Draft:Khaled Soufani

Professor Khaled Soufani is a British-Canadian financial economist whose work focuses on the circular economy, and on economic growth and development through the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sector.

Soufani is the Director of the Cambridge Executive MBA programme and is a Management Practice professor in the Economics and Policy Group at Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS). He is also the founder and director of the Circular Economy Centre (CEC).

Education
Soufani earned a B.A. in joint honours in Economics from the University of Nottingham, UK, in 1988.

He obtained his M.A. in Applied Economics from Concordia University, Canada, in 1992, and completed his Ph.D. in Finance at the University of Nottingham, UK, in 1999.

Career
Professor Soufani was a tenured Associate Professor at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, from 2003 to 2013. He was also an Affiliate Visiting Fellow in Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Economics and then Cambridge Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.

He has served as the Director of the Cambridge Executive MBA programme since 2013 and is currently a Management Practice Professor in the Economics and Policy Group at CJBS University of Cambridge. He specialises in applied economics and finance with a focus on the circular economy being an operating system and a business model contributing to economic growth and development in the context of sustainability, and also the growth and development of SMEs and their important role to economic growth.

From 2013 onwards, Professor Soufani has been the Director of the Circular Economy Centre (CEC) at Cambridge Judge Business School. He is a Professorial Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, and until 2018, he was the Director of the Middle East Research Centre (MERC) in the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge.

At Cambridge Judge Business School, Professor Soufani has been recognised with the 2013 and 2023 Teaching Award. Additionally, he received the Cambridge Judge Business School Research Award 2018 and the Cambridge Judge Business School Faculty Activity Award in 2019. In 2020, Soufani was recognised by the Sandra Dawson Research Impact Award for his work on the University of Cambridge's multi-departmental project on eliminating plastic waste, and for research into the introduction of circular economy principles in the Internet of Things, an initiative funded by the European Union.

He also received the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Research Impact and Engagement, Runner-up in the "Established Academic Award" category, 2022.

An article co-authored by Khal, titled "Introducing a Circular Economy: New Thinking with New Managerial and Policy Implications ," published in the California Management Review, was recnogised by the Financial Times' 2020 list of business school research with social impact.

Work
Soufani's interest in the circular economy began while co-authoring a paper in the aftermath of the financial crisis, investigating sectors of the global economy that were prospering despite widespread economic contraction. He identified with co-authors the circular economy as a potentially rapidly expanding market and began analysing the literature available on the topic.

In 2017, Soufani founded the Circular Economy Centre (CEC), an institution dedicated to advancing research on circularity through a multidisciplinary framework, connecting circular business models to finance, economics, operations, and marketing and the overall objective of sustainability strategy. Under Professor Soufani's leadership, the CEC's work has been featured in publications such as the Harvard Business Review  , MIT Sloan Management Review  , California Management Review  , and Stanford Social Innovation Review  amongst others.

Multiple research projects were conducted in CEC, relating to Circular Economy for Defence – European Defence Agency (EDA) 2016, IoT as an Enabler for Circular Economy – EU Funding – Marie-Currie (RISE) Grant 2018-2022, and Plastic Solutions – Engineering and physical science research council (EPSRC) 2019.

Soufani has also been recognised by the World Economic Forum as an agenda contributor with co-authors, providing insights on how car manufacturers can reduce waste and the merits of green chemistry.

Personal Life
Soufani currently resides in the United Kingdom with his spouse and their three children.

Selected Biography
Soufani has authored over 64 journal articles, books, reports and case studies.

His research has been cited and featured in various publications, including the World Economic Forum, Harvard Business Review  , MIT Sloan Management Review  , California Management Review  , and Stanford Social Innovation Review.

