Juan Ignacio Palacio Morena | Competitive Analysis and Market Positioning | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Juan Ignacio Palacio Morena – Competitive Analysis and Market Positioning  – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Juan Ignacio Palacio Morena’s extensive contributions to economic research, academic administration, and international collaboration make him a strong candidate for awards in categories such as: Lifetime Achievement in Economics and Education, Excellence in Economic Research and Policy Development, Outstanding Contribution to International Academic Collaboration His teaching excellence, policy research, and leadership in university administration make him a distinguished figure in applied economics.

Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha | Spain

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🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Dr. Juan Ignacio Palacio Morena was born in Madrid in 1951 and laid the foundation for his academic and professional career at Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo School in Madrid. His early interests were diverse, including sports, as he actively played basketball for Canoe N.C. Beyond sports, he displayed an early inclination towards leadership, serving as the President of the Spanish Federation of Christian University Communities (FECUM). His passion for economics led him to the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), where he pursued a degree and later a Ph.D. in Economic Sciences. His time at UCM equipped him with a deep understanding of applied economics, labor markets, and industrial organization.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

career spans both academia and industry. Before fully transitioning into academia, he gained practical experience working for Fraser Española, EIDA, and AYSA, where he applied his economic expertise to real-world business challenges. His transition into academia began in 1976 at UCM, where he served as a professor until 1990. During this period, he developed a strong foundation in research and teaching, which later led to his role as a Spanish representative in the European Pool of Studies (EPOS), a European Commission initiative (1986–1991). Following his tenure at UCM, he joined the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), where he served in various capacities. His leadership roles at UCLM included: Vice-Rector for Research Director of the Department of Spanish and International Economic. He later became Vice-Rector for Economic Affairs at Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP) and was a member of the Regional Agency for University Quality of Castilla-La Mancha. These positions reflect his expertise in economic policy, institutional governance, and academic administration

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Competitive Analysis and Market Positioning

Dr. Palacio Morena’s contributions to academia are vast, spanning teaching, research, and academic management. His research has focused on: Labor and Industrial Economics – Examining workforce dynamics, employment policies, and industrial transformations in Spain. Social History – Analyzing economic trends through the lens of social structures and historical events. Spanish Economy – Assessing Spain’s economic growth, fiscal policies, and industrial development. He has supervised ten doctoral theses and directed various postgraduate programs, shaping the next generation of economists and policy analysts.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Palacio Morena has been recognized for his excellence in research and education. His honors include: Doctor Honoris Causa from the Autonomous University of Baja California – A testament to his contributions to academia on an international scale. Four National Research Awards – Recognizing his groundbreaking work in applied economics and labor studies. Invited Lecturer at Prestigious Latin American Universities – He has taught at:

    • San Francisco Javier University (Bolivia)
    • Institute of International Economics, University of Havana (Cuba)
    • Autonomous University of Baja California (Mexico)
    • Fluminense University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
    • University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Dr. Palacio Morena’s research and teachings have shaped economic policies, particularly in labor markets and industrial organization. His work in international economic studies has contributed to policy discussions and academic debates worldwide. His administrative roles at UCLM and UIMP helped strengthen institutional research frameworks, improve academic quality, and foster global collaborations. Through his mentorship, he has influenced numerous researchers and professionals who continue to contribute to the field of economics.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Even in retirement, Dr. Palacio Morena remains an active contributor to economic scholarship and education. His ongoing collaborations, research publications, and mentorship ensure that his influence endures. His legacy is defined by: A lifetime of academic excellence and research impact. International collaborations that bridge economic research between Spain and Latin America. A commitment to mentoring future economists and policymakers.

 

Conclusion

Dr. Juan Ignacio Palacio Morena’s career is a testament to dedication, intellectual rigor, and academic leadership. His contributions to economic research, teaching, and institutional development have had a lasting impact in Spain and Latin America. His recognition as a Doctor Honoris Causa, his multiple research awards, and his leadership in economic education reinforce his status as an eminent scholar. As he continues to contribute as a collaborating professor and researcher, his legacy remains influential, inspiring future generations of economists and academics.

