Gertrude Hewapathirana, Assistant Professor

Gertrude Hewapathirana, PhD

Assistant Professor, Human Resources, Learning and Performance Programs
Department of Education and Human Services

Phone: 617.573.8262
Fax: 617.305.1743
Email: ghewapathirana@suffolk.edu
Office: 73 Tremont St., Rm. 7061

Education

PhD, University of Minnesota
MA, University of Minnesota
MS, University of Minnesota
MBA, Postgraduate Institute of Management, Sri Lanka
BA, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Research Interests

Work-life balance – expatriate employees in multinational companies
Theory building in human resource development/management
International business and entrepreneurship
Employee relations
Asian business

Professional Education & Certificates

Certificate of International Business and Marketing - University of Minnesota, USA
Leadership for the Common Good – University of Minnesota, USA
Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Development - University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Development - University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Trainers Training in Entrepreneurship Development- University of the Philippines, The Philippines
Human Resource Management – University of Pittsburgh, USA

Employment History

Assistant Professor of Human Resources, Education and Human Services Department , Suffolk University
Researcher, Biomedical Engineering Department of University of Minnesota
Lecturer, Work Human Resource Department of University of Minnesota
Managing Director, Business Management Bureau Sri Lanka
Director Business Development, Business Management Bureau Sri Lanka
Project Director, Agromart Foundation, USAID Project in Sri Lanka
Deputy Executive Director, Sri Lanka Business Development Center, Sri Lanka
Statistical officer, Industrial Development Board, Sri Lanka
Researcher, United Nations Development Program, Sri Lanka
Adjunct Lecturer, Institute of Public Administration, Sri Lanka

Publications

Books

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2010). Internationalization of Small Business: Multiple Case of Successful Small Business Managers in Sri Lanka, VDM Verlag Dr. Müller e.K. ISBN 978-3-639-23781-8.

Fernando, W. A. J. A. & Hewapathirana, G. I. (1992). Training Women for Entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka. (pp. 251-257) In S. Beaumont, K. Singh, and K. Ramachandran (Eds.). Development of Micro Enterprises by Women. British Council Division: New Delhi.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2011). Family Life and Structure of West, Central and South Asia, Social Psychology Encyclopedia, Sage Publications. (Under contract for submission).

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2011). Work Life of West, Central and South Asia, Social Psychology Encyclopedia, Sage Publications. (Under contract for submission).

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2011). Tea Export of West, Central and South Asia, Social Psychology Encyclopedia, Sage Publications. (under contract for submission)

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2010). The Role of Social Identity in Internationalization of Women Owned Small Business in Sri Lanka. Journal of Asian Business (In press). Emerald Group Publishing.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2008). Social Identity and Workplace Motivation: A Sri Lankan Case Study. Sri Lankan Journal of Management, 13 (1), 141-162.

Miskie, S. J., & Hewapathirana, G. I. (2004). Book review: Maslak, M. A. (2003). South Asian Women in the Diaspora, Daughters of the Tharu: Gender, Ethnicity, Religion, and the Education of Nepali Girls, Asian Journal on Women’s Studies, 10 (1).

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2007). A Research Framework for Evaluating Family Social Service Programs. Phyllis Whitely Community Center in Minnesota.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2006). Unleashing Human Potential: A Leapfrog Model for the 21st Century HRD in Developing Countries. The 5th International AHRD Conference, Malaysia, December 2-5, 2006. In M. Ismail et al (Eds.). Human Resource Development in Asia: Thriving in Dynamism and Change. Conference Proceedings II, Academy of Human Resource Development and University of Putra Malaysia.

Hewapathirana, G. I., Pruetipibultham, O. J. & Fernando, W. A. J. A. (2006). Global Cross-cultural HRD Consulting: Challenges and Opportunities for Western Management Consultants in Asian Countries. The 5th International AHRD Conference, Malaysia, December 2-5, 2006. In M. Ismail et al (Eds.). Human Resource Development in Asia: Thriving in Dynamism and Change. Conference Proceedings II, Academy of Human Resource Development and University of Putra Malaysia.

Unpublished Books in Use for Practice in Other Countries

Hewapathirana, G. I. (1996). Trainers Handbook of Economic Literacy Training for Rural Women in Sri Lanka. Unpublished Book completed for the Janasaviya Trust Fund for publishing by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Fernando, W. A. J. A., & Hewapathirana, G. I. (1987). Some Aspects of Entrepreneurship Development in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Business Development Center, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Conference Papers Presented and Accepted

Chaudhuri, S. and Hewapathirana, G. I. (2011). Work-Life and Family Issues of Expatriate Employees: The Lived Experience of Not Being Able to Work When Offered an Opportunity to Work. International Research Conference in the Americas, Academy of Human Resource Development, Feb 23-26, Chicago.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2009). Relationship in Business is Like a Family. ICSB World Conference in Korea, June 21-24, 2009.

Hewapathirana, G. I. & W. A. J. Anton Fernando (2008). Social Identity: A Strategic Dimension of Internationalization of Women Owned Small Businesses in Sri Lanka. ICSB 2008 World Conference in Halifax, Canada, June 22-25, 2008.

Hewapathirana, G. I. & Bowan, M. (2008). Globalization Cannot be Ignored in HRD: A European Union Case Study,The 9th International HRD Conference in Europe, May 21-23, 2008 in France.

