Thomas Gunther is a Professor of Managerial Accounting and Control at the Department of Economics, Technical University of Dresden. His research focuses on business accounting, controlling of non-profit organisations, value-based management, and the evaluation of intangible resources. University: Technical University of Dresden Department: Department of Economics Academic Rank: Professor Gunther's work explores performance measurement systems, brand valuation, and time-oriented cost accounting, with empirical studies across German companies and the public education sector. He has led research groups on value-oriented leadership in SMEs and intangible assets in accounting. As a consultant, he works with medium-sized businesses and public institutions on implementing controlling systems, including AOK Saxony, Dresden Transport Company, and the Saxon State Ministry of Education. He serves as Managing Editor for the Journal of Management Control (JoMaC) and is a founding member of PRISMA (Centre for Sustainability Assessment and Policy) at TU Dresden.
Karin Kreutzer is Professor of Social Business at EBS Business School, EBS University of Business and Law, holding the Chair of Social Business while serving as Head of the Impact Institute and Vice Dean of Research. Her academic leadership bridges theoretical rigor with practical social impact through extensive engagement with social enterprises and nonprofit organizations. Her educational foundation includes a doctorate from the University of St. Gallen complemented by studies at Bocconi University, Universities of Passau and Parma, and a visiting scholar position at ESADE Business School in Barcelona. This diverse academic background informs her interdisciplinary approach to social business research. Professor Kreutzer's research program centers on social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, strategic NGO-corporate partnerships, and nonprofit strategic management, employing qualitative methodologies to dissect organizational identity dynamics and hybrid institutional logics. Her work reveals how social enterprises navigate inherent tensions between social missions and business sustainability, particularly during scaling phases and organizational transitions. Analysis of her 2021-2024 publications shows evolving focus on age-diverse volunteer teamwork, discursive construction of social entrepreneurship in pitch contexts, and career transitions of corporate managers entering nonprofit sectors. These studies consistently appear in premier outlets like Academy of Management Journal , Journal of Management Studies , and Journal of Business Ethics , demonstrating methodological sophistication and theoretical contribution. She actively translates research into practice through board memberships in social enterprises and advisory roles for nonprofits and public sector entities. Her teaching spans bachelor's, master's, MBA, and PhD programs covering business administration, CSR, social entrepreneurship, and qualitative research methods. As Head of the Impact Institute, she directs a research hub fostering social innovation through academic-practitioner collaboration, with current projects examining organizational responses to human rights challenges during conflicts and sustainability managers' moral engagement.
Mahsa Ghasemi is an Assistant Professor in the Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, leading the AKADEMI Group. Her research focuses on theoretical advancements in trustworthy sequential decision-making for autonomous systems, emphasizing human-aware collaboration and adaptation to dynamic environments. She is affiliated with the Institute for Control, Optimization and Networks (ICON). Education: PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin (2021), MSE in Mechanical Engineering (2017), and BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology (2014). Research Interests: Reinforcement learning, control theory, active perception, multi-agent systems, robotics, and online learning. Applications span disaster response, healthcare, and autonomous systems design. Key methodological directions include compositional learning, human-AI collaboration, and adaptive decision-making under uncertainty. Teaching: Courses include Reinforcement Learning Theory (ECE 59500), Introduction to Reinforcement Learning (ECE 49595), and Python for Data Science (ECE 20875). Awards: Finalist for Student Best Paper Award at the 2018 American Control Conference (ACC). Students: Current advisees include Maheed H. Ahmed, Jayanth Bhargav, and Somtochukwu Oguchienti. Past members include Lai Wei and Juan Sebastian Mateo Ruiz Bulla. Service: Editorial roles at ICRA, ICCPS, and IFAC workshops. Reviewer for top conferences (NeurIPS, ICML) and journals (Automatica, IEEE TAC). Labs/Teams: Leads the AKADEMI Group, focusing on algorithmic and theoretical research in autonomous decision-making systems.
Arpan Gujarati is a Sessional Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Systopia Lab. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses such as CPSC 538G (Distributed Systems), CPSC 416 (Operating Systems), and CPEN 432 (Real-Time System Design). He holds a PhD from the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems and TU Kaiserslautern, where he was supervised by Björn B. Brandenburg. PhD: Max Planck Institute for Software Systems & TU Kaiserslautern (2020) Undergraduate: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani) Postdoctoral Researcher: MPI-SWS Research Associate: UBC Software Development Engineer: Citrix R&D, India His research focuses on real-time and distributed systems, with applications in cyber-physical systems, fault tolerance, and machine learning reliability. He investigates scheduling algorithms, reliability analysis, and the integration of learning-enabled components into safety-critical systems. His work combines theoretical analysis with practical system implementations, often involving real-world testbeds and open-source tools. His recent publications span top-tier venues including RTSS, OSDI, ECRTS, DSN, and Middleware, with a strong emphasis on performance predictability, resilience of ML systems, and real-time communication. His work frequently addresses challenges in timing guarantees, fault tolerance, and system reliability in both cloud and embedded environments. SIGBED Paul Caspi Memorial Dissertation Award Best Paper Award at RTSS 2022 Distinguished Artifact Award at OSDI 2020 Best Student Paper Award at Middleware 2017 Outstanding Paper Award at RTCSA 2025 He advises several PhD students and undergraduate researchers at UBC, including Heng Zhao, Aida Aminian, Zainab Saeed Wattoo, and Philip Schowitz. He has led multiple research projects involving robotic arms, NVIDIA Holoscan, FreeRTOS, and distributed key-value stores. His lab work emphasizes reproducibility, open datasets, and practical system building. He has served on program committees for RTSS, RTAS, ECRTS, and Middleware, and contributes to journals such as Real-Time Systems and JSys.
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.
Prof. Dr. Haris Gačanin is a faculty member at RWTH Aachen University, affiliated with the Institute for Distributed Signal Processing under the College of Electrical Engineering. His research focuses on integrating machine learning with wireless communication systems, particularly in industrial IoT, edge computing, and network optimization. Current academic rank: Professor Contact: harisg@dsp.rwth-aachen.de Research Interests: Wireless systems, machine learning, signal processing, and network optimization. Key contributions include: Adaptive resource allocation in IIoT and vehicular networks AI-driven channel estimation and feedback mechanisms Security-oriented emitter identification via metric learning Federated/transfer learning for edge environments Hardware-efficient deep learning models for mmWave and THz communications Methodological Focus: Combines reinforcement learning, attention mechanisms, and robust neural architectures with practical implementations on FPGA and vehicular systems.
Heiko Gewald is a Professor in the Department of Information Systems at Technical University of Munich's School of Management, with a distinguished research career spanning over two decades. His scholarly work demonstrates deep expertise in information systems, particularly focusing on technology adoption by aging populations, healthcare information systems, and smart mobility services. Dr. Gewald's research interests center on the intersection of technology and human behavior, with special emphasis on older adults' adoption of digital health applications , smart mobility ecosystems , and DevOps implementation . His work consistently addresses the challenges of designing technology that accommodates diverse user needs, particularly for vulnerable populations. Through extensive field research, he has developed frameworks for understanding technology acceptance barriers among seniors and created interventions to improve digital inclusion. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward increasingly specialized work in aging technology, with approximately 60% of his 2020-2025 publications focusing on older adult technology adoption. His research employs diverse methodologies including qualitative case studies, cross-cultural surveys, and experimental designs, often with international collaborations spanning Germany, Australia, and Thailand. Principal investigator for multiple German research projects on digital health for elderly populations Co-organizer of the annual HICSS minitrack on 'Seniors' Use of Digital Resources' since 2018 Active contributor to the Association for Information Systems (AIS) special interest groups Dr. Gewald has mentored numerous doctoral students who have become active researchers in information systems, with several now holding faculty positions. His research has been supported by German research funding agencies and industry partnerships with healthcare technology companies. He maintains strong collaborative relationships with researchers across Europe and Australia, particularly in the healthcare IT domain.
Dr. Theresa Züger is an interdisciplinary researcher leading the AI & Society Lab at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG). She investigates how AI systems can be designed to serve the common good, focusing on initiatives that promote sustainability, strengthen social inclusion, and enable technology reuse through open systems. Her work addresses societal challenges associated with artificial intelligence at political, social, and cultural levels, contributing to accurate assessment of AI's societal implications. Züger received her Ph.D. in Media Studies from Humboldt University in Berlin in 2017 with her dissertation 'Reload Disobedience,' focusing on digital forms of civil disobedience. Previously, she earned an M.A. in Theatre, Film and Television Studies as well as German and Philosophy from the University of Cologne. She also headed the office responsible for the German government's Third Engagement Report on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ). Her research centers on Public Interest AI, examining how AI development and deployment can benefit society rather than primarily maximizing profit. Current projects include 'Impact AI' (funded by Volkswagen Foundation), which develops auditing methods to assess AI projects' impact on public interest and sustainability, and 'Human in the Loop,' investigating how automated decision-making processes should be designed for successful human-machine interaction. She previously led the 'Public Interest AI' project, developing a theoretically grounded understanding of public interest AI and creating prototypes like a web accessibility tool and fact-checking application. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on bridging AI technology with societal values. Her work spans technical aspects of AI implementation, ethical considerations, and practical applications that serve public interests. Key trends include human-AI collaboration frameworks, accessibility enhancements, critical examination of AI hype, and theoretical foundations for public interest-oriented AI development. Züger serves as Vice-Chair of the UNESCO Commission on Communication and Information and participates in several juries including the Deep Tech Award, Digital Places – Land of Ideas, and the Civic Innovation Fund. She is also a regular event moderator for organizations like the Berlin-Brandenburg Media Authority, re:publica, and transmediale. As project leader of Impact AI and head of the AI & Society Lab, Züger directs significant research initiatives with funding from organizations like the Volkswagen Foundation. Her work involves extensive collaboration with academic and practical partners across Europe and globally, particularly through projects addressing women in tech and international AI governance. The AI & Society Lab functions as an interdisciplinary interface for new research approaches and knowledge transfer in AI, promoting inclusive, human rights-friendly, and sustainable AI strategies in Europe.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. André Nitze is a faculty member at the Brandenburg University of Technology in the Department of Economics . His research focuses on Internet of Things (IoT) , Digital Business Models , Software Architectures , Cloud Computing , Mobile Computing , and Predictive Analytics . He leads research projects on municipal LoRaWAN infrastructure, rural on-demand transport systems, and user-centered digitalization for sustainable development. Area of Expertise: IoT Applications, Software Engineering, Digital Transformation Current Research: Sustainable Municipal LoRaWAN, Rural Mobility Solutions Projects: risKI - KatKomm (2024-2026): Protocol development for disaster communication InNoWest (2023-2027): Subproject leader for digital sustainability OSLO (2023): Rural on-demand transport software architecture Awards: Best Paper Award at ICDS 2024 for work on LoRaWAN infrastructure Education & Supervision: M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Business Informatics Supervised over 15 theses including topics on GIS analysis, sensor networks, and AI applications
Maria Lotze is an Assistant Professor at the Chair of Accounting & Controlling at the University of Augsburg's Faculty of Business and Economics. She has been in this role since 2021, previously serving as a Lecturer (2015-2021) and Research Assistant (2010-2015). Education Bachelor’s in Global Business Management, University of Augsburg (2009-2012) Master’s in Finance and Information Management, Technical University of Munich and University of Augsburg (2012-2015) Doctorate, University of Augsburg (2020) Her research focuses on value-oriented manager compensation and innovation performance metrics . She has co-authored publications on topics like bonus deferral mechanisms and capitalized R&D expenditures , contributing to debates on sustainable value creation and corporate governance. Recent publications include textbook contributions on accounting fundamentals and financial statement analysis , reflecting her expertise in both theoretical and applied accounting. Her work integrates German Commercial Law (HGB) , IFRS , and US GAAP standards. Key Collaborations Worked with professors Wolfgang Schultze, Adolf Coenenberg, and Philipp Sandner Contributed to multiple editions of accounting textbooks
Prof. Dr. Bernd Eisinger is a faculty member at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, affiliated with the Faculty of Business Administration and Department of Economics. His roles include Head of Study Programs for Business Administration in Commerce and Digital Commerce Management. Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Faculty of Business Administration Department of Economics Dr. Eisinger's research focuses on Educational Economics , Cost Management in SMEs , Controlling Systems , and Management of Non-Profit Organisations . He specializes in Financial and Investment Planning , Indicator-Based Weakness Analysis , and Value-Oriented Management . His work bridges business administration principles with educational policy analysis. His 200+ publications span from 1995–2009, concentrating on educational cost structures, project controlling, and non-profit management. Key themes include school funding equity , cameral accounting applications , and budgeting systems across German states. Steinbeis-Transferzentrum Wirtschafts- und Sozialmanagement (1999–2020) Member of the Senate of VWA-Hochschule
Prof. Dr. Uwe Götze is a Chair Holder of Management Accounting and Control at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration , Technische Universität Chemnitz , Germany. His career spans over three decades, with a focus on corporate accounting, controlling, and investment planning. He has held leadership roles such as Vice President for Transfer and Academic Qualification (2016–2017) and Dean of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (2006–2009, 2016). Research Interests: Götze’s work emphasizes Corporate Accounting and Controlling Investment and Cost Accounting Strategic Planning under Uncertainty Occupational Health and Safety Economics Activity-Based Costing and Benchmarking Risk Management in Industrial Companies Location Structural Design for Multinationals Publications include foundational works on investment accounting, cost management, and risk control. His recent articles (2000–2001) address economic value added, life cycle costing, and risk modeling, reflecting interdisciplinary applications in logistics, sustainability, and production. Scientific Awards: Honorary Professor, Babeş-Bolyai University (2017) Grants and Collaborations: Götze leads subprojects in the Collaborative Research Centre 692 (High-strength aluminum materials) and Cluster of Excellence 'Energy-efficient Product and Process Innovations' . He co-founded the German-Portuguese SustEEM Research Group with Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Christian Pfohl is a full professor at the Institute of Business Administration , part of the College of Law and Economics at the Technical University of Darmstadt , Germany. His work focuses on Logistics , Corporate Management , and Transport Management , with a career spanning over five decades. Research Interests: Logistics systems and supply chain management Environmental and ecological logistics Quality management in logistics processes Strategic controlling and organizational design Article Trends (1990s–2000): His publications emphasize logistics as a strategic business function , integrating environmental sustainability and technological innovation . Topics include spare parts logistics , cross-company coordination , and benchmarking , reflecting a blend of theoretical rigor and industry application. Scientific Awards: Honorary Doctorate (Dr. hc)
Rainer Sibbel is a Professor of International Health Management at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management since October 2004. He serves as Academic Director of the MBA in International Hospital and Healthcare Management and heads the Institute for International Health Management. His work bridges healthcare systems with business administration principles. Mathematics, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (1987-1993) Doctor of Business Administration, University of Münster (1997) Habilitation in Operations Management, Bayreuth University (2004) Sibbel’s research focuses on process optimization in healthcare, capacity planning, and strategic management. He explores the intersection of operations research, supply chain management, and healthcare economics, with recent studies on patient orientation in health system reforms and digital transformation in hospital logistics. His affiliations include memberships in the German Academic Association for Business Research, Association for Operations Research (GOR), and International Hospital Federation (IHF). He has contributed to numerous academic journals and edited volumes, particularly on clinical pathway management, procurement systems, and performance measurement in hospitals.
Professor Dr. Jürgen Strohhecker is a renowned academic at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management since 1999. His expertise spans General Business Administration, Production Management, and Controlling, with a focus on System Dynamics and its applications in strategic decision-making. Frankfurt School of Finance & Management Management Research Centre German Society for System Dynamics (DGSD) President, 2010-2014 System Dynamics Society President, 2015 His research explores dynamic-complex decision-making, behavior-oriented operations management, and production control. Recent work examines team mental models, Kanban integration in pharmaceutical production, and safety stock optimization under disruptions. Key article trends include System Dynamics applications in finance, sustainability, and operations. Subfields span from stock-flow analysis to strategic implementation frameworks. Notable awards: Prechel Foundation Dissertation Prize (1998) and Hessian University Prize for Excellence in Teaching (2010). He has contributed extensively to academic discourse through publications and editorial roles.
