Theo Peters is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in Sankt Augustin, Germany. He specializes in business administration with a particular focus on organization, project management, and internal corporate communication. His research interests center on organizational design and efficiency, emphasizing how effective internal communication and streamlined project management can drive business success. His work explores the intersection of human resource acceptance and quality management systems, as well as the strategic redesign of sales networks and performance measurement frameworks. Across his publications, Peters has consistently applied case study methodologies to real-world business challenges, particularly in the financial services and ceramics industries. His research themes include process optimization, competitive strategy, and the elimination of information deficits through closed-loop performance systems.
Prof. Dr. Martin Wrobel serves as Professor of General Business Administration, especially Company Start-ups at Brandenburg University of Technology (TH Brandenburg) since 2019. He additionally holds positions as Guest Professor for Entrepreneurship at TecnoCampus | Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and is an Associated Researcher at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG) in the Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Society research group. His professional affiliations also include membership on the DAAD selection committee for master's scholarships and the jury of the Innovation Program for Business Models and Pioneer Solutions of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Dr. Wrobel's research interests focus on entrepreneurship and start-up management, with particular emphasis on technology-oriented startups (especially Internet, AI, and impact startups), corporate-startup collaborations, digitalization, innovation, and marketing & sales for startups. His work bridges academic theory with practical application, frequently examining lean startup methodologies, minimum viable products, and customer acquisition strategies for early-stage ventures. His research demonstrates a strong commitment to understanding how startups navigate the complex landscape of business development and market validation. His publication record reveals a consistent focus on practical entrepreneurship with increasing emphasis on AI-driven startups, international expansion strategies, and the evolving dynamics of corporate-startup partnerships. Recent work shows deeper exploration of branding for startups, customer acquisition challenges, and the application of lean methodologies in real-world startup environments. His research maintains strong connections to both German and international startup ecosystems. As an educator, Prof. Wrobel actively supervises bachelor's and master's theses in entrepreneurship, startup management, marketing, sales, innovation, and digitalization. He has developed a structured process for thesis supervision with specific requirements for research proposals and methodology. He also hosts the 'Marketing From Zero To One' podcast featuring interviews with startup founders and industry experts, and organizes numerous guest lectures with entrepreneurs through his 'THB Startup Stories' series. Prof. Wrobel maintains active engagement with the startup community through conference presentations, workshops, and advisory roles. His practical experience includes previous roles as Managing Director at Meltwater Group, consultant at Freshworks, and researcher at HIIG. His international perspective is enhanced by visiting scholar positions at MIT Media Lab and Parsons' School of Art, Media, and Technology.
MEHMET PEKMEZCİ is a Lecturer at the Nizip Vocational School of Gaziantep University , specializing in the Department of Foreign Trade . He holds a Doctorate in International Trade and Logistics (2023) and a Master's degree in the same field, alongside a Bachelor's in Economics. Doctorate : Gaziantep University, 2023 Master's : Gaziantep University, 2015 Bachelor's : Gaziantep University, 2010 His research focuses on International Trade , Logistics Management , and Sustainable Development , with recent work examining the metaverse in marketing, digital twins, and air cargo logistics. He has published a journal article on competitive strategies and market performance (2024) and eight conference papers analyzing trade dynamics, urbanization impacts, and technological adoption in logistics. He teaches courses including Import and Export Practices , Customs Clearance , and Logistics , with over 80 course assignments documented from 2019 to 2025. His academic contributions include book chapters on topics like Circular Economy and Digital Supply Chains .
Sasan Mansouri is an Assistant Professor of Digitalization and AI at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Groningen , and a Junior Research Affiliate at the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research Halle (IWH) since February 2023. He is also an Affiliated Researcher at the Chair of Banking and Finance, Goethe University Frankfurt . His work integrates financial data science , natural language processing , and entrepreneurial finance to study information transmission dynamics in financial markets. Research Focus : Financial jargon's role in market efficiency, ESG metrics in sustainable entrepreneurship, AI-driven analysis of corporate disclosures, and regulatory impacts on banking. Teaching : Offers courses in Master Data Analytics , Natural Language Processing , and Mergers & Acquisitions , emphasizing AI applications in economics and finance. Entrepreneurial Ventures : Co-founded Very Bad Report (AI financial reporting) and Essence Scholar (AI academic research platform), and previously served as AI Advisor at Dealcode AI (2021-2022). His publications span journals like Management Science , Journal of Business Venturing , and Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization , along with working papers at SSRN and IWH . Current research explores AI's role in reducing information asymmetries and policy impacts on financial markets.