Bowen, M. M. & Hewapathirana, G. I. (2007). The Importance of Social Capital as a Means of Investment for Family Business. FERC 2007 Family Enterprise Research Conference, April 27-29, 2007, Mexico.

Fernando, W. A. J. A. & Hewapathirana, G. I. (2007). Gender Perspectives of Family Enterprises, to What Extent Women Contribute to Successes of Family Business: A Sri Lankan Case Study. FERC 2007 Family Enterprise Research Conference, April 27-29, 2007, Mexico.

Hewapathirana, G. I. & Fernando, W. A. J. A (2007). What Changes Do We Need in Our Approach to Teaching International Business Communication in the Transforming Knowledge Economy: Perspectives of South Asian Entrepreneurs. Writing in Changing Communities-Communities Writing Change Conference CATTW, May 28-30, 2007 at the University of Saskatchewn, Canada.

Hewapathirana, G. I., & Fernando, W. A. J. A (2006). In the Context of Globalization, How Does Communication Technology Work in Creating Intercultural Relationships? City of Knowledge Conference: Writing in the Knowledge Society, CATTW, May 28-30, 2006. York University, Canada.

Participant IEEE 3rd International Conference and Workshop on Technology for Education in Developing Countries, July 3-6, 2005, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2005). Beyond Schooling: A Knowledge Leadership Model for the 21st Century. A presentation at the 20th Anniversary of the International Programs. Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (2004). Current Economic and Political Trends and Opportunities in Sri Lanka, Presentation at the Minnesota International Center, October 2004.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (1997). Study on Vocational Training Needs of Rural Women and Youth in the North Western Province in Sri Lanka. GTZ office in Colombo.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (1998). Women’s Participation in Economic Activities in Asian Countries, Asian Women’s Conference, University of Minnesota. March 1998.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (1997). Status of Women in Sri Lanka, Guest speaker presentation in the Humphrey Institute of Minnesota, Organized by the Association of University Women of America, Minneapolis Chapter.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (1995). Women in Sri Lanka. A paper presented in the Women’s International Conference in Beijing, China.

Hewapathirana, G. I. (1992). Micro Enterprises for Women in Sri Lanka, A paper presented at the Regional Workshop on Development of Micro Enterprises for Women, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad, India.

Academic Awards and Fellowships

Colonial Dame Scholarship Award, UMN, USA
Hubert Humphrey Fellow, UMN, USA
Full Bright Scholar, UMN, USA
Outstanding Student Award, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
National Deans List for High Academic Excellence, USA
Community Leadership and Positive Performance, USA
Commonwealth Professional Development Scholarship, UK
Professional Development Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh, USA

Consulting Projects

National Consultant: International Labor Organization (ILO) and Swedish Embassy in Sri Lanka, Project: Start Your Business (SYB) and Improve Your Business (IYB).

Team Leader: German GTZ Development Cooperation Project: Vocational Training for Women in the North Western Province, Sri Lanka.

National Consultant: Sweden Embassy in Sri Lanka Project: Private Sector Development in Sri Lanka.

National Consultant: Embassy of the Netherlands Project: A Study on Fisheries Industry Development in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka.

Consultant: Ministry of Policy and Plan Implementation and Ethnic Affairs, Sri Lanka Project: Women in Development, Integrated Rural Development Project, Ratnapura District, Sri Lanka.

Professional Associations

Member SHRM , USA
Member New England Human Resources Association
Member Eastern Academy of Management – Massachusetts
Member CASE Association - Eastern Academy of Management, Massachusetts
Member, Academy of Human Resource Development, USA
Member International Small Business Council, USA
President, Sri Lankan Student Association, University of Minnesota, USA
Member, Canadian Association of Teachers in Technical Writing, Canada
Alumni member of the Postgraduate Institute of Management, Sri Lanka
Alumni member of the Hubert Humphrey Institute, IIE/UMN, USA
Alumni member University of Minnesota, USA

Committees

Asian Studies Committee, Suffolk University
Sustainability Committee, Suffolk University
Research Conference Committee of Human Resources Development, University of Minnesota

Other Positions Held

Course Leader/Lecturer, Olli Continuing Education Center, University of Minnesota
Teacher, International Classroom Connections, Minnesota International Center
Teaching Assistant, Department of Communication, University of Minnesota
Teaching Assistant, Department of Rhetoric, University of Minnesota
Lecturer, Institute of Public Administration, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lead Trainer, Business Management Bureau Lanka, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lecturer, Peoples Bank, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lecturer, Women’s Bureau, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lead Trainer, Agromart Foundation, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Lead Trainer, Sri Lanka Business Development Center, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Grants Received

Advances in Science and Technology Seminar Series Grant
Conference Travel Grant, University of Minnesota
Graduate and Professional Student Conference Travel Grant
Culture Co-op grant for Intercultural Awareness Creation, University of Minnesota
Student Leadership Development Grant, University of Minnesota
IBM Conference Travel Grant, Educational Technology in Developing Countries, Taiwan
Netherlands Embassy in Sri Lanka: 3 year Project Grant for Women Entrepreneurship Development in Sri Lanka

Courses Taught

EHS 673 - Organizational Consulting
EHS 683 - Recruitment and Selection
EHS 684 - Employee Relations
EHS 685 - Compensation and Benefits