Cornelia Storz | Strategy Formulation | Best Paper Award

Prof Dr. Cornelia Storz | Strategy Formulation | Best Paper Award

Prof Dr. Cornelia Storz, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany.

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Storz is a tenured full professor and Chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Goethe University Frankfurt’s Faculty of Economics and Business. With prior professorships in Japanese Economy and Society at Philipps University Marburg and University of Applied Sciences Bremen, Dr. Storz bridges academia and global business perspectives. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics (Dr. rer. oec.) in 1996 from the University of Duisburg‑Essen, following an M.A. in Business Administration & Japanese Studies from the University of Bonn in 1992. Over her career, she has led 20+ completed and 10+ ongoing research projects, published 35 journal articles, and authored 13 books. Her work has garnered a citation index of 1,044, with an h-index of 18 and i10-index of 23. She serves as co-guest editor for Research Policy and maintains rich collaborations with leading international scholars—spanning Oxford, Tokyo, Singapore, Paris, Seoul, and beyond.

👩‍🏫  Profile

Scopus

🎓 Education

Dr. Storz’s academic journey began with a Master of Arts in Business Administration and Japanese Studies from the University of Bonn (1992), reflecting her interdisciplinary grounding in management sciences and cross-cultural insights. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics (Dr. rer. oec.) at the University of Duisburg‑Essen in 1996, where she developed rigorous research skills in strategic management, innovation, and economic systems. This strong educational background laid the foundation for her impactful contributions to international research and teaching, and positioned her as a leader capable of analyzing complex innovation landscapes in Japan, Korea, Europe, and emerging economies.

💼 Experience

Since 2007, Dr. Storz has held the professorship and Chair of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Goethe University’s Faculty of Economics and Business, Department of Management & Microeconomics. Before that, she was a full professor specializing in Japanese Economy at Philipps University Marburg (2001–2006), and at the University of Applied Sciences Bremen (1997–2001). From 1992 to 1996, she worked as a research assistant at the University of Duisburg‑Essen. Across these roles, she has supervised doctoral students, designed postgraduate curricula, and led strategic projects. She actively shapes international research networks and provides expert consultancy in innovation policy, organizational strategy, and digital transformation across academia and industry.

 🔬 Research Interest

Dr. Storz’s research centers on strategic management of innovation, firm adaptation in crisis contexts, and the emergence of new industries. She investigates topics such as labour-cost retrenchment strategies, digital innovation ecosystems, board governance’s impact on innovation, and design knowledge flows in product development. Her collaborative projects examine digital marketplaces in Sub‑Saharan Africa, optimal distinctiveness in Korean film, and entrepreneurial networks at the base-of-pyramid. She is particularly interested in how firms construct innovation policy practices that align with national and local systems, and how crisis strategies—from flexible to rigid—affect investor behavior and firm resilience.

 🏆 Awards & Honors

Dr. Storz has been nominated for several prestigious international awards in strategic management and business strategy, and recognized for excellence in innovation research. Her prolific output—including 35 journal articles, 13 books, and numerous editorial roles—has earned her a global citation index above 1,000, with an h-index of 18 and i10-index of 23. She has been co-guest editor for special issues in top-tier journals, including Research Policy. These accolades reflect peer recognition of her leadership in examining the strategic dimensions of innovation, crisis response, and cross-national economic systems, marking her a strong contender for awards such as the Best Paper Award.

📚 Publication Top Notes

Labour-cost retrenchment strategies in times of crisis: Comparing market reactions to flexible and rigid strategies

Digital creatives and digital engineers: entrepreneurial firms, institutional context, and the organization of innovation

The emergence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem: the interplay between early entrepreneurial activity and public policy in the Korean online gaming industry

Why do some entrepreneurs thrive? A network content perspective

Félix Hernández de Rojas | Competitive Analysis | Best Paper Award

Mr. Félix Hernández de Rojas | Competitive Analysis | Best Paper Award

Mr. Félix Hernández de Rojas, UPM, Spain

Félix Hernández de Rojas (born July 21, 1973, Valladolid, Spain) is a dynamic digital business strategist and tech innovation leader, passionate about shaping the future of industries through digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and advanced technologies like AI and IoT. With a rare blend of hands-on experience in telecom, academia, and global digital ecosystems, Félix envisions business like an orchestra, harmonizing tech, people, and strategy to deliver value. His work bridges corporate development at Telefónica with academic mentoring and international digital consultancy, showcasing his belief in building ecosystems rather than isolated solutions. He continues to drive innovation and transformation with creativity and purpose across Europe and Latin America. 🌍✨

👤  Profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Félix holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering from Universidad de Valladolid (1991–1996), with a final thesis developed in partnership with Universidad Polytechnic de Madrid (UPM) and the European Union on Artificial Intelligence, knowledge engineering, and human-computer interfaces. He earned an Executive MBA (2003–2004) with international modules in Madrid, London, and Austin (Texas), focusing on VoIP and Centrex IP business models within Telefónica. Since 2021, he has been pursuing a PhD at ETSIT-UPM, researching the impact of digitalization on innovation and competitiveness within the EU and global economies. 📚🧠

💼 Experience

Professionally, Félix has spent the bulk of his career at Telefónica Group, where since 2009 he has held senior roles in digital business development, product marketing, and strategy. He has spearheaded initiatives across IoT, AI, and Industry 4.0, particularly in energy, industrial, and sustainability sectors. His responsibilities include working with Tier 1 clients, collaborating with start-ups, and scaling tech-based services across Telefónica’s digital business arms. He is also a prolific contributor to corporate blogs, an evaluator for innovation competitions, and a recognized figure at global expos and industry summits. 🚀🏢

