Staff profile

Nick is recognized as an early proponent of discourse analysis to explore marketing management. His research focuses primarily on the construction of identities in inter-organizational relationships and B2B contexts. His outputs thus embrace marketing and organization studies, with publications judged as world-leading and internationally excellent in both disciplines, in journals with high impact factors like Industrial Marketing Management, Organization Studies, Human Relations, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Marketing Theory and European Journal of Marketing. Nick’s expertise is reflected in being invited to contribute a chapter on Networks and Identities to the Oxford Handbook of Identities in Organizations in 2020. He has written a book on B2B marketing and a co-authored text on critical marketing.

He has been successful in gaining research funding from a number of external sources including a Knowledge Transfer Partnership on marketing orientation and supply chain management co-funded by the ESRC and TSB which is now part of an Impact Case Study, a Research Collaboration Award from the University of Western Australia to explore autonomous vehicle networks, several grants from the European Regional Development Fund to support SMEs, and funding from private sector firms for consultancy projects. He has acted as a rapporteur for the ESRC and been invited to present his work at ESRC seminars.

Drawing upon over 25 years of pedagogic experience, Nick's teaching has been consistently rated highly across a variety of topics and delivery modes (F2F, blended and online) by students and peers; and recognized in global rankings. In 2018 the Financial Times ‘Top MBAs in selected categories’ ranked Durham 10th globally and 1st in the UK for Marketing, the core subject he teaches across the MBA suite of programmes. He also led the Research Methods & Dissertation module on the MSc Management, and has extensive experience in supervising dissertations and business projects. Nick has successfully supervised to completion ten Doctoral students, and been invited to act as Examiner for a further ten candidates.

Nick has made a significant managerial/service contribution throughout his career via a series of administrative responsibilities. He was most recently Director of the Masters in Management Programmes when they were ranked 3rd in the UK by the FT in 2021. His previous roles included: Head of Dept of Marketing when the Dept was ranked 40th in the world and 4th in the UK based on citation metrics; Deputy Head of Dept of Management & Marketing; and PhD Programme Director when he also led the ESRC-funded DTP pathway.

Prior to joining Durham, Nick was Senior Lecturer in Critical Marketing at the University of Leicester. He also worked at the University of Derby where he combined his academic role with responsibilities for HE-business liaison. He has a PhD in Industrial Marketing (Lancaster), an MSc in Marketing Management (Nottingham Trent), and the CIM Diploma. Nick's first degree was in Civil Engineering (Surrey) where he specialised in management studies. He put his training into practice during the 1980s and 90s with the HMV retail group, working in sales, marketing and purchasing of music, movie and other lifestyle products. He thus brings experience of both B2B and B2C contexts to his research and teaching.

Mini Biography

Nick’s research focuses primarily on the discursive construction of managerial and professional identities in inter-organizational relationships and B2B marketing contexts. His publications embrace marketing and organization studies, with world-leading and internationally excellent papers in journals with high impact factors, e.g. Organization Studies, Human Relations, British Journal of Management, Industrial Marketing Management and Marketing Theory. Nick’s teaching has been consistently rated positively by students and peers; and recognized in global rankings. He has also held a series of major administrative responsibilities, including Head of Department roles.

• Marketing management
• Qualitative methods
• Discourse analysis
• B2B marketing & industrial networks
• Professional services marketing
• Critical marketing
• Identity & boundary construction

Authored book

• Ellis, N., & Sarkar, S. (2015). Business-to-Business Marketing: Relationships, Networks, and Strategies (Asian Edition). Oxford University Press, India
• Ellis, N., Fitchett, J., Higgins, M., Jack, G., Lim, M., Saren, M., & Tadajewski, M. (2011). Marketing: A Critical Textbook. SAGE Publications
• Ellis, N. (2011). Business-to-Business Marketing: Relationships, Networks & Strategies. Oxford University Press