Ed Nijssen is a Professor of Technology Marketing at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) within the Innovation, Technology Entrepreneurship and Marketing (ITEM) group of the School of Industrial Engineering. His research integrates marketing, innovation, and sales strategy, with a focus on servitization and digital transformation in B2B contexts. He has held visiting professorships at Michigan State University, NYU, and Bocconi University. Research interests include: Servitization (solutions-based business models) Marketing/Sales-R&D interface Digital solution selling Brand advocacy in frontline services Product-service systems Scientific contributions span over 143 research outputs, including systematic reviews on B2B branding and effectual entrepreneurial marketing. His awards include multiple Teacher of the Year recognitions and publication prizes. He teaches courses in Entrepreneurial Marketing , Marketing and Innovation , and Validation to Sales , while serving on editorial review boards for Industrial Marketing Management and Journal of Product Innovation Management .
Annelies Bobelyn is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). Her work bridges strategy, technology entrepreneurship, and sustainable innovation, with a focus on young technology-based firms, entrepreneurial exit, and organizational learning for sustainability. Expertise : Strategic management of startups, sustainable product innovation, technology transfer Collaborations : 4TU educational innovator (TU/e, Delft, Twente, Wageningen) Research Interests : Annelies explores how organizational control and learning theories can enhance sustainable innovation projects. Her recent work includes designing tools to align deep-tech ventures with UN SDGs, improving commercial viability through problem exploration in healthcare innovation contests, and analyzing power dynamics as an enabling force in organizations. Scientific Awards : Best Paper Award, ESU European University Network on Entrepreneurship Conference (2021) Loosening Control Without Losing It. Learning to Speak Up in a Military Organization (2020) Grants & Collaborations : Marie Curie Fellowship (post-doc), 4TU educational innovator role, and contributions to deep-tech venture builders addressing grand challenges.
Prof. Dr. René Zeier is an active Professor at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, where he is affiliated with the Institute for Communication and Marketing within the Marketing and Management department. His academic career builds upon extensive industry experience in product management, key account management, and marketing leadership roles at major corporations including Nestlé, Novartis, and Coca-Cola. His educational background includes a lic. oec. HSG from the University of St. Gallen with specialization in marketing, followed by a Dr. oec. HSG from the same institution focusing on systemic management and tourism. Prof. Zeier's research and teaching focus primarily on Entrepreneurship and Ecosystem Development , with additional expertise in Business Development, Product Management, and Marketing. His work emphasizes practical applications of systemic management approaches to contemporary business challenges, particularly in entrepreneurial contexts and regional economic development. An analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward entrepreneurship education, business transformation, and regional ecosystem development. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications, particularly through initiatives like the Smart-up program for fostering entrepreneurial thinking in academic settings. His research spans multiple disciplines including business management, marketing, tourism, and systemic organizational approaches. His notable recognition includes: Winner of the Teaching Innovation and Entrepreneurship Excellence Awards 2019 for Kalamata at the 14th European Conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Prof. Zeier has been actively involved in mentoring and supporting startups through his role as Head of Smart-up. His projects include the Horw Start-Up Ecosystem at HSLU, initiatives to strengthen hospitality in Central Switzerland, and research on E-Loyalty in travel, tourism, and hospitality. He has also contributed to international educational programs such as the Tourism Lecturing Education Program for the North Caucasus Federal University in Russia. He leads or participates in several organizational initiatives including the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School Klewenalp-Stockhütte (as President), Bike Guiding Klewenalp-Stockhütte (as President), and the Zurich Folk Festival Association (as Vice President).