📚Publications

Full Competition and Innovation

Authors: Juan Ignacio Palacio Morena; Alejandro Mungaray; LIZBETH SALGADO; Jaciel Ramsés Méndez-León

Journals: Sustainability

Giovanna Ferraro | Small businesses | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Giovanna Ferraro – Small businesses  –  Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

As a nominee for the Best Researcher Award, Giovanna Ferraro stands out due to her: Strong research output in high-impact journals, Involvement in major European innovation projects, Contributions to Fintech, Industry 4.0, and complex network research, Editorial roles and mentorship of emerging scholars

 

 University of Rome Tor Vergata | Italy

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🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Giovanna Ferraro’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in Enterprise Engineering, leading her to obtain a Ph.D. in the field. She has always been passionate about research and innovation, particularly in the areas of technology transfer, strategic management, and Industry 4.0. Her early academic achievements set a solid base for her career, allowing her to explore complex networks and business innovation.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Management Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Giovanna Ferraro is a distinguished academician actively involved in both national and international research projects. She has collaborated extensively with European institutions, particularly in technology transfer and business innovation management. She has played a pivotal role in several European projects, particularly those funded under the Horizon 2020 and COSME programs. These projects focus on SME innovation management, scaling up business activities in the Single Market, and enhancing enterprise competitiveness across Europe.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Small businesses

Giovanna Ferraro’s research contributions span innovation management, open innovation, technology transfer, Industry 4.0, Fintech, and complex networks. Her work has provided valuable insights into the evolving technological and economic landscape of Europe. One of her key research directions is integrating EU countries in Circular Economy, Energy Transition, and Social Justice using a multilayer network approach. This framework enables policymakers and researchers to evaluate policy analogies, facilitating better integration of sustainable strategies across nations. Another significant research area is Fintech patent analysis, where she has examined patent certificates to identify technical trends, influencing factors, and technological advancements. By employing network analysis techniques, she has detected innovation clusters, highlighting technological substrates and trajectories that shape the future of financial technology. Her work has laid a strong foundation for future studies in strategic innovation and technology transfer, helping businesses and policymakers understand and navigate the complexities of modern economic ecosystems.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Giovanna Ferraro has earned widespread recognition in academia and industry for her contributions to technological forecasting, strategic management, and business innovation. Her work has been published in prestigious journals, including: Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Technovation, Expert Systems with Applications, Small Business Economics, Annals of Operations Research. She has also served as a guest editor for leading journals like the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Innovation and Knowledge. Additionally, she is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Engineering Business Management.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Through her work in innovation ecosystems and enterprise competitiveness, Giovanna Ferraro has influenced policymaking and business strategies across Europe. Her research provides practical solutions for SMEs, governments, and multinational corporations seeking to optimize their innovation management strategies.

 

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Giovanna Ferraro’s legacy lies in her ability to bridge the gap between academic research and practical business applications. She continues to contribute to large-scale innovation ecosystems and policy integration models, ensuring that her research has real-world implications.

Conclusion

Giovanna Ferraro has made significant strides in innovation management, strategic business growth, and technology transfer. Her academic rigor, extensive research portfolio, and leadership in European innovation projects position her as a leading figure in the field. Her work is not only academically enriching but also holds tangible value for businesses, policymakers, and technology-driven enterprises. As she continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation, her contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of Industry 4.0 and business strategy in the years to come.

📚Publications

Mapping socio-environmental policy integration in the European Union: A multilayer network approach

Authors: Roy Cerqueti; Giovanna Ferraro; Raffaele Mattera; Saverio Storani

Journals: Journal of Cleaner Production

The process supporting the emergence of the environmental innovation capabilities within small businesses: An empirical investigation

Authors: Giovanna Ferraro; Renato Passaro; Ivana Quinto; Antonio Thomas

Journals: Business Strategy and the Environment

Correction: Individual learning ambidexterity behavior and individual job performance in services: the role of organizational structure

Authors: Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu; Giovanna Ferraro; Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu; Bogdan Georgescu

Journals: Review of Managerial Science

Individual learning ambidexterity behavior and individual job performance in services: the role of organizational structure

Authors: Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu; Giovanna Ferraro; Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu; Bogdan Georgescu

Journals: Review of Managerial Science

Promoting sustainability goals: innovation trajectories of Fintech through patent analysis

Authors: Giovanna Ferraro; Antonio Iovanella; Alessandro Ramponi; Giulia Rotundo

Journals: Annals of Operations Research