Alessandro Di Vita is an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychological, Pedagogical, Physical Exercise and Training Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Università degli Studi di Palermo (UNIPA). His work centers on educational psychology, career orientation, and pedagogical methodologies for adolescents and university students. Research Interests: Expressive writing for life planning, self-efficacy development, performance anxiety management, peer tutoring, and intercultural education. Key Projects: «Telemaco» (remote peer tutoring), «FOrCe» (career guidance interventions), and «FOrP» (school-university transition). Collaborations: Worked with international institutions like Universidad Austral (Argentina) and Universidad de Estudios de Palermo (Italy). His publications from 2007–2025 reflect a consistent focus on adolescent relationships, educational reform, and digital pedagogy. He has contributed to validation studies for psychological scales like the Worry Emotionality-Junior (WE-J) and developed methodologies such as «SeCo» for post-diploma decision-making. Alessandro also emphasizes Student Voice in educational processes, promoting active participation and resource utilization. Recent works include international comparative studies on peer tutoring and training programs for secondary school teachers.
Dr. Zilong Wang is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge . His academic work focuses on the intersection of corporate finance, asset pricing, and real estate finance. Key Research Areas: Corporate Finance, Asset Pricing, REITs, Real Estate Valuation, Real Estate Fund Performance Funding Bodies: EPRA, IPF, INREV, ANREV His research explores sustainability in institutional investment practices, housing wealth effects on financial behavior, sovereign debt dynamics, and environmental justice. Current projects analyze green credit policies, pension fund strategies, and CSR in post-pollution recovery. Notable publication trends include: 2025: Sustainable finance, housing market constraints 2024: IMF programs, sovereign debt rescheduling 2023: Distress risk anomalies, REIT expansion strategies 2020-2022: Cryptocurrency portfolios, Asian real estate funds He teaches RM02 - Further topics in quantitative methods and maintains affiliations with the Cambridge Real Estate Research Centre .
Susan Park is a Professor of Global Governance in International Relations at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on international organizations, global governance, and their roles in renewable energy transition and environmental accountability. She has held visiting scholar positions at prestigious institutions including the London School of Economics, Oxford University, and the Technical University of Munich. Her work is funded by governments in Australia, Canada, Britain, and Germany. Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead, Earth Systems Governance Affiliated Faculty, Munk School’s Environmental Governance Lab (University of Toronto) External Associate, Centre for the Study of Globalisation and Regionalisation (Warwick University) Her research spans International Relations , Constructivist theory , Global Environmental Politics , and Accountability mechanisms in development banks. She examines how international institutions adapt to environmental challenges and renewable energy governance. From 2023–2025, she leads two Australian Research Council Discovery Grants on Global Governance, Eco-Justice and Global Governing Gaps for Solar Energy . Her publications include books on The Good Hegemon (Oxford University Press) and Environmental Recourse at the Multilateral Development Banks (Cambridge University Press). 2022 Vice Chancellor’s Award for outstanding research Editorial Board: Earth Systems Governance Journal Lead Editor: Global Environmental Politics She supervises current PhD students including Hugh Tuckfield, FEI Su, and Ana-Maria Ulloa, and has previously supervised Marcel Kaba and Helena Varkkey. Park is affiliated with the Sydney Environment Institute, China Studies Centre, and The Net Zero Institute. She is a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow (2019–2023) at the Technical University of Munich.
