Kristján Reykjalín Vigfússon
lektor
2025 PhD í Stefnumótun
2014 Personal Leadership Program, IESE University of Navarra
2006 MBA próf, Háskólanum í Reykajvík
1998 MA próf í stjórnmálafræði, Háskóli Íslands
1992 BA próf stjórnmálafræði, Háskóli Íslands
KRISTJÁN REYKJALÍN VIGFÚSSON
CURRICULUM VITAE
Office: Reykjavík University, Department of Business Administration, Menntavegur 1, 102 Reykjavík. Iceland. Tel: 354-8602077. E-mail: kristjanv@ru.is – Last updated: September 2025 – ORCID: 0000-0002-9107-7489
Education
PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management). University of Iceland: 2025.
MBA in Reykjavík University: 2006.
MA in Political Science. University of Iceland: 1998.
BA in Political Science. University of Iceland: 1992.
Other Education
Personal Leadership Program. IESE Business School Barcelona: 2016.
PhD studies in methodology at Edinburgh Business School: 2018-2019.
Current positions
2006 -Teaching & research in the Department of Business and Economics at Reykjavík University.
2021- Responsible for MSc and BSc Internship programs in the Department of Business and Economics.
2017- MBA Academic Council at Reykjavík University.
Previous positions
2021- 2024 BSc Curriculum Council, Reykjavík University.
2021-2023 Equality Committee, Reykjavík University.
2012-2017 Director of the MBA program at Reykjavík University.
2003-2006 Assistant Director of Icelandic Maritime Administration, Iceland.
1998-2002 Diplomatic Attaché at the Icelandic Embassy in Brussels.
1992-1998 Head of department in the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication, Iceland.
Current research
My current research is in strategic management, with a focus on strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation in businesses (fisheries) and other industries and organizations. My research interests include strategy, sustainability, fisheries, and political economy.
Peer-reviewed publications
PhD thesis: Strategy Implementation in Icelandic Fisheries (Obstacles, Key Success Factors and Competitive Advantages) 26. September 2025.
K. Vigfusson, L. Johannsdottir, S. Olafsson, A.M. Köseoglu (2025). Integrating Resource-Based and Market-Based Views in the Fisheries Industry – CEO Perspectives. Marine Policy, 171, 106454, doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106454
K. Vigfusson, L. Johannsdottir, S. Olafsson, A.M. Köseoglu (2024). Key success factors for implementing strategy in the Icelandic Fisheries Industry. Journal of Strategy and Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-04-2023-0069
K. Vigfusson, L. Johannsdottir, S. Olafsson (2023). Strategy Implementation Obstacles: Iceland Fishery CEO Perspective. Marine Policy, 147, 105353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105353
K. Vigfusson, L. Johannsdottir, S. Olafsson (2021). Strategy implementation obstacles and key success factors: A review of the empirical literature. Strategic Management, 26(2), pages 12-30, https://doi.10.5937/StraMan2102012V
Papers in process
Strategy implementation model for fisheries.
The competitive advantage of the future Icelandic fisheries company.
Sustainability in Icelandic fisheries: Competitive advantage or social responsibility?
Papers presented at selected conferences
Business and Science – University of Iceland (2025)
Seminar of PhD students in Business- University of Iceland (2025)
Business and Science – University of Iceland (2024)
Seafood Conference of Iceland, (2024)
Seminar of PhD students in Business- University of Iceland (2024)
Polarization in Icelandic Society- University of Akureyri (2023)
Seafood Conference Iceland (2018)
Research seminar workshops organized or attended
Seafood Conference of Iceland 2024 (Organized Workshop on Strategic Management)
The Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannís) Workshop on Sustainability (University of Iceland, 2025)
Publication, not peer-reviewed
Vigfusson, K (1998), MA thesis: Influence of ministers and parliamentarians on budgets allocated to communes in transport and healthcare?
Vigfusson, K (1992), BA thesis: How effective is the Icelandic Quota System in fisheries
(Data collection and writing the report for Iceland)
Vigfusson, K (2012) How will EU membership affect companies that are Federation of Icelandic Industries members?
Vigfusson, K (2010) European Union SMEs report on size, structure, and importance of SMEs in European Economy.
Vigfusson, K (2009) European Union SMEs report on size, structure, and importance of SMEs in European Economy.
MSc-thesis supervising
Kári Heine Hansen (2015), MSc. Business Management, Strategic and Competitive Analysis of Vodafone Faroe Islands
Auður Ósk Vilhjálmsdóttir (2015), MSc. International Business, The Iceland International Ship Register
Óskar Gunnarsson (2016), MSc. International Business, Market Entry Modes Of Icelandic Fisheries Companies
Monique Delorme (2019), MSc. Human Resources Management and Organizational Psychology, Implementation of Proactive Pay Equity Legislation
MBA- supervising Final projects
MBA- Strategy and Final Project 2012 (all groups)
MBA- Strategy and Final Project 2013 (all groups)
MBA- Strategy and Final Project 2014 (all groups)
BS-thesis supervising
Haukur Guðjónsson (2011), BSc: Bungaló, Strategy & Competitive Advantages
Christina Gregers (2013), BSc: Consumer Behavior on the Internet
Sturla Norðdahl (2014), BSc: Strategy for Álafo
Arndís Arnardóttir & Hildur Jónsdóttir (2014), BSc: Marel´s opportunities in the East
Yrsa Pálína Ingólfsdóttir (2015), BSc: Strategy planning for ILVA
Friðbjörn Ketilsson (2015), BSc: Manor Strategy
Anton Ívar & Mikael Ingason (2016), BSc: Strategic planning for Galaxy Pod Hostel
Gunnar Ö. Arnarsson (2016), BSs: The Best Store: Strategy and Competitive Advantage
Bjarni Guðmundsson & Björn Berg (2016), BSc: What is Iceland´s position in the data center market compared to other countries?
