Anssi Öörni is a Professor at the School of Business and Economics , Åbo Akademi University. His research spans Cognitive Psychology , Project Management , and Human-Computer Interaction , with a focus on Robotic Process Automation , Numerosity Perception , and Visuospatial Abilities . Email: anssi.oorni@abo.fi Research Interests: Robotic Process Automation: Investigating implementation drivers and success factors in enterprise systems. Cognitive Psychology: Studying sex differences in numerosity perception and perceptual load through eye-tracking. Human-Computer Interaction: Exploring AR impacts on visuospatial abilities and immersive learning. Project Management: Analyzing methodology dependencies and autonomous decision-making in ITS-context. Collaborations: Active partnerships in Finland and international networks.
Vijay Gurbaxani is the Taco Bell Endowed Professor of Information Systems and Computer Science and Director of the Center for Digital Transformation (CDT) at the Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine. He is a leading scholar in the economics of information systems, digital transformation, and the strategic impact of artificial intelligence on business. PhD, University of Rochester MS in Mathematics and Computer Science, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay His research focuses on IT and innovation , strategic sourcing of IT-enabled services , value of IT investment , and the economics of information systems . He applies economic principles to analyze strategic management questions at the intersection of business and technology. His work is widely published in top journals such as MIS Quarterly , Management Science , and Information Systems Research . The recent articles highlight a strong trend toward digital transformation , AI in business , and technology governance . These works span from foundational topics like IT cost management to emerging challenges such as AI ethics, board-level oversight of digital strategy, and the future of work. The keywords reflect a deep engagement with both technical and managerial dimensions of digital innovation. He has received notable recognition, including: 2002 Outsourcing World Achievement Award (Academic Category) Dr. Gurbaxani has secured over $5 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation and industry partners. He has advised numerous organizations, including Fortune 500 companies and technology providers, and has served as a visiting scholar at Stanford and MIT. He previously held leadership roles as Senior Associate Dean (2006–2008) and Associate Dean of the MBA program (1995–1999, 2004–2006), where he led curriculum innovation and established the school’s strategic focus on IT in business. As Faculty Director of the Center for Digital Transformation (CDT) , he leads a hub that connects academia, industry, and executives to advance digital leadership. The CDT hosts events, research initiatives, and programs such as the MBA Immersion in Digital Transformation, fostering collaboration and thought leadership in AI and digital innovation.
Kenneth Ethan Murphy is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of Operations and Decision Technologies at the Paul Merage School of Business, University of California Irvine. He teaches business analytics, operations management, and statistics across executive, graduate, and undergraduate programs. PhD in Operations Research — Carnegie Mellon University MS in Statistics — Oregon State University BA in Mathematics — Reed College Dr. Murphy's research focuses on operations research, business analytics, and organizational effectiveness , with a strong emphasis on technology implementation and data-driven decision-making in academic and organizational settings. His work bridges analytical models with real-world applications in operations and information systems. His recent publications reflect a consistent theme in optimization, scheduling, decision technologies, and analytics in higher education , particularly exploring how data and systems can enhance institutional performance and leadership. The articles span operations research, information systems, and management science, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact. Dr. Murphy has held significant leadership roles, including associate provost and assistant dean, where he advanced process improvement and analytics initiatives to build a data-informed academic culture. While no specific scientific awards are listed, his contributions to research and administration highlight sustained scholarly and institutional impact. Guided university-wide analytics initiatives Directed process improvement programs Advocated for data-driven academic leadership He has advised various institutional strategies and led administrative projects focused on efficiency and innovation. Although student advisees are not listed, his teaching and leadership roles suggest mentorship across academic and administrative domains. Dr. Murphy has been instrumental in integrating business analytics into academic operations, contributing to the development of decision-support frameworks within higher education institutions.
