Dr Zheng Liu BEng, MPhil, PhD

Teaching and Research

• Academy of Management Conference   Chan Hahn Best Paper Finalist (2023)
• Cardiff Metropolitan University   Doctoral Researcher Supervisor Award Nomination (2023)
• Journal of Open Innovation Best Reviewer Award (2022, 2021)
• Cardiff Metropolitan University   Student Led Teaching Award Nomination (2022)
• Society of Open Innovation   Conference Best Paper Award (2021, 2020, 2019)
• Journal of Open Innovation Most Cited Paper Award (2020)
• South Wales Business School   Research Conference Best Paper Award (2020, 2019)
• South Wales Business School   Research Conference Best Paper Award (2019)
• Society of Open Innovation Conference Best Paper Award (2025)
• Journal of Open Innovation Best Reviewer Award (2024)

Academic Memberships

• Board Member: Open Innovation   Academy of the Society of Open Innovation (2020–)
• Research Fellow: Centre for   Innovation and Development (Nanjing University of Science and Technology)   (2016–)
• Fellow: Higher Education Academy (2016–)
• Member: Academy of International   Business (2006–), Academy of Management (2008–), Chinese Association for Science of Science and   S&T Policy of Management   (2023–), Circular Economy Innovation Communities (2021–), Networks and Urban Systems Centre   (University of Greenwich) (2024–), Regional Innovation and Regeneration Centre (Cardiff   Metropolitan University) (2023–)

Editorial Experience

• Associate Editor: Journal of   Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity (2024–, Editorial   Board Member 2020–2023)
• Guest Editor: Special issue –   Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Models, Energy Policy, and Climate   Change Adaptation. Journal of Risk and Financial Management (2023)
• Guest Editor: Special issue –   Ambidextrous Open Innovation in the 4th Industrial Revolution. Science,   Technology and Society (2020)
• Guest Editor: Special issue –   Ambidextrous Open Innovation for Sustainability. Sustainability (2020)
• Guest Editor: Special Issue –   Sustainability of Economy, Society, and Environment in the 4th Industrial   Revolution. Sustainability (2019)
• Editorial Board Member: B.   Christiansen and F. Kasarci (eds.). Corporate Espionage, Geopolitics, and   Diplomacy Issues in International Business. IGI Global (2015)
• Editorial Board Member: B.   Christiansen and G. Koc (eds.). Handbook of Research on Scientific and   Technological Advancement in Asia. IGI Global (2015)
• Editorial Board Member: Journal of Innovation and Knowledge

External Examiner

• External examiner: University of Gloucestershire   on the MSc International Business (2024–)

