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Christopher Fernandez, Ph.D.
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Education:
Ph.D.
Master in Physics (Chittagong University)
MBA with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior at George
Williams College
B.A.
Organization Affiliations:
Lucent Technologies
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Chris completed his doctoral studies at Case Western in 1988.
He has held various positions with AT&T and Lucent Technologies,
and is currently a Product Manager at Lucent. For the past 18
years Chris has taught Conflict Management, Team Building, Process
Consultation, Group Dynamics and Organizational Assessment for
the MOB Department at Benedictine University.
Biography:
I grew up in Bangladesh - a small but heavily populated country
on the East side of India. My first college education was in the
pure sciences that I capped with an M.S. in Physics from Chittagong
University in 1976. Soon after I graduated, specific job encounters
helped me realize that I had an appetite for the softer side of
organizations and deep appreciation for people within organizations.
I decided to pursue jobs in the service sector. For the next 5
years, I worked in Bangladesh for the United Nations and the International
Red Cross doing refugee/relief work, and the YMCA creating and
managing service projects. I came to the US in 1981.
During 1981-1983, I pursued an MBA with an emphasis in Organizational
Behavior at George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois
. From there, I went on to do my Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior
at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned
my Ph.D degree in 1988. My research interest was in understanding
how employee behaviors emerge and are shaped in organizations
that are complex and always in transition. My dissertation topic
was Role Shaping in Complex Organizations, very much tied to my
interests.
Presently, I work for Lucent Technologies as a Product Manager
for next generation wireless core-network products. The job of
a Product Manager entails setting product strategy, acquiring
resources needed to develop and support the product, and executing
product strategy with the help of numerous organizations. This
involves working with a large number of individuals that represent
multiple cultures, functions, teams, and often in different locations
and countries. The job embodies the essentials of organizational
behavior in action.
In addition to my job at Lucent, I enjoy sharing my experience
and knowledge through teaching as a part-time faculty in graduate
education programs. Over the last 17 years, I have taught nine
courses at a number of universities in the area in the field of
Organizational Behavior and Development. Course work included
Organizational Theory, Organizational Strategy/Structure and Decision
Making, Organizational Behavior, Group Dynamics, Team Building,
Conflict Management, Organization Assessment, and Process Consultation.
Currently at BU, I teach Group Dynamics, Team Building, Conflict
Management, Organization Assessment, and Process Consultation.
I also do special 'limited' OD consultation work (on the side)
with corporations and agencies limited to 2-3 day sessions per
episode. With my current workload, I am unable to take on opportunities
of longer duration.
I do have a young family and make time for some fun. My spouse
Sharon has a background in Counseling Psychology and can relate
to the field of OB/OD quite well. I have a son - Christopher,
who is almost 13, and a daughter - Caitlin, who is 9. I participate
in some of their sports activities and support school homework.
I enjoy coaching kids' soccer, helping with kids' baseball, swimming
(I am a beginner), cooking, serving on service agency committees
and boards, and reading new material in the field.
My present recurring desire is to start up a Management Consulting
practice with focus on the ability 'to maintain organizational
performance and employee engagement in the face of chaos and adversity'-
something to look forward too.
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