Chapter in book

• Ellis, N., & Hopkinson, G. (2020). Networks and identity: positioning the self and others across organizational and network boundaries. In A. Brown (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Identities in Organizations (84-100). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198827115.013.48
• Ellis, N. (2016). Constructing identities in Indian business networks: discourse analysis in B2B marketing research. In G. Mautner (Ed.), Discourse and management : critical perspectives through the language lens (119-132). Palgrave Macmillan
• Ellis, N. (2015). Case study: some challenges in product sourcing in global retail supply chains. In H. Goworek, & P. McGoldrick (Eds.), Retail marketing management : principles and practice (307-310). Pearson Education
• Higgins, M., & Ellis, N. (2015). 'Who Said We're Flogging a Dead Horse?': Re-Framing Ethics and the Supply Chain. In A. Pullen, & C. Rhodes (Eds.), The Routledge companion to ethics, politics and organizations (249-268). Routledge
• Ellis, N., & Rod, M. (2014). Using Discourse Analysis in Case Study Research in Business-to-Business Contexts. In R. Marshall, H. Pattinson, & A. Woodside (Eds.), Field Guide to Case Study Research in Business-to-Business Marketing (Advances in Business Marketing & Purchasing book series) (77-99). Emerald
• Ellis, N., Tadajewski, M., & Pressey, A. (2011). “Editors’ Introduction”. In N. Ellis, M. Tadajewski, & A. Pressey (Eds.), Business-to-Business Marketing (xxi-xixv). SAGE Publications
• Ellis, N. (2005). Managing Global Marketing Relationships. In K. Lee, & S. Carter (Eds.), Global Marketing Management: Changes, New Challenges & Strategies (416-454). Oxford University Press
• Ellis, N. (2004). Distribution. In A. Palmer (Ed.), Introduction to Marketing – Theory & Practice (343-397). Oxford University Press
• Ellis, N. (2000). 'Channel Intermediaries' and 'Physical Distribution Management'. In A. Palmer (Ed.), Principles of Marketing (337-412). Oxford University Press
• Ellis, N. (1997). The Organizational Purchase Decision for Professional Services. In C. Armistead, & J. Kiely (Eds.), Effective Organizations: Looking to the Future (53-57). Cassell

Edited book

• Ellis, N., Tadajewski, M., & Pressey, A. (Eds.). (2011). Business-to-Business Marketing. Volumes I-IV. SAGE Publications

