George Onofrei is Professor and Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at Atlantic Technological University, where he chairs the Business Research Innovation Network Group (BRING) and contributes to the Design, Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Academy (DICE). His research targets sustainable operations with emphasis on circular economy transitions. Core research domains include: Sustainable supply chain innovation and circular business models Operational resilience during disruptions Data analytics for supply chain optimization Socioeconomic dimensions of industrial sustainability Publications demonstrate extensive cross-sector applications including agribusiness, manufacturing, and retail, with consistent focus on the triple bottom line. Recent work examines how environmental certifications and customer pressures drive process innovations in global supply chains.
Tomás Dwyer is a Senior Lecturer at the Wexford Campus of South East Technological University (SETU), contributing to marketing and management education. He actively participates in institutional governance through roles on Academic Council and the Research Ethics Committee, while also leading module development and programmatic reviews. His professional memberships include the Educational Studies Association of Ireland and the Irish Academy of Management. Education: Bachelor of Business Studies (Marketing) from Institute of Technology Tralee Master of Business Studies (by Research) from Waterford Institute of Technology Doctorate in Education (EdD) from Trinity College Dublin Tomás’s research focuses on regional SMEs with emphasis on food systems as destination attractions, microbusiness capabilities in social media and strategy-making, and broker influence in rural communities. Key themes include market orientation of Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), sustainable food consumption, and organizational culture dynamics. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and environmental sustainability. He has published 43 research outputs since 2012, with recent contributions examining HEI market strategies and food tourism. While no scientific awards are listed, his peer-reviewed work demonstrates significant academic activity, including conference presentations and journal reviews. Tomás supervises undergraduate and postgraduate students, acts as an external examiner, and engages in continuous academic development through institutional reviews. Advising and grants: Tomás mentors advisees across academic levels and has contributed to programmatic reviews. No specific grants are mentioned in the provided information. Labs/Teams: No specific research teams or laboratories are detailed in the text.
Darrin Taylor is a Lecturer in Management at South East Technological University (SETU), School of Business, within the Department of Management and Organisation RIKON. He serves as Joint Programme Director of SETU’s Lean Enterprise and Operational Excellence programs and co-leads the Academy of Lean Enterprise Excellence in the RIKON Research Centre. His teaching focuses on Lean methodologies across executive programs like the Master of Business Studies in Lean Enterprise Excellence and the Executive MBA. Taylor’s research emphasizes the socio-technical dimensions of Lean systems, with contributions to conferences, case studies (including Enterprise Ireland and Lean Construction Ireland), and publishing globally innovative works like the LCi Annual Book of Cases and standardized Lean Construction course portfolios. Before academia, Taylor spent over a decade in private-sector operations and consultancy. He collaborates extensively with public and private sectors across healthcare, manufacturing, and construction. He chairs Lean Business Ireland (LBI), co-chairs the South East Lean Network, and previously advised Lean Construction Ireland (LCi) in roles such as Board Special Advisor and Capability Development Lead. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education and innovation. Key awards include the 2012 Enhancement of the Student Experience Award and 2004 Postgraduate Business Student of the Year. Taylor supervises postgraduate research on Lean in diverse organizational contexts and advocates for industry-academia collaboration through networks like LBI and LCi. Publications span peer-reviewed journals (e.g., International Journal of Lean Six Sigma) and sector-specific case books, reflecting his focus on practical Lean implementation and socio-technical challenges. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, emphasizing cultural and human factors alongside technical processes.
Prof. Felicity Kelliher is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Business, SETU and Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Shanghai University. She specializes in action research and longitudinal interpretive methods, focusing on management capability development in SMEs, particularly in rural contexts. As Co-chair of the RIKON research group, she has secured over €10M in research funding since 2007, leading projects like the G-RISE initiative exploring gendered rural innovation systems. Her academic roles include visiting professorships at institutions such as the University of Missouri and Grand École (France), and she has developed pioneering programs like the DBA and Change Management MBS at SETU. Education: PhD, Queen's University Belfast (2006) Executive MBA (Hons), Smurfit Graduate Business School (1999) Prince 2 Project Management Accreditation (1999) Bachelor of Business Accounting (2.1 Hons), 1993 Research Interests: Prof. Kelliher’s work centers on SME innovation, rural economic development, leadership dynamics, and the intersection of entrepreneurship with sustainable development goals. Her research often involves collaboration with industry, government, and academic partners globally. Awards: British Academy of Management Companion Award (2019) IFSAM Outstanding Service Award (2022) Prix de la Délégation générale du Québec à Londres (2021-2022) Advising & Grants: She has guided over 60+ MBA/MSB action research projects and led projects such as the €10M RIKON portfolio. Current grants include the G-RISE study (2024-2028) and Comhar Comaraigh rural regeneration initiative. Labs/Teams: Co-founder and Chair of RIKON, a leading group in innovation systems research with over 1,600 industry partnerships.
