Prof. Williamson’s research focuses on how the development of effective “talent pipelines” can enhance organizational outcomes. His research examines how organizations recruit, select, and retain knowledge workers, talent management in the context of small businesses, the management of diverse workforces and the role of human resource practices in driving firm innovation. In his role as Associate Dean and Director of the Social Impact Leadership Centre, Prof. Williamson’s focus is on developing effective partnerships between the Melbourne Business School and not-for-profit, for profit, philanthropic and government entities for the purposes of addressing key economic and social issues across the Asia Pacific region.
Ian’s research has been published in several leading academic journals including Academy of Management Journal, MIT Sloan Management Review, and Journal of Applied Psychology. He has presented his research worldwide and he is regularly covered in the media. He has served on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal, Academy Management Review, Academy of Management Education and Learning, Journal of Management and Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal and Journal of Management.
Ian is the recipient of numerous awards including the Academy of Management Human Resource Division best paper award for his research on the effect of employee mobility on firm performance in the professional services sector and the Academy of Management Best Practices Mentoring Award for his role as the founding President of the Management Faculty of Color Association (MFCA). He is also a recipient of the Academy of Management Ralph Alexander Best Dissertation Award for his research examining the top management team (TMT) selection decisions of Fortune 500 firms. He also received the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award.
Ian has also provided consulting services in the areas of strategic human resource management, managing organizational change, employee recruitment and retention, assessment centers, and executive coaching for organizations such as ANZ, Bunnings, Colonial First State, Clemenger, Etihad Airlines, McCormick & Company, Melbourne Water, Pacific Brands, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Lockheed Martin, NAB, Sensis, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Medical Program, Vision Australia and Urbis.