Supply Chain Sustainability, Innovation Ecosystem, Circular Economy

Key funded projects

• Advancing a circular economy through industrial symbiosis implementation: Developing a resilient multi-dimensional model from empirical case studies (2026-2028), British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants, As PI
• Welsh Digital Transformation (2023),   Wales Innovation Network Small Grant Funding, As PI.
• A Systematic Mapping of Available   Foundational Economy Content and Interventions in Wales and Developing a   Knowledge Repository (2023), Welsh Government Fund, As Co-I. The project was to provide public and third sector practitioners in Wales with content and insights into the foundational economy and to provide guides for implementing foundational economy principles.
• Circular Economy Innovation   Communities (2021–2023), European Social Fund, as Academic Support (case study development and dissemination). The project has engaged 200 managers from 80 public and third sector organisations in Wales to develop new service solutions to enhance productivity and deliver circular economy benefits.
• A Study on Smart Payment and Open   Innovation Business Model (2022–2023), Society of Open Innovation Research   Fund, As Co-I.
• Circular Economy and Foundational   Economy Case Studies (2022), Wales Innovation Network, As Co-I. The project has developed 21 circular economy and foundational economy case studies for practitioner and academic audiences.
• Sustainable Healthcare Supply Chain and Digitalisation (2022–2023), Cardiff Metropolitan University Global   Academies Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation Fund, As Co-I.
• A Scoping and Feasibility Study for a New Foundational Economy Academy in Wales (2022), Welsh Government Fund, as a team member. The project explored how to enhance the capability of public service practitioners to develop processes and practices that apply the principles of foundational economy in Wales. The project report was referenced by the Welsh Government.
• Achieving Sustainable Development through the Digital Platform Innovation (2021–2022), Cardiff Metropolitan   University Global Academies Strategic Insight Project fund, as PI.
• Cultivating a Globally Competitive   Innovation Ecosystem in Jiangsu Province (2019–2020), Jiangsu Provincial   Federation of Philosophy and Social Sciences, as a team member.
• Exploring the Innovation System in   Creative Industries (2018–2019), South Wales Business School Early Career   Researcher Fund, As PI.
• An Investigation on the Creativity of the Chinese Animation Industry (2016), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University   Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, As PI.
• A Study on Fair Trade Business in   China (2015), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Summer Undergraduate   Research Fellowship, As PI.
• An Investigation into Foreign   Manufacturing Companies in Suzhou Industrial Park (2014), Xi’an   Jiaotong-Liverpool University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, As   PI.
• The Role of Foreign Firms in the Chinese Urbanisation Process (2014–2016), Jiangsu Government, Jiangsu   University Natural Science Research Programme, As Co-I.
• The Changing Geography of   Manufacturing Industry in China-Korea Relations and the Impacts in Host   Cities (2014–2015), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Research Development   Fund, As Co-I.
• The impact of social enterprises on community circular economy transformation (2025-2026), Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) Small Grant, as PI
• The pathway towards a circular economy through energy symbiosis implementation (2025-2026), Greenwich Research and Innovation (GRI) Knowledge Exchange for Impact (KE4Impact) Fund, as PI
• An exploratory study on digital innovation and governance mechanisms (2025), NUSC Small Grant, as PI
• An exploration of the decarbonisation process in supply networks (2024-2025), NUSC Small Grant, as PI
• Developing a process-oriented model for high-value-added industrial symbiosis (2024-2025), GRI KE4Impact Fund, as PI
• Cardiff Metropolitan University and MM Engineered Solutions Limited KTP (2023), Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), As Knowledge Base Lead.

