Mehmet Aga | Strategic Management | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Mehmet Aga | Strategic Management | Best Researcher Award 

Professor | European University of Lefke | Turkey 

Prof. Mehmet Aga is a distinguished scholar in the field of business administration, accounting, and finance, with a strong focus on sustainability, corporate governance, and the economic dimensions of environmental policy. His research has made significant contributions to understanding the interplay between globalization, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability across both developed and emerging economies. He has published extensively in high-impact international journals indexed in SCI, SSCI, and related databases, reflecting his deep engagement with issues at the intersection of energy economics, corporate management, and sustainable development. His scholarly works explore diverse areas such as the asymmetric effects of economic globalization on renewable energy, the role of natural gas and nuclear energy in environmental sustainability, and the implications of corporate governance on financial reporting quality. Aga’s publications in prominent journals such as Sustainability, Scientific Reports, Energies, Heliyon, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, and Science of the Total Environment demonstrate his commitment to interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant analysis. His studies frequently employ advanced econometric and analytical techniques, including nonlinear ARDL models and wavelet coherence approaches, to uncover nuanced relationships within complex global systems. With 33 scholarly documents, an h-index of 18, and a citation count exceeding 1,404 from more than 1,286 citing documents, Mehmet Aga’s academic impact is both significant and far-reaching. His research has informed academic discourse and offered valuable guidance for policymakers, businesses, and sustainability advocates seeking to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. Through his continuous engagement in international collaborations and interdisciplinary studies, Aga remains a respected voice in advancing global discussions on sustainable economic systems and the evolving role of governance in shaping a greener future.

Featured Publications : 

Sezenler, C., & Ağa, M. (2025). Managerial perspectives on the use of environmentally friendly energy in accommodation facilities in Northern Cyprus. Sustainability (MDPI).

Awosusi, A. A., Rjoub, H., Ağa, M., & Onyenegecha, I. P. (2024). An insight into the asymmetric effect of economic globalization on renewable energy in Australia: Evidence from nonlinear ARDL approach and wavelet coherence. Energy and Environment, 35(7), 3600–3624.

Adebayo, T. S., Ozturk, I., Ağa, M., Uhunamure, S. E., Kirikkaleli, D., & Shale, K. (2023). Role of natural gas and nuclear energy consumption in fostering environmental sustainability in India. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 11030.

Ojekemi, O. S., Ağa, M., & Magazzino, C. (2023). Towards achieving sustainability in the BRICS economies: The role of renewable energy consumption and economic risk. Energies, 16(14), 5287.

Ojekemi, O. S., & Ağa, M. (2023). In the era of globalization, can renewable energy and eco-innovation be viable for environmental sustainability in BRICS economies? Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1–14.

Kebiao Yuan | Strategic Decision-Making | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Kebiao Yuan | Strategic Decision-Making | Best Researcher Award 

Lecturer at Ningbo University of Technology | China 

Dr. Kebiao Yuan is a scholar specializing in logistics engineering and transportation management. He completed his doctoral studies in logistics engineering and management and holds a master’s degree in transportation planning and management, along with a bachelor’s degree in traffic engineering. His research focuses on port cluster development, collaborative governance, sustainable logistics, and the integration of digital technologies in supply chains. Throughout his academic career, he has actively contributed to numerous national and provincial research projects, including studies on regional port integration, air pollutant emission governance, port cooperation mechanisms, and the modernization of China’s port and shipping industries. Yuan’s work has accumulated 33 citations across 30 documents, with an h-index of 4, underscoring his growing influence in the field of logistics and transportation research. His work often employs evolutionary game theory, bibliometric analysis, and system modeling to address challenges in transportation planning, port governance, and supply chain resilience. In addition to research, he has gained practical experience through internships in transportation planning and urban design, contributing to projects in public transport optimization, highway ecological zones, tourism passenger flow forecasting, and rural revitalization. Yuan has published extensively as a first author or corresponding author in leading journals, including Transport Policy, Sustainability, Mathematics, Ocean & Coastal Management, and Transportation Research Record, with his research covering port cooperation, emission reduction, infrastructure effects on urban growth, and sustainable logistics practices. His contributions have earned recognition in academic competitions and scholarships, reflecting both his research excellence and commitment to advancing sustainable and collaborative approaches in transportation and port logistics.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID 

Featured Publications : 

Yuan, K., Xu, X., Xu, Z., & Fu, H. (2025). Research on the impact mechanism of digital technology on the new-quality productivity of port logistics. PLOS ONE.

Xue, C., Chao, Y., Xie, S., & Yuan, K. (2025). Will road infrastructure become the new engine of urban growth? A consideration of the economic externalities. Sustainability, 17(15), 6813.

