Theodore Koutroukis | Innovation | Innovation Vanguard Award

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Prof Dr. Theodore Koutroukis | Innovation | Innovation Vanguard Award

Prof Dr. Theodore Koutroukis | Innovation | Professor at Democritus University of Thrace | Greece

THEODORE KOUTROUKIS is an accomplished scholar, arbitrator, and academic leader whose extensive contributions to labour relations, collective bargaining, and European employment policy have established him as a respected authority in the fields of industrial relations and human resource management. With a distinguished academic background culminating in a doctoral specialization in employment relations and organizational adaptation, THEODORE KOUTROUKIS has cultivated a career that uniquely integrates academic research, professional arbitration practice, and international policy engagement. He serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, where he has been a faculty member since 2014, and he has simultaneously held a long-standing role as an Arbitrator in Collective Bargaining at the Organisation for Mediation and Arbitration in Athens since 1998, contributing directly to conflict resolution and labour market governance. His professional influence extends globally through his long-term membership in the International Labour and Employment Relations Association since 1989. His research interests span collective bargaining systems, European works councils, employee participation, labour market restructuring, crisis-driven organizational change, human resource management, and the socio-economic impacts of globalization and digital transformation on labour dynamics. In terms of research skills, THEODORE KOUTROUKIS demonstrates advanced expertise in qualitative and quantitative analysis, comparative labour policy, workforce resilience studies, organizational diagnosis, policy evaluation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, producing impactful insights that inform academic, professional, and governmental stakeholders. His scholarly work includes numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and policy-oriented contributions published in reputable outlets such as Social Sciences, Societies, Merits, Religions, Administrative Sciences, and various international edited volumes. Among his awards and honours, THEODORE KOUTROUKIS is recognized for his long-term service in arbitration, his academic leadership, and his contributions to labour relations scholarship in Greece and Europe. His publications consistently reflect high research relevance, theoretical depth, and practical applicability to contemporary labour challenges. In conclusion, THEODORE KOUTROUKIS stands out as a highly influential figure whose integrated academic and professional career continues to shape labour relations discourse, support equitable employment systems, and advance interdisciplinary research on the evolving world of work.

Academic Profile: ORCID | Scopus 

Featured Publications:

  1. Koutroukis, T. (2025). Collective bargaining in post-memoranda Greece: Could it guarantee decent work by Greek employees? Social Sciences. (Citations: 0)

  2. Semertzian, T., Vamvakidou, I., Koutroukis, T., & Ivasina, E. (2025). Modern comprehension of the Treaty of Lausanne (1923): Historical documentary, Searching for Rodakis by Kerem Soyyilmaz. Histories. (Citations: 0)

  3. Spyropoulou, E., & Koutroukis, T. (2024). Principal–teacher relationships under the pressure of the COVID-19 pandemic: Critical factors and implications for school leadership during crises. Societies. (Citations: 3)

  4. Koutroukis, T. (2024). European works councils: Their impact on the Europeanization of industrial relations in an era of market globalism. Social Sciences. (Citations: 4)

  5. Katimertzopoulos, F., Vlados, C., & Koutroukis, T. (2023). Business and regional innovation culture: An overview of the conceptualization of innovation culture. Administrative Sciences. (Citations: 6)

 

 

Raphael Bar El | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Raphael Bar El | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award 

Professor | Ben-Gurion University of the Negev | Israel

Prof. Raphael Bar El is a distinguished economist and innovation scholar recognized for his extensive contributions to the fields of regional development, innovation policy, and public management. His research focuses on innovation systems, entrepreneurship, and the strategic interplay between economic policy and regional growth. Professor Bar-El has authored and edited several influential books, such as Regional Development and Conflict Management: A Case for Brazil, Desenvolvimento Econômico Regional para a Redução da Pobreza e Desigualdade, Industrialização Rural no Nordeste, and The Economic Development of the Arab Sector in Israel. His academic publications have appeared in leading volumes and journals, addressing topics such as under-investment in innovative enterprises, the spatial distribution of high-tech industries, and socio-economic policy frameworks for conflict regions. Professor Bar-El’s leadership extends beyond academia to public service and international development. He has served as Director of the National and Economic Planning Authority at the Ministry of Economy and Planning and as Director General of the Development Study Center. As the Founder and President of the Israeli Regional Science Association, he has played a pioneering role in advancing regional science and innovation policy in Israel and abroad. His expertise has been sought by numerous international organizations and governments, including the World Bank, UNDP, and various ministries across Latin America, Africa, and Europe, where he has led and advised more than thirty major development and innovation projects. With an academic record comprising 56 documents, 387 citations across 328 publications, and an h-index of 11, Professor Bar-El continues to influence policy thinking and academic discourse on regional innovation and sustainable economic development. His long-standing commitment to integrating theory with practical policy solutions has positioned him as a leading voice in shaping innovation ecosystems and fostering socio-economic growth across diverse regions.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications :

Bar-El, R., Gavious, I., Kaufmann, D., & Schwartz, D. (2017). Under-investments in innovative SMEs: The effect of entrepreneurial cognitive bias. In K. O. Lundvall & P. Nielsen (Eds.), Human capital and assets in the networked world.

Schwartz, D., Avnimelech, G., & Bar-El, R. (2012). The location of knowledge economy and high-tech in Israel. In J. K. Gibson-Graham & G. Roelvink (Eds.), Societies in motion: Innovation, migration and regional transformation.

Bar-El, R. (2014). Economic considerations in implementing a parallel states structure. In M. Cohen & C. Scheindlin (Eds.), One land, two states: Israel and Palestine as parallel states University of California Press.

Bar-El, R., & Co-authors. (2024). Can the periphery survive innovation-led growth? Insights from Israel. Regional Studies, Regional Science.

Bar-El, R., & Co-authors. (2022). Adapting reverse mentoring strategy to SMEs: A new pilot model implemented in Brazil. Sustainability.

Yiyong Yu | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yiyong Yu | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor at Nanjing Normal University | China 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yiyong Yu is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Nanjing Normal University, specializing in strategic management and innovation management. He earned his doctorate in management from the School of Business at Nanjing University. His research focuses on innovation chains, collaborative innovation, organizational inertia, and creativity. Yu has contributed extensively to the academic field, publishing papers in reputable journals such as Management World, Nankai Business Review, Studies in Science of Science, and Technovation. His work explores topics including overcoming organizational inertia to sustain growth, strategic knowledge disclosure, the role of leading enterprises in collaborative innovation, leadership behaviors influencing team creativity, and the impact of market competition on cooperative innovation. He has led multiple youth-focused research projects supported by national and provincial funding agencies and actively contributes as a reviewer for prominent journals in management and psychology. His scholarly contributions are recognized with 16 citations across 16 documents, 2 Publications and he maintains an h-index of 1.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications : 

Yu, Y., & Yang, Z. (2022). How can enterprises overcome organizational inertia to achieve sustained growth in a dynamic context? — Based on the “Context-Cognition-Action” analytical framework. Management World, 38(12), 159–177.

Yu, Y., & Yang, Z. (2022). Connotation, research issues and prospects of strategic knowledge disclosure. Nankai Business Review, 25(6), 214–226.

Yu, Y., & Yang, Z. (2020). How to effectively exert the innovation chain function of leading enterprises — From the perspective of collaborative innovation based on the new Pasteur’s quadrant. Nankai Business Review, 23(2), 4–15.

Yu, Y., Yang, Z., & Li, J. (2020). A study on the influence mechanism of leadership boundary-spanning behavior on team creativity. Studies in Science of Science, 38(3), 515–524.

Yu, Y., Cheng, L., & Zhang, D. (2024). How does market competition affect enterprise cooperative innovation? The moderating role of intellectual property protection and government subsidies. Technovation, 137, 103102.

Fu-Mei Chuang | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Fu-Mei Chuang | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award 

Associate Professor at Rennes School of Business | France 

Dr. Fu-Mei Chuang is an accomplished academic and marketing scholar who serves as an Associate Professor in the Marketing Department at Rennes School of Business, France, an institution accredited by EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. She possesses extensive international academic and professional experience across Europe and Asia, with previous roles at Loughborough University and Cardiff Business School in the United Kingdom, as well as Trans-World University and the World Trade Centre in Taiwan. Her academic background reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation, holding advanced degrees in marketing, innovation, and international business from renowned universities in the United Kingdom and Taiwan. Dr. Chuang’s research focuses on marketing innovation, new product development, strategic management, and value co-creation, particularly within high-technology and luxury industries. According to Google Scholar, she has achieved 257 total citations, an h-index of 4, and an i10-index of 4 across 7 key publications. Her scholarly contributions have been published in leading academic journals, including the British Journal of Management, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Research Policy, and Journal of Strategic Marketing. She has also contributed to the Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing and has several papers under review in reputable outlets such as Technological Forecasting and Social Change and Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. Her work often explores how organizational learning, market orientation, and innovation strategies drive competitive advantage and new product success, especially in emerging markets like China. In addition to her research, Dr. Chuang has actively participated in major international conferences, including those organized by the American Marketing Association, the Academy of International Business, and the Strategic Management Society.

