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.

Umi Kartini Rashid | Marketing Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Umi Kartini Rashid | Marketing Strategy | Best Researcher Award 

Senior Lecturer at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn | Malaysia 

Dr. Umi Kartini Rashid is a Senior Lecturer at the Johor Business School, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), where she also serves as Head of the Department of Research Excellence and Development and Managing Editor of the Johor Business School Nexus. She holds a Ph.D. in Management from Universiti Utara Malaysia, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Commerce and Management from Hitotsubashi University, Japan. With an academic background rooted in management, entrepreneurship, and innovation, her research and teaching have consistently focused on empowering entrepreneurs and advancing business sustainability in Malaysia and beyond. Dr. Umi Kartini has extensive academic and administrative experience, having served in numerous leadership roles at UTHM, including Director of the Student Technopreneurship Centre, Head of the Centre of Business and Development, and Head of the Department of Social Entrepreneurship. Her active involvement in various academic committees and professional programs underscores her commitment to developing future business leaders and promoting excellence in research and teaching. She has also been instrumental in designing and revising postgraduate and undergraduate curricula, including programs in business administration, entrepreneurship, and management. With citation metrics indicating 489 total citations, an h-index of 9, and an i10-index of 8, Dr. Umi Kartini has established herself as a respected researcher whose scholarly work contributes to advancing knowledge in entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and sustainable business practices. Her academic contributions, leadership roles, and passion for developing innovative learning and research environments continue to make a lasting impact on Malaysia’s higher education and entrepreneurial landscape.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar| Staff Page | Linked In 

Featured Publications : 

Har, L. L., Rashid, U. K., Te Chuan, L., Sen, S. C., & Xia, L. Y. (2022). Revolution of retail industry: From perspective of retail 1.0 to 4.0. Procedia Computer Science, 200, 1615–1625.

Seman, N. A. A., Jusoh, N. A. Q., Rashid, U. K., & Ramin, A. K. (2019). An analysis of basic accounting practices of microenterprises. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 5(5C), 628–637.

Seman, N. A. A., Zakuan, N., Rashid, U. K., Nasuredin, J., & Ahmad, N. (2018). The level of adoption of green supply chain management and green innovation in Malaysian manufacturing industries. International Journal of Research, 5(20), 1556–1572.

Ying, L. J., Te Chuan, L., Rashid, U. K., & Seman, N. A. A. (2025). Social media marketing in Industry 4.0: The role of TikTok in shaping Generation Z’s purchase intentions. Procedia Computer Science, 253, 2176–2185.

Ayokunmi, L. A., Seman, N. A. A., & Rashid, U. K. (2022). The relationship between social media marketing and SMEs performance in Nigeria: A systemic literature review. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 6(3), 8665–8673.

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.

KAOUTHER ZNAIDI | Marketing Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. KAOUTHER ZNAIDI – Marketing Strategy – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Znaidi’s outstanding contributions align perfectly with awards recognizing excellence in Marketing Research, Academic Leadership, and Women in Business Education. Her dedication to advancing marketing knowledge, combined with her administrative leadership and industry collaborations, make her a deserving candidate for recognition in these fields.

college of Business Administration | Saudi Arabia

Profile

Scopus

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Kaouther Znaidi, a distinguished Tunisian scholar in marketing and management, has built a solid academic foundation that has shaped her career. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the Institute of Management in Tunis (ISG) at Tunis University in 1993. She then pursued a Master of Business (DEA) in 1998 from El Manar University, College of Economics and Business of Tunis (FSEGT), Tunisia. Continuing her academic trajectory, she obtained her Ph.D. in Marketing from the same institution in 2009. Her research and academic work have since been instrumental in marketing and management education.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Kaouther Znaidi has had a dynamic and extensive career spanning multiple academic institutions and roles. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the College of Business Administration, Hail University, Saudi Arabia. Since October 2015, she has been deeply involved in academic and administrative leadership, including her role as Vice-Dean of the Female Campus at Hail University (2015–2020), COOP Coordinator (2020–2021), and Department Supervisor (2022–2024).

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Marketing Strategy

Dr. Znaidi’s research interests cover a broad spectrum of marketing disciplines, including Islamic Marketing, Web Marketing, E-branding, and E-reputation. She has contributed to numerous publications and conferences, providing valuable insights into contemporary marketing strategies. Her scholarly contributions include articles such as: he appraisal prepared for keeping an eye out for the upkeep of twenty to thirty-year-olds representatives of Indian endeavors in Delhi (Cogent Business & Management, 2020). Importance of Computer In Human Life And Management Till 2020 (AIJBM, 2019). How Good Is Your Time Management? (BIRCI-Journal, 2019). Saudi Arabia Reforms: The Changing Face of Saudi Women at Workplace with a Vision of 2030 (American Journal of Management Science and Engineering, 2019). The Impact of Social Professional Category Consumer’s Acceptance Level Towards Islamic Banking Window (Chinese Business Review, 2017).

