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Dr. Moran Lazar is a Senior Lecturer at the Coller School of Management, Tel Aviv University, specializing in the early foundations of entrepreneurship and innovation with emphasis on new venture team formation, ideation processes, and organizational innovation leadership. Her educational background includes: PhD in behavioral science and management from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Research fellow at the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland Research fellow at INSEAD Dr. Lazar integrates organizational behavior and strategy perspectives to investigate entrepreneurship micro-foundations, utilizing diverse methodologies including entrepreneurship competitions, hackathons, accelerators, educational programs, and crowdfunding platforms. Her work examines how individuals and teams generate, evaluate, and develop entrepreneurial ideas through behavioral lenses. Her publication trends reveal consistent contributions to top management journals focusing on team dynamics in nascent ventures, with recent works analyzing attachment theory in idea evaluation, relationship-business balance in team composition, and comprehensive frameworks for entrepreneurial team formation across multiple contexts including accelerators and international delegations. Dr. Lazar actively consults for global companies and facilitates innovation processes for international delegations from Europe, the United States, East Asia, and the United Arab Emirates, while sharing insights through her TEDx talk on entrepreneurial team formation.

• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation
• New Venture Teams
• +3 more

Baris Istipliler is a habilitation candidate and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Mannheim's Business School within the Management department, specifically at the Chair of Entrepreneurship and SME Research. He completed his PhD summa cum laude at the University of Mannheim and holds an MSc from the same institution. His educational background includes: MSc from University of Mannheim PhD from University of Mannheim (summa cum laude) Baris's research focuses on entrepreneurial cognition and behavior, SME innovation, transgenerational entrepreneurship, and family business research. His work has been published in top-tier journals including Organization Science, Journal of Management Studies, British Journal of Management, Small Business Economics, Journal of Business Research, and Journal of Small Business Management, demonstrating expertise in organizational theory and entrepreneurial dynamics within small-to-medium enterprises and family businesses. His scholarly recognition includes: DAAD scholarship supporting his 2021–2022 visiting scholar position at Stanford University's SCANCOR Joachim Herz Foundation Add-on Fellowship for Interdisciplinary Economics (2025–2026) Baris serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Small Business Management and Editorial Review Board member for the Journal of Family Business Strategy. During his MSc studies, he gained industry experience at multinational corporations across treasury and investor relations, controlling, entrepreneurial finance, financial accounting, and operations, bridging academic research with practical business applications.

• Entrepreneurial Cognition and Behavior
• SME Innovation
• Transgenerational Entrepreneurship
• +1 more

Marek Pycia serves as Professor of Organizational Economics at the University of Zurich and Co-Director of the Zurich Center for Market Design. His research has driven tangible policy impacts including the U.S. kidney-transplant voucher program and school system redesigns, with publications in premier journals like American Economic Review and Econometrica . His academic foundation includes a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), complemented by prior faculty roles at UCLA, Pennsylvania State University, and Leon Koźmiński Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management, plus a visiting fellowship at Princeton University. Professor Pycia specializes in Market Design and Mechanism Design , where he bridges theoretical microeconomics with real-world applications in healthcare allocation and educational systems. His work emphasizes strategyproofness , simplicity , and efficiency in matching markets, influencing both academic frameworks and practical policy implementations globally. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a concentrated focus on simplifying mechanism design for discrete environments, advancing double auction theory, and optimizing information structures in trade. These works consistently apply game-theoretic principles to solve complex allocation problems across healthcare, education, and financial markets. Key recognition includes: Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) Editorial board membership at Theoretical Economics , Journal of Economic Theory , and Games and Economic Behavior While specific grant details remain unmentioned, his editorial leadership and center directorship indicate active research funding. He supervises graduate work through the University of Zurich’s economics programs, though no named students appear in the source text. The Zurich Center for Market Design, which he co-directs, functions as an interdisciplinary hub connecting theoretical research with practitioners in healthcare, education, and public policy to implement novel market mechanisms.