Xue, C., Chao, Y., Xie, S., & Yuan, K. (2025). The health effects of economic growth: Evidence from PM2.5-attributable mortality in China. Economies, 13(7), 192.

Feng, X., Chen, Y., Pan, H., Chao, Y., Yuan, K., & Yue, Z. (2025). Inter-port relationships management: A bibliometric analysis and a systematic review of influencing factors of port co-opetition patterns. Ocean & Coastal Management, 265, 107656.

Yuan, K., Ma, L., & Wang, R. (2025). Research on collaborative governance mechanism of air pollutant emissions in ports: A tripartite evolutionary game analysis with evidence from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port. Mathematics, 13(12), 2025.

Yaping Yin | Strategic Management | Best Researcher Award 

Ms. Yaping Yin | Strategic Management | Best Researcher Award 

Ms. Yaping Yin | Hainan University | China

Ms. Yaping Yin is a PhD Candidate in Agricultural Microbiology at Hainan University, focusing on the role of microorganisms in advancing sustainable agricultural practices. With over five years of experience in microbial research, she has contributed to national projects such as the China Agriculture Research System and the National Natural Science Foundation of China Youth Project, where her studies emphasize the construction of rhizosphere microbial networks and the regulation of cucumber rhizosphere health. Her research explores keystone microbial species such as Flavobacterium and Bacillus, demonstrating their impact on crop growth, yield stability, and stress resistance. She has collaborated with research teams from Sichuan Agricultural University and Hainan University, working on cross-regional microbial studies and microbial medium optimization. Her scientific output includes 3 documents, 87 citations by 86 documents, and an h-index of 3. Her work has provided practical insights for reducing chemical fertilizer use in agricultural cooperatives while promoting microbial strategies for sustainable farming. Yaping Yin has published research in peer-reviewed journals including New Biotechnology, Fungal Biology, and other indexed sources, addressing topics such as rhizosphere ecology, molecular regulatory mechanisms of beneficial fungi, and microbial solutions to soil salinity and plant disease resistance. Through these contributions, she has established herself as a young researcher advancing agricultural microbiome strategies and sustainable agroecosystem development.

Profiles : Scopus

Featured Publications : 

Yin, Y., Khan, R. A. A., Li, L., Wu, Y., Li, C., Li, Y., & Ren, S. (2025). The diversity and keystone species of cucumber rhizosphere microbiome: Unveiling their role in driving cucumber growth and microbial communities. New Biotechnology.

Song, J.-Z., Yin, Y.-P., Cheng, W., Liu, J.-H., Hu, S.-J., Qiu, L., & Wang, J.-J. (2021). The N-Mannosyltransferase gene BbAlg9 contributes to cell wall integrity, fungal development and the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana. Fungal Biology, 125(10), 776–784.

Yin, Y., Wang, R., Lin, R., Tang, Z., Sun, M., Yu, X., & Liu, T. (2024). The molecular regulatory mechanism of the hydrophobic protein TaHFB1 from Trichoderma in promoting lateral root growth and inducing disease resistance in tomato. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

Yin, Y., Wang, W., Zhang, F., Liu, Z., Hou, J., & Liu, T. (2021). A novel salt-tolerant strain Trichoderma atroviride HN082102.1 isolated from marine habitat alleviates salt stress and diminishes cucumber root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

Wang, R., Yu, X., Yin, Y., Norvienyeku, J., Khan, R. A. A., Liu, T., … & others. (2023). Biocontrol of cucumber Fusarium wilt by Trichoderma asperellum FJ035 dependent on antagonism and spatiotemporal competition with Fusarium oxysporum. Biological Control, 186, 105334.

Cornelia Storz | Strategy Formulation | Best Paper Award

Prof Dr. Cornelia Storz | Strategy Formulation | Best Paper Award

Prof Dr. Cornelia Storz, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany.

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Storz is a tenured full professor and Chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Goethe University Frankfurt’s Faculty of Economics and Business. With prior professorships in Japanese Economy and Society at Philipps University Marburg and University of Applied Sciences Bremen, Dr. Storz bridges academia and global business perspectives. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics (Dr. rer. oec.) in 1996 from the University of Duisburg‑Essen, following an M.A. in Business Administration & Japanese Studies from the University of Bonn in 1992. Over her career, she has led 20+ completed and 10+ ongoing research projects, published 35 journal articles, and authored 13 books. Her work has garnered a citation index of 1,044, with an h-index of 18 and i10-index of 23. She serves as co-guest editor for Research Policy and maintains rich collaborations with leading international scholars—spanning Oxford, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, Seoul, and beyond.

