Pouya Haddadian Nekah, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Management
My teaching philosophy is rooted in experiential, student-centered, and inclusive learning. I believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged in the process of discovery, critical thinking, and real-world application. Whether teaching in-person, online, or hybrid formats, I emphasize interactive case studies, simulations, and open discussion to help students connect theoretical frameworks to real-world business problems and decision-making. I also strive to create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages collaboration. By cultivating a culture of curiosity and mutual respect, I aim to equip students not only with technical and analytical skills, but also with the ethical and interpersonal insight needed to lead effectively in complex, global business environments.
Biography
Dr. Pouya Haddadian is an Assistant Professor of Management at Florida Southern College. He earned his Ph.D. in Management Science from Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart School of Business, where his research explored executive compensation structures, top management team dynamics, and firm performance. His work integrates insights from strategic management, organizational behavior, and data analytics, and he has presented at national academic conferences.
Before entering academia, Dr. Haddadian held diverse roles including project manager for a construction project, professional photographer, and voluntary teacher in physics and astronomy at community centers. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and later completed an MBA, which sparked his interest in bridging systems thinking with organizational strategy and leadership. These experiences deeply shape his interdisciplinary teaching approach and his passion for helping students connect academic learning to real-world challenges.
Education
- Ph.D., Management Science, Illinois Institute of Technology
- M.B.A., Shahroud University of Technology
- B.Sc., Electrical Engineering, Birjand University
Interests
Playing video games, watching movies, traveling among many others!
Publications
Deldadehasl, M., Karahroodi, H. H., & Haddadian Nekah, P. (2025). Customer Clustering and Marketing Optimization in Hospitality: A Hybrid Data Mining and Decision-Making Approach from an Emerging Economy. Tourism and Hospitality, 6(2), 80.
Haddadian Nekah, P. (2024). The Double-Edged Sword of Executive Pay: How the CEO-TMT Pay Gap Influences Firm Performance (Doctoral dissertation, Illinois Institute of Technology).
Sharma, P., Anand, S., Wagman, L., & Haddadian Nekah, P. (2022). I-deal or No I-deal? Lessons for Managers from Economic Theory. In Idiosyncratic deals at work: Exploring individual, organizational, and societal perspectives (pp. 45-70). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Haddadian Nekah, P., Nabizadeh, T., & Zeinnoddini, A. (2016). Determining the optimal point of purchase intention: using genetic algorithm evidence from Iran khodro auto industry. IIOAB Journal, 7, 455-462.
Projects
Functional roles and compensation schemes for Top Management Teams
This study examines key functional roles within the top management team—such as Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and others—and analyzes how the compensation of these executives relates to firm performance. The project aims to uncover whether specific roles are more strongly tied to organizational outcomes and how compensation structures reflect strategic priorities within firms.
High-Frequency, High Performers
This project explores the underlying drivers of success among consistently high-performing public companies. It begins by empirically identifying firms that frequently outperform across financial and strategic metrics, then conducts in-depth case studies of each to pinpoint distinguishing factors such as organizational structure, compensation schemes, governance practices, and leadership styles.