Profiles : ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications : 

Liu, X., Hodgkinson, I. R., & Chuang, F.-M. (2014). Foreign competition, domestic knowledge base and innovation activities: Evidence from Chinese high-tech industries. Research Policy, 43(2), 414–422.

Chuang, F.-M., Morgan, R. E., & Robson, M. J. (2015). Customer and competitor insights, new product development competence, and new product creativity: Differential, integrative, and substitution effects. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 32(2), 175–182.

Chuang, F.-M., Morgan, R. E., & Robson, M. J. (2012). Clan culture, strategic orientation and new product performance in Chinese marketing ventures: An exploration of main and moderating effects. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 20(3), 267–286.

Robson, M. J., Chuang, F.-M., Morgan, R. E., Bıçakcıoğlu‐Peynirci, N., & Di Benedetto, C. A. (2023). New product development process execution, integration mechanisms, capabilities and outcomes: Evidence from Chinese high‐technology ventures. British Journal of Management, 34(4), 2036–2056.

Chuang, F.-M., Morgan, R. E., & Robson, M. J. (2014). Creativity and innovation for new technology ventures. In The Sustainable Global Marketplace: Proceedings of the 2011 Academy of Marketing Science Conference (pp. 597–601). Springer.

Patricia Rodriguez | Strategic Decision Making | Corporate Strategy Visionary Award

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Mrs. Patricia Rodriguez | Strategic Decision Making | Corporate Strategy Visionary Award

Mrs. Patricia Rodriguez | Open University of Catalonia | Spain

Patricia Rodriguez Garcia is a senior executive with over two decades of experience in corporate development, strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and investor relations within the insurance and financial sector. She has established a strong reputation for leading strategic planning, driving acquisitions and alliances, and managing financial communication in listed and regulated environments. Throughout her career, she has been a trusted advisor to senior leadership, consistently focused on value creation, business growth, and financial discipline. Patricia combines executive acumen with academic rigor, reflecting her passion for ecosystem thinking and innovation. Professionally, she has played a central role at Grupo Catalana Occidente, a listed insurance group with a significant international footprint. She has led corporate strategy, business development, and investor relations, driving major acquisitions, post-merger integrations, and the creation of strategic alliances that expanded the group’s ecosystem. She also designed and executed corporate strategic plans that opened new opportunities in areas such as health, senior care, and home ecosystems, while overseeing significant debt issuances and capital structure optimization. Earlier in her career, she gained valuable experience in corporate finance at Riva y Garcia and in financial planning at Parxet. Through her dual engagement in industry and academia, Patricia continues to shape both practice and knowledge at the intersection of corporate strategy, innovation, and artificial intelligence. She is recognized for her ability to align business growth with technological advancement, ensuring long-term value creation in complex and evolving corporate ecosystems.

Profiles : ORCID | Google Scholar | Linked In 
Featured Publications :

Rodriguez-Garcia, P., Li, Y., Lopez-Lopez, D., & Juan, A. A. (2023). Strategic decision making in smart home ecosystems: A review on the use of artificial intelligence and Internet of things. Internet of Things, 22, 100772.

Rodriguez-Garcia, P., Vidal, A. F., & Santo Tomás, M. J. R. (2010). La gestión de riesgos. In Estudio sobre el sector asegurador en España 2010: los aspectos cualitativos

Rodriguez-Garcia, P., Carracedo, P., Lopez-Lopez, D., Juan, A. A., & Martin, J. A. (2024). Computer-supported strategic decision making for ecosystems creation. Computers, 13(12), 322.

Rodriguez-Garcia, P., Lopez-Lopez, D., & Martin Solano, J. A. (2024). Artificial intelligence in marketing strategic decisions via product portfolio optimization. In Proceedings of the Decision Science Alliance International Summer Conference (pp. 72–83).

Rodriguez-Garcia, P., Juan, A. A., Martin, J. A., Lopez-Lopez, D., & Marco, J. M. (2025). AI-driven optimization of project portfolios in corporate ecosystems with synergies and strategic factors. Expert Systems with Applications, 129593.

Qinyuan Zhang | Supply Chain Management | Best Academic Researcher Award

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Dr. Qinyuan Zhang | Supply Chain Management | Best Academic Researcher Award

Dr. Qinyuan Zhang, City university of Macau, China.

