Killian’s research focuses on how firms create and sustain value in dynamic and competitive environments. To understand this, he examines three interrelated topics “Strategy, Scaling & Systems”, each of which addresses a distinct set of questions about the drivers of growth.
How do firms position themselves to
maximize value?
How do they align internal resources
with external opportunities?
How do they adapt to market
dynamics?
How do they drive growth through
innovation?
Killian has made numerous scientific contributions on this topic. For example, on how firms in the energy industry (McCarthy, 2018) can adapt to the shifting demands of governments and consumers.
See the full list of topic-related publications below.
Workshops on how to craft competitive strategies and adapting to dynamic markets.
Advisory Services on market positioning, competitive advantage development, and response strategies to external shocks.
Custom Research on trends and created tailored recommendations for strategic decision-making.
How do firms scale to achieve
sustainable growth?
What tools do they use?
What explains the performance
of tools as mergers and
acquisitions (M&A), strategic
alliances, corporate venturing
and divestitures?
How do they unlock synergies
in the process to optimize
resource allocation, foster
innovation, and maintain a
competitive edge in a
globalized and rapidly?
Killian has made numerous scientific contributions on this topic. For example, research on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and corporate venturing, such as "Alliance-to acquisition transitions: Technological performance implications" (McCarthy & Aalbers, 2022), explores how firms can leverage these tools to scale effectively to achieve operational synergy.
See the full list of topic-related publications below.
Consulting Services, to support firms in identifying, evaluating, and managing partnerships or acquisition opportunities.
Training Programs on scaling operations through M&A, alliances, or venturing.
Custom Research into how individual firms drive performance, all with the goal of helping the firm to navigate the scaling challenges.
McCarthy, K. J., Aalbers H. L. & Kearney C. (2025). Organizing for Innovation: Alliance to acquisition transitions and Innovation, Journal of Technological Transfer, 50(2), 345–367
McCarthy, K. J., & Aalbers, H. L. (2025). Pharma fusion? Don’t buy your alliance partners if the goal is breakthrough innovation. Drug Discovery Today, 30(3), 210–215
Aalbers, H. L., McCarthy, K. J., Suzuki, H., & Sengoku, S. (2025). Navigating the middle ground: How Japanese firms approach mergers and acquisitions. Harvard Business Review
How does public policy change
the firm’s operating environment?
How do governments, institutions, and firms navigate public policy, regulatory environments, and global challenges such as tax competition, money laundering, and economic governance?
How do these entities influence and respond to policy changes, balance compliance with innovation, and shape global?
Killian has made numerous scientific contributions on this topic. For example, research on the intersection of public policy and corporate strategy: work on money laundering (McCarthy, 2018) and the impact of trade barriers on industries like Chinese PV (McCarthy, 2016).
See the full list of topic-related publications below.
Policy Analysis, to advise governments and firms the regulatory landscapes, in terms of tax competition and anti-money laundering compliance.
Workshops on Public-Private Partnerships, to help firm collaborate with governments to address local and global challenges.
Scenario Planning, to provide
firms and governments with
frameworks to prepare for.
Ostapenko, P., Bonchkovskyi, O., Semenikhin, V., McCarthy, K. J., & Dolfsma, W. A. (2025). From battlefields to blooming fields: Quantifying the effect of war on Ukrainian agricultural soil. Journal of Economic Issues (Forthcoming)
How do firms position themselves to
maximize value?
How do they align internal resources
with external opportunities?
How do they adapt to market
dynamics?
How do they drive growth through
innovation?
Killian has made numerous scientific contributions on this topic. For example, on how firms in the energy industry (McCarthy, 2018) can adapt to the shifting demands of governments and consumers.
See the full list of topic-related publications below.
Workshops on how to craft competitive strategies and adapting to dynamic markets.
Advisory Services on market positioning, competitive advantage development, and response strategies to external shocks.
Custom Research on trends and created tailored recommendations for strategic decision-making.
How do firms scale to achieve
sustainable growth?
What tools do they use?
What explains the performance
of tools as mergers and
acquisitions (M&A), strategic
alliances, corporate venturing
and divestitures?
How do they unlock synergies
in the process to optimize
resource allocation, foster
innovation, and maintain a
competitive edge in a
globalized and rapidly?
Killian has made numerous scientific contributions on this topic. For example, research on mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and corporate venturing, such as "Alliance-to acquisition transitions: Technological performance implications" (McCarthy & Aalbers, 2022), explores how firms can leverage these tools to scale effectively to achieve operational synergy.
See the full list of topic-related publications below.
Consulting Services, to support firms in identifying, evaluating, and managing partnerships or acquisition opportunities.
Training Programs on scaling operations through M&A, alliances, or venturing.
Custom Research into how individual firms drive performance, all with the goal of helping the firm to navigate the scaling challenges.
How does public policy change
the firm’s operating environment?
How do governments, institutions, and firms navigate public policy, regulatory environments, and global challenges such as tax competition, money laundering, and economic governance?
How do these entities influence and respond to policy changes, balance compliance with innovation, and shape global?
Killian has made numerous scientific contributions on this topic. For example, research on the intersection of public policy and corporate strategy: work on money laundering (McCarthy, 2018) and the impact of trade barriers on industries like Chinese PV (McCarthy, 2016).
See the full list of topic-related publications below.
Policy Analysis, to advise governments and firms the regulatory landscapes, in terms of tax competition and anti-money laundering compliance.
Workshops on Public-Private Partnerships, to help firm collaborate with governments to address local and global challenges.
Scenario Planning, to provide
firms and governments with
frameworks to prepare for.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
McCarthy, K. J., Aalbers H. L. & Kearney C. (2025). Organizing for Innovation: Alliance to acquisition transitions and Innovation, Journal of Technological Transfer, 50(2), 345–367
McCarthy, K. J., & Aalbers, H. L. (2025). Pharma fusion? Don’t buy your alliance partners if the goal is breakthrough innovation. Drug Discovery Today, 30(3), 210–215
Aalbers, H. L., McCarthy, K. J., Suzuki, H., & Sengoku, S. (2025). Navigating the middle ground: How Japanese firms approach mergers and acquisitions. Harvard Business Review
Ostapenko, P., Bonchkovskyi, O., Semenikhin, V., McCarthy, K. J., & Dolfsma, W. A. (2025). From battlefields to blooming fields: Quantifying the effect of war on Ukrainian agricultural soil. Journal of Economic Issues (Forthcoming)