Steve Cannella serves as an Adjunct Professor at LIM College while maintaining his primary role as Director of Training and Development at Pitney Bowes, a technology company specializing in mailing and shipping solutions. His academic position focuses on bridging industry expertise with classroom instruction. His research and professional interests center on sales function optimization, with specific expertise in sales training methodologies, sales operations frameworks, and customer relationship management systems. Cannella's work emphasizes practical applications of business administration principles in corporate environments. Cannella has received notable industry recognition including: Brandon Hall award for 'Best Program for Sales Training and Performance' (2020) His educational background informs his teaching approach, with doctoral-level expertise applied to undergraduate instruction. While not currently advising students, his industry leadership in training development influences curriculum design for business programs at LIM College.
Amit Saini is a Professor of Marketing and Department Chair at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business. He holds the W.W. Marshall Jr. Professorship and has contributed extensively to business-to-business marketing, marketing ethics, and CRM research. Ph.D. in Marketing, Washington State University (2003) Post Graduate in Marketing Research, Mudra Institute of Communication, India B.E., Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, India His research focuses on marketing technologies, ethical frameworks in purchasing behavior, and strategic control mechanisms in franchising and B2B markets. He has examined CRM performance drivers, buyer-supplier dynamics, and the role of strategic culture in market orientation. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical applications in sales force management and e-commerce. Saini has received multiple accolades, including the Distinguished Teaching Award (2008, 2007, 2015), Faculty Mentoring Award (2022), and Harold and Esther Edgerton Junior Faculty Award (2006-2008). He has secured grants from the Marketing Science Institute and Institute of Study of Business Markets. He has served on editorial boards for the Journal of Marketing Research and Business Ethics Quarterly , chaired the AMA Marketing Strategy SIG (2013-2016), and advised numerous Ph.D. students. His teaching spans marketing management, strategy, channels, and sales at undergraduate, MBA, and Ph.D. levels.
CAI Yu is a Professor in the Accounting Department at the School of Economics and Management, Tongji University . Holding a PhD, CFA, and CPA (China), their academic journey includes a doctorate from Nanyang Business School (2012), a Master's in Economics from the People's Bank of China Graduate School (2005), and a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of International Business and Economics (2002). Research Focus : Information disclosures, financial analysts, mutual funds, corporate finance, public policies. Teaching Interests : Investments, Financial Management, Corporate Governance, Empirical Research Methods in Finance. Recent research explores supply network structures and firm tail risk (2025), regional migration economics in China (2024), and ownership concentration effects on asset sales (2017). Current projects include "Forecast pessimism and recommendation returns" (Ministry of Education, 2014-2016).
Professor Arnd Jenne serves as Professor of General Business Administration with a focus on Retail Management at the Faculty of Commerce and Social Work, Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Suderburg Campus since February 2011. Previously, he held a half-time substitute professorship at the Technical University of Dortmund (2008-2009). His academic background includes a doctorate from the University of Münster (2004) with research on strategic controlling in city marketing for inner-city retail, following studies in economic geography, economics, and urban planning at the University of Bayreuth (1993-1996) and preliminary studies at the University of Stuttgart (1990-1993). Professor Jenne's research focuses on retail in transit spaces (airports, train stations), spatial orientation of customers in retail environments, digitalization of stationary retail, and the future of retail in rural areas. His work bridges academic research with practical industry applications, particularly examining how digital transformation impacts traditional retail spaces and rural communities. His recent publications and research projects demonstrate a strong emphasis on practical retail challenges, with significant work on digital retail spaces (DigVerEH project), retail in German airports, and the competitive advantages small and medium enterprises can gain through community engagement like volunteer fire departments. Completed EFRE-funded project 'Digitalisierung von Verkaufsräumen im Einzelhandel' (2017-2019) Research commissioned by Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Inneres und Sport on volunteer fire departments as business advantages (2017) Analysis of retail in German airports (2015) Multiple projects on urban retail development in eastern German cities (2010-2014) Professor Jenne actively supervises bachelor's theses with a preference for topics related to digital retail, multichannel strategies, retail in transit spaces, and experimental market research methods. His industry experience since 2005 as a consultant specializing in retail, urban development, and city marketing informs his practical teaching approach and research direction. His teaching includes required modules in Retail Management, Location and Facility Management, Economic and Transport Policy, Market Research, and Multichannel Management, along with specialized electives and international excursions examining retail and logistics across European metropolitan areas, border regions, and rural communities.
