Dr. Edward William Wright

Biography

Edward Wright is the Elingburg Distinguished Professor of Business Innovation in the College of Business and Director of the Corporation for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Western Carolina University (WCU). He is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill (BSBA), Wake Forest University (MBA), and Case Western University (Doctor of Management). Dr. Wright teaches the Strategy Capstone Course for senior business students which engages students with regional businesses for project work in strategic planning and Leadership and Ethics in the MBA program. His book, A Guide to Strategic Planning, was released by Kendall Hunt Publishing in January 2017.<br>Prior to joining WCU (August 2009), Dr. Wright spent thirty years in the global medical device industry in senior management roles related to the design, development, and commercialization of advanced medical technologies. Accomplishments include leading the acquisition, merger, and management of several US and international businesses; the development and launch of eleven new medical products; and leadership of business units in the US and Europe. Personal intellectual property contributions include five US patents for medical devices and fifteen, peer-reviewed publications.<br>Dr. Wright and his wife, Sheila, reside in Biltmore Lake near Asheville, NC where they are active in their community and church. They have two grown children and eight grandchildren.

Education

• DMGT, Case Western Reserve University
• MBA, Wake Forest University
• BS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Teaching Interests

Dr. Wright has taught over a dozen different management courses at WCU and is interested in all general management topics. He teaches in a variety of formats including face-to-face, on-line, and hybrid classes. Dr. Wright focuses on experiential, project-based curriculum. Students in his capstone course for the college of business have worked with over 100 outside business clients in the past 7 years.

Research Interests

Dr. Wright's research interests broadly deal with management topics with particular focus on health care management and innovation. See<br>https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-v0_TZEAAAAJ&hl=en

Curriculum Vitae