👩‍🏫  Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Storz’s academic journey began with a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Japanese Studies from the University of Bonn (1992), reflecting her interdisciplinary grounding in management sciences and cross-cultural insights. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics (Dr. rer. oec.) at the University of Duisburg‑Essen in 1996, where she developed rigorous research skills in strategic management, innovation, and economic systems. This strong educational background laid the foundation for her impactful contributions to international research and teaching, and positioned her as a leader capable of analyzing complex innovation landscapes in Japan, Korea, Europe, and emerging economies.

💼 Experience

Since 2007, Dr. Storz has held the professorship and Chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Goethe University’s Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Management & Microeconomics. Before that, she was a full professor specializing in Japanese Economy at Philipps University Marburg (2001–2006), and at the University of Applied Sciences Bremen (1997–2001). From 1992 to 1996, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Duisburg‑Essen. Across these roles, she has supervised doctoral students, designed postgraduate curricula, and led strategic projects. She actively shapes international research networks and provides expert consultancy in innovation policy, organizational strategy, and digital transformation across academia and industry.

 🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Storz’s research centers on strategic management of innovation, firm adaptation in crisis contexts, and the emergence of new industries. She investigates topics such as labour-cost retrenchment strategies, digital innovation ecosystems, board governance’s impact on innovation, and design knowledge flows in product development. Her collaborative projects examine digital marketplaces in Sub‑Saharan Africa, optimal distinctiveness in Korean film, and entrepreneurial networks at the base-of-pyramid. She is particularly interested in how firms construct innovation policy practices that align with national and local systems, and how crisis strategies—from flexible to rigid—affect investor behavior and firm resilience.

 🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Storz has been nominated for several prestigious international awards in strategic management and business strategy, and recognized for excellence in innovation research. Her prolific output—including 35 journal articles, 13 books, and numerous editorial roles—has earned her a global citation index above 1,000, with an h-index of 18 and i10-index of 23. She has been co-guest editor for special issues in top-tier journals, including Research Policy. These accolades reflect peer recognition of her leadership in examining the strategic dimensions of innovation, crisis response, and cross-national economic systems, marking her a strong contender for awards such as the Best Paper Award.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Labour-cost retrenchment strategies in times of crisis: Comparing market reactions to flexible and rigid strategies

Digital creatives and digital engineers: entrepreneurial firms, institutional context, and the organization of innovation

The emergence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem: the interplay between early entrepreneurial activity and public policy in the Korean online gaming industry

Why do some entrepreneurs thrive? A network content perspective

Na Chen | Strategic Management and Business Strategy | Best Researcher Award

Strategic Management and Business Strategy

Dr. Na Chen | Strategic Management and Business Strategy | Best Researcher Award

Beijing Normal University School of Government | China

Author Profile 

Orcid ID

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS:

Dr. Na Chen commenced her academic journey at Beijing Normal University, where she pursued a comprehensive education. With an interdisciplinary background, she developed a strong foundation in administrative management and laid the groundwork for her future contributions to public governance.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS:

Throughout her 15-year career, Dr. Chen has been dedicated to addressing China's public governance and policy challenges. Her affiliation with the School of Government at Beijing Normal University signifies a commitment to fostering a deep understanding of institutional analysis and public management, blending insights from Western social sciences with China's unique national conditions.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS STRATEGY :

Dr. Chen's primary academic contributions lie in her interdisciplinary investigations into water management, land resources, environment, and rural governance. Pioneering the dynamic system theory of coupled governance, her research delves into public affairs governance processes, policy diffusion, and the broader scope of rural governance. Her work encompasses critical areas such as natural resource management, ecological environment, regional development, rural governance, community governance, and emergency management of megacities.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE:

With a focus on environment, energy, and public policy, Dr. Chen's academic achievements have made a significant impact on both academia and national policy formulation. Her dynamic system theory of coupled governance has contributed to shaping policies related to natural resource management and rural governance, showcasing her influence in the field of public management.

ACADEMIC CITATIONS:

Dr. Chen's research findings, characterized by theoretical depth and empirical rigor, are evident in her published articles and recognized through awards. The extensive citations of her work underscore its relevance and contribution to the academic discourse, solidifying her position as a representative scholar in public management.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS:

Dr. Na Chen's legacy extends beyond her current academic standing, reflecting in her active engagement in social practice. Her work provides valuable reference points for policy formulation and implementation in diverse fields. As a researcher, educator, and scholar, Dr. Chen's ongoing commitment to exploring solutions and developing theories tailored to China's national context ensures a lasting impact on the evolving landscape of public governance.

NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS:

Scenario analysis of the socioeconomic impacts of achieving zero-carbon energy by 2030 2022(2)