Dr Leei John is a Lecturer in Management in the Queen Margaret Business School. They are also Programme Leader for International Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management.
- Overview
- Research Interests
- Teaching & Learning
I am originally from St Lucia, a small island nation in the southern Eastern Caribbean, and my passion for leadership and strategic development has been strongly influenced by my involvement in community development. In St Lucia, I had the privilege of working with government organisations and international agencies, including the Peace Corps, on a range of initiatives focused on leadership development, community empowerment and poverty reduction.
Moving to the United Kingdom marked an important transition in my professional journey, providing opportunities to further develop my knowledge and expertise in hospitality and retail management. I also have extensive managerial experience working with luxury hospitality businesses and international hotel chains, which has strengthened my understanding of operations, leadership, customer experience and strategic management within diverse business environments.
Alongside my management experience, I have also been involved in business development and entrepreneurship, both as a sole trader and through various business partnerships. Collectively, these experiences have shaped my approach to leadership and strategic development, combining community engagement, commercial experience and entrepreneurship with a strong interest in developing sustainable and practical solutions to organisational and societal challenges.
My research interests focus primarily on small tourism businesses in developing economies, with particular emphasis on their survival, performance, strategic adoption, the role of family involvement and long-term sustainability.
I am particularly interested in the complex environments within which these businesses operate. Many tourism-dependent developing economies face limited natural and economic resources, a high dependence on tourism and significant exposure to external shocks. These challenges can be further intensified by the presence and influence of large multinational organisations, which can affect local competitive conditions and place additional pressures on governments, communities and smaller indigenous businesses.
The dynamic and often uncertain nature of these operating environments, together with the comparatively limited research examining small tourism businesses within developing-economy contexts, has been a significant motivation for my research. I am particularly interested in understanding how these businesses adapt strategically, remain resilient and, in some cases, continue to grow and thrive despite considerable structural, competitive and environmental challenges.
I am also a member of the Centre for Applied Social Sciences (CASS).
Active Research Interests:
- Carnival tourism and its impact on developing states
- Environmental impact on small family-owned businesses
- Business survival in dynamic environments
My primary teaching and learning areas encompass strategic management, hospitality and tourism management, business development, entrepreneurship, consumer experience, and applied business research. My teaching is informed by both academic research and extensive professional experience within hospitality, retail, business development and entrepreneurship, enabling me to connect theoretical concepts with contemporary organisational practice.
A central focus of my teaching is strategy and strategic development, particularly supporting students in understanding how organisations analyse complex business environments, evaluate strategic choices and develop evidence-based solutions to contemporary challenges. I place particular emphasis on the application of strategic frameworks, critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making within hospitality, tourism, events and wider business contexts.
My approach to teaching is strongly applied and student-centred. I incorporate live business challenges, client-based projects, case studies, industry examples and research-led activities that encourage students to move beyond theoretical understanding and apply their knowledge to authentic organisational situations. This includes opportunities for students to investigate businesses, analyse internal and external environments, develop strategic recommendations and communicate their ideas professionally.
I am particularly interested in creating learning experiences that develop students' independence, confidence, employability and professional capabilities. My teaching also reflects an international perspective, drawing upon my professional and research experience to encourage students to consider how business practices and strategic decisions are influenced by different economic, cultural and geographical contexts.