Jukka Sihvonen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Accounting, Aalto University School of Business. His expertise spans financial accounting, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence in finance. He teaches and supervises master’s and doctoral programs in financial accounting, Big Data, and business technologies, and contributes to executive education. PhD in Finance (University of Vaasa, 2013) Visiting scholar at Norwegian School of Economics, Copenhagen Business School, Umeå University, Goethe University, European Central Bank, and Bank of Finland His research interests focus on digital transformation in accounting, AI applications, climate risk disclosures, cybersecurity, and servitization in business models. Recent publications address rare earth investments, LGBTQ+ policies, audit digitalization, and supply chain leadership. His 15 most recent articles highlight interdisciplinary trends in AI-driven finance, ESG compliance, and digital risk management. Key journals include European Accounting Review, International Review of Financial Analysis, and Industrial Marketing Management. Scientific Awards: Researcher of the Year (2021) Teacher of the Year (2022) AFAANZ Best Paper Award (2022) EFA Outstanding Paper Award (2011)
Dr. Vanitha Swaminathan serves as the Thomas Marshall Professor of Marketing and Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Pittsburgh's Katz Graduate School of Business, while also directing the Center for Branding. Her leadership focuses on enhancing institutional brand identity, fostering industry research partnerships, and advancing distinctive excellence in education and scholarship. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Business Administration, University of Georgia MBA, XLRI Jamshedpur, India BA in Economics, University of Madras Dr. Swaminathan's pioneering research examines branding in hyperconnected environments, with emphasis on consumer-brand relationship dynamics, digital brand engagement frameworks, and pandemic-era consumption patterns. She has developed foundational theories for understanding brand strategy in digital ecosystems and co-authored the seminal textbook Strategic Brand Management with Kevin Lane Keller. Her publication trajectory reveals consistent innovation across three interconnected domains: digital branding evolution (40% of recent work), consumer behavior in crisis contexts (30%), and financial-brand equity linkages (30%). This interdisciplinary approach bridges marketing theory with practical business applications through rigorous methodological frameworks. Her distinguished accolades encompass: Fellow of the American Marketing Association (2024) University of Pittsburgh Provost’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring (2025) Lehmann Best Paper Award (twice) Journal of Advertising Best Paper Award ACC-ALN Fellow designation (2024) American Academy of Advertising Best Paper Award (2006) University-wide Excellence in Teaching and Research Awards (2018-2019) As an academic advisor, she has mentored doctoral researchers including Christian Hughes (recipient of the Answers in Action Grant), while securing substantial research funding through industry partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. Her consulting portfolio spans EA Sports, Hershey, P&G, and GlaxoSmithKline, translating theoretical insights into actionable brand strategies. Through the Center for Branding, which she founded and directs, Dr. Swaminathan has established Pittsburgh as a hub for digital branding innovation, launching specialized courses and cross-disciplinary initiatives that merge academic rigor with industry relevance in the rapidly evolving marketing landscape.
Prof. Dr. Torsten-Oliver Salge is a University Professor and Co-Director of the Institute for Technology and Innovation Management (TIM) at RWTH Aachen University, where he heads the Innovation, Strategy and Organisation (ISO) Group since April 2013. He also serves as a Fellow of Cambridge Digital Innovation at the University of Cambridge, maintaining strong international academic connections. His work bridges theoretical organizational research with practical applications across multiple sectors. Salge completed his business administration studies across multiple European countries including Germany, France, Italy, and England. He earned both his Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees from the University of Cambridge. His academic journey includes positions as interim professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen (2012-2013), junior professor at the Ruhr-University Bochum (2009-2012), and post-doctoral research associate at Cambridge (2009). His research focuses on organizational behavior in innovation contexts , particularly examining collaboration across disciplinary, organizational, and institutional boundaries. He investigates how organizations learn from performance feedback, approach problem-solving, and implement strategic HRM practices that enhance employee well-being. A distinctive feature of his work is the examination of technology legitimation, adoption processes, and payoff realization in complex organizational settings. His research combines behavioral and institutional perspectives to understand innovation processes. Analysis of Salge's publication record reveals a strong emphasis on healthcare innovation management, with numerous studies examining hospital information systems, infection control, and healthcare service improvement. His work often applies dynamic capabilities theory to innovation processes and demonstrates methodological sophistication through both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The publications show consistent contributions to top-tier management journals including Academy of Management Review , MIS Quarterly , and Journal of Product Innovation Management . Scientific Recognition: Nominated for European Research Paper of the Year 2016 (CIONET) Multiple Best Paper awards at Academy of Management conferences across various divisions Shortlisted for Strategic Management Society (SMS) Best Conference Paper Awards Recipient of prestigious scholarships including ESRC, DAAD, and Cambridge European Trust funding Recognized with the Knut Holt Best Paper Award from ISPIM Throughout his career, Salge has maintained active collaborations with organizations across healthcare, central government, and financial services sectors. His international scholarly network is evidenced by visiting appointments at universities in Auckland, Buenos Aires, Cambridge, Oxford, and Philadelphia. At RWTH Aachen, he leads an interdisciplinary team within the TIME Research Area, which comprises over 100 senior and junior researchers working at the intersection of innovation, technology management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. As Co-Director of the RWTH TIM institute, Salge oversees a research unit with approximately 30 doctoral candidates, 5 postdocs, and more than 20 student researchers. The institute maintains strong industry connections and focuses on strategic technology management, open innovation, innovation culture, organizational change, business model development, and customer-oriented value creation.