Journal Papers

• Shi, X., Jimenez, W.D.C., Shi, Y., Zhang, Y., Liu, Z*. (2024) Harnessing the power of quasi-supply chains: Toward an ecosystem perspective for transformative supply chain management. Journal of Supply Chain Management, Ahead-of-Print (Ahead-of-Print). doi:10.1111/jscm. 12335.
• Liu, Z.*, Clifton N., Faqdani, H., Li, S., Walpole, G. (2024). Implementing circular economy principles: evidence from multiple cases. Production Planning & Control, Ahead-of-print (Ahead-of-print). doi:10.1080/09537287.2024.2415417.
• Yun, J.J., Zhao, X., Liu, Z. (2024). Regulation architecture of open innovation under digital transformation: Case study on telemedicine, and for-profit hospital. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 10, 100252.
• Clifton, N.,   Kyaw, S., Liu, Z., Walpole, G. (2024). An empirical study on public sector versus third sector circular economy-oriented innovations from a circular economy innovation community study. Sustainability, 16, 1650.
• Hu, J., Shi,   Y., Cheng, Y., Liu, Z.* (2023). A process-oriented model to measure product carbon footprint: An exploratory study based on multiple cases. Production   Planning & Control. doi:10.1080/09537287.2023.2266410.
• James, S., Liu,   Z.*, White, G.R.T., Samuel, A. (2023). Introducing ethical theory to the   Triple Helix model: Supererogatory acts in crisis innovation. Technovation, 16, 102832.
• Liang, K., Ma,   L., Liu, Z., Yi, C. (2023). Successfully operating patent digital platform in China: A configurational perspective. Managerial and Decision   Economics, 1-15.
• Shi, Y., Hu,   J., Shang, D.T., Liu, Z*, Zhang, W. (2023). Industrialisation,   ecologicalisation and digitalisation: Building a theoretical framework for sustainable development. Industrial Management and Data Systems,   123(4), 1252-1277.
• Yi, C., Ma, L.,   Liu, Z., Liang, K., Huang, X. (2023). Cultivating regional innovation ecosystems in the digital age: Case studies of four cities in China. Science,   Technology and Society, 28(2), 191-212.
• Liu, Z.*, James, S., Walpole, G., White, G.R.T. (2023). A communities of practice approach to promoting regional circular economy innovation: Evidence from East Wales. European Planning Studies, 31(5), 988-1006.
• Yun, J.J.,   Zhao, X., Ma, L., Liu, Z., Yang, B. (2022). The dynamics of open innovation and business model in the mobile payment industry: Comparing the three different economies of Korea, China, and the UK. European Planning   Studies, 31(5), 862-884.
• James, S., Liu,   Z.*, Stephens, V., White, G.R.T. (2022). Innovation in Crisis: the role of ‘exaptive relations’ for medical device development in response to   COVID-19. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 182,121863.
• Liang, K., Ma,   L., Liu, Z., Li, T. (2022). Structuring and operating patent intermediary as a platform ecosystem: Case studies of patent operation platforms in China. Science, Technology and Society, 27(2),   191-212.
• Yun, J.J.,   Zhao, X., Ma, L., Xu, Z., Liu, Z. (2022). Open innovation and multi-homing of delivery platforms: Comparative study of Cardiff, Daegu, and   Nanjing. European Planning Studies, 31(3), 576-597.
• Yun, J.J., Liu,   Z*., Zhao, X. (2021). Introduction: Ambidextrous open innovation in the 4^th industrial revolution. Science, Technology and Society, 26(2),   183-200.
• Zhang, K., Liu,   Z*., Wang, P. (2020). Exploring the supply chain management of fair trade business: Case study of a fair trade craft company in China. Cogent   Business and Management, 7(1), 1734345.
• Ma, L., Liu,   Z*., Huang, X., Li, T. (2019). The impact of local government policy on innovation ecosystem in a knowledge resource-scarce region: Case study of   Changzhou, China. Science, Technology and Society, 26(1), 1-24.
• Rong, K., Liu,   Z., Shi, Y. (2011). Reshaping the business ecosystem in China: Case studies and implications. Journal of Science and Technology Policy in   China, 2(2), 171-192.
• Liu, Z., Shi, Y. (2007). The emergence of international outsourcing agents in China: A new type of player in international supply networks. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 2(1), 1-13.
• Letzelter, E., Liu, Z.*, Shi, Y, Yang, B. (2025). Redesign and reconfigure international manufacturing networks: Towards a new theoretical framework. Business Process Management Journal. (Accepted)
• Ye, X., Du, L., Ma, L., Liu, Z. (2025). Strategy of industrial Internet and SMEs in regional Internet ecosystem: Role of government subsidies and value creation. Science, Technology, and Society. (Accepted)
• Walpole, G., Li, S., Clifton, N., Liu, Z. (2025). Discerning promising practices: Innovation in high-growth firms. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research. doi:10.1108/IJEBR-04-2024-0389.
• Obetta, C., Liu, Z.*, Shi, Y, Yang, B. (2025). Comparison studies of industrial symbiosis between the UK and Chinese sugar industries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 525, 146552.
• Hu, J., Liu, Z.*, Shi, Y. (2025). An integrated process-oriented framework of low-carbon manufacturing networks: Evidence from multiple cases. Production Planning & Control. doi:10.1080/09537287.2025.2541329.
• Li, S., Liu, Z., Tripathi, V.C., Hashim M.A.M. (2025). An investigation of the landscape of environmental education (EE): A bibliometric and systematic literature review. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3), 101229.
• Walpole, G., Liu, Z.*, Clifton, N., Li, S. (2025). Developing innovation capabilities through programme communities of practice: Evidence from Wales. The International Journal of Management Education, 23(3), 101215.
• Yi, C., Ma, L., Liu, Z., Zhu, J., Zhu, B. (2025) A study of the governance of knowledge sharing in open-source communities. European Journal of Innovation Management. 28(9), 4517–4538.

Published Reports

• Walpole, G., Clifton, N., Rich, N., Bacon, E., Smith, S., McKeown, M., Manley, J.,   Renfrew, K., Liu, Z., Treadwell, P., Kyaw, S. (2023). A new foundational economy academy in Wales: Scoping and feasibility study. Welsh Government. Available online: https://www.gov.wales/new-foundational-economy-academy-wales-scoping-and-feasibility-study
• Walpole, G., Dewale, B., Evans, S., Fuller-Love, N., Hopkins, S., Liu, Z., Moghadam, P., Murphy, L., Rich, N., Sain-Ley-Berry, C. (2023). Circular economy implementation - Case studies in Wales. Cardiff Metropolitan   University. Available online: https://doi.org/10.25401/cardiffmet.21666719.v1

Invited Presentations

• Introducing ethical theory and exaptation innovation to the Triple Helix model. Centre for Innovation and   Development Research Seminar, Nanjing University of Science and Technology,   Nanjing, 23 December 2023.
• Industrialisation, ecologicalisation, and digitalisation. Workshop on Digital Economy Development,   Nanjing/Online, 24 June 2023.
• Circular economy case studies. Circular Economy Practices in   Wales – Who, What and How, Cardiff, 27 Oct 2022. (as presenter and panellist)
• Cardiff’s regional innovation in the era of digital transformation. Society of Open Innovation Research Seminar, Online, 15 September   2022.
• Innovation in crisis: An examination of the interoperation of Triple Helix actors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic & an introduction of the collaborative autoethnography method for this study. South Wales Business School Research Seminar,   Online, 24 March 2021.
• The transformation of the global supply chain in the context of the business ecosystem: Case study on the   VentilatorChallengeUK in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Centre for Innovation and   Development Research Seminar, Online, 5 April 2021.
• Achieving sustainability through open innovation: Roles of industry, government,   university and society. Symposium on Innovation Driven and High   Quality Development, Nanning, 27-28 April 2019.

Conference Presentations

• Redesign and reconfigure international manufacturing networks: A new theoretical framework exploration. Cambridge International Manufacturing Symposium,   Cambridge, 21-22 September 2023.
• Towards an ecosystem approach to supply chain reconfiguration: An explorative case study on the   VentilatorChallengeUK. Academy of Management Annual Conference, Boston/Online, 4-8 August   2023.
• Implementing circular economy:   Experience from Wales. Society of Open Innovation Conference, Naples, 12-15 July 2023.
• Redesign and reconfigure international manufacturing networks: A new theoretical framework exploration. Academy of International Business   Conference, Warsaw, 5-9 July 2023.
• Implementing Circular Economy Principles: Case studies in Wales. Centre for Creativity, Leadership and Regional   Economies and Regional Centre of Expertise Cymru Conference, Aberystwyth/Online, 29th June 2023.
• A process-oriented model to measure product carbon footprint: An exploratory study based on multiple cases. Advances in Management and Innovation Conference, Cardiff, 16-17 May 2023.
• A communities of practice approach to promoting regional circular economy innovation: Evidence from East Wales. Society of Open Innovation   Conference, Swansea, 6-9 July 2022.
• Open innovation in times of crisis:   An overview of the healthcare sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Society of Open Innovation   Conference, Swansea, 6-9 July 2022.
• Industrialisation, ecologicalisation and digitalisation. International Conference on Emerging Challenges, 5-6 November, Ninh   Binh/Online, 2021.
• The impact of government policy on macro dynamic innovation of the creative industries: Studies of the UK’s and   China’s animation sectors. Society of Open Innovation Conference, Online 12-15 July 2021.
• Collaborative governance for responsible innovation in the context of sharing economy: Studies on the shared bicycle sector in China. Society of Open Innovation Conference, Online, 12-15 July 2020.
• Exploring innovation ecosystem from the perspective of sustainability: Towards a conceptual framework. Society of Open   Innovation Conference, Nagoya, 28 June-1 July 2019.
• Society of Open Innovation Conference, Daegu/Online, 14-18 July 2025
• Advances in Management and Innovation Conference, Cardiff, 21-22 May 2025
• POMS (Production and Operations Management Society) conference, Atlanta, 8-12 May 2025
• EurOMA (European Operations Management Association) Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains Forum, Online, 24-27 March Smart Urban Policy Futures (SUPF) Conference, Greenwich, 27-28 June 2024
• Advances in Management and Innovation (AMI) Conference, Cardiff, 21-22 May 2024