Current Students
ABDURRAHMAN ÜMİT GÖKTEPE
Ümit Göktepe holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Istanbul Technical University and a Master of Science degree in Automotive Engineering from Boğaziçi University. He studied Marketing at the London School of Economics. He has assumed various responsibilities in sales, marketing and strategy units at domestic and international locations in companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford Otosan, TOGG, and currently serves as the Global Marketing Manager at Akdeniz Chemson. His main areas of research are Organization Theory, Organizational Behavior, Strategic Management, Marketing Communications and specifically B2B Fairs. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/um...
Thesis Topic: A research study on effectiveness and motives of trade-show participation at a Turkish B2B company operating in plastic sector: discovering institutional field foundations, interpretation from isomorphism perspective and evaluation of efficiency.
Advisor: Prof. Beyza Oba
AHMET NUMAN CEBECİ
Thesis Topic: Reducing Complexity of Organizations from Systems Theory Perspective
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Evren Hoşgör
ALİ YILMAZ YILDIZ
Yılmaz Yıldız is the CEO and Board Member of Zurich Insurance Group in Türkiye. He is also a trustee of Z Zurich Foundation. Yılmaz is a graduate of TED Ankara College. He then graduated with high honors and distinction from Boston University with dual degrees in Economics and Management, was a visiting scholar at Heidelberg University in Germany and holds an MBA degree from Harvard University, Harvard Business School. Yılmaz started his career at Turkish Prime Ministry, Undersecreteriat of Treasury and Foreign Trade. He specialized in Export and Investment Incentives and in health, education, and technology sectors at the World Bank Projects Department. He moved to Bain&Co as a strategy consultant focusing on growth, innovation and restructuring projects in Europe, Middle East and Asia. He then worked for Garanti Bank and Garanti Insurance as SVP and EVP. He later became the Founding CEO of BNP Paribas Group’s insurance subsidiary, CARDIF in Türkiye, setting up as green-field the life and non-life insurance businesses. He moved to become the CEO and Board Member of Groupama Insurance and Groupama Life & Pension companies before taking over as the CEO of Zurich Insurance Group in Türkiye. Yıldız is the President of the Harvard Business School Alumni Club, Co-President of the YenidenBiz and member of Yanındayız and TÜSİAD. Yılmaz previously taught entrepreneurship and innovation at İstanbul Bilgi University and Koc University, is an active member and angel investor at the leading Galata Business Angels network. He also writes for BloombergBusiness magazine.
Thesis Topic: The Impact of Angel Investors on the Entrepreneurial Process: How do Angel Investors Impact Early Stage Start-Ups?
Advisor: Prof. Gonca Günay
ATİKE UĞURLU
Thesis Topic: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Consumer Decision Making Process
Advisor: Prof. Emine Eser Gegez
AYÇA ŞİŞMAN AYDIN
Thesis Topic: A Dual Pathway Model of the Impact of Artificial Intelligence Awareness' on Employee Attitudes, Based on the Cognitive Appraisal Theory and the Job Demands-Resources Model
Advisor: Prof. Serdar Karabatı
BAŞAK COŞKUN
Başak Coşkun completed her undergraduate degree at the Middle East Technical University, Department of Business Administration in 1997. Coşkun started her professional career in international consultancy and auditing companies. Later she worked as a senior manager in the field of investment banking, focusing on corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and privatizations, and in the business development and strategic planning departments of banks and various technology companies. After completing her master's degree with a thesis on neoliberalism in the Philosophy and Social Thought program at Istanbul Bilgi University in 2016, her book titled Neoliberal Power and Subject: A Current Review in the Footsteps of Foucault was published in 2019. Since 2020, she has been working as a founding and managing partner at FutureWise Research and Consultancy company and conducts research and consultancy in the field of global political economy and strategy. FutureWise publications include “As the World Transforms: Post-Covid-19 Global Political Economy and Social Outlook (2020)”, “Developing Knowledge-Based Dynamic Capabilities for Strategizing in Times of Structural Change (2022)”, “Women in Business Life: Current Issues and FutureWomen Approach (2022)" and "New Working Models and New Working Spaces After Covid-19 (2020 co-author)". Coşkun has started İstanbul Bilgi University Business Administration PhD program in 2021 and continues her academic studies focusing on political economy and strategic management.