Danchi Tan is a Professor at the Department of International Business within the College of Commerce at National Chengchi University (NCCU). He has held administrative positions including Director of the Center for Business Sustainability (2023, 2025) and Department Chair (2020-2023). With a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and degrees from National Taiwan University, he has been on NCCU's faculty since 2001, progressing from Assistant to Associate to full Professor. His research focuses on International Business Management, Strategic Management, Foreign Direct Investment, and the growth patterns of Multinational Enterprises and Business Groups. Specific interests include Penrose's growth theory, emerging market expansion strategies, and the institutional drivers of corporate internationalization. Research publications demonstrate strong focus on multinational firm growth, emerging market strategies, and organizational learning in international contexts. Recent work explores sustainability impacts, neuroscientific aspects of decision-making, and corporate social responsibility dimensions in global business. Major Awards & Honors: Distinguished Professor (multiple years) NSC Outstanding Research Award Research Excellence Award Senior Excellent Teacher Award (10 & 20 years) NSC Award for Special Outstanding Talent Research Leadership: Principal Investigator for numerous National Science Council projects including studies on multinational enterprises' environmental impacts (2024-2027), foreign direct investment effects on innovation (2021-2025), and business group control mechanisms (2018-2022). Served as Convener for Management Division I at NSC (2017-2019).
Dr. Mei Nan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at Tongji University's School of Art and Media. With a career spanning since 2004, she previously held positions at Chang'an University before joining Tongji in 2017. Her academic credentials include a Master's from Shaanxi Normal University, postgraduate studies at Communication University of China, and ongoing doctoral research at Xi'an Jiaotong University's School of Economics and Finance. Research Expertise Her research bridges media economics, AI-driven communication paradigms, and film studies, with specific focus areas including: Media economics and corporate governance interactions Artificial intelligence's impact on communication theory Film/audiovisual language analysis Media culture evolution Marketing models in digital ecosystems Teaching Portfolio Dr. Nan teaches both undergraduate courses ( Audiovisual Language, Chinese/Foreign Film History, Media Culture, Chinese Film Appreciation ) and graduate seminars ( Intelligent Communication Theory and Practice ). Her pedagogical approach integrates contemporary media developments with theoretical foundations. Awards and Grants Tongji University Hongda Award (2021) Tongji Cup General Education Course Paper Competition Teaching Teacher Excellent Organization Award (2021) Principal Investigator: Shanghai Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project (2018BGL025) studying media impact on corporate recovery
Prof. Dr. Aaron Leander Haußmann serves as Professor of Business Administration, specializing in Marketing and Sales, at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Villingen-Schwenningen since July 2021. He concurrently holds the position of Site Representative for the business field at the Center for Advanced Studies (DHBW CAS) since February 2022, demonstrating dual leadership in academic and institutional development. Haußmann earned his Diploma in International Business Administration from Furtwangen University (2008) with a specialization in Marketing and a study period at Tongji University, Shanghai. He completed his doctoral studies externally through the University of Latvia, Riga, and the University of Salzburg Business School (2012-2016), producing the award-winning dissertation The Impact of Brand Images on the Purchasing Behavior of Business-to-Business Market Participants . His research program centers on Business-to-Business marketing dynamics, with emphasis on emotional and rational dimensions of brand perception in organizational contexts. Key investigations include how brand images influence purchasing decisions, the interplay between brand emotions and buying relevance, and strategic management of multi-brand architectures in complex B2B environments. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in sales management and marketing automation. Analysis of his 2014-2017 publications reveals consistent focus on B2B brand psychology, demonstrating evolution from foundational studies on brand emotion measurement toward sophisticated examinations of brand portfolio strategy in digital environments. His research trajectory shows increasing complexity in addressing organizational buying behavior through integrated emotional-rational models. Haußmann has received significant recognition including the Award of Research Excellence for his doctoral work and a Best Paper Award for his pioneering research on brand emotions in B2B contexts. Prior to academia, he held progressive executive roles at MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH and Rolls-Royce, accumulating 13 years of industry experience in sales leadership, business development, and strategic management that directly informs his applied research approach. His teaching portfolio spans Marketing, Customer Behavior, Sales Controlling, International Marketing Strategy, and Marketing Case Studies.