Dr. Leana Reinl is a Lecturer in Management at the Business School of South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland. She serves as the Academy lead for Management Practice & Business Development within the BRIM research centre (RIKON) and is the Work Package Lead (WP3) for the Horizon-2020 funded GRASS CEILING project (2022-2025). Her research focuses on micro-firm learning, innovation capability development, and knowledge exchange in rural tourism and small business ecosystems. Education: PhD in Management (2009–2012): Focused on learning networks in Irish tourism micro-firms Masters by Research (2007–2009): Analyzed learning relationships in small business networks Bachelor of Business (Honors) (2002–2006) Research Interests: Leana specializes in social learning environments, including Communities of Practice and Living Labs, particularly in rural contexts. She investigates how small firms develop competitive advantages through collaborative knowledge-sharing and network engagement. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications, such as designing intellectual development programs for SMEs. Key Projects: GRASS CEILING (2022–2025): Promotes gender equality in rural innovation systems using Living Lab methodologies G-RISE (2024–2028): Explores gendered rural innovation systems evolution BRIM Research Centre: Focuses on business development and management practice innovations Scientific Contributions: Her work has been published in top-tier journals like Tourism Management and Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation . She has co-edited books and contributed to international projects addressing sustainable tourism and SME competitiveness. Awards: Holder of the IRC Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research Fellowship (2014–2018), totaling €274.5k in funding.
Dr. Ingrid Hunt serves as Associate Professor at the University of Limerick's School of Engineering with over 20 years of expertise in supply chain management, eBusiness, and industry-focused educational design. She maintains active collaborations with global industry leaders including Intel, Dell, and Infineon, and her nationally recognized supply chain apprenticeship programs have established her as a thought leader in talent pipeline development. Education PhD, College of Engineering & Informatics, University of Galway (2003) Masters, Manufacturing Management, University of Ulster (1995) Bachelor, Quality Assurance, Atlantic Technological University Sligo (1994) Higher Diploma, Electronics, Atlantic Technological University (1992) Certificate, Electronics, Atlantic Technological University Sligo (1990) Her research centers on Supply Chain Management , eBusiness innovation , and educational program development for SMEs and industry professionals. She specializes in curriculum design that bridges academic theory with real-world applications, particularly through her work on national supply chain apprenticeships and flexible learning frameworks. Her contributions align with UN Sustainable Development Goals in education and industry innovation, emphasizing practical outcomes for career advancement and organizational growth. Publication trends reveal consistent focus on supply chain optimization since 2001, with recent work (2022-2025) concentrating on post-pandemic online learning experiences, human factors in industrial maintenance, and next-generation apprenticeship models. Earlier research (2004-2013) established foundational work in SME development, virtual enterprises, and agri-food supply chains, demonstrating her evolving expertise from technical implementation to strategic educational frameworks. Dr. Hunt currently accepts PhD students and has secured Irish and EU funding for multiple projects, including national supply chain management apprenticeship programs. Her industry partnerships with major technology firms drive curriculum development that directly addresses workforce needs, creating tangible career pathways for graduates. As External Examiner for Technological University of the Shannon, she extends her influence across Ireland's higher education landscape while maintaining active research through 2025 publications.
Professor Denis Harrington is the Head of Graduate Business at South East Technological University (Ireland), leading the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) and postgraduate programs. He holds visiting professorships at Shanghai University (China), NEOMA Business School (France), and St Petersburg State University (Russia). His expertise spans leadership, strategic management, innovation, and cross-cultural executive education. He has served as an EU Technical Expert and evaluator for the INNOSUP Workplace Innovation Programme. Education: PhD in Management (London South Bank University, 1997) MBA (University of Hull, 1993) Bachelor of Commerce (University College Cork, 1991) Research Focus: His work addresses strategic management in uncertain environments, leadership development, innovation in tourism and healthcare, and executive education. He emphasizes practical, industry-relevant research aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Awards: Chinese Government High End Foreign Expert Award (2018) Emerald Literati Prize (2013) Advising & Grants: Oversees the CEO and Executive in Residence program at SETU, integrating senior business insights into academic programs. He has led EU-funded projects and collaborates with institutions globally, including Boston University and Shanghai University. Labs/Teams: Associated with the Centre for Newfoundland and Labrador Studies and RIKON Group, focusing on innovation and knowledge management in SMEs and tourism sectors.
Dr. Farhad Ahmed is an Assistant Professor of International Business and Programme Director for the MSc International Business at Maynooth University's School of Business. He holds a PhD in International Business from Trinity College Dublin. His research focuses on the intersection of Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and International Business, particularly examining institutional and entrepreneurial factors influencing firms' early internationalization from emerging markets. Before joining Maynooth University, he served as an Assistant Professor at Brunel University London and Monash University, and held postdoctoral fellowships at Dublin City University and Swansea University. Dr. Ahmed is actively engaged in global research, presenting at conferences across multiple countries. His work has been recognized with awards including the Best Paper Award in International Business (2022), Emerald Literati Award (2020), and Fellowship of the Commercial Education Society of Australia (FCES). His research explores themes such as family business succession intentions, gender inequality impacts, social innovation in emerging markets, and entrepreneurial orientation. He has published in top-tier journals like International Business Review, Management International Review, and Journal of Business Research. Beyond academia, he serves as a guest editor, journal reviewer, invited speaker, and PhD examiner at institutions worldwide. Education: PhD in International Business, Trinity College Dublin Previous Roles: Assistant Professorships at Brunel University London and Monash University; Postdoctoral Fellowships at DCU and Swansea University Key Contributions: Over 15 peer-reviewed articles, guest editing for ABS-ranked journals, and international conference engagements Dr. Ahmed’s work bridges theoretical insights with practical implications for international business strategies, entrepreneurship in emerging markets, and institutional frameworks supporting global firm growth.