• Market Design
• Mechanism Design
• Game Theory
• +4 more

Prof. Maja Horst is a Visiting Professor of Science and Technology Policy at the Department of Science, Technology and Society (STS) at Technical University of Munich. She holds a PhD in Science Communication from Copenhagen Business School (2003) and has held academic roles including Head of the Department of Media, Cognition and Communication at the University of Copenhagen (2011–2014) and Professor of Responsible Technology at DTU Technical University of Denmark (2019). Her research focuses on public communication of science, societal responsibility in technology, and innovation governance. She chairs DTU’s Responsible Technology group and is a member of the Danish Academy of Technical Sciences. Key roles include Chair of the Danish Independent Research Fund Board and President of the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology (EASST). Education: MA in Social Science and Communication, Roskilde University (1996) PhD in Science Communication, Copenhagen Business School (2003) Research Interests: Public communication of controversial technologies Social responsibility in science and technology Innovation governance and ethics Sociology of science and technology Recent Focus: Her work emphasizes interactive installations for science communication and co-creation in energy transitions. Over 20+ publications address topics like gene editing ethics, public debate frameworks, and trust in science. Awards: 2021: Hans Fischer Senior Fellowship (TUM-IAS) 2019: Danish Science Minister’s Communication Prize Leadership & Service: President, European Association for the Study of Science and Technology Chair, Danish Independent Research Fund Board

• Public communication about technology
• Values and social responsibility in technology development
• Innovation and science communication
• +3 more

Stephen Meisenbacher is a Research Associate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) , affiliated with the School of Computation, Information and Technology and the Department of Computer Science, I19 . He has been part of the Software Engineering for Business Information Systems (SEBIS) chair since March 2022. His research focuses on Privacy-Preserving Natural Language Processing (NLP) , Differential Privacy , and Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs) , with a particular interest in their integration into software development and business applications. His work also explores Hybrid, Expert-Driven Classification Systems and Usable Privacy solutions. Stephen’s recent publications address trends in AI Privacy Risks , Text Rewriting with DP , Legal AI Use Cases , and Data Protection Compliance . He has contributed to GDPR-related research and PETs adoption in small enterprises. His teaching includes Natural Language Processing seminars and Software Engineering lecture courses for Master’s and Bachelor’s students at TUM. He also organizes Entrepreneurship for Small Software-Oriented Enterprises seminars. Stephen holds a Master’s in Informatics from TUM (DAAD Graduate Scholarship) and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame, with additional studies in German Language and Literature. Contact: stephen.meisenbacher@tum.de | LinkedIn

• Privacy-preserving Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Differential Privacy
• Hybrid, Expert-Driven Classification Systems
• +5 more

Professor Dr. Michael Woywode is a full professor and holds the Chair of SME Research and Entrepreneurship at the University of Mannheim , within the Business School . His research and teaching are embedded in the Institute for SME Research and Entrepreneurship (ifm Mannheim) , a central research institute of the university, and the Mannheim Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MCEI) , which offers entrepreneurship courses university-wide. Research Interests: Family Firms: Succession planning, leadership transitions, and post-succession innovation. Entrepreneurship: Founder behavior, startup ecosystems, and entrepreneurial decision-making. Digitalization in SMEs: Competitiveness, digital transformation, and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises. Self-Employment & Labor Markets: New forms of self-employment and their societal implications. Teaching: Prof. Woywode teaches across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels, offering courses such as Strategic and International Management , Introduction to Entrepreneurship , and Managing the Family Business . Research Output: His recent publications span high-impact journals including Organization Science , Family Business Review , and Journal of Small Business Management , with a clear focus on entrepreneurship, family business, and institutional theory. Team & Collaboration: He leads a multidisciplinary team including postdocs, PhD candidates, and research associates, working closely with the MCEI and ifm Mannheim to foster entrepreneurship research and education.