Research Publications

 * 1) Welch, S and Soufani, K (2024) "Find a Circular Strategy to Fit Your Business Model" MIT Sloan Management Review (Forthcoming summer 2024 issue)
 * 2) Esposito, M., Tse, T., Soufani, K. and Chong, L. (2022) "How can vertical farming ensure the future of food security? [in Arabic]" Stanford Social Innovation Review (Arabic), 26 January 2022.
 * 3) Soufani, K. and Loch, C. (2021) "Circular supply chains are more sustainable. Why are they so rare?" Harvard Business Review, 15 June 2021.
 * 4) Geissdoerfer, M., Pieroni, M.P.P., Pigosso, D.C.A. and Soufani, K. (2020) "Circular business models: a review." Journal of Cleaner Production, 277: 123741 (DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123741)
 * 5) Aboulamer, A., Esposito, M. and Soufani, K. (2019) "Financing the circular economy model [in Arabic]." Harvard Business Review (Arabic), 27 June 2019.
 * 6) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. (2018) "Introducing a circular economy: new thinking with new managerial and policy implications." California Management Review, 60(3): 5-19 (DOI: 10.1177/0008125618764691)
 * 7) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. (2018) "Reverse logistics for postal services within a circular economy." Thunderbird International Business Review (DOI: 10.1002/tie.21904)
 * 8) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. (2018) "The circular economy: an opportunity for renewal, growth, and stability." Thunderbird International Business Review (DOI: 10.1002/tie.21912)
 * 9) Soufani, K., Tse, T., Esposito, M., Dimitriou, G. and Kikiras, P. (2018) "A roadmap to circular economy in EU defence inspired by the case of the Dutch Ministry of Defence." The European Financial Review, 10 February 2018
 * 10) Soufani, K., Tse, T., Esposito, M., Dimitriou, G. and Kikiras, P. (2018) "Bridging the circular economy and social enterprise: the Dutch Ministry of Defence and Biga Groep." European Business Review, 18 March 2018
 * 11) Esposito M, Tse T., Soufani K, Xiong L. Feeding the Future of Agriculture with Vertical Farming. Stanford Social Innovation Review December (2017)
 * 12) Esposito M, Soufani K, Tse T, Xiong L. Et si l'agriculture pouvait de nouveau être un secteur d'avenir ? Harvard Business Review November 2017.
 * 13) Esposito, M, Tse T, Soufani K. "Come la logistica inversa potrebbe resuscitare il servizio postale in decline" Harvard Business Review (Italia) May 3ed, 2017.
 * 14) Esposito M, Tse T., Soufani K. "Reverse Logistics for Postal Services within a Circular Economy" Thunderbird International Business Review. Volume 59, Issue 3, April 2017.
 * 15) Esposito M, Soufani K, and Tse T. 'Les postiers, sauveurs de l'économie circulaire?" Harvard Business Review, (France) 20 April, 2017
 * 16) Tse T, Esposito M, Soufani K "Is the Circular Economy a Fast Expanding Market" Thunderbird International Business Review. Volume 59, Issue 1, PP 9-14, January/February 2017.
 * 17) Esposito, M, Tse, T, and Soufani K. "Companies are working with consumers to reduce waste" Harvard Business Review, 7 June, 2016
 * 18) Esposito, M., Soufani, K. and Tse, T. (2016) "Pourquoi vous devez miser sur le gaspillage alimentaire." Harvard Business Review (France), 22 April, 2016
 * 19) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. (2016) "The circular economy takes on food waste." Stanford Social Innovation Review, 1 April, 2016
 * 20) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. "Food waste and the circular economy: no stinky business." California Management Review Blog, 30 March 2016
 * 21) T.Tse, M.Esposito, K.Soufani. "Fast Expanding Markets: the Revolution of the Microeconomy" Thunderbird International Business Review. 58(1): 5-11, 2016
 * 22) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. "How businesses can support a circular economy." Harvard Business Review, 1 February. 2016
 * 23) Esposito, M., Soufani, K. and Tse, T."Entreprise, consommateur: pourquoi l'économie circulaire est la voie à suivre." Harvard Business Review (France), 11 February. 2016
 * 24) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. "L'avanzata dell'economia circolare." Harvard Business Review (Italia), 2 October 2015: 94-97.
 * 25) Tse, T., Esposito, M. and Soufani, K. "How companies can benefit from the circular economy." California Management Review Blog, 4 November. 2015
 * 26) Tse, T., Esposito, M. and Soufani, K. "Why the circular economy matters." The European Business Review, 20 November 2015.
 * 27) Esposito, M., Tse, T. and Soufani, K. (2015) "Ballando con la crescita." Harvard Business Review (Italia), 18 December (2015)
 * 28) W.Dbouk, I. Jamali, K.Soufani, "The Effectiveness of Technical Trading For Arab Stocks" Emerging Markets Finance and Trade. 50(4): 5-25, 2014.
 * 29) T.Tse, M.Esposito, K.Soufani, J.Santora, L.Roux "Are we falling asleep at the switch, again? Some propositions for executive compensation. Int. Journal of. Trade and Global Markets, Vol. 7, No. 1, 2014.
