Associate Professor
Expertise
Biography
Dr. Sowon Kim is EHL professor and founder of the Women in Leadership (WIL) Initiative. Having lived in eight countries across East Asia, Latin/ North America, and Western Europe, and with over 20 years of work experience in various academic institutions (IESE, INSEAD, Uni. of Geneva) and private companies (consumer goods, high-tech, broadcasting, jewellery), her expertise lies in strategically navigating different cultures and inspiring people to move forward together.
In executive education, Dr. Kim primary focus is interpersonal skills (EQ, CQ, networking), high performance multicultural teams, and organizational culture change. She holds a PhD from the Uni. of Geneva and her research on personality, career strategies, work-family, and leadership diversity has appeared in academic and practitioner outlets. Dr. Kim is also a co-owner of World of Kids SA, member of the Board of Directors of the Non Violence Foundation Project (NVPF), chairlady of HoteliersGuild’s LeadingHotelières, and member of the Education Committee of the Travel Industry Executive Women’s Network (TIEWN).
Awards
Education
Courses Taught
Teaching Location
Article
When satisfaction with work-family balance pays
This study examines the mechanism through which family supportive environments in organizations (i.e. family supportive supervisor behaviors and work-family friendly culture) relate to turnover intentions. In a sample of 340 individuals, analysis...
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Article
A matter of love : exploring what enables work-family enrichment
The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the conditions under which work-family enrichment happens. We conducted a total of 30 interviews with managers (and their spouses) participating in a demanding executive education program at a...
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Article
Our study examines the antecedents of organization citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE). In particular, we examined the relation between the five factor model personality traits and the tri-dimensional model of OCBE (eco-initiatives,...
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Article
Our study examines the nomological network of active procrastination in comparison with passive procrastination. In particular, we examine the effects of the five factor model with the aim to understand which personality traits predict academic...
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Article
This paper examines how family-supportive supervisor behaviours (FSSBs) are associated with employees’ in-role job performance and perceived promotability, and how prosocial motivation moderates these associations. Drawing on the norm of reciprocity...
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Article
The costs of networking in nonwork domains : a resource-based perspective
While studies have established that networking is an investment in an individual's career that pays off, recent research has begun to examine the potential costs of networking. This study suggests that prior research is limited in scope, as it...
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Article
Using available signals on LinkedIn for personality assessment
LinkedIn is considered the most effective social network website for job seekers and recruiters. Although LinkedIn profiles are regularly accessed to evaluate candidates, we know very little about the type of information conveyed. The aim of this...
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Article
This study examines the extent to which perceptions of family?friendly organisational culture relate to employees' satisfaction with work–family balance (SATWFB) and how this, in turn, associates with their turnover intentions (TIs). Furthermore, we...
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Article
Currently, there are four million hosts on Airbnb worldwide (Airbnb (2021). Although the number of Airbnb hosts keeps on rising, little is known about their experiences, as most studies on accommodation sharing services have predominantly focused on...
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Article
Personality is no stranger to occupational choice among hospitality graduates
The hospitality industry is currently facing a labor shortage crisis, preventing hotels from operating effectively. This study focuses on understanding the career decisions of hospitality graduates to examine whether occupational choice can be...
Learn moreJournal publications
de Janasz, S., Schneer, J.A., Beutell, N. and Kim, S. (2025), "Flexible but disconnected: Airbnb hosts’ social isolation, work-family experience, and mental wellbeing", Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 8(1), 183-197.
De Janasz, S., Kim, S., Schneer, J., Beutell N., & Wong, C. (2023). Work-family integration and segmentation in the gig economy: An exploratory study on Airbnb hosts' experiences. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 23(1), 60-71.
Fernandez, S., Terrier, L., & Kim, S. (2023). Personality is no stranger to occupational choice among hospitality graduates. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 32, 100435.
Chinchilla, N., Grau-Grau, M., & Kim, S. (2023). Integrating the Decision-Making Process in the Work-Family Field: An Action-Based Approach. Revista Empresa y Humanismo, 26(1), 93-120.
Las Heras, M., Rofcanin, Y., Escribano, P., Kim S., & Mayer, M. (2021). Family-supportive organisational culture, work–family balance satisfaction and government effectiveness: Evidence from four countries. Human Resources Management Journal.
Fernandez, S., Stöcklin, M., Terrier, L., & Kim, S. (2021). Using available signals on LinkedIn for personality assessment. Journal of Research in Personality, 93, 104122.
Wolff, H. G., & Kim, S. (2020). The costs of networking in nonwork domains: a resource-based perspective. Career development international, 25(5), 501-516.
Rofcanin, Y., de Jong, J., LasHeras, M., & Kim, S. (2018). The moderating role of prosocial motivation on the association between family-supportive supervisor behaviors and employee outcomes. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 107, 153-167.
Kim, S., Fernandez, S., & Terrier, L. (2017). Procrastination, personality traits, and academic performance: When active and passive procrastination tell a different story. Personality and Individual Differences, 108, 154-157.
Las Heras, M., Kim, S., Escribano, P., & Raes, A. (2016). Well-being and engagement as predicted by fit and misfit of work to family supervisor interruption behaviors and subordinate interruption tolerance. European Accounting and Management Review, 3(1), 93-123.
Kim, S., Las Heras, M., & Escribano, P. (2016). When satisfaction with work-family balance pays. International Business Research, 9(11), 178-188.
Terrier, L., Kim, S., & Fernandez, S. (2016). Who are the good organizational citizens for the environment? An examination of the predictive validity of personality traits. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 48, 185-190.
Kim, S., Las Heras, M., & Bosch, M. J. (2016). A Matter of Love: Exploring What Enables Work-family Enrichment. International Business Research, 9(8), 24-36.
Kim, S. (2013). Networking enablers, constraints and dynamics: A qualitative analysis. Career Development International, 18(2), 120-138.
Kim, S., & Las Heras, M. (2013). Networking: An effective career strategy. Harvard Deusto Business Review, 220, 76-82.
Lopez-Jurado, M., & Kim, S. (2013). Moral learning and the good life. Revista Española de Pedagogía, 255, 327-341.
Wolff, H.-G., & Kim, S. (2012). The relationship between networking behaviors and the Big Five personality dimensions. Career Development International, 17(1), 43-66.
Las Heras, M., & Kim, S. (2012). The family: A school for business. Harvard Deusto Business Review, 211, 44-49.