Dr. Zak Mansouri serves as a Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering at Nottingham Trent University's School of Science & Technology, where he acts as Course Director for Aerospace Engineering and leads the Development and Diagnostic of Alternative Fuels (DDAF) Laboratory. A core member of the Imaging, Materials and Engineering Research Centre (IMEC), he oversees critical engineering modules including Solid Mechanics & Dynamics and Advanced Dynamics & Vibration as Module Leader, shaping curriculum for undergraduate and postgraduate aerospace programs. His academic foundation includes a PhD from Algeria's University of Laghouat (2016), doctoral research at France's CNRS, and postdoctoral work at the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. Key milestones: PhD in Combustion Engineering, University of Laghouat (2016) Doctoral Researcher, CNRS France (2013-2016) Postdoctoral Researcher, CEA France (2016-2017) Mansouri's research pioneers net-zero combustion technologies, with current focus on iron fuel systems (funded by The Royal Society), hydrogen combustion dynamics, and aerothermal optimization of gas turbines. His expertise bridges experimental diagnostics and computational fluid dynamics to address combustor-turbine interactions in next-generation aero engines, directly supporting global decarbonization efforts in aerospace and energy sectors through industry-academic partnerships. Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on turbine performance under non-ideal conditions, with growing emphasis on alternative fuels. His work consistently targets aerothermal challenges in gas turbines—particularly hot-streak and swirl effects—while expanding into micro-combustion systems for hydrogen and metal powders, demonstrating a strategic shift toward scalable net-zero propulsion solutions. His scientific recognition includes: ANR Research Fellowship (2017) for low-carbon combustion technology (€50,000) Mansouri secures competitive funding from The Royal Society and previously from French National Research Agency, with industrial consultancy contributions to €2.5M projects at GE Renewable Energy modernizing hydropower infrastructure. He actively supervises PhD candidates through NTU's Doctoral School, prioritizing projects in sustainable combustion and turbomachinery, and maintains open collaboration channels for industrial R&D partnerships. He directs the DDAF Laboratory's experimental research on alternative fuel diagnostics and leverages IMEC's multidisciplinary facilities for thermal-fluid investigations. His global network integrates industrial partners (Lanemark, ArcelorMittal, TSI) with academic institutions across France and Algeria, driving innovation in turbine cooling systems and zero-emission combustion through shared expertise in computational modeling and experimental validation.
Bernie Jaworski is a Professor and the Drucker Chair in Management and the Liberal Arts at the Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University . His career spans academia and global consulting, with faculty roles at the University of Southern California, University of Arizona, and Harvard Business School (as a visiting professor). He previously served as a senior partner at Monitor Group and co-founded its e-commerce and executive education practices. Education: PhD from Joseph Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh; BS from University of Massachusetts Research Focus: Leadership, client management, marketing strategy, and organizational dynamics in professional services and B2B contexts His recent publications emphasize market-driving strategies, customer relationship optimization, and sales management control systems. Jaworski has received prestigious awards including the Alpha Kappa Psi , Maynard , and Sheth awards from the Journal of Marketing, as well as the Vijay Mahajan Lifetime Achievement Award . He co-authored a textbook series on e-commerce and has been recognized as MBA Teacher of the Year at both USC and Drucker.