• SME Research
• Entrepreneurship
• Family Firms
• +5 more

Stefan Schaltegger is Professor for Sustainability Management at the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) at Leuphana University Lüneburg. With over two decades of research experience, he is a globally recognized scholar in sustainability management, corporate sustainability, and environmental accounting. His work bridges academic research with practical business applications, influencing sustainability practices across multiple industries. Professor for Sustainability Management at Leuphana University Lüneburg Director of the Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM) Extensive publication record in top sustainability journals Regular contributor to policy discussions on sustainability Professor Schaltegger's research focuses on sustainability management systems, corporate sustainability strategy, environmental accounting, sustainable business models, and sustainability transitions. His work examines how organizations can effectively integrate sustainability into core operations, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, sustainability performance measurement, and the development of compelling business cases for sustainability. He has pioneered research on sustainability management accounting, rebound effects in sustainability initiatives, and the role of change agents in corporate sustainability transformations. His research spans both theoretical development and practical application, making significant contributions to how businesses understand and implement sustainability. His recent publications reveal an evolving research trajectory with increasing focus on systemic sustainability challenges. Schaltegger has shifted from foundational work on sustainability management accounting toward more complex issues like environmental rebound effects, sustainability transformations, and regenerative business practices. His 2023-2025 publications show growing attention to climate change responses, biodiversity conservation, and the role of service innovation in sustainability transformations. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is evident in publications spanning business strategy, environmental science, accounting, and policy journals. Ranked among the world's top 2% scientists in the Stanford study (2020) Best Young Researcher of the Year at Leuphana University Lüneburg (2010) IFAC PAIB Committee Research award for "article of merit" (2003) Professor Schaltegger actively mentors doctoral students and early-career researchers, though specific student names aren't listed in the provided materials. His research is supported by numerous projects including "TrICo Subproject: Community Sustainable Production," "Account4GreenEco," and "Hochschulen in Gesellschaft – Realexperimente transformativer Lern- und Forschungsprozesse für eine Kultur der Nachhaltigkeit an Hochschulen." His work demonstrates strong industry engagement through collaborations with businesses implementing sustainability practices. The Centre for Sustainability Management (CSM), which Schaltegger leads, serves as a hub for interdisciplinary sustainability research, education, and practice. The CSM coordinates multiple research projects including the Innovation Network aiming at Sustainable Smartphones (INaS) and works closely with industry partners to develop practical sustainability solutions. The center's activities span research, education, and transfer, reflecting Schaltegger's commitment to bridging the gap between academic theory and business practice in sustainability.

• Sustainability Management
• Corporate Sustainability
• Environmental Accounting
• +5 more

Steffi Haag is a Professor of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Institute of Computer Science , Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) . She bridges the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Faculty of Business Administration and Economics , collaborating with the Center for Entrepreneurship Düsseldorf (CEDUS) to inspire tech startups. Her research focuses on sustainable information systems, digital experiences, and business models. Steffi Haag’s research integrates Shadow IT , Usable Cybersecurity , and Digital Idea Management . Her work emphasizes theoretical , quantitative , qualitative , and mixed-methods research , including experimental and survey methodologies. Steffi Haag’s publications (2018–2024) span Information Systems , Cybersecurity , Digital Twins , and Sustainable Design . Common themes include Shadow IT dynamics , user behavior in security , and innovation management . Hermann Gutmann Award for special scientific achievements (2023) Schöller Fellow (2020) HMD Best Paper Award (2018) Research Award in Data Protection and Data Security (2017) Dissertation Prize (2017) Steffi Haag has secured grants such as the TU Darmstadt Postdoctoral Fellowship for Female Researchers (2016–2018) and Deloitte Foundation Fellowship (2009–2011). She actively moderates conferences and serves as Associate Editor of Business & Information Systems Engineering .