Alex Bolton is a Professor at the University of Exeter's Business School, Department of Management, specializing in Operations Management and Service Operations Marketing. She joined the institution in 2009 and has held significant academic leadership roles including Programme Director for the 'With Industrial Experience Pathway' (2010) and Associate Dean for Education (2013). MSc Product Engineering MA Ancient History and Classics PGCE BA (Hons) Business Management Her research focuses span operations management, service optimization, and strategic marketing, with applications in industrial sectors and higher education. Key areas include sustainable supply chains, digital transformation in services, and leadership frameworks for university-industry collaboration. Prior to academia, she led senior management roles in Automotive and Industrial Chemical sectors internationally. Alex's professional experience includes external examining for Aberdeen University's MBA in Oil and Gas Management and Edinburgh University assessments. She maintains a focus on education quality standards, curriculum development, and stakeholder partnership programs.
Anastasia Viktorivna Zerkal is Professor of the Department of Marketing and Logistics and Director of the Training Center 'Education for Business and Career' at Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University. With a Doctor of Economics degree and extensive academic credentials, she has established herself as a leading expert in commercial awareness, marketing strategies, and personnel management. Her work bridges academic theory with practical business applications through strong connections with industry and government institutions. 2009: Bachelor of Management, Classical Private University 2009: Bachelor of Foreign Philology, Classical Private University 2010: Master in Management of Foreign Economic Activity, Classical Private University 2017: Specialist in Entrepreneurship, Trade and Stock Exchange Activities, Zaporizhzhia State Engineering Academy 2017: Specialist in Finance, Banking and Insurance, Classical Private University 2022: Master of Marketing, Classical Private University 2014: Candidate's thesis on 'Formation and development of corporate culture of machine-building enterprises' 2021: Doctoral dissertation on 'Enterprise personnel management based on commercial consciousness: theory, methodology, practice' Professor Zerkal's research focuses on commercial awareness, marketing strategies, personnel management, and corporate culture. Her work explores the critical intersection between science, power, and business, examining how commercial consciousness drives organizational success. She has published extensively on how marketing communications evolve in digital economies and wartime contexts, and how personnel management strategies can be optimized for modern enterprises. Her research has significant practical applications for businesses navigating complex economic landscapes. Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward digital marketing, sustainable business practices, and personnel management in challenging environments. She has increasingly focused on the Ukrainian business context during wartime, exploring how companies adapt marketing strategies and maintain operations under difficult conditions. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, making significant contributions to both academic literature and business practice in Ukraine. 2024: Certificate of Honor of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 2023-2024: Multiple awards including 'Young Scientist of the Year' in Marketing and Entrepreneurship categories 2021: Honorary Diploma of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council 2019: Honorary Diploma of the Classical Private University 2017: Honorary Diploma of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 'Potential' Professor Zerkal actively mentors students and has served as a scientific supervisor for numerous student projects and competitions. She chairs the Council for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Economic Policy of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 'POTENTIAL,' fostering strong university-business-government partnerships. Her work with international organizations including the European Academy of Sciences and Research demonstrates her global collaboration efforts. As Director of the Training Center 'Education for Business and Career,' she leads initiatives that connect academic training with business needs. She has coordinated regional competitions for gifted youth in science and contributed to student business idea competitions like 'STARTUP with Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic.' Her work with the Council of Young Scientists under the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has significantly impacted youth scientific development in the region.
Rua-Huan Tsaih is a Professor at the Department of Management Information Systems, College of Business, National Chengchi University (NCCU). He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from UC Berkeley. His research focuses on AI-driven solutions, neural networks, and digital service innovation, with applications in finance and cultural heritage preservation. Research Expertise: Specializes in IT-enabled services, business process analysis, and machine learning applications. Leads projects on AI financial modeling and museum digitalization. Honors: Distinguished Professor (NCCU) 30-Year Outstanding Teacher Award Multiple National Science Council Research Awards Outstanding Service Teacher Award Administrative Roles: Served as Director of NCCU's Computer Center and Innovation Incubation Center. Currently leads multiple government-funded projects on financial AI and cybersecurity.
