I-Heng (Ray) Wu
University of South Alabama, Mitchell College of Business
“I took Dr. Wu’s Principles of Management course during my sophomore year, and it still has had a lasting impact as I approach graduation. As a sophomore, I was taking nearly 18 credit hours per semester to ensure that I completed my degree on time, occasionally pushing myself to the limit. I didn’t prioritize studying for management class during the spring semester because I was mostly focused on a few of my core accounting classes. After my first grade, Dr. Wu scheduled a meeting during his office hours. I was initially very anxious, but I was greeted by his genuine concern for his students. Dr. Wu did not think my grades represented what I had shown him in class. He offered support and guidance, questioning if his teaching methods may have caused the situation. However, it was clear that I had not properly used all of the resources he had given. This conversation motivated me to strive for improvement. He saw his students for who we could be, and when he didn’t see the results he had expected, his hopes turned to genuine care. He has devoted his life to cultivating the future workforce, and, every day, he walks into the classroom to make each student a little bit better than they were before the class.” – Hank Rader, University of South Alabama Student Government Association President
I-Heng (Ray) Wu, 40, is an assistant professor of management in the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama.
His research program focuses on the “dark side” of organizational behavior, encapsulating emotions, traits, and individuals that society and organizations generally deem unwelcome, undesirable, and/or stigmatized. He is particularly interested in identifying the bright sides of these dark phenomena, to foster a more holistic understanding of such phenomena and prevent unnecessary stigma toward them. Ultimately, he hopes to create engaging, respectful, and inclusive workplaces for employees and managers. His research has been published in journals such as Journal of Applied Psychology and Journal of Organizational Behavior, and has received grants, awards, and media attention.
For his teaching, Wu has received an Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award from the University of Iowa and recognitions from the University of South Alabama’s Thank-A-Teacher and Faculty Spotlight programs.
Wu currently serves on the editorial boards of Human Relations and Journal of Organizational Behavior. He also regularly reviews submissions to journals like Human Relations, Human Resource Management, Journal of Business and Psychology, and Journal of Organizational Behavior. In 2022-2023, he participated in the first cohort of the Journal of Business and Psychology Scholars program, designed to increase the participation of scholars of color in journal and editorial leadership roles through a series of workshops and journal reviews.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2021
Education: Ph.D. in Business Administration (Management), University of Iowa; M.A. in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, University of Minnesota; M.B.A., National Chung Hsing University; B.A. in Business Administration, Tamkang University.
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Management Theory and Practice, Organizational Communication, Organizational Behavior, and International Management.
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when …
I continued to ponder about psychological phenomena I observed in the workplace; such phenomena are so prevalent in the real world but tend to receive less attention both in documented research and contemporary class discussions. My inner voice prompted me to apply to the Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa (Go Hawks!). I was grateful for the opportunity to work with several eminent scholars in the field and to take courses that equipped me with sufficient knowledge and skills for conducting high-quality research. Currently as a business school professor, I conduct and publish research based on the topics I am passionate about, and make an impact on business education by bringing my research findings into the classroom.
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it?
One of the projects I have been working on lately looks at how employees’ experiences of envy (generally viewed as a “negative” emotion) at work might provoke desirable interpersonal behaviors like helping the very coworkers that they envy. When it comes to interpersonal outcomes, the state of knowledge on workplace envy suggests that envy only predicts undesirable interpersonal outcomes, such as undermining envied coworkers. While past findings support this latter notion, not realizing the potential of envy for triggering interpersonal helping means that we fail to portray the full picture of envy – which may create biases toward those who express envy. Indeed, societal norms and religious and philosophical writings acknowledge envy’s antagonistic nature, which pressures individuals who experience envy to view it as a sin and conceal it. If envy is just like any other emotions inherent in humans, is it really appropriate to use the word “negative” and label envy as such?
My coauthors and I found that while envious employees did indeed undermine their envied coworkers, at the same time they actively went out of their way to help these same coworkers. We contended and found that this was because envious employees were motivated to engage in political behaviors, including helping and undermining, which served to advance their own personal interests. Through this research, it is our hope to nurture a more balanced view of envy.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be …
I honestly don’t know. Being a professor has turned out to the best career choice I have ever made. If I had to leave academia, I would perhaps still apply my knowledge of psychological theories by working as human resources professional or external management consultant.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor?
I use a lot of local business cases (vs. nation-wide organizations) pertinent to students’ lives to explain complicated management concepts. I also incorporate foreign examples from Taiwan, where I grew up from, to broaden students’ horizons. Furthermore, rather than treating students solely as content receivers, I challenge them to think about seemingly minor issues that they might overlook yet might have a major impact.
To achieve this, I initiate a lot of interactive class discussions and encourage students to share their perspectives.
One word that describes my first time teaching:
Panicking.
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor:
Just how critical it is to be able to “sell” my ideas, whether it is to research collaborators, journal reviewers, students, etc.
Professor I most admire and why:
Many! I admire those who continue to discover knowledge through conducting rigorous and ethical research and help us better understand the business world; who inform business policies through scientific findings; who mentor, inspire, and support students; who connect with their colleagues on a personal level and treat them with respect and professionalism. I can think of three professors, although I have had a lot of good professors during my educational journey. Before applying to graduate schools in the U.S., I read Professor Michelle Duffy’s (University of Minnesota) articles on workplace envy and her work inspired me: at that time, I did not know envy is something that can be studied about work and I became so interested in studying envy since then. While at the University of Minnesota, I had a chance to take Professor Duffy’s doctoral seminar on organizational behavior and learn her perspective on envy research. Also, Professors Amy Colbert and Eean Crawford (University of Iowa), my dissertation chairs. Both professors trained me how to think well and provided a lot of guidance during my dissertation journey. They also showed me how to interact with other academics professionally. To this day, they continue to support me, show their care, and lift me up as they always have been.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students?
I enjoy learning every student’s experience and perspective, and that’s why teaching can be so fun. Outside of the classroom, I also enjoy connecting with my students, learning their career progress and success.
What is most challenging?
Having to manage a class where students’ expectations and motivation levels vary quite a lot.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student:
Proactive.
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student:
Entitled.
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as …
Strict, but transparent, consistent, and fair.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy driving around the city, traveling, trying different food, visiting local coffee shops, and occasionally hanging out with friends. During the summer, I like to go to the beach nearby; so far, my favorite is Pensacola Beach, FL.
How will you spend your summer?
Catching up on sleep and research. I would also plan for 1-2 trips to travel out of the State or visit my family.
Favorite place(s) to vacation:
Tokyo, Japan – I have been in Tokyo once, and loved everything there. I would love to visit a few countries in Europe one day.
Favorite book(s):
Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much?
I like to watch all kinds of horror movies: Smile, Get Out, World War Z, The Purge (2013), Orphan; just to name a few. The emotional stimulation – triggering emotions like fear, anxiety, excitement – makes watching horror movies a fun experience.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why?
I listen to a wide range of genres, music from older singers like REO Speedwagon, ABBA, and Damn Yankees, to more modern ones like Dua Lipa, Troye Sivan, and Chappell Roan. To me, a song is good as long as I enjoy the rhythm and lyrics.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this …
Whether it be research or teaching, we need more understanding beyond WEIRD populations (Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic). The real world is broader than such populations, and business education/research should reflect that!
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at …
relying on scientific-based findings, rather than gut feelings, to inform policy formation.
I’m grateful for …
being given the privilege to be a college professor. I study workplace phenomena that I am passionate about, share my research findings to impact businesses, mentor students, grow future leaders, and so on – there are a lot of things I am grateful for on a daily basis.
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