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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

Prof. Stefan Wrobel is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Bonn and Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems (IAIS). He holds leadership roles, including Co-Director of the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and Managing Director of the Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it). His research focuses on AI, machine learning, and big data applications in industry and society. He earned his PhD from the University of Dortmund and has held academic positions at Magdeburg University and Berlin Technical University. Active in national/international AI initiatives, he chairs the Fraunhofer Strategic Research Field on Artificial Intelligence and co-leads the Machine Learning Rhine-Ruhr (ML2R) Competence Center. Education: Master's (Georgia Tech), PhD (University of Dortmund). Research emphasizes intelligent algorithms, data analysis, and AI ethics. Awarded GI-Fellow (2022) and honored by the German Computer Science Society for contributions to AI history. Key roles include Editorial Board member of Machine Learning journals and advisory roles in AI ethics and certification. Scientific contributions span over 100 publications in machine learning, data mining, and visual analytics. Advised numerous PhD students on topics like graph mining and trustworthy AI. Leadership in institutions like Fraunhofer Technology Hub for Machine Learning and the German Computer Science Society's Special Interest Group on Knowledge Discovery.

• Machine Learning
• Data Mining
• Artificial Intelligence
• +3 more

Professor Mehmet Demirbag serves as Deputy Dean of Essex Business School and Professor of International Business at the University of Essex. Previously, he held significant leadership roles including Vice Dean (Internationalisation) and Head of Department of Strategy and Organisation at Strathclyde Business School, and Chair in International Business at the University of Sheffield Management School. His extensive academic career spans over a decade in UK higher education institutions with specialized expertise in international business strategy. Dr. Demirbag completed his Master's degree in Business Analysis at the University of Leicester and earned his PhD at the University of Bradford Management School. His educational background established the foundation for his research focus on international business phenomena, particularly regarding emerging economies and multinational enterprises. His research interests center around internationalisation of R&D activities, offshore R&D, FDI location choice, product and regional diversification strategies of MNEs, multinationals from emerging countries, international mergers and acquisitions, and reverse knowledge transfer by emerging country MNEs. These interconnected research streams examine how firms navigate global markets, particularly focusing on the strategic behavior of emerging market multinationals and their interactions with developed economies. Analysis of his recent publications reveals consistent thematic patterns across international business, strategic management, and human resource management domains. His work demonstrates particular emphasis on emerging market multinationals, cross-border knowledge transfer mechanisms, international strategic decision-making in uncertain environments, and the institutional contexts shaping multinational enterprise behavior. The interdisciplinary nature of his research bridges theoretical frameworks from international business, strategic management, and organizational studies. Professor Demirbag maintains active editorial roles as consulting editor of the Journal of International Management and advisory editor of Eurasian Business Review. He has co-guest edited special issues for numerous prestigious journals including British Journal of Management, Human Resource Management, Journal of World Business, and International Business Review, among others. His editorial contributions span research areas related to emerging market MNEs, MNEs in emerging markets, transitional periphery contexts, and human resource management in uncertain environments. As an educator, Professor Demirbag teaches International Business and International Strategic Management at undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive levels. His supervision portfolio includes doctoral candidates such as Selman Alisan Gemuhluoglu and previously guided Koushik Das Sarma to completion of their PhD in Business Administration. His research has received funding from various sources including the European Commission, and his work on FDI and SMEs has contributed to REF impact cases at both the University of Bradford and the University of Sheffield.

• International Business
• International Strategic Management
• Internationalisation of R&D Activities
• +6 more

