Organizations & Social Issues Research Group
The Organizations & Social Issues (OSI) Research Group at the Welch College of Business & Technology (WCBT) fosters interdisciplinary, project-based research focused on the intersection of business and society. The group emphasizes collaborative, impact-driven research in areas such as community engagement, nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, public policy and business ethics.
Through collaboration, research and knowledge sharing, the OSI Research Group advances thought leadership and deepens understanding of socially responsible and impactful organizational practices. The group actively engages with academic and practitioner communities through conferences, publications and collaborative initiatives.
Objectives
- Contribute to knowledge and establish thought leadership in nonprofit organizations
- Advance understanding of business practices and theories related to social entrepreneurship in for-profit and nonprofit organizations
- Conduct research and provide training in ethical decision-making, corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship
- Promote interdisciplinary research and collaboration across business and nonbusiness disciplines
Faculty Leadership
Grace Guo, Ph.D
Affiliated Faculty
Current Projects, Publications & Initiatives
- Research in "Innovation in nonprofit organizations in the post-pandemic era: an exploratory study": New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship and Society (Special issue)
- New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship and Society, Volume 28, Number 1 (Special issue edited by OSI faculty)
- Ongoing interdisciplinary research on social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility and public policy
Research and Collaboration Activities
The OSI Research Group supports its mission through scholarly, research and collaborative activities, including:
- Publishing and contributing to special issues in academic journals
- Organizing and participating in workshops, conferences and symposia to foster collaboration
- Collaborating with the Center for Nonprofits on research projects and training programs
- Presenting research at local, regional and international conferences
- Exploring grant and funding opportunities to support OSI research initiatives
- Leveraging research tools, graduate support and external partnerships to advance projects and initiatives
- Supporting multidisciplinary research across business disciplines within the WCBT
- Partnering with faculty from other colleges across Sacred Heart University
- Engaging with for-profit and nonprofit organizations beyond the University and within the broader academic community
The group also provides mentorship opportunities for junior faculty, supporting research development and collaboration.
Events
Purpose-Driven Leadership and Innovation | April 2026
Co-sponsored with the Center for Nonprofits
Key highlights of the conference included exploring interdisciplinary perspectives on responsible leadership, social innovation and applied research.
- Faculty and guest speaker presentations
- Cross-disciplinary dialogue and networking
- Real-world applications of organizational and social impact research
2025 OSI Annual Conference
A signature event that brings together interdisciplinary scholars and practitioners to explore key issues at the intersection of business and society.
- Topics include social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, nonprofit innovation and public policy
- Opportunities for research presentations, collaboration and professional networking
2025 WCBT Organizations & Social Issues Conference
Presenter Susan Agamy of Spooner House presents her talk "Nonprofits as Agents of Change."
Conference attendees take part in an interactive discussion with Bill Hass, former director SHU's Center for Nonprofits, exchanging ideas and perspectives.
Speaker Sven Horak, Zizza Tobin Professor of Management at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John, shares insights about "Head versus Heart Tensions: Time Continuum Dynamics of Missions."
WCBT Professors Mahfuja Malik and Kathy Dhanda share insights on the potential for social entrepreneurship in voluntary carbon markets.
Nahyun Oh of Eastern Connecticut State University shares her research on "Nascent Social Ventures' Inaugural CEO Appoinment: Human Capital and Gender Expectancy Violation Perspectives."
Keynote speaker Lauren Scopaz Daunais of United Way of Coastal and Western CT delivers insights on organizational change and effectiveness in her presentation.
Contact
For more information about the OSI Research Group or how to join, contact:
Grace Guo, Ph.D.
chun-guog@sacredheart.edu
Welch College of Business & Technology
Ximeng Chen, Ph.D.
chenx2@sacredheart.edu
College of Arts & Sciences