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.

Reza Khalili | Strategic Decision-Making | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Reza Khalili | Strategic Decision-Making | Best Researcher Award 

Research Assistant at Stony Brook University | United States 

Mr. Reza Khalili is a graduate student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University, where he is pursuing a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a strong academic record. His educational background also includes a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Amirkabir University of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Isfahan. His research primarily focuses on power systems optimization, renewable energy integration, electricity markets, and the application of advanced computational and machine learning methods in energy systems. His scholarly impact is reflected in 81 citations across 78 documents, with 6 publications and an h-index of 4. Khalili has contributed to several peer-reviewed journals and conferences, publishing impactful works on topics such as robust multi-objective optimization for electricity markets, socio-economic energy hub design, peer-to-peer energy trading, and uncertainty management in renewable energy integration. His co-authored works have appeared in respected journals including Applied Energy, Journal of Energy Storage, and Energy & Buildings, and he has contributed a book chapter published by Taylor & Francis. His conference papers include research on security-constrained optimal power flow and distribution network resilience, one of which was recognized as a best paper finalist at IEEE SmartGridComm. In his academic career, Khalili has gained valuable research experience as a graduate research assistant, working on advanced optimization techniques, contingency prediction in power systems, and uncertainty quantification methods.

Profiles : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar 

Featured Publications: 

Khalili, R., Khaledi, A., Marzband, M., Nematollahi, A. F., Vahidi, B., & Siano, P. (2023). Robust multi-objective optimization for the Iranian electricity market considering green hydrogen and analyzing the performance of different demand response programs. Applied Energy, 334, 120737.

Darvishi, A., Ranjbar, B., Gharibi, R., Khalili, R., & Dashti, R. (2024). Multi-objective optimization of a socio-economic energy hub with demand response program and considering customer satisfaction. Journal of Energy Storage, 100, 113624.

Gharibi, R., Khalili, R., Vahidi, B., Nematollahi, A. F., Dashti, R., & Marzband, M. (2025). Enhancing energy hub performance: A comprehensive model for efficient integration of hydrogen energy and renewable sources with advanced uncertainty management strategies. Journal of Energy Storage, 107, 114948.

Gharibi, H., Gharibi, R., Khalili, R., Dashti, R., Marzband, M., & Rawa, M. (2025). Optimizing multi-objective peer-to-peer energy trading in green homes: Robust strategies to address non-probabilistic uncertainty using IGDT with integrated demand response. Energy and Buildings, 116435.

Gharibi, R., Vahidi, B., Dashti, R., & Khalili, R. (n.d.). From electrons to solutions: Power-to-X strategies for energy systems integration. In Power-to-X in regional energy systems (pp. 201–227). Taylor & Francis.

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

Champika Liyanage | Strategy Implementation | Best Paper Award-3709

Prof. Champika Liyanage | Strategy Implementation | Best Paper Award

Prof. Champika Liyanage, University of Central Lancashire, United Kingdom

Dr. Champika Liyanage is a highly accomplished academic and research leader in the field of Facilities and Construction Management. She currently serves as a Reader at the School of Engineering, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), UK. With over two decades of experience in academia, international research, and project leadership, she has significantly advanced knowledge in public-private partnerships, disaster resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. She is a Co-Director of the Centre for Energy, Sustainable Development and Resilience (CESDR) and a leading figure in UCLan’s REF submission efforts, exemplifying her academic and institutional leadership. 💡

🧑‍🔬 Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Dr. Liyanage holds a PhD in Facilities Management from Glasgow Caledonian University (2006). She earned her B.Sc. (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka in 2001, graduating with First Class Honours. To further enhance her teaching and supervisory capabilities, she has completed postgraduate certificates in Learning & Teaching (2012), Research Supervision (2013), and Teaching, Learning & Assessment (2008), all in UK-based institutions. 📚

🧑‍🏫 Professional Experience

Since joining UCLan in 2008, Dr. Liyanage has progressed from Lecturer to Reader. She has served as Senior Lecturer (2011–2015) and Reader (2015–present), and currently oversees multiple academic programs and research activities. Her leadership roles include Chairing the School’s Athena Swan SAT team, acting as REF Lead (UoA13), and Research Degrees Tutor. She has also coordinated dissertations and ethics reviews, showing her holistic engagement with academic development. 🏛️

🔬 Research Interests

Her research encompasses facilities and infrastructure management, public-private partnerships (PPPs), performance measurement, post-disaster reconstruction, and urban resilience. She has special interest in sustainability, zero-carbon targets, and improving disaster resilience through higher education. Her interdisciplinary approach brings together engineering, public policy, and social development frameworks. 🌍

🏆 Awards and Grants

Dr. Liyanage has been the recipient or co-lead of over £1 million in external research funding from prestigious bodies such as Horizon 2020, FP7, and ERASMUS+. Her collaborative projects—like REGARD, CABARET, ASCENT, and BENEFIT—span Europe and Asia, involving institutions in Sri Lanka, Sweden, Estonia, and more. These awards have supported innovation in infrastructure resilience, disaster education, energy trading, and societal reconstruction post-displacement. 🧾

📚 Publications Top Notes