Priyanko Guchait is a tenured Full Professor and Program Director of the Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership (DGHL) at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership , University of Houston. His research focuses on organizational behavior, leadership, human resources, and service management in hospitality contexts, with over 75 peer-reviewed articles published. Education: B.E. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Pune, India M.S. in Hospitality Management, University of Missouri M.S. in Human Resources and Employment Relations Ph.D. in Hospitality Management, The Pennsylvania State University Research Interests include error management culture, psychological safety, service recovery performance, leader behavioral integrity, and AI’s impact on hospitality workers’ mental health. His work examines shame, forgiveness climate, and team dynamics in service environments. Article Trends show a focus on multi-level error management, human-robot collaboration in service recovery, diversity inclusion climates, and cross-cultural leadership studies. Recent papers explore AI ethics, pandemic response strategies, and emotional labor in hospitality roles. Awards & Honors Stephen Rushmore/HVS Research Excellence Award (2023, 2015) Donald Greenaway Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Service Award (2022) Best Paper Award, The Service Industries Journal (2023) ICHRIE Faculty Collegiality Award (2021) ICHRIE McCool Breakthrough Award (2021) Honored as 50-in-5 Scholar (2021) Provost’s Excellence Award (2015) Best Reviewer Awards (IJCHM 2016-2017) Committee & Editorial Roles include Associate Editor of IJCHM, Coordinating Editor of IJHM, and leadership positions at ICHRIE (President 2020-2021, Vice President 2019-2020). He has served on university curriculum, research, and Ph.D. selection committees.

• Organizational Behavior
• Error Management Culture
• Leadership
• +7 more

Ehud Reiter is a Professor of Natural Language Generation at the University of Aberdeen's School of Natural and Computing Sciences, Department of Computing Science. With over three decades of research experience, he is recognized as one of the world's leading experts in Natural Language Generation (NLG), particularly in data-to-text systems, evaluation methodologies, and healthcare applications. Reiter's research primarily focuses on creating systems that generate accurate, useful, and understandable natural language from structured data. His work spans multiple domains including healthcare (medical note generation, patient-facing systems), sports reporting, and explainable AI. A significant portion of his recent research addresses the critical challenge of evaluating NLG systems, with particular emphasis on human evaluation methodologies, reproducibility of results, and factual accuracy in generated text. His work on Bayesian Networks and causal graph discovery represents his ongoing interest in knowledge representation and reasoning behind natural language explanations. His research has evolved from foundational work on reference generation and document planning to current projects addressing large language models, reproducibility crises in NLP evaluation, and human-AI collaboration frameworks. The SPHERE evaluation card framework he co-developed represents a systematic approach to evaluating human-AI interaction systems across five key dimensions. Reiter has been instrumental in organizing multiple shared tasks focused on reproducibility in NLG evaluations, demonstrating his commitment to improving research methodology in the field. His work on consultation checklists for medical note evaluation has introduced standardized protocols that increase objectivity in clinical text assessment. Through projects like BabyTalk (generating neonatal intensive care unit summaries) and DrivingBeacon (providing driving behavior feedback), Reiter has demonstrated the practical applications of NLG technology in critical domains. His research consistently bridges theoretical advances with real-world implementation challenges.

• Natural Language Generation
• Human Evaluation of NLP Systems
• Data-to-Text Generation
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Christoph Lattemann is a Professor of Business Administration and Information Management at Constructor University Bremen gGmbH. He leads the School of Business, Social & Decision Sciences and directs the I3 Research Group focusing on Digital Transformation and Globalization. His work bridges innovation management, international business (especially China studies), and information systems design. He holds adjunct roles at the University of Agder (part-time). Education: Earned his professorship at Constructor University (since 2010), previously held positions at University Potsdam and Kiel. Visiting scholarships at Harvard, Stanford, and Copenhagen Business School. Research: Established the D-Forge Design Thinking Lab (2011) and ChinaGlobal Center (2012). Current projects include AI-based price determination (BMBF-funded) and StudyBuddy virtual companion (BMBF). Awards: Best Paper Award at Digivation 2019. Over 200 peer-reviewed articles and 15 books, including works on Huawei's globalization and Belt and Road Initiative. Advising: Supervised doctoral candidates like Dr. Ricardo Guerrero and Dr. Sören Michalke. Manages research teams (e.g., Dr. Audris Umel, Pia Gebbing). Labs: D-Forge Lab supports SMEs in innovation via design thinking; ChinaGlobal Center analyzes Sino-European economic relations.

