SFU Beedie professor honoured with prestigious award for research on strategic alliances

Pek Hooi Soh, professor and associate dean of faculty and research at SFU’s Beedie School of Business, has been recognized with a prestigious international research award—a testament to the global impact of her work in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Soh, along with her co-authors Navid Asgari (Fordham University), Moren Lévesque (York University), and Annapoornima Subramanian (National University of Singapore), has received the 2026 Cheryl Gaimon Best Management of Technology Paper Award from the Production and Operations Management Society (POMS)—one of the top-ranking journals in operations management and listed on the FT50. The biennial award recognizes the most outstanding paper on the management of technology published in the journal Production and Operations Management. 

Their paper, “It’s Time to Break Up: Dynamics Surrounding Young-Established Firm Alliance Duration,” examines a challenge familiar to many businesses: how long strategic partnerships should last.

While collaborations between startups and established firms can drive innovation and growth, the study reveals that these alliances also involve important tradeoffs. Staying in a partnership too long can limit a young company’s flexibility and independence, while ending it too early may cut off valuable resources, expertise, and market access. 

“Our research looks at the delicate balance young ventures must strike when working with larger, established partners,” says Soh. “Understanding when to continue or exit an alliance can have a significant impact on a firm’s long-term success.”

The findings are particularly relevant for executives and entrepreneurs operating in fast-moving industries where technology evolves quickly and competitive dynamics shift rapidly. By shedding light on how alliance duration influences risk and opportunity, the research provides practical insights to guide strategic decision-making. 

The recognition underscores the strength of SFU Beedie’s research community and its contributions to advancing knowledge in innovation and entrepreneurship.  

Please join us in congratulating Professor Soh and her co-authors on this well-deserved achievement.