Thesis Topic: The Effects of the Crisis of Neoliberalism on Institutional Logics: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Evren Hoşgör
BURCU SELCAN
Burcu Selcan is a PhD candidate in Marketing at Istanbul Bilgi University. She received her undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from Işık University and completed her MBA program focused on marketing at Istanbul Bilgi University. Thanks to her education in these different disciplines, she has over 15 years of experience in the sectors of durable consumer goods, home security, telecommunications and financial solutions, and has successfully executed award-winning digital transformation projects, customer acquisition and revenue growth focused campaigns in various positions from project management to product management, brand management to digital product and service development. In 2017, she founded Edzashoes with her sister as an entrepreneurial story to find a solution to the difficulty of finding large-size, stylish and quality women's shoes in the sector. In addition to her passion for digital marketing and e-commerce, she has developed herself by attending various seminars and programs in the field of e-export and completed her master's degree project on 'Opportunities and Obstacles to be Faced by SMEs in E-Export'. After 15 years of work experience, she turned to an academic career and developed an interest in researching the effects of artificial intelligence on the business world and customers. In this regard, she continues her doctoral thesis with the title "Do Specific Personalized Recommendations Cause More Harm than Benefit to Social Identity? The Regulatory Mediator Model".
Thesis Topic: Do Specific Personalized Recommendations Cause More Harm Than Good to Social Identity? A Moderated Mediation Model
Advisor: Prof. Şule Işınsu Özmen
BURÇİN YAZAR
Thesis Topic: Psychological Safety: Taking Stock and Looking Forward
Advisor: Faculty Member, Ahmet Aydemir, PhD
CANSU ALTAN ÖZGÜN
During my more than twenty years in business, I have developed strong management systems, quality control, and customer relations skills that allow me to develop continuous improvement, sustainability vision, lean management, project management, and team management skills. I’m competent in data analysis synthesis and visualization of data to support senior management decisions. I can mentor the management team on strategic planning, management with targets, and target spread. I thrive on challenge and change, and that's why I decided to strengthen my skills with a PhD degree. My adaptability to change ensures that I can navigate dynamic business environments with ease. I believe that my energy, analytic skills, organizational abilities, and creativity in problem-solving will make a positive contribution wherever I am. I am equally comfortable working with a team to meet team goals, as well as collaboratively as part of a team. My ability to establish and maintain excellent relationships with colleagues at all levels is a testament to my strong interpersonal skills. My professional skills include: Management Systems: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 22000, ISO 28000 and ISO 27001, FSC, NSF; Business Excellence; EFQM Assessor (KALDER); Glass Fiber, Composite Materials, Unsaturated Polyester Resin, and Plastics Quality Control; Sustainability; Project Management; Team management and leadership; Customer relationship; Sales and Marketing; Strong academic background. I'm so glad to be a part of İstanbul Bilgi University and proud of this. My goal is to make a difference in the business environment where I've been included by connecting my experiences with the solid academic view of İstanbul Bilgi University.
Thesis Topic: Unique complexities of family businesses that affect (facilitate or hinder) their long-term survival/sustainability
Advisor: Faculty Member, Ahmet Aydemir, PhD
ECE AKSOY
Human Resources Professional with 20 years of experience in national and global companies in finance, telecommunications, e-commerce, retail, manufacturing and construction sectors, working on all Human Resources disciplines and administrative affairs. CTI trained and certified Co-Active Coach, ICF accredited Associate Certified Coach.
Thesis Topic: Coaching in Organizations in Türkiye
Advisor: Prof. Beyza Oba
ESRA BAŞOĞLU:
Thesis Topic: Population Ecology and Local Specialist Film Production Organizations in Turkish Film Industry
Advisor: Prof. Beyza Oba
EVREN DAĞ BAŞAR
Thesis Topic: Exploring the Consumer Brand Relationship Dimensions Resulting From Interacting with AI-Augmented Brands
Advisor: Prof. Yonca Aslanbay
FARUK CEYLAN
Faruk Ceylan, who works as a psychosocial support specialist at Enerjisa Üretim, focuses on psychosocial health and safety issues in organizations. Among his main areas of interest are addressing emotions in the workplace, creativity and meaning in work life, psychoanalysis, qualitative research, diversity, and cultural studies. He graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University's Organizational Psychology master's program in 2019 and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University's Sociology undergraduate program in 2015. He completed his undergraduate thesis with the title "Angel, Clown, and Woman: Drag Queens Through Their Own Eyes" and his master's thesis with the title "Work-Life Experiences of Employees Diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder." Ceylan is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Organization Studies at Istanbul Bilgi University and is a member of the board of the Association of Work, Organizational, Industrial, and Occupational Psychologists.