• Digital Transformation
• Globalization
• International Business
• +4 more

Stephan Schlögl is a Full Professor at MCI - The Entrepreneurial School in Austria, leading research and teaching in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Information Systems. He holds editorial roles at journals like the Springer Discover Artificial Intelligence Journal and MDPI Multimodal Technologies and Interaction Journal. His work spans over two decades, with key roles including Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Télécom ParisTech (2012–2013) and PhD Researcher at Trinity College Dublin (2008–2012). Schlögl’s research focuses on HCI, AI-driven conversational systems, and assistive technologies for aging populations. Education includes a PhD in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin, an MSc in Human-Computer Interaction from University College London, and a Mag.(FH) in Applied Informatics & Management from MCI. His teaching spans Software Engineering, Business Intelligence, and Research Methods. Research interests emphasize natural language interfaces, AI ethics, and technology’s societal impact. Notable projects include the EU-funded EMPATHIC initiative (2017–2021), developing an empathic virtual coach for elderly care, and the CRYSTAL project (2024–present) on conversational systems for emotional support. Schlögl has supervised numerous theses on AI applications, chatbots, and UX design. He co-organized major conferences like CUI (Conversational User Interfaces) and received awards for best papers in AI-HCI and CHIRA. His work bridges academia and industry, addressing challenges in AI adoption, digital well-being, and ethical technology design.

• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Interaction Design
• +6 more

Dr. Stacey Pitsillides is an Associate Professor at Northumbria University's School of Design Arts and Creative Industries, actively researching intersections between technology, design, and death studies. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) through innovative approaches to death literacy. Active PhD researcher in digital death practices Recipient of 2017 award (specific name not stated) Over 380 citations in Scopus Engaged in public outreach with hospices and at major festivals Research focuses on: Social design approaches for sensitive contexts Technological reframing of death and bereavement Digital ethics in legacy creation Curatorial practices as knowledge production Materiality of digital heritage Posthumanist memorialization Recent publications examine thanobotics, digital twins, and feminist immortality frameworks, with a strong emphasis on participatory design methods and death-positive initiatives. Collaborations include academic and artistic partnerships in UK and European contexts. 2017 Award recipient Actively supervises PhD students while maintaining public engagement through media appearances, exhibitions, and festival participation.

• Digital Death Studies
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Social Design
• +7 more

Carlos M. P. Sousa is Professor of Marketing and Business Strategy at Molde University College, Faculty of Business Administration and Social Sciences. He previously served as a Full Professor of Marketing at Durham University (UK) and Lecturer of Marketing at University College Dublin (Ireland). Professor Sousa has also been a visiting professor at universities across Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and the UK. Professor Sousa earned his PhD from University College Dublin (Ireland). His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to international business education and research across multiple continents. Professor Sousa's research focuses on four interconnected domains that explore the complexities of global business operations. His work in international marketing examines how firms adapt strategies across diverse cultural contexts, while his international business strategy research investigates market entry, expansion, and exit decisions. His innovation management studies explore the relationship between R&D investment, technology transfer, and business performance, particularly in emerging markets. Additionally, his services marketing research examines employee creativity, customer orientation, and value creation in service contexts. These research streams demonstrate a cohesive approach to understanding how organizations navigate global markets while maintaining competitive advantage through strategic adaptation and innovation. Professor Sousa has published over 100 articles in leading journals including Research Policy, Journal of Product Innovation Management, R&D Management, Journal of International Marketing, Journal of World Business, Global Strategy Journal, British Journal of Management, and many others. His editorial leadership includes serving as Associate Editor for International Marketing Review, Journal of Business Research, and Journal of International Marketing, as well as sitting on the Editorial Review Board of Journal of International Business Studies and Industrial Marketing Management. This extensive publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding international business strategy, market adaptation, and innovation across diverse economic contexts. Professor Sousa's scholarly excellence has been recognized through several prestigious awards: 2006 ADMES/MARKTEST scientific excellence award for the best paper in 2006 2012 Highly Commended Award Winner at the Literati Network Awards for Excellence for a paper published in European Journal of Marketing 2021 Hans B. Thorelli Award by the American Marketing Association for his influential article "Cultural Distance and Psychic Distance: Two Peas in a Pod?" published in Journal of International Marketing 2025 Molde University's Research Award recognizing his outstanding contributions to excellent and innovative research As an academic leader, Professor Sousa has supervised numerous doctoral and master's students, though specific names are not listed in the available information. His research has been supported by various grants that have enabled extensive international collaboration across multiple continents. His work bridges theoretical advancement with practical business applications, particularly in understanding how firms navigate cultural differences, adapt marketing strategies, and manage innovation in global contexts. Professor Sousa's research methodology often combines quantitative analysis with meta-analytic approaches to identify broader patterns in international business phenomena. Professor Sousa is affiliated with the Marketing, Innovation, International Business & Strategy (MIIBS) research group at Molde University College, which serves as a hub for collaborative research on global business strategy and innovation. This group brings together scholars examining the intersection of marketing, international business, and innovation management, with a particular focus on how organizations adapt to diverse market conditions and leverage strategic capabilities for competitive advantage in global markets.

