Incoming Editor Spotlight: Kris Byron

Incoming Academy of Management Review editor-in-chief

Kris Byron is the incoming editor-in-chief of the Academy of Management Review. She is currently the Meredith M. Leapley Women Lead Professor at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Kris’s three-year term will begin 1 January 2024, with a transition period beginning 1 July 2023.

“I'm excited to have the opportunity to recognize and publish cutting-edge research as the incoming editor of AMR” said Kris, who has published in leading management and psychology journals. Her research interests include social information processing, creativity and innovation, and workplace diversity. 

Kris earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology from Emory University, a master's degree in nonprofit management from Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies and a PhD in management (organizational behavior) from Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business.

Kris originally chose to become a member of AOM as a doctoral student, “I've always found AOM to be a friendly, welcoming, and generally ‘low ego’ organization. I was immediately impressed with the formal and informal opportunities for mentoring and building collegial relationships.” She cites Corinne Post, Batia Wiesenfeld, the late Sigal Barsade, and past and current editors of AMR, Belle Rose Ragin and Sherry Thatcher, as influential mentors and colleagues.

She found her home in the Research Methods and Organizational Behavior Divisions. Kris emphasizes how volunteering within her divisions and a journal has enriched her experience at AOM and helped her form new connections. “These opportunities helped introduce me to so many great colleagues who have been important to my career in a host of ways. The nature of this profession can often be solitary, so AOM volunteer activities are a fantastic way to be part of something bigger.”

She has served as senior editor of the Journal of Management, associate editor of the Academy of Management Review, and chair of the Research Methods Division. Her research has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and many other newspapers and magazines in the United States and abroad.

Kris encourages scholars looking to get involved with an AOM journal to contact the editor or one of the associate editors of the journal and volunteer to review. “If you write high-quality, timely, developmental reviews, the editors will notice, and you'll probably have opportunities to play an even larger role in the future.”

Overall, she hopes to continue the legacy of high-quality scholarship published in AMR, and further promote inclusivity.

“I'm lucky to be following in the footsteps of some amazing editors who have not only maintained AMR's high-quality scholarship but also helped to move the journal ever forward.  I'll be committed to not trying to fix things that aren't broken, but also working with my editorial team to develop new ideas and initiatives, and to continue to build an inclusive community.”

Her previous work experience includes working for profit and nonprofit organizations in the areas of employee training, research, and development. She and her husband volunteer in animal rescue and have "foster-failed" twice—adopting her former fosters Moomoo (dog) and Tiki (cat).