Thesis Topic: Understanding Queer Employees’ Meta Emotions Experiences with Institutional Logic Theory
Advisor: Prof. Beyza Oba
FIRAT CENGİZ
Thesis Topic: Future of Work in Creative Industries
Advisor: Prof. Gonca Günay
FİLİZ ECET
Thesis Topic: Tapping into the Power of Meaningful Work: Attracting Top Talents to Technology Startups during the Development Stage in Türkiye
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Başak Uçanok Tan
HANDAN ODAMAN UŞAKLIGIL
She graduated from Boğaziçi University, Department of Psychology, with a high honor degree. She then completed her master's degree in cognitive psychology at the same university, with her thesis titled "Effects of Self-Construal Priming on Autobiographical Memory and Attentional Processes". During this period, she worked as a research assistant at Boğaziçi University. Afterward, she started working at Baltaş Group, which integrates psychology and business administration to provide training and consultancy services to organizations, where she has been responsible for academic activities. As part of various R&D functions, some of her key responsibilities include designing classroom and e-learning content, managing research and test development projects, contributing intellectually to publications such as articles, book chapters, and books, publishing a quarterly magazine that explores contemporary organizational management issues for business professionals, and moderating regularly held Business and Psychology meetings. In addition to her role at Baltaş Group, she is one of the founding members of Nudge Network Türkiye, Türkiye’s first non-governmental nudge design group with regard to innovative interventions for behavior change. Detailed information about her academic work, publications, programs, podcasts, and projects can be found on her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/handan-oda... . Her articles in the magazine Kaynak, for which she is responsible for publication, can be accessed at https://kaynakbaltas.com/autho... .
Thesis Topic: TBA
Advisor: TBA
HAYRETTİN BÜLENT METİNER
Thesis Topic: Relation Between Corporate Governance and Innovativeness in Turkish Companies; Alignment of Interests of Both Investors and Managers in Particular
Advisor: Prof. Gonca Günay
HÜSEYİN HÜSEYİNZADE
Thesis Topic: TBA
Advisor: TBA
KERİM BALCI
Kerim Balcı, after completing his undergraduate degree in psychology in 2018, was accepted to the Organizational Psychology MA program at Istanbul Bilgi University in the same year and started working with Prof. Dr. İdil Işık. After publishing the book chapter titled ‘Learning About Inclusive Practices for Disabled Employees: Perspective of White-Collar Professionals in Türkiye’ together with İdil Işık, he contributed to the project called ‘Kolay Gelsin’ planned and implemented for support personnel within Istanbul Bilgi University as an educator and training developer. He completed his master’s degree in clinical psychology in 2023 and received the title of clinical psychologist. He graduated from the Organizational Psychology MA program with a thesis examining the effects of the two-dimensional model of passion on work-family conflict. His areas of interest include passion for work, leader-member interaction, and leadership strategies that develop with changing power methods. He works as a research assistant at Istanbul Bilgi University.
Thesis Topic: TBA
Advisor: TBA
MUHAMMED FURKAN ÜNAL
Thesis Topic: Institutional Capacity Building in Service Sector
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Evren Hoşgör
MÜGE TUNA
Thesis Topic: Perception Toward Organizational Inequality in Türkiye
Advisor: Prof. Haluk Levent
NEYLAN TOKERLER
I was born in Istanbul in 1977. I am married and the mother of a 9-year-old Golden Retriever and 4.5-year-old twin boys and girls. I graduated from Boğaziçi University, Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2000 and Boğaziçi University, Engineering and Technology Management in 2004. I have been working in services, customer management, and customer support at HP Inc. since 1999. I joined İstanbul Bilgi University, Organization Studies PhD program in 2017. I passed the proficiency exams in 2021. For the last two years, I have been working on my thesis on Leadership and Emotional Labor with Assoc. Prof. Evren Hoşgör.
Thesis Topic: Happiness at Work: Is it an Antithesis of Alienated Labour or a Dark Side of Emotional Labour?
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Evren Hoşgör
ONUR UÇAR
Thesis Topic: Group Psychological Safety, Job Crafting and Relationship with Attribution Theory: A Research on Group Relations Among Call Center Workers
Advisor: Prof. Gonca Günay
ROY DÜLGAR
Thesis Topic: The Great Transformation of Knowledge Economics: A Marxian Approach
Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Evren Hoşgör
SELİN ARSLANHAN
Selin Arslanhan has been working on technology policy and sustainable development for over 15 years, leading various research projects and programs with multiple stakeholders. After completing her bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at Istanbul University in 2008, she received her Master of Business Administration from TOBB Economy and Technology University in 2010. Her master's thesis focused on the economic valuation of unfinished R&D projects in biotechnology startups. Simultaneously with her master's studies, she started working as a researcher at TEPAV, a leading think tank, in 2008. In 2014, she founded the Innovation Studies Program at TEPAV, conducting over 20 research projects. During the same period, she established her own startup company, ReDis, with support from TÜBİTAK. At ReDis, she continues her work on technology policy and innovation strategy. She has partnered with international organizations such as the IFC and Eurochambres, as well as national institutions like TÜBİTAK, TTGV, and Boğaziçi University LifeSci, to implement various research projects and accelerator programs. She also provides consultancy to contribute to the development of the green investment ecosystem, advising deep tech VC funds focused on green technologies. In this context, she has collaborated with Letven Capital and GISED to launch a green economy platform for Türkiye. Since 2018, Selin has been writing columns on technology and innovation trends for Dünya Gazetesi and Ekonomim Gazetesi. As a data-driven professional specializing in policy and strategy development, she has a proven track record in consultancy within technology policy environments. Throughout her 15+ years of professional and academic career, she has experience speaking and moderating at major international conferences such as Türkiye-EU Business Dialogue Final Conference, Horasis Global Meeting, Innovation20 Australia, BIO International Convention, and Think20 China, and has contributed to various publications (details can be found in the attached CV).