• International Marketing
• International Business Strategy
• Innovation Management
• +1 more

Dr. Joseph Rottman is a Professor of Information Systems and Technology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, serving as Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs and Director of the International Business Institute. He holds a DSc in Engineering and Policy from Washington University in St. Louis (2002), an MS in Management Information Systems (1995), and a BS in Business Administration (1992), all from UMSL. Associate Dean, Graduate and International Programs Director, International Business Institute His research focuses on global sourcing strategies, offshore outsourcing, innovation diffusion, and public-sector IT. He has conducted case studies across 40 firms and advised Fortune 500 companies on offshore strategies. Notable contributions include work on prison sourcing, rural outsourcing, and the role of social capital in global partnerships. Publications include articles in Sloan Management Review , MIS Quarterly Executive , and IEEE Computer , with three authored books and over 25 peer-reviewed articles. Awards: 2006 Anheuser-Busch Excellence in Teaching Award Editorial Roles: Editorial Board Member, MIS Quarterly Executive Research projects include fellowships at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (2009) and the Center for International Studies (2004–2008). He actively engages in global conferences, presenting in Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and China. His advising and grants include leading 4 research projects as PI, focusing on international studies and business innovation. He has organized the Global Sourcing Workshop in Val d'Isère, Keystone, and Zermatt, fostering academic-industry collaboration.

• Offshore IT Outsourcing
• Global Sourcing
• Business Process Outsourcing
• +6 more

John Domingue is a prominent researcher at The Open University, UK , specializing in Semantic Web technologies, Blockchain applications, and Educational Technology. He has co-authored over 211 publications since 1987, with recent work focusing on decentralization, data privacy, and AI integration. Current research themes include: Decentralized learning analytics Blockchain-based micro-accreditation Semantic knowledge graphs AI for education Trusted decentralized systems His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate ongoing leadership in Semantic Web and Blockchain research applied to education and data governance. Key collaborations include Alexander Mikroyannidis, Aisling Third, and Carlos Pedrinaci. Notable projects: FORGE Toolkit for remote experimentation ScienceMiles digital currency for researchers ADA system for automated learning analytics Decentralized trust frameworks Semantic PETs (Privacy Enhancing Technologies) While formal awards aren't listed, his extensive publication record in top venues (WWW, ISWC, ESWC) and editorial contributions establish him as a key figure in Semantic Web research. His work bridges technical innovation with practical educational applications, particularly in decentralized architectures.

• Semantic Web
• Linked Data
• Blockchain
• +5 more

Dr. Nebojsa Stanković is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Information Technologies , Faculty of Technical Sciences Čačak , University of Kragujevac . With a career spanning over three decades in academia, he focuses on educational technology innovation , machine learning applications , and IT pedagogy . BSc: Electrical Engineering, University of Kragujevac (1991) MSc: Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac (2009) PhD: Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac (2021) His research explores artificial intelligence in education , student success prediction , and e-learning systems . Recent work includes hybrid AI models for solar energy optimization and vibration classification in industrial settings. Publications demonstrate consistent engagement with machine learning , cybersecurity , and digital transformation in educational contexts. He actively contributes to international conferences like TIE and UNITECH, specializing in pedagogical applications of Python programming , NLTK , and MATLAB . As a certified ECDL examiner and conference organizer, he bridges academic research with practical IT training . His textbook on Multimedia Technologies (2019) exemplifies his commitment to educational resource development.

• Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Machine Learning Applications
• Programming Education
• +3 more

Prof. Markus Wenzel is an Associate Professor of Medical Cognitive Computing at the School of Computer Science & Engineering, Constructor University Bremen. His research focuses on interpretable deep learning and computer-aided diagnosis systems for healthcare applications, particularly in medical imaging. He holds a PhD in 'Complexity Reduction in Image-Based Breast Care' (2014) from University Bremen and a BSc in Computer Science (With Distinction) from the Distance Learning University, Hagen. Wenzel has extensive industry experience, including roles at Fraunhofer MEVIS as a Key Scientist in Computational Breast Care (since 2021) and Senior Scientist (2005–2021). His work emphasizes clinical practicality, such as breast MRI segmentation and AI-driven diagnostic tools. Research highlights include developing the QuantMed platform for translational research and exploring generative adversarial networks (GANs) for medical data synthesis. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, with recent work focusing on CNN-based lesion detection, swarm learning, and uncertainty quantification in medical imaging. Awards include a prestigious scholarship from the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes and certification as a Scientific Trainer (2022). Wenzel collaborates with clinicians to bridge AI research and clinical practice, addressing challenges like model interpretability and data scarcity in healthcare. His contributions span medical imaging analysis, AI-driven decision support systems, and robust deep learning frameworks for heterogeneous medical data.

• Medical Imaging
• Deep Learning
• Healthcare AI
• +3 more

Wotao Yin is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angeles, with a distinguished research career spanning over two decades in optimization theory and its applications. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical applications in machine learning, image processing, and signal analysis. As a leading researcher in optimization algorithms, he has made significant contributions to the development of methods like ADMM (Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers), proximal algorithms, and decentralized optimization techniques. Department: Department of Mathematics School: College of Letters and Science University: University of California, Los Angeles Yin's research focuses on developing efficient algorithms for large-scale optimization problems, with particular expertise in convex and nonconvex optimization, distributed and decentralized optimization, and mathematical foundations of machine learning. His work has profound implications for image reconstruction, signal processing, and modern machine learning systems. He has pioneered methods for handling sparse data, non-smooth objectives, and constrained optimization problems that arise in real-world applications. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward addressing optimization challenges in machine learning, particularly in federated learning, attention mechanisms, and nonconvex problem structures. His work demonstrates a consistent pattern of bridging theoretical optimization with practical machine learning applications, developing algorithms that balance computational efficiency with theoretical guarantees. Recent papers show increasing focus on heterogeneous data settings, large language model optimization, and fundamental limitations of optimization methods in complex learning scenarios. Throughout his career, Professor Yin has mentored numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry. His collaborative network spans multiple institutions worldwide, with particularly strong connections to researchers in China and across the United States. His work has been supported by various funding agencies recognizing the fundamental importance of optimization theory for advancing computational science. Professor Yin leads a vibrant research group focused on mathematical optimization and its applications, where students and collaborators work on cutting-edge problems at the intersection of mathematics, computer science, and engineering. The group maintains strong connections with both theoretical and applied research communities, participating in major conferences across optimization, machine learning, and computational mathematics.

• Optimization
• Convex Optimization
• Nonconvex Optimization
• +7 more

Mikael Söderström is a Recognized University Teacher and Associate Professor at Umeå University , affiliated with both the Department of Informatics and the Unit of Police Work . His contact email is mikael.soderstrom@umu.se , with office locations at MIT-huset (Campustorget 5) and Polisutbildningshuset (Humanioragränd 3). As Director of Studies in Police Work, he bridges academic research with practical education in law enforcement. Research Focus His research spans Human-Computer Interaction , User-Centered Design , and Digital Learning Environments , with a particular emphasis on Public Sector Digitalization and IoT Applications in Governance . He explores how technology shapes urban spaces, education systems, and citizen engagement, often through collaborative and interdisciplinary frameworks. Publication Trends Over 16 years, Söderström has contributed to IoT in Urban Spaces , Digital Government Research , and Educational Reform . His work addresses challenges in smart city infrastructure , sustainable learning systems , and cross-sector collaboration , appearing in venues like dg.o '18 and EDEN Research Workshop . Notably, his 2024 publication on AI and digitalization highlights emerging trends in governmental technology adoption. Leadership and Collaboration As Director of Studies, he leads curriculum development in Police Work. His collaborations include researchers like Ulf Hedestig , Daniel Skog , and Pontus Bergh , reflecting a networked approach to academic inquiry. His work frequently intersects with digital ethics , pedagogical innovation , and technology-enabled governance .

• Human-Computer Interaction
• User-Centered Design
• Digital Learning Environments
• +3 more