Yan Ping Chi is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management Information Systems, College of Business, National Chengchi University. His research focuses on Business Process Reengineering, Management Information Systems, and Business Intelligence. Ph.D. in Business and Management from University of Maryland (1985-1990) MBA in Business Administration from National Chengchi University (1977-1979) BBA in Ocean Transportation from National Chiao Tung University (1973-1977) Professor Chi's work spans three decades, with a strong emphasis on technology diffusion , service-oriented architectures , and information management trends . His research combines empirical analysis with bibliometric methodologies to explore fields like ubiquitous computing and CRM systems . His publication trends show expertise in: Data Mining and Business Intelligence applications Enterprise Architecture design for service organizations Supply Chain Uncertainty modeling Digital Governance systems in public sector Professor Chi has held part-time leadership roles in the Executive MBA program while maintaining his faculty position. He has collaborated extensively with industry partners and contributed to information systems education in Taiwan. His research appears in prestigious journals like Decision Support Systems (SSCI), Expert Systems with Applications (SCI), and International Journal of Electronic Commerce (SSCI), covering topics from group decision support systems to data mining trends .
Dr. Brian Epperson serves as Professor of Business and Chair of Graduate Business Programs at Newman University's School of Business & Technology. He concurrently operates as Founder/CEO of Human Performance Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and leadership development, while providing executive coaching services through Mastery Technologies, The John Maxwell Company, and Coaching By Cornerstone. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from University of Oklahoma MA from Oklahoma State University BA from Northeastern State University DTh from Columbia International University Research focuses on organizational leadership dynamics, with expertise spanning executive derailment prevention, change management systems, and high-performance culture cultivation. His proprietary change/innovation model bridges academic theory with corporate pragmatism to drive organizational transformation, particularly addressing turbulent business environments and leadership sustainability. Publications consistently examine leadership adaptation across volatile contexts, executive coaching efficacy, and cultural transformation methodologies. This body of work demonstrates progressive specialization in practical leadership frameworks applicable to Fortune 500 enterprises and public institutions. Professional recognition includes: Gene Satterfield Research Award As an executive coach, he mentors C-suite executives across technology, healthcare, and defense sectors while serving on boards for Hodos Leadership Institute, The Child of Divorce, and True Digital Security. His consulting practice has engaged entities including Microsoft, U.S. Air Force, and Marathon Oil in organizational reengineering initiatives. Military service in the U.S. Marine Corps Fleet Anti-Terrorist Security Team informs his leadership philosophy.
Jan Martijn van der Werf serves as Associate Professor in Process Science at Utrecht University's Faculty of Science, Department of Information and Computer Science. Since September 2022, he has held the position of Programme Director for the Bachelor Information Sciences, overseeing curriculum development and academic operations for both Business Informatics and Information Sciences programs. Education: Dual PhD in Computer Science from Eindhoven University of Technology and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (Thesis: 'Compositional Design and Verification of Component-based Information Systems') Research Focus: Van der Werf's work centers on process mining and behavioral modeling in software architectures, with emphasis on the interplay between data and processes. His expertise spans Conceptual Modelling of Information Systems , Enterprise Architecture , and Service-Oriented Architecture , addressing challenges in process discovery, verification, and practical implementation within complex organizational contexts. Current research explores the human dimensions of process mining adoption and AI-driven event log extraction. Publication Trends: Recent work (2023-2024) reveals increasing focus on methodological rigor in process discovery, human factors in process mining initiatives, and formal verification techniques for Petri nets. His publications bridge theoretical foundations with practical applications, particularly in event log extraction using large language models and visualization of complex process chronologies from heterogeneous data sources. Academic Contributions: Van der Werf teaches core courses in Process Modelling and Software Architecture , actively participates in academic workshops (including the 2020 'Information System Modeling' workshop), and supervises graduate research. His Scopus profile indicates 77 research outputs and supervision of 3 students, reflecting sustained scholarly engagement in process science and information systems.