Dr. Nicolas Buttafoghi is an Assistant Professor and Director of the MSc Digital Marketing & Sales and MSc Marketing programs at Kedge Business School in Marseille. He holds a doctorate in Information and Communication Sciences and brings substantial industry expertise from founding Buttaf Communication and leading marketing initiatives for clients including the French Army's aerobatic team. Research Focus: His work examines digital marketing effectiveness with specialization in: Search engine marketing analytics and brand traffic measurement Consumer behavior in advertising contexts Nutrition labeling impacts on purchase decisions Cross-sector marketing communication strategies Professional Background: Before academia, he accumulated 5 years of corporate marketing experience and established an independent communication agency serving energy, industrial, and entertainment sectors. His military partnership produced promotional content for elite aviation units.
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.
Dr. Henrique Correa da Cunha serves as an Associate Professor in the Global Management Studies program at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, where he has taught undergraduate and MBA courses since 2009. His academic credentials include: BSBA from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA MBA from HULT International Business School, Boston, MA, USA Academic Master in Business Administration from Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB), Brazil PhD in Business Administration and Management Accounting from FURB, Brazil PhD in Innovation Sciences from Halmstad University, Sweden Dr. Correa da Cunha's research centers on International Business dynamics in Latin America, with emphasis on how cultural frameworks and formal institutions shape multinational firms' internationalization strategies. His work bridges theoretical institutional analysis with practical cross-border management challenges, addressing critical gaps in understanding subsidiary performance under asymmetric institutional environments. This focus positions him at the forefront of emerging markets research, particularly regarding cultural adaptation and risk mitigation in volatile economic landscapes. His recent publication surge (8 papers in 2022-2023) reveals evolving research trajectories toward geopolitical risk assessment in trade patterns, advanced cultural distance measurement, and outward investment determinants from Latin American firms. These studies consistently employ rigorous quantitative methodologies across multiple Latin American contexts, demonstrating methodological sophistication while maintaining regional specificity. Key accolades include: Best PhD Dissertation Paper award at the 16th SGBED conference (2019) Nomination for AIB-Lat 2018 best papers Nomination for Best Student Reviewer at the AIB-SE conference (2015) Full International MBA Scholarship from Bunge Alimentos (2007/2008) Best Business Plan award by OSRAM Sylvania (2008) Dr. Correa da Cunha teaches core courses including GMS 200 (Introduction to Global Management) and GMS 693 (The Latin American and Caribbean Business Environment). His industry experience in multinational firms prior to academia informs practical classroom applications. While specific grant details aren't provided, his sustained publication output in top journals indicates active research funding and supervision of graduate students, as evidenced by his dissertation award recognition. Though no dedicated research lab is mentioned, his extensive international co-authorship network—spanning Brazilian, Swedish, and other Latin American institutions—demonstrates robust collaborative research infrastructure focused on emerging market dynamics.
Professor Walter Blancke is a faculty member at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, specifically within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering where he heads the Department of General Business Administration, Finance and Accounting. Despite the unusual placement of business administration within an engineering faculty, this reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Industrial Engineering programs that integrate technical and business knowledge. His research focuses on practical business applications including Marketing for SMEs, Business Start-up processes, Controlling in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Evolutionary Theory in Business Administration, and Turnaround Management. Professor Blancke has published extensively from 1994 to 2018 on topics ranging from strategic marketing to financial accounting and business restructuring. His publication record shows a consistent focus on practical business applications, with recent works emphasizing financial reporting, cost accounting, strategic marketing, and business restructuring. The publications demonstrate both theoretical depth and practical relevance to business management. Professor Blancke holds significant administrative responsibilities as: Chairman of multiple examination boards Member of the University Senate Member of the Faculty Council for Industrial Engineering He also maintains strong industry connections through his advisory board positions with regional business development organizations, bridging academic knowledge with practical business applications. His teaching portfolio spans core business administration subjects across both degree programs and continuing education courses.
