Qichun Wu | Leadership in Business | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Business Strategy

Assist Prof. Dr. Qichun Wu | Leadership in Business | Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof. Dr. Qichun Wu, Beijing Institute of Technology, China.

Dr. Qichun Wu (Axlie) is a dynamic scholar and researcher with a multicultural academic and professional journey that bridges Asia, Australia, and North America. With a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Malaya and advanced certification in Data Science from the University of California San Diego, Dr. Wu brings an interdisciplinary edge to his work. He is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Beijing Institute of Technology, focusing on sustainability, ESG, and carbon accounting. As a member of several prominent research networks—including the Hong Kong Young Science Association—Dr. Wu’s work spans environmental economics and energy policy. A prolific academic with international teaching and reviewing experience, he is also a multi-patent holder in AI-assisted medical devices. His global outlook and innovative thinking make him a rising leader in environmental economics. 🌍📚

👨‍🔬 Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Wu’s academic path showcases a remarkable blend of technical, economic, and analytical training. 🧠🎓 He earned his Ph.D. in Economics (Environmental Accounting) from the University of Malaya (2019–2022), where he developed foundational expertise in sustainability metrics. In parallel, he completed a Data Science program at the University of California, San Diego (2020–2021), sharpening his skills in analytics and machine learning. Dr. Wu holds a Master’s in Accounting from Xinjiang University of Finance & Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from Anhui Jianzhu University (2014–2016). His academic journey began with a diploma in Asset Valuation and Management from Anhui Business College (2008–2011). This diverse background equips him to bridge financial principles with environmental strategy effectively.

💼 Experience

Dr. Wu brings over a decade of experience across academia, research, and industry. 🔍🏢 Currently, he is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Economics, Beijing Institute of Technology (2024–present). Previously, he was a Visiting Scholar at Macquarie University and served as a Lecturer with EIC Education in Australia. His research journey began as a Research Fellow at the National University of Malaysia and later as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Malaya. He also spent three years as an Accountant at Zhongda Construction Group, applying financial principles in a corporate context. In education, Dr. Wu has supervised theses at Tongren University and led courses in research methodology and accounting across several institutions. His trajectory reflects both academic excellence and practical industry insight.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Wu’s research is centered on the intersection of economics, energy, and sustainability. 🌱💡 He is passionate about Carbon Accounting, Environmental Social Governance (ESG), and Environmental Economics. His studies delve into how corporate behavior, board composition, and investment efficiency influence environmental outcomes. His interest also spans Energy Economics, focusing on how policy and governance shape corporate carbon reduction. Dr. Wu has contributed to global dialogues at Stanford University, Heidelberg University, and the Australian National University. His interdisciplinary lens and commitment to impactful research have made him a thought leader in the evolving field of sustainable economic strategies.

🏆 Awards and Fellowships

Dr. Wu has received numerous accolades for his academic and entrepreneurial achievements. 🏅🎖️ He was awarded a Scholarship by the Chartered Valuation Analyst Institute in 2023 and has twice been a recipient of the University of Malaya Scholarship (2021, 2022). Notably, he won the prestigious Chunhui Cup Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award in 2021, a national recognition in China. He also joined the University Elite Program at the Chartered Valuation Analyst Institute. In 2020, he was recognized as a Young Scholar by the Malaysia International Research Institute-Japan Nippon. These honors affirm his leadership in sustainability, innovation, and economic research.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Does board gender diversity benefit for corporate ESG performance: Evidence from Germany

Implications of Global Carbon Governance for Corporate Carbon Emissions Reduction.

Coupling Efficiency Measurement… in Waste Biorefineries, Apple Academic Press.

Energy for Sustainable Development.

Corporate social responsibility and board gender diversity: a meta-analysis,

Environmental performance vs. financial performance

Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Published on by Business Strategy

Dr. Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Dr. Saul Nurick, Dept of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Dr. Saul David Nurick is a dual-national (South African & Spanish) academic and senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Construction Economics and Management. A multifaceted professional, he holds degrees in Information Systems, Property Studies, and Construction Economics, and earned his PhD in Psychology in 2023. His work resides at the intersection of built environment and human performance, blending technology, sustainability, and behavioural science. Fluent in English with intermediate Spanish, Saul’s diverse cultural and disciplinary background allows him to thrive in global academic and professional contexts.

Profile 👤

Orcid

Education 🎓

Dr. Saul’s academic journey began with a BCom in Information Systems (2004), followed by an honours BSc in Property Studies (2006), and a MPhil in Construction Economics and Management (2012), all from Cape Town. He capped his formal education by completing a PhD in Psychology (2023) at the University of the Witwatersrand, under Professor Andrew Thatcher. His doctoral research—“Impact of Green Building Features and Initiatives on Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance in Office Buildings”—bridges psychology and built environment studies.

Experience 💼

Since 2012, Dr. Saul has lectured extensively at UCT, becoming a permanent staff lecturer in 2014 and senior lecturer in 2018. He convened over a dozen undergraduate and postgraduate courses ranging from property investment mathematics to Masters- and PhD-level research supervision. He’s also served as external examiner at several institutions, including WITS and Henley Business School. Further, he’s a registered MRICS professional member since 2014. This blend of teaching, academic administration, industry affiliation, and rigorous supervision ensures Saul’s work remains both applied and scholarly.