Thesis Topic: TBA
Advisor: TBA
SEMA DURMAZ
Thesis Topic: Composing Competitive Market Strategies Through Innovation Using Digital Tools in E-Farming
Advisor: Prof. Emine Eser Gegez
SIRMA DUMAN
Thesis Topic: TBA
Advisor: TBA
SULTAN MURADOV
Sultan Muradov is working towards finalizing his Ph.D. dissertation that unites his two areas of interest: Organizational Behavior and Clinical Psychology. He is interested in understanding how bipolar disorder diagnosis and the stigma that comes with it impact occupational functioning directly and through the interpretation of the stigma by these individuals. His interest in understanding psychosocial and disability-related stigma comes from his previous studies. Sultan has previously worked on research projects on how physical disabilities and occupational functioning are related. Under the supervision of Prof. İdil Işık, he and his colleagues presented papers and posters at various conferences. Areas of research: Workplace Stigma, Qualitative Research, Stereotype Threat, Bipolar Disorder, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Psychology, Grounded Theory, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Languages: Azerbaijani, Turkish, English, Russian, Italian, Spanish
Thesis Topic: Bipolar Disorder-Related Stigma in Workplace and Employment
Advisor: Faculty Member, Zeynep Maçkalı, PhD
SUNA ÖZKUL
Thesis Topic: In the Context of Relationship Marketing, Algorithm Recommendations vs Hand-Picked Curation Model for Video on Demand (VOD) Services: MUBI Case
Advisor: Prof. Emine Eser Gegez
ŞAFAK IRKLI
Senior branding, and corporate communications expert with 25+ years of experience in the advertising sector as both an advertiser and agency representative. Extensive experience in forging and managing advertising, PR, digital, social media, and event organization agencies and overseeing the production of printed materials as well as stand designs and branding for outdoor events—a demonstrable record of accomplishment in providing corporate branding and marketing strategies to numerous local and international brands, particularly in finance and hospitality industries. She completed a master’s thesis on Marketing in 2021: Stoic Grounds for Brand Equity Management in case of Negative News. The thesis supported the core ideas of sustainability by demonstrating virtuous brands that care for all the stakeholders, community and nature are strong in brand equity plus resilient towards negative publicity. Now in an ongoing Doctorate program in Marketing focusing on brand personality, perceived virtues, and consumer behavior. Experienced advertising professional/team manager with budget management capabilities. Fluent in English and Turkish. Geographically mobile.
Thesis Topic: Perceived Brand Virtue Scale Development
Advisor: Prof. Emine Eser Gegez
ŞANSER YENER
Thesis Topic: Using Causal Inference in Identifying Best Practices for Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Organizational Trauma Prevention
Advisor: Prof. İdil Işık
ZÜBEYDE GÜLCE ÇUHACI TAŞDELEN
A researcher/PhD. candidate in Organizational Studies with 14+ years of practitioner, leadership, consultancy, and trainer experience mainly in project management, PMO set-up & design, governance, process transformation, agile practices, organizational transformation, and change leadership in diverse leading companies operating in the telecom, banking and financial services, automotive and management consultancy sectors. Her academic interests are mainly organizational behavior, leadership, paradox theory, paradoxical leadership, strategic decision-making, and critical management studies with a strong quantitative methods background including BSc. and MSc. degrees in Statistics and Industrial Engineering. She is highly motivated to combine her academic background and distinguished experience to help organizations and leaders navigate complex business contexts, drive their performance, and enhance skills for the requirements of the VUCA business environment. She additionally aims to enable leaders and organizations to think dialectically and out of the box and act accordingly when needed.
Thesis Topic: Strategizing Paradoxical Thinking Mindset and Leadership Behaviour in Strategic Decisions
Advisor: Prof. Gonca Günay