 * 30) T.Terence, M.Esposito, K.Soufani, "Fast Expanding Markets: Where New Growth Can Be Found" The European Business Review March-April 2013
 * 31) K. Soufani, P. Poutziouris, M. Michaelas "Trade Credits: the case of Small Medium Sized Enterprises" Global Business and Economic Review. Vol.15, issue 2/3, 2013.
 * 32) O.Cole, K. Soufani, and T. Tse "Notes on Islamic Economics and Finance" International Journal of Trade and Global Markets. Vol.6, No.1, 2013.
 * 33) A. B. Ibrahim, Jose Lam, and K. Soufani "A Longitudinal Case Research of a Large Family Firm: Saputo Inc." International Journal of Management Cases, Volume 13, number 1, 2010.
 * 34) T. Tse, and K. Soufani "Achieving Strategic Innovation Through Dilemma Reconciliation", International Journal of Management Practice, Volum2 4, number 2, 2010
 * 35) B. Ibrahim, J. McGuire, K. Soufani "An Empirical Investigation of Factors Contributing to Longevity of Small Family Firms". Global Economy and Finance Journal, Volume 2, no 2, September 2009
 * 36) T. Tse, and K. Soufani "The Effects of Economic Conditions on Takeover Bid Premiums" International Economics and Finance Journal. Volume 3, No.1, January-June, 91-106, 2008.
 * 37) K. Soufani, T.Tse and Q. Chen "Performance of Venture Backed and Non-Venture Backed IPO: Evidence from Canada and the UK". Journal of International Finance and Economics. Volume 8, Number 2, 2008.
 * 38) K. Soufani, D.Vrotis, P.Poutziouris "Private Equity and Venture Capital for Small Firms: A Conceptual Model of Adaptation versus Standanderdization Strategy", International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business. Vol 3, Nos 3/4, 2006.
 * 39) Pavlov, P. Poutziouris, K. Soufani "Evaluating Flexibility in Small Business Finance". Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance, April, Volume 9, issue 1, 2004.
 * 40) A.B. Ibrahim, J.McGuire, K. Soufani and P. Poutziouris "Patterns of Strategy Formulation in Family Firms" International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research Volume, 10, No 1 / 2, 2004.A. Ibrahim, K. Soufani, and P. Poutziouris, "Entrepreneurial Development at Artelite", International Journal of Management Cases. Volume 6, Issue 3 / 4, 2004
 * 41) A.B. Ibrahim, K. Soufani, P.Poutziouris "Qualities of an Effective Successor: An Empirical Investigation" Education and Training, Volume 46, No. 8/9, 2004.
 * 42) K. Soufani "Small Business Growth and Tax Policy in Canada" Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy. - Volume 21 (4) pp. 567-578. August 2003.
 * 43) P.Poutziouris, F Chittenden, Tim Watts, K. Soufani, "A Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Taxation on the SME Economy: The Case of UK and US". Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy. Volume 21 (4) August 2003. pp. 493-508.
 * 44) K. Soufani, and Tse, T. "Small Firm's Business Strategies in the New Economy: Theoretical Considerations", Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. Volume 10, number 3, page 306-320. 2003
 * 45) A.B. Ibrahim, K. Soufani, J. Lam, "Family Business Training: A Canadian Perspective" Education and Training Volume 45, Number 8/9, pp. 474-482, 2003.
 * 46) K. Soufani, "On the Determinants of Factoring as a Financing Choice: Demand Analysis". Journal of Economics and Business. Volume 54, issue 2, pp.239-252, March 2002.
 * 47) K. Soufani "The Decision to Finance Accounts Receivables". Managerial and Decision Economics. January-February, Volume 23, pp.21-32, 2002.
 * 48) A.B. Ibrahim, K. Soufani "Entrepreneurship Education & Financial Training in Canada: A Critical Assessment", Education and Training. Volume 44, number 8/9, 2002.
 * 49) K. Soufani "Factoring and UK Small Business. ".Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Volume 15 – Issue 3, pp. 78-89, 2000. (See also European Commission– Director General for Enterprise: Access to Finance Unit: EDT/00/503408 – pp.51, 53).
 * 50) K. Soufani "The Role of Factoring in Financing UK Small-Medium Enterprises: A Supply Side Analysis". Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. Volume 8, (1), pp.
 * 51) A.B. Ibrahim, K. Soufani, and Jose Lam "A Study of Succession in Large Family Firm" Family Business Review. Volume XIV, Number 3, pp. 245-258, September 2001.
 * 52) Terence Tse and K. Soufani, "Wealth Effects of Takeovers in Merger Activity Eras – Empirical Evidence from the UK". International Journal of the Economics of Business. Volume 8, Number 3, pp. 365-377, November 2001.
 * 53) K.Soufani "Factoring and UK Small Business" Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 15, No.3, Summer 2000.
 * 54) K. Soufani, P.Poutzouris, Commentaries on the "Relationship between Planning Sophistication and Performance in Small Businesses", International Small Business Journal. October – December 1999, Volume 18, No.1.

Books

 * 1) J. H. Astrachan, P. Poutziouris, K. Soufani 'Family Business Case Book' 2004 – Cox Family Enterprise Centre Kennesaw State University Publisher. (ISBN – 0-9753893-0-0)