Global Management and Innovation

Catherine Mika-Zahidi is studying the Master of Commerce, Global Management and Innovation specialisation, while based in Christchurch.

Catherine Mika-Zahidi
Catherine Mika-Zahidi

Key facts

Programme: Master of Commerce
Subjects: Global Management and Innovation
Research focus: Tropical winegrowing

Catherine Mika-Zahidi made the move to study for her masters at the University of Auckland Business School, building on her commerce and international business degrees from another university.

“The University of Auckland is the top university in New Zealand and is highly ranked internationally, so it made sense to get my masters from here,” Catherine says.

Keen to operate a winegrowing business in the Pacific in the future, Catherine believes that conducting supervised research through the Master of Commerce in Global Management and Innovation would give her the best chance of success.

Although living in Christchurch and studying in Auckland hasn’t been
easy, my supervisor has been very helpful in finding ways to make things
work for me, such as online solutions as well as monthly face-to-face
meetings.

Catherine Mika-Zahidi

“I’m very fortunate to have the best supervisor for my research on tropical winegrowing. Although living in Christchurch and studying in Auckland hasn’t been easy, my supervisor has been very helpful in finding ways to make things work for me, such as online solutions as well as monthly face-to-face meetings.

“My research looks at using Networking Theory to identify how winegrowing businesses
in tropical regions come about and the indirect effects these networks have on business performance through the strategy and operation of winegrowing.

“Experiencing the whole research process has been the most valuable aspect of my studies. I learned research skills as well as problem-solving skills that incorporate strategic solutions. It is the way of strategic thinking that builds from masters studies.”