Seung-Hyun (Sean) Lee has always been fascinated by how academia is all about exploring the unknown. 

After graduating from The Ohio State University with a PhD in international business and strategic management, he came to UT Dallas in 2002 as an assistant professor. 

Lee’s research interests include bribery and corruption, corporate political strategy, managing uncertainty and reputation spillover.  

“Strategic management is such a cool field,” Lee said. “It’s amazing to dive into how some companies manage to gain and sustain competitive advantage.” 

His work has been published in the Academy of Management Review (AMR), Organization Science, Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS) and Strategic Management Journal.  

Lee teaches courses in international business, international marketing and technology and new product development. He was recognized with a U.S. Small Business Administration Best Paper Award in 2008 and a Teaching Excellence Award from the Naveen Jindal School of Management in 2016. 

Lee has served as an associate editor of the Journal of International Management since 2019. He also served on the editorial boards of AMR and JIBS.