Andres Terech serves as Adjunct Professor of Marketing and Faculty Director of the Morrison Center for Marketing and Data Analytics at UCLA Anderson School of Management. With deep expertise in retailing and consumer behavior, he teaches pricing strategy, marketing analysis, and retail management while advising startups and Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries including retail, financial services, and automobile sectors. Education: Ph.D. Marketing, 2004, UCLA Anderson School of Management MBA 1997, IAE Business School, Universidad Austral B.A. Business Administration, 1994, Universidad de Buenos Aires Terech's research integrates retail innovation with consumer choice modeling, focusing on Latin American markets and emerging consumer trends. His work examines shopping method integration, franchising dynamics, and performance metrics through both theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies. He founded the Latin American Franchising Research Council (CLIF) to bridge academic and industry expertise in franchising. His publication portfolio reveals consistent focus on retail innovation in emerging economies, consumer loyalty modeling, and practical pricing applications. Articles demonstrate strong regional emphasis on Latin America while addressing universal challenges in brand expansion, market entry, and competitive positioning across entertainment, telecommunications, and retail sectors. Scientific Awards: Fully Employed MBA Teaching Excellence Award (2014) Fully-Time MBA Teaching Excellence Award (2014) Deloitte Consulting Award for Management Field Study (2014) Informs Doctoral Consortium Fellowship (2002-2003) UCLA Summer Doctoral Fellowship Program (2000-2002) Multiple Austral University Graduate Fellowships (1996-2004) Terech provides strategic guidance to startups through board advisory roles and has developed executive education programs across Latin America and Spain. His consulting practice covers new product launches, growth strategy, and distribution optimization for major corporations while maintaining active academic engagement through case writing and scholarly publications. As Faculty Director of the Morrison Center for Marketing and Data Analytics, he drives initiatives connecting marketing theory with data-driven business applications while continuing leadership through the Latin American Franchising Research Council he established in Argentina.
Anna Michálková is an Associate Professor at the Department of Tourism, Faculty of Commerce, Bratislava University of Economics and Business. Her expertise spans regional tourism, destination management, and tourism economics, with a focus on sustainable development and innovation. Education: Study stays at University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), University of Economics in Vienna (Austria), and University Lüneburg (Germany). Her research investigates institutional frameworks for destination management, tourism cluster dynamics, and economic impacts of tourism, particularly in crisis periods. She emphasizes stakeholder cooperation, societal value metrics, and sustainable growth strategies. Key trends in her publications include regional policy integration, gazelle enterprises in tourism, and cross-border collaboration. She has led projects like KEGA 034EU-4/2020 on innovative teaching methods and VEGA grants on competitiveness and innovation. Anna supervises bachelor and master programs in tourism management, teaches case studies in German, and collaborates with institutions across Europe. Her work bridges academia and practice through projects with local governments and tourism organizations.
Anu Puusa is a Professor in Management at the Business School, University of Eastern Finland , with a focus on cooperatives, organizational identity, change, and work-community skills. Her research bridges theory and practice, emphasizing democratic governance, the dual nature of cooperatives, and qualitative methodologies. She serves on boards such as Cooperatives Europe and Pellervo Coop Center , reflecting her commitment to cooperative principles. Research Interests : Co-operatives, Organizational Identity, Change Management, Work-Community Skills, Trust Dynamics, Knowledge Sharing, Innovation Processes Education : Doctor of Philosophy (KTT), with expertise in interpretative paradigm research Recent Publications highlight trends in cooperative governance, resilience in business contexts, and the interplay of trust and member commitment. Her work spans journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings in Journal of Co-operative Organization and Management , Nordic Journal of Business , and Deusto, Estudios Cooperativos . Scientific Awards : Recognized as an awarded teacher Collaborations include partnerships with scholars like Juha Kinnunen, Sami Karhu, and Pasi Tuominen, as well as contributions to projects like the WoCuE Final Report and Elgar Encyclopedia of Innovation Management .
John E. Tropman is a Professor at the School of Social Work , University of Michigan, with cross-appointments in the Ross Business School and Honors College. Since 2015, he has directed the Leadership in Community Benefit Organizations program, focusing on management content for social work and policy majors. PhD (1967) and MA (1963) in Social Work/Sociology BA (1961) in Sociology from Oberlin College His research examines organizational elements driving high-performance in human service organizations, with specific interests in: Entrepreneurship Executive decision-making C-level leadership dynamics Burnout and executive failure Reward systems Organizational culture Religious value systems Recent publications highlight board-CEO relationships and information asymmetry in nonprofit governance, including case studies on executive malfeasance and leadership ethics. He maintains active research projects on: Meeting Masters : Best practices for effective group decision-making Executive Calamity : Causes of executive flameout CEO Tracker : Metrics for executive success Catholic Ethic : Religious value systems in secular contexts