Gunnar Birgisson & Ísak Jasonarson (2018), BSc: The Impact of Bitcoin on Icelandic Banking
Hrafnhildur Malen, Elma Dís (2019), BSc: Implementation of corporate social responsibility in listed companies on the Iceland Stock Exchange
Álfheiður María Ívarsdóttir (2019), BSc: Consumer behavior and attitude towards advertising via traditional marketing and digital marketing channels
Ólafur Frímann (2019), BSc: The importance of leadership skills in football managers: what leadership abilities do successful football managers possess?
Anna Lilja & Sigríður Birna (2020), BSc: Tourist Businesses in Iceland: The Impact of External Conditions on Business Prospects
Hildur Björk & Vigdís Halla (2020), BSc: The impact of Costco´s entry on companies operating in the wholesale, fuel, and grocery markets in Iceland
Teaching (2006 – 2025)
Negotiations, MS in Business
Negotiations, MA in Law
Strategy & Final project, MBA
Supervising Internship in MS
Strategy, BSc in Business
Climate change & sustainability, BSc in Business
Fisheries and businesses, BSc in Business
Iceland, EEA & EU, BSc in Business
Negotiations, BSc in Business
International Business, BSc in Business
Supervising Internship in BSc
North-Eastern University, Boston, US, Sustainability in tourism, fisheries, and the energy sector (2009 – 2020)
Open University RU, Strategy
Open University RU, Strategy Implementation
Open University RU, Negotiations
Open University RU, Iceland, and the EU
Open University, PMD Program
Grants
Received the highest grant from Rannís in 1998, researching the state budget 1965-1990 in connection with
logrolling of parliamentarians and ministers.
Examples of consulting projects
2016 – 2020 – Strategy planning and implementation for Festi company and its subsidiary companies:
· N1 is the leading and largest retail and service company in Iceland in fuel and refreshments for B2C and B2B.
· Krónan is a leading retail grocery store with 26 conveniently located stores across Reykjavik and Iceland
· Elko is the largest retailer of electronics in Iceland
· Bakkinn Warehouse. Warehousing, packaging, labeling, handling, and distribution of goods for customers
2006 – 2020 - Strategy planning and implementation for 112 in Iceland.
2008 – 2018 - Strategy planning and implementation for Search and Rescue (Landsbjörg) in Iceland.
2006 -2021 – Strategic planning and training: ASÍ, the largest workers union in Iceland, The Confederation of Icelandic Industry, LHG (Search and Rescue on Sea), Police Communication centre, The Fire Department of Reykjavík area.
Owner and
Board member
2025- The European Movement in Iceland, board member.
2020- Sustainability Fund member, Landsbanki Íslands.
2024- Co-founder of Hljóðmörk, Capital area residence association for unnecessary aviation traffic.
2005-2023 Co-owner of Manifesto ehf. strategic consulting company.
2016-2021 Co-owner and board member of Hjallastefnan ehf.
2016-2021 Co-owner and board member of Hjalli Model.
2016-2021 Co-owner of Elmwood Limited, a school in Glasgow, Scotland.
International cooperation
Chairman of the EFTA/EEA Working Group of Transport and Telecommunication in Brussels from 2001 to 2006.
Icelandic representative in EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency), the administrative board from 2003 to 2005.
Icelandic Embassy in Brussels, transport, telecom, info technology, tourism, postal services, and agriculture, 1998-2002.
Communicator between Icelandic authorities and the EU 1998-2002.
Dealing with EEA- issues and cooperation with the EU- Institutions 1998-2002.
Responsible for communications between EFTA and Icelandic Authorities, 1998-2002.
Chairing and representing in several governmental committees, 1992-2006
2017- 2025 Kennsla og rannsóknir í Viðskiptadeild HR
2012 - 2017 Forstöðumaður MBA námsins og aðjúnkt
2010 - 2012 Aðjúnkt og akademískur ráðgjafi við MBA námið í HR
2009- 2010 Forstöðumaður Evrópufræða í HR
2006-2009 Aðjúnkt Háskólanum í Reykjavík
2005-2014 Manifesto - eigin ráðgjöf
2002-2005 Aðstoðarforstjóri Siglingastofnunar Íslands
1998-2002 Sendiráðunautur í sendiráði Íslands í Brussel
1992-1998 Deildarstjóri í samgönguráðuneytinu
Kennsla í opna háskólanum 2006 - 2024
Kennsla í Tækniskólanum 2010 - 2012
Hlaut hæsta styrk frá Rannsóknaráði Íslands vegna MA-ritgerðar 1997.
Stefnumótun, sjávarútvegur, sjálfbærni og Evrópumál.
Rek eigið ráðgjafafyrirtæki og hef sérhæft mig í stefnumótun og sjálfbærni auk samningatækni fyrir fyrirtæki sem og ráðgjöf á sviði evrópumála fyrir stjórnsýslu, sjálfseignarstofnanir, hagsmunasamtök og opinbera aðila.
(Data collection and writing the report for Iceland)
Vigfusson, K (2012) How will EU membership affect companies that are Federation of Icelandic Industries members?
Vigfusson, K (2010) European Union SMEs report on size, structure, and importance of SMEs in European Economy.
Vigfusson, K (2009) European Union SMEs report on size, structure, and importance of SMEs in European Economy.
Sit í stjórn Evrópuhreyfingarinnar, sit einnig í stjorn Hljóðmarkar og í úthlutunarnefnd Landsbankans varðandi efnileg sjálfbærni verkefni en allt eru þetta ólaunuð störf.