Research Interests 🔍

Dr Nurick’s research focuses on the impacts of green building design on human productivity and organizational outcomes. He investigates how sustainable infrastructure and information systems in office environments affect occupant performance, well‑being, and corporate value. His interests also include property finance, construction economics, and the behavioral dimensions of property information systems. By fusing psychology with built environment disciplines, Dr. Saul contributes to interdisciplinary sustainability discourse and evidence‑driven strategies for healthier workplaces.

Awards 🏅

Dr. Saul is a qualified Professional Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) since August 2014. While specific personal awards weren’t listed, many of his supervised postgraduate theses were finalists or winners in the Greenovate student awards: e.g., Oratile Masia & Mihlali Solombela (3rd place Greenovate, 2024), Paige Waberski & Kiah Wallace (3rd place, 2024), Isobella van der Merwe & Aiden van Wyk (winner, 2023), Realeboga Lekoma & Tshifhiwa Mudau (finalists, 2023). This consistent record attests to Saul’s mentorship excellence.

Publication Top Notes 📚

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Investigating the Drivers and Barriers to Implementing Green Building Features and Initiatives (GBFIs) in South Africa’s Private Housing Sector

An Investigation into the Benefits of EDGE Residential Estates in terms of Real-World Savings

Examining the impact of indoor environmental quality on individual productivity of knowledge workers in green certified buildings

Enhanced Indoor Environmental Quality and the Link to Individual Productivity and Organisational Performance: A Scoping Review

Tony Hou | Carbon Tax & Carbon Tax Revenue Recycling | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Tony Hou – Carbon Tax & Carbon Tax Revenue Recycling – Best Researcher Award

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China | China

Author Profile 

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Education and Training

Tony Chieh-Tse Hou began his academic journey with a strong foundation in finance and economics. He pursued an MBA and a Ph.D. in Finance, laying the groundwork for a career that would bridge the gap between theoretical finance and its practical applications. His early academic pursuits were characterized by a keen interest in the dynamics of financial markets and the regulatory frameworks that govern them. This period was marked by rigorous research and a dedication to understanding the complexities of financial systems, setting the stage for his future contributions to the field

 Professional Endeavors 💼

Academic Positions

Tony Chieh-Tse Hou joined the faculty of the Management School at National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) in 2007. Over the years, he has held several key positions at NDHU, including Professor of Finance in the Department of Finance, Vice Dean of International Affairs, and Director of the International Foundation Program at the Office of International Affairs. His roles have also extended to leadership positions such as Head of the Department of Finance and Banking and Director of the International Bachelor of Management Science and Finance Program. His professional endeavors reflect a commitment to both academic excellence and administrative leadership, contributing significantly to the growth and development of NDHU’s finance programs.

Contributions and Research Focus on Carbon Tax & Carbon Tax Revenue Recycling📚

Research and Innovations

Tony Chieh-Tse Hou’s research interests are diverse and impactful, focusing on the regulation of financial markets, innovative financial activities, security valuation, carbon pricing and trading, climate risk financial disclosure, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria, and the role of affect in human judgment and decision-making. As the director of the Sustainable Finance Research Centre (SFRC) at NDHU, he has spearheaded research initiatives that explore the intersection of finance and sustainability. His contributions to the field include working papers and journal articles on topics such as corporate social responsibility disclosure, temperature and carbon disclosure, carbon tax impacts, and the influence of independent directors’ networks on corporate social responsibility.

Key Publications

  • “Corporate Carbon Emissions and Firm Performance in South Africa” (with Griffin Msefula and Nokwnda Nokubongwa Dlamini), published in the Review of Integrative Business and Economics Research.
  • “The Correlation between Independent Directors’ Social Networks and Corporate Credit Ratings” (with Wang Chao-xian and Wu Jun-lei), published in the Soochow Journal of Economics and Business.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Tony Chieh-Tse Hou has been recognized for his contributions to the field of finance and his commitment to academic excellence. His work has been published in reputable journals and he has been a frequent contributor to market commentary and economic analysis in prominent publications such as the Economic Daily. His expertise and insights are highly regarded, and his academic appointments reflect the trust and respect he has earned within the academic and professional communities.

 Impact and Influence 🌍

Community Impact

Tony Chieh-Tse Hou’s impact extends beyond his academic and professional achievements. His work in sustainable finance and climate risk financial disclosure has influenced both policy and practice, highlighting the importance of integrating environmental considerations into financial decision-making. His research has provided valuable insights into how financial markets can adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and has underscored the critical role of corporate social responsibility in enhancing firm performance.

 Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Future Contributions

Looking ahead, Tony Chieh-Tse Hou’s legacy is poised to be one of lasting influence in the fields of finance and sustainability. His ongoing research and leadership at NDHU continue to shape the discourse around sustainable finance and the regulatory frameworks needed to support it. As he mentors the next generation of finance professionals and researchers, his contributions are likely to inspire continued innovation and progress in understanding and addressing the financial implications of climate change.

Future Directions

  • Enhancing Sustainable Finance Education: As a professor and director, Tony Chieh-Tse Hou is well-positioned to further integrate sustainability into finance curricula, preparing students to address future challenges in the field.
  • Expanding Research on ESG: His future work will likely continue to explore the role of ESG factors in financial performance, providing critical insights for investors and policymakers.
  • Influencing Policy: Through his research and publications, he will continue to influence policy decisions related to carbon pricing, climate risk disclosure, and corporate governance.

Notable Publications