Dr. Zhang Qinyuan is an emerging scholar and practitioner in the field of Green Supply Chain Management, currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at the City University of Macau. With a strong academic foundation and international exposure, Zhang brings a unique blend of theoretical insights and practical expertise in sustainable operations, corporate responsibility, and digital transformation. Her academic journey has taken her through prestigious institutions like RMIT University in Australia and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in China, with notable research collaborations and project experiences across Taiwan and Mainland China. Zhang is recognized for her analytical thinking, proficiency in advanced methodologies such as fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), and dedication to driving environmental accountability in business processes. She contributes actively as a teaching assistant and researcher, with multiple high-impact journal submissions already under her belt 📘🌍.

👩‍🎓 Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Dr.  Zhang Qinyuan’s academic pathway exemplifies a steadfast commitment to business innovation and sustainable enterprise. She is currently completing her Doctor of Business Administration (2022–2025) at the City University of Macau, where her research focuses on green supply chains and corporate responsibility. Prior to this, she earned a Master’s in Project Management from RMIT University, Australia (2019–2021), gaining expertise in international project delivery and risk optimization. Her undergraduate studies were in Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, and Automation (2014–2018) at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, grounding her in engineering fundamentals. Additionally, Zhang expanded her global perspective as an exchange student at National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan (2015–2016), and through the Zhejiang University International Program (2021). 📚🌏

 Experience 🧑‍💼

Dr. Zhang’s professional and academic experiences reveal her evolution as a capable leader in research and consulting. She served as a teaching assistant in Management Consulting Systems (2023–2024) and Operations Management (2024–2025) at the City University of Macau, facilitating coursework and mentoring peers. She actively contributes to the Macao Foundation-funded project on green supply chains in the hospitality sector of the Greater Bay Area, handling data analysis and report drafting. Her project history includes academic exchanges with Zhejiang University and hands-on training in various analytical tools. Zhang’s research involvement demonstrates a balance of conceptual strength and technical skills in QCA, policy evaluation, and sustainability metrics, equipping her to support both academic and industry initiatives. 💼📊

Research Interests 🔬

Dr. Zhang’s research interests lie at the intersection of sustainability, business transformation, and policy analysis. She is particularly focused on Green Supply Chain Management, exploring its driving factors across industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, and automotive sectors. Her work also delves into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the digital transformation of enterprises, reflecting a systems-based perspective on organizational change. Using qualitative and quantitative tools like QCA, SPSS, and Nvivo, Zhang bridges theoretical rigor with practical application. Her methodological fluency enables her to model cross-case dynamics and identify pathways to sustainable innovation. Zhang’s vision is to advance academic frameworks that empower businesses to reduce ecological footprints while maximizing stakeholder value. 🌱🔍

Awards and Recognition 🏆

Dr. Zhang Qinyuan has already gained recognition through competitive research project funding from the Macao Foundation (MF2309). Her role in the funded study — investigating green supply chain implementation in the hospitality industry — positions her as a promising researcher in environmental business studies. She has also been selected for academic exchange programs in Taiwan and at Zhejiang University, reflecting her cross-border collaboration potential. Her contributions to scholarly writing and peer-reviewed publications under top-tier supervision further establish her as a future thought leader. Zhang is poised to earn recognition through upcoming journal publications, thanks to her consistent record of excellence and strong mentorship. 🏅📈

Publication Top Notes 📚

Multi-factor Driving Paths of Green Supply Chain Management Implementation in Leading Manufacturers: A Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Exploring the Driving Factors for the Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management in the Hotel Industry –

Simulation Analysis of “Old for New” Remanufacturing Closed-loop Supply Chain under Dual Uncertainties


Exploring the Co-evolution Mechanism of Green Supply Chain Management Implementation: A Multi-driver Perspective

How to Improve the Sustainability of End-of-life Vehicles (ELVs): Exploring Extended Producer Responsibility in the Chinese Automobile Industry

Conclusion ✅

Dr. Zhang Qinyuan exemplifies the next generation of scholars committed to sustainable industrial transformation. With a strong interdisciplinary foundation and rigorous methodological training, she has developed a focused research agenda addressing pressing global issues like environmental responsibility, supply chain greening, and enterprise innovation. Her commitment to cross-sectoral analysis and data-driven inquiry stands out, as does her collaboration with top-tier supervisors and institutions. Her research is timely, impactful, and aligned with policy and industry needs. Zhang’s growing portfolio of SSCI-indexed journal submissions, along with her proactive role in funded research, make her a promising candidate for academic distinction and awards in sustainability and business innovation. 🌐🌟

huidan huang | corporate social responsibility | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. huidan huang  –  corporate social responsibility  –  Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Huidan Huang’s research focus, innovative methodologies, and impactful contributions align perfectly with the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Innovation category. Her dedication to addressing real-world challenges in CSR through cutting-edge research and her ability to translate insights into practical solutions make her a strong contender for this award.