Journal Article

• Purchase, S., Schepis, D., & Ellis, N. (2024). Prospective market shaping: a discursive analysis of possible future autonomous vehicle markets. Industrial Marketing Management, 122, 37-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2024.08.003
• Schepis, D., Purchase, S., Smith, B., Olaru, D., & Ellis, N. (2023). How Governments Influence Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Innovation. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 178, Article 103874. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2023.103874
• Obiegbu, J., Larsen, G., & Ellis, N. (2020). Experiential Brand Loyalty: Towards an Extended Conceptualization of Consumer Allegiance to Brands. Marketing Theory, 20(3), 251-271. https://doi.org/10.1177/1470593119885167
• Wells, V., Ellis, N., Slack, R., & Moufahim, M. (2019). “It’s us, you know, there’s a feeling of community”: Exploring notions of community in a consumer co-operative. Journal of Business Ethics, 158(3), 617-635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3747-4
• Obiegbu, J., Larsen, G., Ellis, N., & O'Reilly, D. (2019). Co-constructing Loyalty in an Era of Digital Music Fandom: An Experiential- Discursive Perspective. European Journal of Marketing, 53(3), 463-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejm-10-2017-0754
• Obiegbu, J., Larsen, G., & Ellis, N. (2019). The Critical Music Fan: The Role of Criticality in Collective Constructions of Brand Loyalty. Arts and the Market, 9(1), 65-80. https://doi.org/10.1108/aam-01-2019-0006
• Schepis, D., Ellis, N., & Purchase, S. (2018). Exploring strategies and dynamic capabilities for net formation and management. Industrial Marketing Management, 74, 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2017.09.023
• Ellis, N., & Iwasaki, A. (2018). Making Sense of Global Key Account Management (GAM): a case study from Japan. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 33(7), 1052-1064. https://doi.org/10.1108/jbim-01-2017-0003
• Purchase, S., Ellis, N., Mallett, O., & Theingi, T. (2018). Religious social-identities in the hybrid self-presentations of Sikh businesspeople. British Journal of Management, 29(1), 99-117. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.12268
• Canacott, J., Ellis, N., & Tadajewski, M. (2018). Inter-functional collaboration and inter-organizational relationships in communications strategy implementation. RIMAR, 8(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.4025/rimar.v8i1.41078
• Dean, A., Ellis, N., & Wells, V. (2017). Science ‘fact’ and science ‘fiction’? Homophilous communication in high-technology B2B selling. Journal of Marketing Management, 33(9-10), 764-788. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257x.2017.1324895
• Schepis, D., Purchase, S., & Ellis, N. (2014). Network Position and Identity: A Language-Based Perspective on Strategizing. Industrial Marketing Management, 43(4), 582-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2014.02.009
• Rod, M., Lindsay, V., & Ellis, N. (2014). Managerial Perceptions of Service-infused IORs in China & India: A Discursive View of Value Co-creation. Industrial Marketing Management, 43(4), 603-612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2014.02.007
• Lowe, S., Purchase, S., & Ellis, N. (2012). The Drama of Interaction within Business Networks. Industrial Marketing Management, 41(3), 421-428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2011.06.016
• Lowe, S., Ellis, N., Purchase, S., Rod, M., & Hwang, K. (2012). Mapping Alternatives: A Commentary on Cova, B., et al (2010) ‘Navigating Between Dyads and Networks’. Industrial Marketing Management, 41(2), 357-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2012.01.015
• Ellis, N., Rod, M., Beal, T., & Lindsay, V. (2012). Constructing Identities in Indian Networks: Discourses of Marketing Management in Inter-Organizational Relationships. Industrial Marketing Management, 41(3), 401-412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2011.06.014
• Rod, M., Ellis, N., & Beal, T. (2012). Discursive Constructions of the Role of Cultural Intermediaries in the Wine Markets of Japan and Singapore. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 15(2), 128-147. https://doi.org/10.1108/13522751211215868
• Ybema, S., Beech, N., & Ellis, N. (2011). Transitional and perpetual liminality: an identity practice perspective. Anthropology Southern Africa, 34(1&2), 21-29
• Ellis, N., & Hopkinson, G. (2010). The Construction of Managerial Knowledge in Business Networks: Managers’ Theories about Communication. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(3), 413-424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2007.08.011
• Ellis, N., & Ybema, S. (2010). Marketing Identities: Shifting Circles of Identification in Inter-Organizational Relationships. Organization Studies, 31(3), 279-305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840609357397
• Ellis, N., Jack, G., Hopkinson, G., & O’Reilly, D. (2010). Boundary Work and Identity Construction in Marketing Exchanges. Marketing Theory, 10(3), 227-236
• Brennan, R., Eagle, L., Ellis, N., & Higgins, M. (2010). Of a Complex Sensitivity in Marketing Ethics Education. Journal of Marketing Management, 26(13-14), 1165-1180. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257x.2010.522196
• Purchase, S., Lowe, S., & Ellis, N. (2010). From ‘Taking’ Network Pictures to ‘Making’ Network Movies: a New Metaphorical Manifesto for Industrial Marketing Research. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 23(5), 595-615
• Ybema, S., Keenoy, T., Oswick, C., Sabelis, I., Ellis, N., & Beverungen, A. (2009). Articulating identities. Human Relations, 62(3), 299-322. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726708101904
• Ellis, N. (2008). ’What the Hell is That?’: Representations of Professional Service Markets in The Simpsons. Organization, 15(5), 705-723. https://doi.org/10.1177/1350508408093649
• Ellis, N. (2008). Discursive Tensions in Collaboration: Stories of the Marketplace. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 28(1), 32-45
• Lowe, S., Ellis, N., & Purchase, S. (2008). Rethinking Language in IMP Research: Networking Processes in Other Words. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 24, 295-307
• Oswick, C., Keenoy, T., Beverungen, A., Ellis, N., Sabelis, I., & Ybema, S. (2007). Discourse, Practice, Policy. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 27(11/12), 429-432
• Ellis, N., Lowe, S., & Purchase, S. (2006). Towards a Re-Interpretation of Industrial Networks: A Discursive View of Culture. IMP Journal, 1(2), 29-59
• Ellis, N., & Higgins, M. (2006). Recatechizing Codes of Practice in Supply Chain Relationships: Discourse, Identity and Otherness. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 14, 327-350
• Ellis, N., Higgins, M., & Jack, G. (2005). (De)constructing the Market for Animal Feeds: A Discursive Study. Journal of Marketing Management, 21, 117-146
• Kapoulas, A., Ellis, N., & Murphy, W. (2004). The Voice of the Customer in e-Banking Relationships. Journal of Customer Behaviour, 3, 27-51
• Kapoulas, A., Murphy, W., & Ellis, N. (2002). “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye: Missed Opportunities for Electronic Relationship Marketing within the Financial Services Sector?. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 20(7), 302-310
• Ellis, N., & Watterson, C. (2001). Client Perceptions of Regional Law Firms and Their Implications for Marketing Management. The Service Industries Journal, 21(4), 100-118
• Ellis, N., & Mayer, R. (2001). Inter-Organizational Relationships and Strategy Development in an Evolving Industrial Network: Mapping Structure & Process. Journal of Marketing Management, 17(1/2), 183-222
• Ellis, N., & Wiesehofer-Climpson, H. (2001). Qualitative Research at the Academy of Marketing Conference 2000. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 4(1), 5-6
• Ellis, N. (2000). Developing Graduate Sales Professionals through Co-operative Education and Work Placements: A Relationship Marketing Approach. Journal of European industrial training, 24(1), 34-42
• Mayer, R., Job, K., & Ellis, N. (2000). Ascending Separate Stairways to Marketing Heaven (or Careful With That Axiom, Eugene!). Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 18(6/7), 388-399
• Ellis, N. (1999). A Disco(urse) Inferno: The Pitfalls of Professionalism. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 17(7), 333-343
• Ellis, N., Mayer, R., & Radford, V. (1999). Managing Trade Marketing Relationships in Non FMCG Sectors: A Case Study. International journal of customer relationship management, 2(3), 205-216
• Ellis, N., & Moon, S. (1998). Business and HE Links: The Search for Meaningful Relationships in the Placement Marketplace. Education + Training, 40(5), 185-193