Bio

Dr. Leila Canaan Messarra is an Associate Professor of Management at the Lebanese American University (LAU). She holds an EdD with an emphasis in management from Leicester University, UK. Dr. Messarra received her MS and BS in Banking and Money Management from Adelphi University, New York. She has a strong academic background with significant contributions to the field through numerous published articles. She has also acted as a peer reviewer for several respected academic journals and programs, further solidifying her role in shaping the management field. 

Previously, Dr. Messarra held the position of MBA Program Director, where she played an instrumental role in shaping the curriculum and guiding the next generation of business leaders. She is committed to fostering academic excellence and advancing management research, with a passion for integrating practical knowledge with theoretical frameworks.

Dr. Messarra’s research interests and academic pursuits continue to influence both her students and the broader academic community.  

Teaching Interests

• Organization Behavior
• Management Theories
• Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
• Family Business
• Human Resource Management
• Cases in Management (graduate and undergraduate levels)

Research Interests

• Behavioral Management
• Commitment
• Leadership 
• Knowledge Management
• Learning Organization 
• Organizational Climate and Diversity

Executive Training

Offered numerous seminars and workshops including in Managerial Leadership Excellence, Advanced Leadership Selling: Partnering for Success, Executive and Administrative Assistants: the Managerial Dimension, Executive Communication, Conflict Management, Leadership, and Time management.

Selected Publications

Farroukh, N., Messarra, L. C., & Yunis, M. (2023). The perception of job insecurity and organizational citizenship behavior during COVID-19: the moderating roles of positive psychological capital and grit. Journal of Asia Business Studies, 17(6), 1069-1087.

Malaeb, M., Dagher, G. K., & Canaan Messarra, L. (2023). The relationship between self-leadership and employee engagement in Lebanon and the UAE: the moderating role of perceived organizational support. Personnel Review, 52(9), 2284-2303.

Ahmad Khazaal, Abbas Tarhini, Leila Messarra and Puzant Balozian (2019 – 2022) Exploring the Relationship Between Employee Psychological Wellbeing and Employee Performance Amid the Lebanese Financial Crisis MENACIS2022 Conference Proceedings.

Mazen Malaeb, Grace K Dagher, Leila Canaan Messarra (2022). “The relationship between self-leadership and employee engagement in Lebanon and the UAE: the moderating role of perceived organizational support”. Personnel Review (Emerald Publishing, Scopus Q1). 

Malaeb*, M., Dagher*, G.K. and Canaan Messarra, L. (2022), “The relationship between self-leadership and employee engagement in Lebanon and the UAE: the moderating role of perceived organizational support”, Personnel Review, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-12-2021-0862 (*Equal contribution) (ABDC rank A; Scoups rank Q2) 

Karkoulian, S., Srour, J., & Canaan Messarra, L. (2020). The moderating role of 360-degree appraisal between engagement and innovative behaviors. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 69(2), 361-381.

El Gammal, W., El-Kassar, A. N., & Canaan Messarra, L. (2018). Corporate ethics, governance and social responsibility in MENA countries. Management Decision, 56(1), 273-291.

El-Kassar, A. N., Messarra, L. C., & El-Khalil, R. (2017). CSR, organizational identification, normative commitment, and the moderating effect of the importance of CSR. The Journal of Developing Areas, 51(3), 409-424.

Messarra, L. C., Karkoulian, S., & El-Kassar, A. N. (2016). Conflict resolution styles and personality: The moderating effect of generation X and Y in a non-Western context. International journal of productivity and performance management, 65(6), 792-810.

Messarra, L. C. (2014). Religious diversity at work: The perceptual effects of religious discrimination on employee engagement and commitment. Contemporary Management Research, 10(1).

Shorbaji, Rania, Messarra, Leila, and Karkoulian Silva (summer, 2011). “Core Self Evaluation: Predictor of Employee Engagement.” Business Review Cambridge. Vol. 17, No.1, pp. 276-283. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257929408_Core-self_Evaluation_Predictor_of_Employee_Engagement

Messarra, Leila, Mrad, Mona and El-Harake, Nour (2009). “The Linkage between Professionals’ Goal Orientation and Career Anchors”. International Journal of Business Research. Vol. 9. No. 1, pp.50-56 (Australian List All Refereed Journal, ERA 2011, ranked B).
http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/44451065/linkage-between-professionals-goal-orientation-career-anchors