 

nanjing university science and technolgy | China

 

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Huidan Huang, currently a Lecturer at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, has built a strong academic foundation that fuels her impactful work in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Her early academic journey was marked by a keen interest in the dynamics of organizational behavior and digital responsibility. With a focus on understanding the evolving landscape of CSR, she dedicated her studies to the governance challenges emerging in platform economies. Her research rigor, combined with her commitment to addressing real-world problems, laid the groundwork for her impactful career in academia and research.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

As a Lecturer at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Huidan Huang plays a pivotal role in shaping future researchers and professionals in the field of CSR. Her professional journey is characterized by her active engagement in exploring complex issues related to platform enterprises and digital governance. Dr. Huang has undertaken significant research projects, including: Governance of Commercial Fraudulent Behaviors in the Platform Economy: This research addresses fraudulent behaviors that undermine trust and transparency in platform-based business models. Lack and Governance of Information Responsibility in the Platform Economy: Her study investigates the re-identity matching effect of platform element entities in multiple dimensions, providing a framework for enhancing accountability and responsibility.

 

📚Contributions and Research Focus on corporate social responsibility

Huidan Huang’s contributions to the field of CSR are multifaceted and impactful. Her research focuses on:

  1. Structural Dimensions and Digital Responsibility: Dr. Huang has delved into the construction of models that address the structural dimensions of platform enterprises’ digital responsibility. Her work is grounded in organizational identity theory and offers a robust framework for tackling emerging challenges in digital governance.
  2. Sustainable Practices and Community Engagement: By promoting sustainable supply chains and fostering community engagement, she has provided actionable strategies for enterprises to enhance their CSR performance.
  3. Psychological Dimensions in CSR: Her publication in Frontiers in Psychology titled “Distance-construal relationship: Mediating role of perceived control and moderating role of locus of control” demonstrates her ability to integrate psychological perspectives into CSR research.

 

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Although her official accolades are not explicitly detailed, the significance of her research projects and their adoption by various enterprises highlights her recognition as a thought leader in CSR. Her academic excellence, innovative methodologies, and ability to address real-world problems have earned her respect and admiration in the academic and professional community.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Huidan Huang’s research has had a profound impact on both academia and industry: Academic Impact: Her studies have enriched the understanding of CSR in the context of platform economies, paving the way for further research in this area. Her innovative use of organizational identity theory and focus on digital responsibility have inspired other researchers to explore new dimensions of CSR. Practical Influence: By providing actionable insights for addressing commercial fraud, governance gaps, and information responsibility, her work has influenced organizational policies and strategies. Enterprises have adopted her recommendations to improve transparency, accountability, and sustainability.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Huidan Huang’s legacy lies in her ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice in CSR research. She has set a benchmark for addressing governance challenges in the platform economy and fostering sustainable practices. Moving forward, Dr. Huang aims to expand her research to explore emerging issues in CSR, such as the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and the role of digital platforms in shaping societal norms. Her dedication to continuous learning and innovation ensures that her work will remain relevant and impactful.

Conclusion

Dr. Huidan Huang’s journey as a Lecturer at Nanjing University of Science and Technology and her contributions to the field of CSR highlight her commitment to addressing the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital economy. Through her research on governance, digital responsibility, and sustainable practices, she has made a significant impact on both academia and industry. Her focus on actionable strategies, combined with her academic rigor, makes her a pioneer in her field. As a researcher and educator, Dr. Huang continues to inspire others, leaving a lasting legacy in corporate social responsibility

📚Publications

  • Distance-construal relationship: Mediating role of perceived control and moderating role of locus of control

    Authors: Huang, H.-D., Zhang, Q.

    Journals: Frontiers in Psychology

  • Category theory-based emotional intelligence mapping model for consumer-E-business to improve E-commerce

    Authors: Huang, H., YI, K., Lakshmana Kumar, R., Praveena, V.

    Journals:  Aggression and Violent Behavior

  • Emotional intelligence for board capital on technological innovation performance of high-tech enterprises

    Authors: Huang, H., Wang, X., Sengan, S., Chandu, T.

    Journals:  Aggression and Violent Behavior