Fabio Michele Amatucci serves as an Affiliate Professor of Business Government Relations at SDA Bocconi School of Management and Associate Professor at the University of Sannio's Department of Law, Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods (DEMM). Collaborating with SDA Bocconi since 1994, he also holds a Research Fellow position at CERGAS (Center for Research on Healthcare Management), focusing on public sector management and public-private partnerships within healthcare and public services. Education: Degree in Business Administration, Università Bocconi Ph.D. in Public Administration Research Interests: Professor Amatucci's work centers on Public-Private Partnerships , Government Procurement , and Public Management Reform , with specialized expertise in project finance, public sector modernization, policy coordination, and corporate governance of public institutions. His research critically examines process reengineering, financing strategies for local authorities, and healthcare system applications, emphasizing practical implementation in decentralized government structures. Publication Trends: Recent 2023-2024 publications reveal concentrated analysis of Italian National Health Service (SSN) procurement dynamics, value-based healthcare purchasing models, and public-private partnership frameworks. Key themes include operating room efficiency innovations, tumor diagnostic service procurement, rural tourism development, and economic rebalancing mechanisms in concession agreements, demonstrating consistent focus on bridging theoretical governance models with operational healthcare and public service challenges. Grants and Projects: He has coordinated major internationally funded research initiatives for public and private entities while contributing to project teams across healthcare systems, public services, and public-private partnership frameworks. His executive education leadership includes designing and delivering specialized programs for Italy's leading healthcare corporations and public sector organizations. Research Infrastructure: As a CERGAS Research Fellow, he operates within Bocconi University's dedicated healthcare management research center, leveraging institutional resources for empirical studies on public sector procurement and governance modernization.
Paulo Sampaio is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Production and Systems, School of Engineering, University of Minho. As Senior Researcher at ALGORITMI Research Centre's IEM group, he focuses on Quality and Organizational Excellence. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering (2008) and has authored 138 publications with an h-index of 26. Born in Braga, Portugal (1978) Graduated in Industrial Engineering (2002) PhD in Industrial Engineering (2008) Visiting Scholar at MIT (2015) His research spans Quality 4.0, Supply Chain Management, Risk Analysis, and Integrated Management Systems, with particular emphasis on Industry 4.0/5.0 transformation and agile organizational models. Articles demonstrate increasing focus on machine learning applications, sustainability taxonomy development, and cross-cultural SME studies. Scientific recognition includes: Feigenbaum Medal (ASQ 2012) Best Paper Awards (2006-2009) International Academy for Quality Academician (2014) Top reviewer recognition (2015) As an advisor, he has successfully mentored 6 PhD candidates and over 100 Master's students while leading major EU-funded projects like INNOVCAR (€12.75M) and iFACTORY (€9.25M). Current leadership roles include Department Head, Doctoral Program Director, and Scientific Council member.
Tatjana Ņikitina is an Associate Professor and Researcher at Riga Technical University's Economics and Business Institute. With 20+ years in international banking/IT, she combines practical expertise with academic roles, teaching Master's courses in business process management and project management. Specializes in Agile/Hybrid/Waterfall methodologies Focuses on Open Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Competence Development Active in EU-funded projects like ERASMUS+ and ESF initiatives Research Trends : Recent publications emphasize open innovation interaction channels, entrepreneurial orientation across disciplines, and competence frameworks for modern business environments. Her work bridges academia-industry gaps through configurational analysis and cluster ecosystem studies. Education : Holds an MBA from Riga Business School and completed her doctoral thesis on Individual Entrepreneurial Orientation in 2022.