El-Farr, Hadi, Messarra, Leila and Karkoulian, Silva (2009). “The Effect of Physical Structure on Working and Personal Behavior: An Investigative Case Study at an Educational Institution.” Journal of Academy of Business and Economics. Vol. 9. No. 1, pp.44-57. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265864442_The_Effect_of_Physical_Structure_on_Working_and_Personal_Behavior_An_Investigative_Case_Study_at_an_Educational_Institution

Messara, Leila, Karkoulian, Silva and Nour Al Harake (2008). “Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Locus of Control-Application to Employees in Multicultural corporations.” European Journal of Management. Vol. 8, Number 2, pp.147-154. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265860417_Relationship_between_Cultural_Intelligence_and_Locus_of_Control-Application_to_Employees_in_Multicultural_corporations

Messarra, Leila, Karkoulian, Silva and Younis, Aida (2008). “Four Facets of Cultural Intelligence Predictors of Knowledge Sharing Intentions.” Review of Business Research. Vol. 8, No. 5, pp.126-131. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257929972_Four_Facets_of_Cultural_Intellegence_Predictors_of_Knowledge_Sharing_Intentions

Karkoulian, S., Messarra, L. & McCarthy, R. (2012). The Intriguing Art of Knowledge Management and its Relation to Learning Organization. Journal of Knowledge Management, 17(4), 511-526.

Messarra, L. & El-Kassar, A.N. (2010). Effects of Religious Diversity on the Employees’ Perception and Reaction. Business Review Cambridge. 15(1), 159-163.

Messarra, L. (in press). Religious Diversity at Work: The Perceptual Effects of Religious Discrimination on Employee Engagement and Commitment. Contemporary Management Research: an international journal.

Messarra, L. & El-Kassar, A.N.(2013). Identifying Organizational Climate Affecting Learning Organization. Business Studies Journal, 5(1), 19-28

Karkoulian, S., Mukaddem, W., McCarthy, R. & Messarra, L. (2013). Job Insecurity: A Whirlpool of Chronic Powerlessness. Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues,6(1), 55-70.

Maamari, B. & Messarra, L. (2012). An Empirical Study of the Relationship Between Organizational Climate and Organizational Citizenship Behavior.  European Journal of Management, 12(1), 165-174.

Shorbaji, R., Messarra, L. & Karkoulian, S. (2011). Core Self-Evaluation: Predictor of Employee Engagement. Business Review Cambridge, 17(1), 276-283.

Messarra, L., Karkoulian, S., McCarthy, R. (2011). To Restrict or Not to Restrict Personal Internet Usage on the Job. Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues,4(4), 253 - 266.

Mahseredjian, A., Karkoulian S. & Messarra, L. (2011). Leadership Styles Correlate of Learning Organization in a Non-Western Culture. Business Review Cambridge,17(2), 269-277.

Messarra, L. & Dagher, G. (2010). Proactive Personality: Organization vs. Career. Business Studies Journal, 2(2), 117-127.

Karkoulian, S., Al Harake, N. & Messarra, L. (2010).  Correlates of Organizational Commitment and Knowledge Sharing via Emotional Intelligence: An Empirical Investigation. Business Review Cambridge, 15(1), 89-96.

Karkoulian, S., Samhat, A.& Messarra, L. (2010). The relationship Between Machiavellians and Career Development. Journal of Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict, 14(1), 1-12. (Won the Distinguished Research Award at the Allied Academics conference, 2009, New Orleans, USA).

Messarra, L., Mrad, M. & El-Harake, N. (2009). The Linkage between Professionals’ Goal Orientation and Career Anchors. International Journal of Business Research, 9(1), 50-56.

El-Farr, H., Messarra, L. & Karkoulian, S. (2009). The Effect of Physical Structure on Working and Personal Behavior: An Investigative Case Study at an Educational Institution. Journal of Academy of Business and Economics, 9(1), 44-57.

Karkoulian, S., Messarra, L., & Sidani, M. (2009).Correlates of the Bases of Power and the Big Five Personality Traits: An Empirical Investigation.  Journal of organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict, 13(1), 71-82

Messara, L., Karkoulian, S. & Al Harake, N. (2008). Relationship between Cultural Intelligence and Locus of Control-Application to Employees in Multicultural corporations. European Journal of Management, 8(2), 147-154.

Messarra, L. & Karkoulian, S. (2008).  Organizational Commitment recall in times of crisis. Journal of International Business Research, 7(1), 109-118.

Messarra, L., Karkoulian, S. and Younis, A. (2008). Four Facets of Cultural Intelligence Predictors of Knowledge Sharing Intentions. Review of Business Research, 8(5), 126-131.