Saul Nurick | Sustainability Strategies | Best Paper Award

Posted on by ScienceFather

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

Xixiong xu | Corporate Social Responsibility | Best Researcher Award

Posted on by ScienceFather

Prof. Xixiong xu  –  Corporate Social Responsibility – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

His extensive, innovative, and culturally nuanced research fits perfectly within the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Research Impact categories. His academic rigor, publication record, and influence make him an outstanding candidate.

Organization and Strategy Department, Chongqing

University  | China

Profile
scopus

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Professor Xu Xixiong’s distinguished academic journey began at Northwestern Polytechnical University, where he earned his A.B. in Management Science in June 2001. His passion for enterprise management led him to Xi’an Jiaotong University, where he pursued advanced studies, completing his M.A. in Enterprise Management in March 2004 and his Ph.D. in Enterprise Management by November 2007. These formative years shaped Professor Xu’s analytical skills and deepened his commitment to understanding corporate behavior, organizational finance, and management systems. His early academic pursuits laid a strong foundation for a career marked by excellence in research and teaching.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Professor Xu Xixiong has spent his entire professional career at Chongqing University, a leading institution in China. He began as an Assistant Professor (2007–2009), progressed to Associate Professor (2009–2013), and has been serving as a Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor since 2013. Demonstrating an international outlook, Professor Xu further broadened his academic experience through visiting scholar positions at the Stern School of Business, New York University (2011–2012) and the Guanghua School of Management, Beijing University (2009–2010). These engagements enriched his perspective on corporate governance and finance, and expanded his global academic network.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Corporate Social Responsibility

Professor Xu’s research contributions are noteworthy in three primary areas: Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, and Family Firms. His recent scholarly works particularly explore the intersection between Confucian culture and business practices, examining how traditional values influence modern corporate behavior. Among his many influential publications, his paper “Confucianism and Employee Treatment: Evidence from China” (Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2024) stands out. Other significant contributions include research on how familial upbringing impacts corporate cash dividends, the effects of Confucianism on business strategy, and how early bureaucratic experiences shape corporate innovation. Professor Xu’s prolific output, with more than 18 high-impact journal articles, reveals a consistent theme of blending traditional cultural elements with contemporary corporate practices, offering new insights into emerging markets, particularly Chinese firms.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Throughout his career, Professor Xu Xixiong has garnered substantial recognition for his scholarly work. His articles have been published in prestigious journals such as Finance Research Letters, Accounting and Finance, Applied Economics, Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, and Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. His reputation as a scholar is further affirmed through multiple international collaborations and invitations as a visiting scholar at globally recognized institutions. Several of his papers have addressed cutting-edge topics, such as the influence of religious culture on corporate risk-taking and the impact of anti-corruption campaigns on R&D investment. These have earned him accolades within the academic community for pioneering culturally rooted business research.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Professor Xu’s work has had a profound impact on understanding how culture, politics, and governance intersect with corporate behavior in China. His research has influenced not only academic thought but also practical corporate governance models, particularly within family firms and privately-owned enterprises. By bringing traditional Confucian perspectives into contemporary financial and managerial discourse, Professor Xu has opened new avenues for research on corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical leadership. His studies are frequently cited by scholars investigating CSR and governance practices in emerging economies.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

With an extensive and impactful academic career already established, Professor Xu Xixiong continues to inspire the next generation of researchers as a Ph.D. Supervisor at Chongqing University. His legacy is not only in his published research but also in his mentoring of young scholars passionate about combining cultural heritage with business innovation. Looking forward, Professor Xu is poised to expand his research to further explore how traditional values can help firms navigate global challenges such as sustainability, technological disruption, and ethical leadership. His future contributions will likely continue bridging the gap between East and West, tradition and innovation, academia and industry.

Conclusion

Professor Xu Xixiong stands as a beacon of scholarly excellence in the fields of Corporate Governance, Corporate Finance, and Family Firms. His work exemplifies how rigorous research, global experience, and cultural sensitivity can collectively shape impactful academic and practical contributions. Through his dedicated professional endeavors, influential research focus, and commitment to academic mentoring, Professor Xu’s legacy is assured—and his future contributions are eagerly anticipated by the global academic community.

📚Publications

Does parenting daughters increase corporate cash dividends? Evidence from Chinese family firms

Authors: X., Xu, Xixiong, C., Lin, Cuiliang, M., Wang, Maochuan

Journals: Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance

Confucianism and employee treatment: Evidence from China

Authors: X., Xu, Xixiong, M., Wang, Maochuan

Journals: Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management