Richard Bassett is an Associate Professor in the Business Information Systems department at Southern Connecticut State University. His academic work bridges technology and business strategy, with a focus on digital transformation and emerging technologies. Teaching Interests: Business Information Systems, Project Management, Information Assurance, Database Management, Enterprise Computing Research Interests: Business Process Transformation, Enterprise Computing, Information Security, Business Intelligence Bassett's research explores blockchain technology's organizational impact, cloud computing risk management, and historical perspectives on technological innovation. His publications span topics from Soviet space programs' influence on internet development to expert systems modeling corporate leaders. Grant-funded projects include international humanitarian initiatives through Rotary, focusing on literacy and public health infrastructure. His work integrates technical rigor with business process optimization, often examining technology's societal implications.
Professor Nikolaus Obwegeser serves as the Institute Director of the Digital Technology Management institute within the Business Institute at Bern University of Applied Sciences. His leadership position reflects his expertise at the intersection of business strategy and digital technologies, where he guides research initiatives and academic programs focused on contemporary digital challenges facing organizations. Professor Obwegeser's research spans several interconnected domains focused on digital transformation. His work examines digital innovation processes , particularly how organizations navigate the shift from radical to incremental innovation ('innovation drift'). He investigates business transformation methodologies, as evidenced by his book 'Hacking Digital,' which provides practical frameworks for accelerating business transformation. His research also extends to IT service management , with studies on ITIL processes from a lean perspective, and educational technology , where he examines how audience response systems impact student learning and metacognition. Analysis of Professor Obwegeser's recent publications (2019-2021) reveals a strong focus on practical applications of digital innovation, particularly in crisis contexts. His work shows increasing attention to the organizational implications of digital artifacts and the challenges of maintaining radical innovation ambitions within established organizational structures. The publications span business, technology management, and educational domains, demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach to studying digital transformation. Professor Obwegeser maintains active research collaborations across international boundaries, as evidenced by his co-authorship with researchers from diverse geographic and disciplinary backgrounds. His work appears in reputable journals including Nature, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, and Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature and quality of his research contributions. As Institute Director of Digital Technology Management, Professor Obwegeser leads an organization focused on bridging business strategy with digital technology implementation. The institute provides a platform for research, education, and practical application of digital transformation principles, serving as a hub for academic and industry collaboration in the field of digital business innovation.
Professor Wolfram Pietsch is a faculty member at FH Aachen (Aachen University of Applied Sciences) in the Department of Economics. His academic focus is on Business Administration, particularly International Sales and Service Management, with extensive research in IT Product Management, Quality Function Deployment, and Service Level Agreements. Primary Affiliation: Professor at FH Aachen, Department of Economics Additional Affiliations: QFD Institute Germany, Nathan Expertise Contact: pietsch@fh-aachen.de | +49 (0)241 6009-51955 | Office E249, Eupener Straße 70, Aachen Professor Pietsch's research spans business administration with a strong emphasis on the intersection of business models and IT products. His work particularly focuses on customer-oriented approaches to software and IT service development, strategic positioning of IT products, and quality function deployment methodologies. He has published extensively on these topics, with his research evolving from early work on software project management to more recent focus on business models for IT products. His publication record shows consistent output over four decades, with a clear shift from technical software engineering topics in the 1980s-1990s toward business-oriented IT management topics in the 2000s-2010s. Recent publications focus on strategic positioning of IT products, requirements engineering, and quality function deployment applications, demonstrating his ability to adapt research focus to evolving industry needs. Key Publication Trend: Evolution from technical implementation (1980s-1990s) to business strategy (2000s-present) Primary Research Domains: IT Product Management, Quality Function Deployment, Service Level Agreements Methodological Focus: Customer-oriented approaches to product development and requirements engineering Professor Pietsch maintains active industry connections through his affiliations with the QFD Institute Germany and Nathan Expertise, suggesting practical application of his academic work. His office is located in room E249 at Eupener Straße 70 in Aachen, Germany, where he holds consultation hours by appointment, indicating ongoing engagement with students and colleagues.
