Benja Fagerland | Corporate Social Responsibility | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Benja Fagerland | Corporate Social Responsibility | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Benja Fagerland, University of South-Eastern Norway, Norway

Prof. Benja Stig Fagerland is a globally award-winning strategist, system architect, and transformational thought leader in leadership, innovation, and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging). Renowned for reshaping governance structures and inspiring inclusive innovation across the globe, she is the visionary mind behind the Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™) model and founder of SHEconomy®. Her groundbreaking IMSD Framework, co-developed with Stanford University, is now redefining ESG frameworks by integrating adaptive leadership and social sustainability. A dynamic keynote speaker, she has inspired global audiences at Stanford, UN Women, Google HQ, and more. With features in The New York Times, BBC, and Le Figaro, Benja stands as a prominent voice in future governance and gender equity worldwide. 🌍✨

👩‍💼 Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Prof. Fagerland has pursued rigorous academic training that mirrors her forward-thinking leadership style. She holds an Executive Master of Management from BI Norwegian Business School (2016), equipping her with strategic and leadership acumen. In 2019, she completed pedagogical training at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), earning credits in education in the digital era and assessment in higher education—reinforcing her commitment to inclusive and innovative teaching practices. 📚🎓

💼 Experience

With an illustrious career spanning academia, business, and global advisory roles, Prof. Fagerland currently serves as a Full-Time Associate Professor at the USN School of Business. She is also a board member at GoForIT and a researcher at Copenhagen Business School’s ESG Think Tank. Her previous academic positions include assistant professorships at OsloMet, BI Norwegian Business School, Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College, and Campus Kristiania. In the corporate and policy spheres, she has held strategic roles at Oracle, Telenor, NHO, and MarkUp Consulting. As a trusted advisor, she has consulted for UN ILO, Nordic ministries, and international chambers of commerce, championing board diversity and gender equity. 🧠🌐

🔬 Research Interests

Prof. Fagerland’s research is deeply rooted in inclusive governance, sustainable transformation, gender equity, and ESG leadership. She is a pioneer in institutional foresight and systemic innovation, often working at the intersection of leadership education, DEIB strategy, and adaptive systems thinking. Her recent research efforts have focused on embedding inclusive leadership within institutional frameworks via projects like ST3AM, SUSTAIN-DI, and the IMSD Framework—driving resilient, people-centered change in education and policy. 🧭🔍

🏆 Awards & Honors

Prof. Fagerland’s groundbreaking work has earned her global acclaim and multiple prestigious recognitions. She was named “Woman Inspiring Europe” by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), and received the UN Women Global Shining Star award. Her advocacy has also garnered honors such as Highly Commended Campaigner of the Year (European Diversity Awards), Norway’s Most Impressive Women, and finalist positions for Society Builder of the Year and Norway’s Best Lecturer. Her voice and leadership are widely respected across the academic, policy, and corporate arenas. 🏅🌟

📄 Publication Top Notes

Leadership transformation through inclusive foresight frameworks. Journal of Inclusive Policy & Governance.

Embedding ESG in academic governance: A case study approach. International Journal of Educational Strategy,

Corporate Diversity Responsibility (CDR™): Rethinking equity in organizational leadership. European Review of Social Innovation,

Fagerland, B.S., & Johansen, M. (2021). The SHEconomy effect: Driving gender equity in policy and business. Journal of Gender Economics,

 

Ubaldo Comite | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) | Best Academic Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Ubaldo Comite | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) | Best Academic Researcher Award

Prof Dr. Ubaldo Comite, University “Giustino Fortunato”, Italy

Prof. Dr. Ubaldo Comite is a distinguished Italian academic and researcher with a multifaceted background in economics, law, and public administration. Born in Cosenza 🇮🇹 on June 14, 1971, he has built a remarkable career that blends rigorous scholarship with practical expertise. He holds multiple degrees, including Law ⚖️, Economics and Commerce 💼, Banking Economics 🏦, and Statistics 📊. His academic journey is complemented by advanced Masters’ degrees in Healthcare Management 🏥 and Business Administration 📈, showcasing a commitment to interdisciplinary learning. As a Professor at Università della Calabria 🎓, he has been actively involved in teaching, research, and public administration consulting. His work emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in public and non-profit sectors 🌍. Prof. Comite’s blend of deep theoretical knowledge and real-world impact underscores his status as a leading figure in economic and managerial sciences. 🏆

Profile 👨‍🏫🌟

Scopus

Education 🎓📖🧑‍🎓

Prof. Dr. Comite’s educational path is distinguished by excellence and diversity. He graduated with top honors from Liceo Ginnasio B. Telesio 🏫 with a High School Diploma in Classics, scoring 60/60 🏅. He earned degrees in Law ⚖️, Economics and Commerce 💼, Banking Economics 🏦, and Statistics 📊, all from the Università degli Studi di Messina. His postgraduate journey includes two Masters’ degrees in Management of Healthcare Authorities 🏥 and Business Administration 📈 from the prestigious FOR.COM Consortium in Rome, both with highest marks (110/110 with honors). He also holds a specialized Master’s in Sustainable Development Economics 🌱 from Università Magna Graecia. His continuous pursuit of knowledge is marked by advanced training courses and summer schools in regulatory economics, cooperative enterprises, and public accounting 🧾. This robust academic foundation enables him to tackle complex economic and managerial challenges with a holistic approach. 📚

Experience 💼🏛️📊

Prof. Dr. Ubaldo Comite has accumulated extensive experience in academia, research, and public administration. Since 2002, he has actively contributed to research projects focused on management control in public sectors, especially airports and healthcare authorities 🛫🏥. His PhD research on municipal unions examined development strategies and economic efficiency for local governments 🏙️. He has been awarded significant research grants and bursaries, including projects on local authority budget reforms and fundraising in non-profit organizations 🤝. Currently, he collaborates with the Research Institute of Certified Accountants in Rome and is a member of international research networks such as ATINER in Athens 🇬🇷. His roles extend beyond teaching to impactful consultancy and knowledge dissemination in economic governance and public financial management 🏛️. His work consistently bridges theory with policy application, contributing to better governance and public resource optimization. 🔍

Research Interests 🔬📈🌍

Prof. Dr. Comite’s research interests lie at the intersection of public administration, economics, and sustainable development. He focuses on management control systems 🛠️, performance measurement in public entities, and economic reform of local government finance 🏛️💰. Another key area is the nonprofit sector’s fundraising systems and organizational efficiency 🤲. He explores innovative governance models, such as municipal unions and cooperative enterprises, aiming for enhanced social cohesion and economic sustainability 🌿. His interdisciplinary approach includes regulatory economics, public accounting, and human resource integration in public institutions 👥. Sustainability economics and environmental regulatory frameworks also form a core part of his inquiry, reflecting a commitment to balancing economic growth with social responsibility 🌎. This breadth of interests positions Prof. Comite as a forward-thinking scholar influencing public sector reform globally. 🌐

Awards & Honors 🏆🎖️🎓

Prof. Dr. Comite has earned several prestigious recognitions throughout his career. His outstanding academic performance in multiple Masters’ programs with top marks (110/110 with honors) highlights his intellectual excellence 🎓🏅. He received a significant research grant in 2005 for pioneering work on local authority budget reforms 💼💡 and was awarded a bursary in 2008/09 for impactful research on fundraising in non-profits 🤝. His membership in leading research institutions like ATINER and collaboration with the Research Institute of Certified Accountants underscores his respected status in the academic community 🌍📜. Moreover, his participation in high-level training seminars and summer schools in economics and public management reflects continuous professional development and recognition of his expertise. These accolades attest to his dedication to advancing knowledge and practical improvements in public administration and economic governance. 🏅

Publications 📚📝🔗

Does green entrepreneurial orientation impact entrepreneurial success through green innovation capability in the manufacturing and services sector of emerging economies?

Beyond the Surface: Navigating Sustainability Disclosure in European Union Ports

Healing leaders: Altruism and psychological safety as antidotes to burnout in health care settings

Xixiong xu | Corporate Social Responsibility | Best Researcher Award

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