• Digital Innovation
• Digital Business Models
• Shadow IT
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. M. Bjørn von Rimscha is a full-time Professor of Media Economics at the Department of Social Sciences, Media and Sport, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He serves as Prodekan for Studium und Lehre since 2023 and previously held leadership roles including Geschäftsführender Leiter of the Institute for Journalism. His research focuses on media economics, digital transformation, advertising markets, and cross-border media management. Positions: Professor (2015–present), Prodekan (2023–present) Education: Freie Universität Berlin, University of Ulster Key Collaborations: Co-edited De Gruyter Handbook of Media Economics (2024), Handbuch Medienökonomie (2021) His recent work examines digital disruption in media industries, payment models for journalism, and the economic value of creativity. He advises PhD students like Robin Riemann and holds editorial roles at the Journal of Media Business Studies . Contact: b.vonrimscha@uni-mainz.de

• Media Economics
• Communication Science
• Digital Media Transformation
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Manja Stephan is a Professor for Transregional Central Asian Studies with a focus on Islam and Migration at the Institute of Asian and African Studies (IAAW) at Humboldt University of Berlin since May 2020. She also serves as Project Director of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS) since 2011. Previously, she was a Junior Professor for Cross-Sectional Issues of Islam in Asian and African Societies at the same institution from 2010 to 2020. Her educational background includes a Doctorate from Martin Luther University Halle/Wittenberg (2009), preceded by doctoral studies at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (2007-2003) and Ruhr University Bochum (2005-2002). She earned her MA in Ethnology and Central Asian Studies from Humboldt University, Free University of Berlin, and University of Leipzig in 2002. Prof. Stephan's research focuses on the anthropology of transregional Islam, Muslim mobilities and religious geographies, and transregional Central Asia and Gulf Studies (particularly Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and the United Arab Emirates). Her work also examines Muslim professionalism, religious economies, material religion, and cultural heritage policies. Her current research projects include 'Women's Pathways to Professionalization in Muslim Asia' (funded by DFG) and 'De:Link // Re:Link' (funded by BMBF), which explore gender, religious knowledge, and transregional connections in Muslim Asia. Her scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on translocal Muslim networks connecting Central Asia and the Gulf region, particularly examining how Tajik migrants navigate religious, economic, and social landscapes across these regions. A significant strand of her research investigates women's professionalization within Muslim contexts, highlighting how religious knowledge intersects with gender and economic mobility. Principal Investigator at the Berlin Graduate School for Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS) Member of the European Association of Social Anthropologists (EASA) Member of the American Association of Anthropologists (AAA) Member of the Central and West Asia and Diasporas Research Network (CWADRN) Member of the German University Association (DHV) Prof. Stephan has supervised numerous theses and dissertations, with a particular focus on transregional Central Asian studies and Muslim cultures. Her current research projects, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), support graduate students and early-career researchers working on Muslim Asia and transregional connections. She has organized multiple academic events including workshops, lecture series, and summer schools focused on Muslim women's professionalization, cultural heritage in Central Asia, and transregional studies. She leads the ANOR Central Asian Studies Book Series published by DeGruyter and has organized numerous academic events including the Berlin Transregional Talks lecture series and workshops on museums as cultural infrastructures in Central Eurasia.

• Anthropology of transregional Islam
• Muslim mobilities and religious geographies
• Transregional Central Asia and Gulf Studies
• +4 more

Florian Zemmin is a Professor at Freie Universität Berlin's Institute of Islamic Studies , serving as Co-Director of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS). His research focuses on Islamic reformism , Middle Eastern conceptual history , and Arabic sociologies of religion within broader debates about modernity and secularity . Current affiliations: Freie Universität Berlin (since 2020) Previous affiliations: Universität Bern (2010-2020), Universität Leipzig (2015-2021) His research interests examine how Islamic traditions intersect with modern secular concepts through: Historical conceptual analysis in Arabic and Ottoman contexts Comparative secularisms beyond Western frameworks Postcolonial critiques of Eurocentric theory Sociological approaches to Islamic knowledge production Current projects include: Das soziokulturelle Leben soziologischer Konzepte – creating a critical lexicon of 60 sociological terms in Arabic Global Secularity: A Sourcebook – co-editing a 7-volume series on secular formations across regions Arabic Sociologies of Religion – challenging Eurocentric sociology through Arabic theoretical work Key publications address: Conceptual transfers in Islamic modernism Secularism in Islamic intellectual history Arabic sociology of religion Ottoman conceptual transformations Islamic responses to global social theory