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Znaidi has earned recognition for her impactful research and teaching contributions. Her scholarly work has been published in high-impact journals, and her expertise in marketing and e-branding is acknowledged in academic circles. She has played a crucial role in marketing education by training students in specialized fields such as Electronic Commerce, Market Research, Consumer Behavior, and International Marketing.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Beyond academia, Dr. Znaidi has actively contributed to professional training and industry collaboration. She has conducted marketing research, strategic marketing planning, and business development studies for organizations in Tunisia and beyond. Her work as a Head of Market Research at Génimark and a Marketing Manager for Africa System highlights her practical experience in applying marketing principles to real-world business challenges.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Kaouther Znaidi’s legacy is defined by her relentless pursuit of knowledge, commitment to education, and contributions to the field of marketing. Her work in Islamic Marketing and Web Marketing continues to influence emerging marketing strategies. She remains an active researcher and mentor, constantly exploring new frontiers in marketing education and digital transformation.

 

Conclusion

Kaouther Znaidi exemplifies excellence in marketing academia and professional practice. With an impressive academic background, a robust research portfolio, and significant leadership roles, she has left an indelible mark on marketing education. Her dedication to research, teaching, and industry collaboration highlights her invaluable contributions to the field. As she continues her academic and professional journey, her impact on marketing education and business research is set to grow even further, ensuring her place as a leading figure in the marketing discipline.

📚Publications

The appraisal prepared for keeping an eye out for the upkeep of twenty to thirty-year-olds representatives of Indian endeavors in Delhi: An advancing test looked by different associations over the globe

Authors: A., Sabir, Almas, K., Znaidi, Kaouther, N.A., Qayum, Nimer Abdul

Journals: Cogent Business and Management,

Blessing Guembe | Innovation Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Blessing Guemb – Innovation Strategy – Best Researcher Award

 

University of Milano | Italy

Profiles 

Scholar

📍Current Position

Since April 2024, he has been serving as a Research Fellow at the University of Milan. In this role, she focuses on developing explainable knowledge-based solutions to address critical issues related to privacy and information security. Her research aims to empower users to manage their personal data and access reliable content while safeguarding freedom of expression. She is actively involved in the KURAMi Project under the guidance of Prof. Giovanni Livraga, working on innovative solutions in privacy protection and data security.

📝Publication Achievements 

“Trustworthy Machine Learning Approaches for Cyberattack Detection: A Review” Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2022 Workshops, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-10548-7_20. “The Emerging Threat of AI-Driven Cyber Attacks: A Review” Applied Artificial Intelligence, 36(1) doi:10.1080/08839514.2022.2037254 “Cloud Applications Management – Issues and Developments. Computational Science and Its Applications – ICCSA 2018 doi:10.1007/978-3-319-951713_54

 

🔍Ongoing Research 

Explainable AI: Developing methods to make AI systems more interpretable and understandable to users. Federated Learning: Enhancing privacy and security in distributed learning environments. Misinformation: Tackling the spread of false information on social media platforms. Privacy: Ensuring that users’ personal data is protected and managed effectively.

 

🔬Research Interests 

Explainable AI: Techniques that make machine learning models transparent and understandable. Federated Learning: Collaborative learning methods that maintain data privacy and security. Misinformation: Strategies to detect and mitigate false information in digital media. Privacy and Security: Protecting personal data and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.

🎓Academic Background 

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science Covenant University, 2023 . Master of Science (MSc) in Computer Science
Covenant University, 2019.  Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Computer Science Niger Delta University, 2012

🏆Scholarships and Awards 

Throughout his academic and professional career, Blessing has been recognized for her contributions to computer science and technology. His achievements are indicative of her commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in her field.

🌐Professional Associations 

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). IEEE Computer Society . International Association for Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

 📚Training & Workshops 

Advanced Machine Learning Techniques, Federated Learning and Privacy-Preserving Technologies , Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection

🎤Oral Presentations 

He has delivered presentations at numerous conferences and workshops, sharing insights on her research in AI, cybersecurity, and privacy. These presentations have contributed to her reputation as a thought leader in her field.

🧑‍🔬Tasks Completed as a Researcher 

Implemented Federated Learning Models: Developed and deployed federated learning models for healthcare applications. Applied Homomorphic Encryption: Secured research datasets through advanced encryption techniques. Conducted Privacy Risk Assessments: Evaluated privacy risks associated with social media platforms and proposed protective measures.

🚀Success Factors 

His success can be attributed to her dedication to research, her ability to stay abreast of technological advancements, and her collaborative approach to problem-solving..

🧪Publications & Laboratory Experience

His publications highlight her contributions to the fields of machine learning and cybersecurity. Her laboratory experience includes working on innovative projects related to data security, federated learning, and privacy-preserving techniques.

📚Publications: