Dr. Tom Cottam is an Associate Professor at Northumbria University, serving as Director for Access and Participation for Business & Law. He leads the multi-award-winning PG Business Clinic, overseeing 700+ projects valued at £3.8M for clients like Nissan and UNESCO. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, digitization, networks, and sustainability, contributing to UN SDGs. He holds a PhD from an AACSB-accredited institution and has secured 11 competitive grants since 2016. Education: PhD in Business and Management Studies (2012–2016), North East of England SMEs study MSc in Information Technology (2010–2011) Research Interests: Dr. Cottam explores how digitization transforms business networks and supports sustainable entrepreneurship. His work bridges academic theory with practical consultancy, emphasizing SME productivity and global mind-set strategies. Key themes include knowledge management, embeddedness in inter-firm ties, and the impact of digital tools on business models. Awards: Teaching Excellence Award (Academy of Marketing, 2018) Highly Commended, British Academy of Management Education Practice Award (2017) Advising & Grants: As Business Clinic lead, he has facilitated £3.8M in consultancy and co-led a 2021 REF case study on SME productivity. He has secured 11 grants since 2016, supporting research into international entrepreneurship and digital innovation. Labs/Teams: Co-founded Business Clinics in London, Amsterdam, and Doha. Collaborates with global academic networks, including Prof. Piyush Jha on knowledge creation studies.
Lysanne Lessard is an Associate Professor at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, specializing in the design of digitally-enabled services. Her work bridges information systems and healthcare, focusing on telehealth, e-commerce, and online government services. She is affiliated with the LIFE Research Institute and Institut du Savoir Montfort, contributing to interdisciplinary research. Ph.D., Information Systems (University of Toronto, 2013) M.Sc., Information Technology (Téluq-UQAM, 2007) B.A., Communications (UQAM) Her research explores digitally-enabled service systems as socio-technical arrangements, emphasizing stakeholder needs, theoretical foundations, and modeling techniques. Key areas include telemonitoring, learning health systems, and service personalization. Recent publications address simulation modeling in healthcare, trust requirements for peer support systems, and AI applications in service design. Her work integrates Service-Dominant Logic and human-centered approaches to address challenges in virtual care access and preventive health behaviors. Lessard collaborates with NSERC, CIHR, and CNFS-funded projects, advancing methodologies for requirements engineering and system architecture design in health contexts.
Leo Vijayasarathy is Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Information Systems and Director of the Master of Computer Information Systems (MCIS) program in the College of Business at Colorado State University. He holds an MBA from Marquette University and a Ph.D. in Information Systems from Florida International University. Prior to joining CSU in 2000, he held academic positions at Barry University and North Dakota State University where he served as MIS Coordinator. His research examines the development, use, and organizational impacts of information systems, with emphasis on: Software development methodologies (agile/waterfall selection, testing techniques) Business analytics competence and IT value realization E-commerce adoption and online consumer behavior Database systems and information retrieval effectiveness Supply chain technology integration Recent publications demonstrate strong focus on analytics-driven business value, agile project management, and security in emerging technologies. His work consistently appears in premier journals including Journal of Management Information Systems , IEEE Software , and Information & Management . Awards recognizing his contributions: Mortar Board Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching Outstanding Research Award (NDSU College of Business) Excellence in Service Award (CSU College of Business) Distinguished Service Award (CSU Office of International Programs) He actively mentors graduate students and has secured university grants for teaching/research initiatives. As Director of MCIS, he oversees program development while advising the CIS Student Association and Tech Masters Connect. His editorial service includes the advisory board of Internet Research journal.
Dr. Chris Blocker is a Professor in the Department of Marketing at Colorado State University's College of Business. His research explores value creation in services, sales, and society, focusing on designing experiences that promote growth and well-being through purpose-oriented strategies and scarcity innovation. Education: Ph.D. in Marketing, University of Tennessee Research Interests: Blocker investigates how organizations broaden value concepts to address scarcity among employees and customers while fostering societal well-being. His work bridges services marketing, sustainability, and transformative consumer research, examining purpose-driven business models, consumption stewardship in restricted contexts, and interdisciplinary approaches to poverty alleviation through extensive collaboration with for-profit, non-profit, and social enterprises. Recent Publications: His 2021-2025 research reveals critical trends in organizational purpose measurement, scarcity-as-strategy innovation, and transformative service ecosystems. Key themes include emotional dynamics in buyer-seller relationships, two-generation poverty disruption models, and molecular biology applications for community resilience, demonstrating consistent focus on value co-creation in resource-constrained environments.
Philip Bond is a Professor of Finance and Business Economics and the Edward E. Carlson Distinguished Professor in Business Administration at the Foster School of Business, University of Washington. He holds a PhD and MA from the University of Chicago (1999) and a BA from Oxford University (1993). Education: PhD, University of Chicago MA, University of Chicago BA, Oxford University Bond’s research focuses on the intersection of finance, business economics, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policies. His work examines how ESG initiatives interact with market power dynamics, stakeholder welfare, and corporate governance frameworks. He has contributed to understanding competitive strategies in firms with monopsony or monopoly power through ESG adoption cycles. Bond’s recent publications include analyses of ESG’s anti-competitive and pro-competitive effects, particularly in labor markets and consumer pricing. His 2024 paper with Doron Levit, which won the ECGI Finance Prize, explores how purposeful firms balance profits and stakeholder welfare to counteract market power distortions. Scientific Awards: 2024 ECGI Finance Prize for the Best Paper in the ECGI Finance Working Paper Series Bond collaborates with scholars like Doron Levit, Alex Edmans, and Itay Goldstein on topics spanning M&A, labor economics, and ESG-driven corporate strategy. His work bridges theoretical finance with practical implications for responsible capitalism and stakeholder-oriented governance models.
Francesca Magno, PhD, serves as an Associate Professor of Management in the Department of Management at the University of Bergamo. She holds a PhD in Marketing for Business Strategies from the same institution and has established herself as a prominent researcher in digital business strategies and international marketing. She actively contributes to academic discourse as a member of the Editorial Board of Management Decision and serves as a blind reviewer for several prestigious international journals including International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, International Journal of Information Management, Internet Research, Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, and Journal of Business Research. Dr. Magno's research program focuses primarily on new technologies and digital platforms from both business and consumer perspectives, with additional emphasis on business internationalization processes and strategies. Her work spans multiple domains including cross-border e-commerce, social media marketing, consumer behavior in digital environments, and business model innovation. She has published extensively in top-tier journals such as the Journal of Business Research, Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, International Journal of Information Management, and The TQM Journal. Her publication portfolio demonstrates a clear trajectory toward methodological sophistication, with increasing use of advanced analytical techniques like Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA). Recent work shows growing interest in sustainability applications within digital business contexts, particularly in food waste reduction, restaurant management, and agri-food business innovation. Her research maintains strong connections between theoretical frameworks and practical business applications, especially for SMEs navigating digital internationalization. Emerald Award 2023 Literati - Outstanding Paper for cross-border e-commerce research Best Paper Award at IRSSM 2018 for social media usage in professional service firms As an educator, Dr. Magno serves as Co-Director of the First-Level Master's Program in International Marketing Management & Digital Context since 2024. She teaches multiple courses including Economics and Business Management, Industrial and International Business Management, Fundamentals of Management, and Marketing Strategies. Her research leadership extends to managing the Research Unit of the University of Bergamo for a PRIN 2020 project that received funding, demonstrating her ability to secure competitive research grants. While specific laboratory affiliations aren't mentioned in the provided text, her work clearly involves collaborative research teams focused on digital business transformation and international market strategies.
Klaasjan Visscher is a Full Professor at the University of Twente in the Knowledge, Transformation & Society department. His work focuses on Innovation Ecosystems , Circular Economy , and Transdisciplinary Education , with a strong emphasis on organizational dynamics and stakeholder engagement. Recent research explores mission-oriented governance frameworks and institutional plurality in circular economy adoption. He pioneered theatrical role-play simulations to bridge technology-society gaps in engineering education. Scientific Awards : 2021 - ACROM: Best Paper on Construction Transformation His collaborations span interdisciplinary projects in infrastructure, climate services, and organizational design, with supervised works including 3 formal advisees and over 135 publications.
Hatice DÜLBER is a Lecturer at the Department of Basic Islamic Sciences within the Faculty of Islamic Sciences at Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi. Previously, she held positions at Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi and served as Department Chair at Kırşehir Ahi Evran Üniversitesi. Her academic work focuses on Hadith studies, Islamic ethics, and prophetic traditions. PhD in Hadith, Ankara University (2008) Master’s in Hadith, Ankara University (1997) BA in Theology, Ankara University (1991) Her research areas include Hadith Methodology , Prophetic Ethics , and Gender in Islamic Texts . Recent publications analyze narrative authenticity, dietary principles, and social conduct in Hadith. She has supervised the thesis of Kübra Yurteri on asceticism in Hadith literature. Notable works span 2024 conference presentations on prophetic character development and social engagement, 2023 journal articles on food ethics and textual interpretation, and 2014 monographs on Ibn Qutaybah's Hadith approaches and dream visions in Islamic tradition. Teaching activities include Hadis Literatürü (2021-2022) and Hadis Tarihi (2019-2020) courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Dr Hafsa Ahmed is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Global Value Chains and Trade at Lincoln University, New Zealand. As a certified futurist and member of the Association of Professional Futurists, her work focuses on stakeholder-centric value creation and futures thinking to enable meaningful change in complex environments. She bridges academia and industry, advancing scholarship while delivering practical solutions for more equitable and distributive societies. Dr Ahmed's educational background includes: PhD from Lincoln University, New Zealand New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching from Ara Institute of Canterbury PCG Com from Lincoln University MBA from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India BE from Osmania University, Hyderabad, India Certificate of Proficiency - Te Pia I from Lincoln University Dr Ahmed's research focuses on stakeholder engagement, organizational change, and strategic foresight. Her work examines how stakeholder ecosystem relationships across not-for-profit, public, and private sectors can foster more equitable societies. She specializes in futures thinking to enable meaningful change in complex environments, with particular interest in psychological ownership, community embeddedness, and resilience in business contexts. Her research bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications for sustainable development. Her recent publications reveal a strong trend toward integrating futures thinking with stakeholder management and sustainable development. She has increasingly focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly how business education can contribute to achieving these goals. Her work shows a progression from traditional organizational change management toward more holistic approaches that consider long-term societal impacts and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Dr Ahmed has received numerous accolades for her contributions: Best Paper Stream Award (Public sector and Not for Profit), 2018 Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management Best Case Study (ANZAM Case Study Competition), 2017 Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management Best Case Study (ANZAM Case Study Competition), 2012 Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management ANZAM PELT Grant in 2021 Lincoln University Critic and Conscience Award 2022 Lincoln University Excellence in Education Award 2023 Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ethnic communities and women As an educator, Dr Ahmed chairs the Faculty Postgraduate Committee at Lincoln University and has been instrumental in developing industry-academia partnerships. She conceived and led the "Industry Influencers @ LU" podcast series to make academic research accessible to businesses and create collaborative research opportunities. She also leads the "Spill the beans" podcast series for the Australia and New Zealand Academy of Management, providing a platform for researchers to share management expertise. Dr Ahmed is actively involved in community initiatives, serving as Chair of Canterbury Interfaith Society and a Trustee on the Board of Ako Ōtautahi – Learning City Christchurch. She co-founded the Lady Khadija Charitable Trust, which supports vulnerable groups and promotes social cohesion through media projects. Her work extends to supporting ethnic women's empowerment and community recovery following the Christchurch terror attack.
Anne Frey serves as Vice Rector for Educational Research and Development at Vorarlberg University of Education (Pädagogische Hochschule Vorarlberg) since March 2022, where she also holds a professorship in Primary Education at the Institute for Primary Education and Learning Development since October 2018. Her academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions including Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München where she held various research and teaching positions from 2008-2018. Dr. Frey's research interests focus on teacher professionalization across career phases, inclusive education systems, classroom management, value-oriented pedagogy, and civil courage education. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in teacher education, emphasizing the connection between science and practice in developing effective teaching methodologies. Her publications reveal a consistent focus on teacher induction, mentoring systems, inclusive classroom management, and the development of professional competencies for educators working in diverse settings. The research demonstrates strong emphasis on practical applications for teacher training programs and school development initiatives, particularly in the Austrian and German educational contexts. As an active member of multiple academic organizations including the Austrian Society for Research and Development in Education (ÖFEB), the German Society for Educational Science (DGfE), and the Society for Empirical Educational Research (GEBF), Dr. Frey contributes significantly to the educational research community through editorial work and peer review activities. Her professional activities extend beyond academia through media collaborations where she has served as a scientific expert on topics related to civil courage, child development, and educational practices for various television productions including ARD's 'Monitor,' 'Quarks & Co.,' and 'Elternsprechstunde.'
Anne-Claire Pache is a Professor of Social Innovation at ESSEC Business School in Paris, France, and holds the ESSEC Chair in Social Innovation. She has held various academic roles, including Deputy Director General for Academic Programs (2014–2017) and Director of Strategy and Social Engagement (2020–present). Her research focuses on organizational theory, hybrid organizations, and social innovation, with a particular emphasis on scaling social enterprises and navigating institutional complexities. Education: ESSEC Business School (MSc, 1994), Harvard Kennedy School (MPA, 2001), INSEAD (PhD in Organizational Behavior, 2010). Her research interests span hybrid governance, corporate philanthropy, and the challenges of balancing social and financial objectives in dual-purpose companies. She has authored numerous articles in top journals like Academy of Management Journal and Leadership Quarterly , and books such as Vers une philanthropie stratégique . Key awards include the 2020 Academy of Management Review Decade Award and the Francqui Chair. She has advised on cross-sector collaborations and led initiatives to maximize social impact through strategic philanthropy.
Djavlonbek Kadirov is a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Marketing and International Business, specializing in marketing systems, sustainable marketing, and Islamic consumer behavior. He joined the institution in January 2016 after completing his PhD at the University of Waikato. His educational background includes a PhD in Marketing from the University of Waikato (New Zealand) and an MSc in Marketing with distinction from Salford University (UK). His research spans macromarketing, ethical consumption, metaverse applications, and halal markets, with publications in top journals including Journal of Business Research, Journal of Macromarketing, and Journal of Islamic Marketing. Kadirov's recent work examines emerging technologies like blockchain and AI in marketing contexts, corporate responses to geopolitical conflicts, and Muslim consumer behavior. His article trends reveal growing focus on digital ecosystems, sustainability, and cross-cultural consumer psychology, particularly comparing Muslim-majority and Western markets. Wiley Top Cited Article Award (2020-2021, 2021-2022) George Fisk Award for Best Conference Paper (2013 Macromarketing Conference) Annual Visiting Professor designation He actively supervises PhD candidates focusing on metaverse consumer behavior, prosocial marketing, and brand charisma. His teaching innovations include AI text-to-speech applications, Martech platforms, and SPSS hands-on guides. Kadirov serves as Undergraduate Programme Director for Marketing and contributes to journals as Special Issue Editor for Journal of Business-to-Business Marketing.
Dr. Andreas Drechsler is a Senior Lecturer in Information Systems at the School of Information Management, Victoria University of Wellington. He holds an office at Rutherford House, 23 Lambton Quay, Wellington, New Zealand, and can be reached at andreas.drechsler@vuw.ac.nz. With a strong background in both academia and industry, Drechsler brings practical experience from software development and project management to his academic work. His research primarily focuses on IS/IT management, information security management, and IT project management practices in organisations, with special emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises. Drechsler earned his Business Information Systems degree and doctorate from the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) in Germany. Prior to joining Victoria University of Wellington, he worked as a researcher at UDE's Institute of Computer Science and Business Information Systems and served as a Visiting Scholar at the Muma College of Business, University of South Florida. His industry experience spans several years in software development and software project management, providing him with valuable practical insights that inform his academic work. Dr. Drechsler's research interests center around understanding and enhancing IS/IT management, information security management, and IT project management practices, particularly in small and medium-sized organizations. He conducts both theory-building and design science research, with a special interest in the challenges and paradoxes that arise when engineering-oriented design approaches encounter organizational dynamics. His work explores how to improve conceptual and methodological foundations of design science research, especially in addressing social system transformations. Notably, he has developed frameworks for IT risk management in SMEs and has contributed significantly to design science research methodology through his work on knowledge paths and value-sensitive action design research. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on design science research methodology, with increasing attention to AI integration in education and organizational contexts. The trajectory shows progression from foundational work on design science research to practical applications in SMEs and now to emerging areas like generative AI in higher education. His research demonstrates consistent engagement with both theoretical development and practical implementation, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world organizational challenges. A notable trend is his growing interest in human-AI collaboration, as evidenced by his current doctoral supervision topics. Drechsler has been recognized with the Fellow (FHEA) from Te Arawai Ako/Advance HE in April 2023, acknowledging his contributions to higher education. His work on the Fractional CIO in SMEs, Knowledge Paths in Design Science Research, and Value-sensitive Action Design Research represents significant scholarly contributions to the information systems field. Dr. Drechsler actively supervises both master's and doctoral students, with current supervision including topics such as "Strategic alignment of human-AI collaboration," "Exploring the impact of Human-AI Collaboration on leadership," "Information systems ownership for customer & business value outcomes," "Digital Safety and Cyber Engineering," and "The role of Enterprise Architecture in making Digital Transformations more successful." His teaching portfolio includes courses on Digital Architecture, Enterprise Security, Process Management and Design, and Business Process Design, demonstrating his commitment to developing the next generation of information systems professionals. While specific laboratory or research team information isn't prominently featured in the available materials, Drechsler's collaborative publication record suggests active engagement with research networks. His work often involves international collaboration, as evidenced by co-authorship with researchers from various institutions. His research on SMEs, particularly the Fractional CIO concept, indicates potential connections with industry practitioners and organizations focused on small business technology management.
Dr. David Griesbach is a Lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), specializing in innovation management and business strategy. He serves as Head of the "Business Design" module for the MSc Business Development and Promotion program, Head of the Strategic Innovation Management module at EMBA Lucerne, and Head of the specialization "Entrepreneurial Management" in the CAS Business Administration. At HSLU's Institute for Business and Regional Economics (IBR), he teaches Business Model Innovation, Lean Startup, Lean Innovation, and Business Plans in the MBA program. Dr. Griesbach holds the following educational qualifications: 2012: Dr. rer. soc HSG from the University of St. Gallen 2008: Graduate in Business Education from the University of St. Gallen 2008: Master of Arts in Strategy and International Management from the University of St. Gallen 2004: Bachelor in Business Administration from Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration (HWZ) Dr. Griesbach's research focuses on practical innovation methodologies for both startups and established organizations. His expertise centers on Lean Innovation and Lean Startup approaches, with particular emphasis on the Lean Progress Model he developed. He investigates how organizations can implement systematic innovation processes that maximize orientation, focus, and speed in developing new products and services. His work bridges strategic management with practical innovation tools, helping organizations transform theoretical concepts into actionable business models. Dr. Griesbach's publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in developing practical frameworks for innovation management. His recent work has increasingly focused on the Lean Progress Model as a meta-model for managing startup and innovation projects. He has made significant contributions to understanding innovation in both small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations, with particular attention to how established organizations can adopt lean methodologies. His research spans theoretical frameworks and highly practical applications, making his work valuable to both academic and practitioner audiences. Dr. Griesbach has developed the Lean Progress Model, which has gained recognition as "the missing puzzle piece for Lean Startup and Lean Innovation in SMEs and large corporations." His book "Lean Innovation Guide" has received positive reviews for its practical approach and comprehensive coverage of lean innovation methodologies. As an educator and consultant, Dr. Griesbach has extensive experience guiding organizations through innovation processes. He founded Griesbach Consulting GmbH in 2011, where he serves as Managing Consultant, helping clients with strategic development, innovation management, and organizational transformation. He also co-founded COREangels Big Data & AI Europe in 2022 and serves as a startup expert for Kickstart Accelerator since 2016. His consulting work complements his academic role, providing real-world insights that inform his teaching and research. Dr. Griesbach leads several research initiatives including "DISCO - Developing Innovative Sustainable Cooperation Opportunities," "Surveys on Innovation Sprints in Swiss Companies," "Agile leadership systems and growth in Born Digitals," and "Simplicity-Driven Business Design." These projects reflect his commitment to developing practical frameworks that organizations can implement to enhance their innovation capabilities.
Professor Beatrice Podtschaske serves as Professor of Healthcare Management & eHealth at the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Business and Economics. She also holds the important position of Vice President for Curriculum Development, Digitalization, Equality and Diversity at the university. Her work focuses on bridging healthcare management with digital innovation, particularly in developing human-centered approaches to healthcare technology and processes. Dr. Podtschaske's research interests span multiple critical areas in modern healthcare: human-centered design of healthcare systems (Human Factors Engineering), user-centered innovation and implementation processes, and the integration of eHealth, robotics, and artificial intelligence in healthcare settings. Her work specifically addresses how technology can better serve patients and healthcare professionals through thoughtful design that considers the complex realities of medical environments. Her recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on healthcare system optimization, particularly examining critical care information systems, patient safety, and the implementation of digital tools in medical settings. The research trends show increasing attention to artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, particularly in end-of-life care contexts through her CARE-AI project and FLAIR (Flensburg Artificial Intelligence Research) initiatives. Dr. Podtschaske is currently leading efforts to build a new nursing degree program at the university to address workforce shortages in healthcare. She is also actively involved with the Institute for eHealth and Healthcare Management (IEMG), where she serves as a contact person for business administration, academic student advising, and internships with a focus on healthcare management. Her career path includes significant international experience, having worked at Stanford University Hospital in patient safety and built a user research group at a medical technology company in Silicon Valley. This practical industry experience informs her academic work, giving her research strong real-world applicability and relevance.