• Islamic Studies
• Religion and Society in Islamic and Arab Contexts
• Islamic Reformism
• +3 more

Christian Schwens is a Full Professor in Entrepreneurship and Management at the WiSo Faculty of the University of Cologne , holding this position since 2018. He also serves as the Scientific Director of the "Gateway Excellence Start-up Center" (University of Cologne's startup incubator) since 2019. Previously, he was a Full Professor and Head of the Chair for Management at the University of Duesseldorf (2012–2018), Vice Dean of its Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (2016–2018), and an Interim Professor at the University of Trier (2011–2012). He has held visiting scholar appointments at the University of Minnesota and University of Auckland. His research focuses on entrepreneurship , strategic management , and international business , with particular emphasis on SME internationalization, hybrid entrepreneurship, and institutional influences on firm strategy. His work has been published in top journals such as the Strategic Management Journal and Journal of International Business Studies . He serves as a Senior Editor for the Journal of World Business and on the editorial boards of Journal of International Business Studies , Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice , and Management Review Quarterly . His recent articles examine SME internationalization strategies, CEO overconfidence effects, and safeguard mechanisms in foreign market entry. These studies employ meta-analytical methods and focus on dynamic tensions between cooperation and competition in R&D alliances. Contact: schwens@wiso.uni-koeln.de | Phone: +49 (221) 470 76270

• International Entrepreneurship
• Corporate Entrepreneurship
• Hybrid Entrepreneurship
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Sakura Yamamura is a Junior Professor (Assistant Professor) in Digital Methods in Human Geography at RWTH Aachen University, holding a Dr. rer. nat. in Geography from the University of Hamburg (2018). Her research focuses on migration, transnationalism, superdiversity, and urban studies, with a particular emphasis on digital methods applied to spatial and social dynamics. She has held postdoctoral and visiting fellowships at institutions including the Max Planck Institute and Maastricht University. Yamamura’s work bridges geography, sociology, and economics, examining how transnational migrants shape global cities like Tokyo and the impacts of globalization on urban spaces and policies. Her recent studies address the intersectionality of entrepreneurship, pandemic effects on LGBTQ+ activism, and digital transformations in urban production. Research interests include the socio-spatial dimensions of migration, intersectional approaches to entrepreneurship, and the interplay between digital tools and human geography. Her academic contributions span peer-reviewed articles in journals like Ethnic and Racial Studies and Urban Studies , as well as edited volumes on superdiversity and global urbanization. She actively engages in interdisciplinary dialogue, addressing topics such as mediated social touch and the methodological challenges of fieldwork in transnational contexts. Yamamura’s career includes roles as a guest lecturer at Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland) and SKEMA Business School (France), reflecting her commitment to international collaboration and teaching. She has advised numerous research projects and contributes to policy discussions on migration and urban development. Her current work at RWTH Aachen emphasizes leveraging digital methods to analyze complex urban systems and transnational networks.

