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 👤

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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

FAKHRI ISSAOUI | Sustainable development | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. FAKHRI ISSAOUI | Sustainable development | Best Researcher Award

Prof. FAKHRI ISSAOUI, College of Business, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Fakhri Issaoui, born on January 14, 1971, in Tunisia, is a distinguished economist with over two decades of experience in academia and research. Currently, he serves as a Full Professor of Economics and Management at the College of Business, King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia, and is affiliated with the PS2D Research Laboratory at the University of Tunis El Manar. His multifaceted expertise encompasses economics, sociology, philosophy, and psychology, reflecting a holistic approach to understanding complex socio-economic phenomena. Fluent in French, Arabic, and English, Dr. Issaoui seamlessly bridges diverse cultural and academic landscapes.

👤 Profile

Scopus

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🎓 Education

Dr. Issaoui’s academic credentials are both extensive and diverse. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Tunis El Manar in June 2008, with a dissertation titled “Effects of Privatization on Labor and Efficiency.” Further solidifying his academic stature, he obtained the Habilitation for Supervising Doctoral Research (HDR) in Economics from the same institution in December 2012. His interdisciplinary pursuits led him to acquire master’s degrees in Sociology (2018), Philosophy (2019), and Psychology of Education (2022), underscoring his commitment to a comprehensive understanding of human and societal dynamics.

💼 Professional Experience

With over 23 years in academia, Dr. Issaoui has held various teaching and research positions across esteemed institutions. His journey began at the Institute of Labor and Social Studies in Tunis (1998-2001), followed by roles at the Faculty of Economic Science and Management of Mahdia (2001-2004), and the Higher Institute of Fashion Crafts of Monastir (2004-2015). He then served at the Higher School of Digital Economics (2010-2015) before joining the Higher School of Economic Science and Commerce (ESSECT) at the University of Tunis as an Associate Professor (2015-2020). Since 2020, he has been contributing his expertise at King Khalid University in Saudi Arabia.

🔬 Research Interests

Dr. Issaoui’s research interests are vast and interdisciplinary. They encompass public and labor economics, economic development, economic justice, macroeconomics, and growth challenges in transitioning economies. His work often explores the intersections of economic policies with societal impacts, reflecting a deep commitment to understanding and improving socio-economic structures.

🏆 Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Issaoui’s scholarly contributions have garnered international recognition. He has been honored as an Outstanding Scholar in the field of economics by the Journal of Development (ICEED USA). His expertise is further acknowledged through his roles as a reviewer for several esteemed journals, including Panoeconomicus, the International Journal of Computational Economics and Econometrics, and the Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. Additionally, he serves on the scientific committee of the research laboratory “Prospective, Strategies, and Sustainable Development” at the University of Tunis El Manar.

📚 Notable Publications

“The Effects of Carbon Dioxide Emissions on Economic Growth”

“Does the Concept of Property Rights Hold Relevance for Human Resource Performance?: An Applied Study of Privatized Companies in Tunisia”

“Should We Be Sceptical in the Face of Calls for Degrowth?”

“The Effects of Economic Cycle Shocks on Polluting Emissions in Saudi Arabia”

“Financial Liberalization, Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: A Dynamic Panel Data Validation”