🧪 Research Interests

Félix’s academic and professional research centers on digital transformation, competitive intelligence, platform business models, and the convergence of AI, IoT, and sustainability in modern industry. His current doctoral work explores how digitalization is reshaping the EU and global innovation landscape, with a focus on strategic competitiveness. He has contributed to high-impact Q1 journals and participated in international forums such as the International Telecommunications Society (ITS). His work emphasizes a systems-level understanding of how businesses must evolve to remain resilient in rapidly shifting digital environments. 🔬🌐

🏅 Awards

Among his recognitions, Félix was awarded Best Technological Telefónica Blogger (2018–2019) for his thought leadership on the company’s official platform. He also served as jury member for innovation competitions in Shenzhen and South Summit (2021), lending his expertise in evaluating next-generation start-ups. His leadership in supporting innovation ecosystems through Wayra.org and Telefónica’s open innovation initiatives further cements his role as a trusted voice in digital entrepreneurship. 🏆📢

📚 Publication Top Notes

Mohammad Falahat | Strategic Management and Business Strategy | Best Researcher Award

Mohammad Falahat | Strategic Management and Business Strategy | Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) | Malaysia

Professional Profiles:

google scholar Profile

Scopus Profile

Web of Science Profile

researchgate Profile

Early Academic Pursuits:

Dr. Mohammad Falahat embarked on his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Software Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, earning a notable CGPA of 14.07/20. He further pursued a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Information Technology Management at Multimedia University (MMU), followed by a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in International Entrepreneurship at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). His doctoral research, titled "Born Globals among the Malaysian SMEs: Mediating Effect of Marketing Competencies on Foreign Market Performance," earned him a Gold Medal and recognition as the top DBA student.

Professional Endeavors:

His career spans both academia and industry. He has held positions such as Director at Drywall Collection Sdn Bhd, CEO at Efficient Edge (M) Sdn Bhd, and Business Development Manager at Ofogh Sanat Company. His blend of academic expertise and practical experience contributes to a holistic understanding of entrepreneurship and business development.

Contributions and Research Focus:

As a seasoned academic, His made significant contributions to the field of SME Internationalization, International Entrepreneurship, Firm Performance, Sustainability, and Born Globals. His expertise extends to Research Analytics and Data Analysis, particularly with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) using Partial Least Square (PLS). His research focus on the mediating effect of marketing competencies on foreign market performance among Malaysian SMEs demonstrates a commitment to addressing practical challenges in the business world.

Accolades and Recognition:

His academic excellence has been consistently acknowledged through Teaching Excellence Awards at UTAR, where he has held various teaching positions. Additionally, he received a prestigious Masa Policy Development Programme (MPDP) Research Grant for his work on policy development post COVID-19. His mentorship also led a team of UTAR students to be shortlisted in the top 10 of the Alibaba GDT Global Challenge 2021.

Impact and Influence:

His impact extends beyond the academic realm. His leadership roles, including Head of Subgroup of Entrepreneurship, Chairperson of the Centre for Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility in Business, and Chairperson of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Sustainability, showcase his commitment to shaping the strategic direction of educational institutions. His involvement in community services, such as Chairman of the Committee for Joint Management Corporation (JMC) and member of the Joint Management Body (JMB), further highlights his dedication to societal contributions.

Legacy and Future Contributions:

His legacy is marked by his contributions to academia, industry, and community service. His editorial roles in reputable journals and participation in international conferences underscore his commitment to advancing the field of business management. As he continues his academic journey at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), his future contributions are anticipated to further enrich the realms of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and international business. His multifaceted career exemplifies the synergy between academic excellence, practical experience, and community engagement.

Notable Publications:

1 SMEs internationalization: The role of product innovation, market intelligence, pricing and marketing communication capabilities as drivers of SMEs’ international performance M Falahat, T Ramayah, P Soto-Acosta, YY Lee Technological forecasting and social change 152, 119908 (314) - 2020

4 Emotional Intelligence and Job Performance of Academicians in Malaysia. SC Chong, M Falahat, YS Lee International Journal of Higher Education 9 (1), 69-80 (96) - 2020
5 Impact of Digitalization on the Speed of Internationalization YY Lee, M Falahat, BK Sia International Business Research 12 (4), 1-11 (89) - 2019

6 Impacts of Institutional Characteristics on International Students' Choice of Private Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia. MW Migin, M Falahat, MSA Yajid, A Khatibi Higher Education Studies 5 (1), 31-42 (73) -2015

7 Emotional intelligence and turnover intention. FN Mohammad, LT Chai, LK Aun, MW Migin International Journal of Academic Research 6 (4) (68) - 2014

8 Drivers of digital adoption: a multiple case analysis among low and high-tech industries in Malaysia YY Lee, M Falahat, BK Sia Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration (57) - 2020

9 Factors influencing consumers’ purchase intention towards online group buying in Malaysia YS Liew, M Falahat Int. J. Electronic Marketing and Retailing 10 (1), 60-77 (55) - 2019

10 Entrepreneurial innovativeness and its impact on SMES'performances M Falahat, S Tehseen, C Van Horne International Journal of Entrepreneurship 22 (3), 1-9 (52) - 2018