• Human Geography
• Urban Studies
• Migration Studies
• +4 more

Prof. Dr. Frank T. Piller is a University Professor and Co-Leader of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) at RWTH Aachen University, where he also serves as Academic Director of the Executive MBA program at RWTH Business School. He leads a research team of approximately 30 doctoral students, 5 postdocs, and over 20 student researchers within the TIME Research Area of the School of Business and Economics. His educational background includes a doctoral degree in Operations Management from the University of Würzburg (1999) and a Habilitation degree from TUM Business School (2004) on "Innovation and Value Co-Creation." Prior to joining RWTH Aachen in 2007, he was a Research Fellow at MIT Sloan School of Management and faculty at TUM Business School. Prof. Piller is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in customer-centered value creation, specializing in mass customization, personalization, and customer co-creation. His current research focuses on how established companies can transform in response to disruptive business model innovations, with particular emphasis on digital transformation (Industry 4.0), AI-augmented innovation, and sustainable business models. He is particularly known for his work on innovation ecosystems, platform-based business models, and stakeholder-oriented technology development. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with traditional innovation management frameworks, exploring how AI transforms manufacturing systems, innovation processes, and business models. His work increasingly addresses the challenges of digital transformation in established industries while maintaining focus on customer co-creation and mass customization principles. His scientific achievements have been recognized with numerous awards: Co-Creation Award of the PDMA Nomination for "Innovating Innovation" Prize by Harvard Business Review and McKinsey "Lecturer of the Year" by Executive MBA students at TU Munich RWTH Aachen Rector's Prize for Excellent Teaching (since 2010) Grant for innovative "Flipping the Classroom" teaching concept ERC Synergy Grant for SAFER Grid project (2025-2031) Prof. Piller maintains an extensive research network spanning academia and industry. He collaborates with numerous corporations including 3M, Adidas, BASF, EON, J&J, P&G, Siemens, and Vodafone, as well as many technology startups across Europe and North America. As a co-founder, supervisory board member, and investor in innovative startups, he actively transfers research into practice. His research has received significant funding, most notably the prestigious ERC Synergy Grant for the SAFER Grid project. He leads the Technology and Innovation Management Group (TIM) within the TIME Research Area at RWTH Aachen, which comprises over 100 senior and junior researchers working at the intersection of innovation, technology management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The institute is a leading European research institution for strategic, behavioral, and computer-supported technology and innovation management.

• Managing discontinuous business model innovation
• Digital strategies for Industrie 4.0
• Additive Manufacturing
• +11 more

Dr. Jan Christoph Munck-Rieder is a Lecturer at EBS Business School in Oestrich-Winkel, Germany. He serves as Co-Head of the Strascheg Center for Impact in Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SCIIE) and leads the Gründungsfabrik Rheingau , a joint initiative with Geisenheim University. In addition to his academic role, he is the managing director of varISO GmbH in Mainz, a consultancy firm. Education: Business Administration studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz Business Administration studies at Karlstad University, Sweden Research Interests: Dr. Munck-Rieder’s research focuses on innovation management , entrepreneurship , and innovation controlling . He explores how organizations can systematically manage innovation processes through effective control systems, balancing creativity with efficiency. His work also delves into the implications of digital transformation on budgeting, management accounting, and organizational development. He has contributed extensively to understanding how Industry 4.0 technologies reshape business models and control mechanisms in manufacturing and service sectors. Publications Overview: His recent publications span peer-reviewed journals and industry-focused outlets, with a clear emphasis on innovation control systems , new product development , and digital transformation . Topics include the performance effects of control instruments in innovation stages, bibliometric evolution of innovation control as a field, and empirical studies on digital budgeting. His work often bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in corporate and startup environments. Books and Editorial Contributions: Controlling von Start-Ups & Start-Up-Initiativen (2019, co-authored with R. Gleich) Co-editor of Kennzahlen optimal nutzen (2018) Multiple chapters in edited volumes on controlling, innovation, and digital transformation Industry Engagement & Consulting: Dr. Munck-Rieder has extensive consulting experience with firms such as INVENSITY , Volkswagen Consulting , Horváth , and SGP Management Consultants . His dual role in academia and industry allows him to integrate practical insights into research and teaching, particularly in innovation and entrepreneurship education.

• Innovation Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation Controlling
• +3 more