Cornelia Storz | Strategy Formulation | Best Paper Award

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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

Xiaoyan Pan | Digital Transformation Strategy | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Xiaoyan Pan – Digital Transformation Strategy – Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Dr. Pan’s research aligns well with the Best Researcher Award or Excellence in Innovation category. Her focus on strategic innovation in the context of digital transformation reflects an advanced understanding of emerging trends and their applications in management. Her contributions to teaching reform, municipal and provincial research projects, and her ability to integrate theoretical insights with practical applications further validate her candidacy

Taizhou University | China

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Dr. Pan Xiaoyan, a distinguished scholar in the field of management, laid the foundation for her academic excellence with a robust educational journey. Her passion for management studies led her to specialize in strategic management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Pan’s academic rigor culminated in her dissertation, “A Study of the Relationship Between Strategic Orientation and New Product Development Performance in the Context of Digital Transformation: The Mediating Role of Digital Capabilities and Dual Innovation.” This dissertation not only reflects her profound understanding of the complexities of digital transformation but also sets the stage for her future contributions to the field.

 

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Currently, Dr. Pan Xiaoyan serves as a faculty member at the School of Economics and Management, Taizhou University. She has established herself as an expert in her discipline by teaching pivotal courses such as Management Information Systems. Her professional qualifications, including the National Informatization Engineer Certification in Project Management (Advanced Faculty Level), Accounting Qualification, and Vocational Core Competency Teaching Qualification, underline her dedication to academic and professional excellence. Dr. Pan has also contributed significantly to teaching reform, leading a university-level project aimed at improving educational methodologies. Her involvement in municipal and provincial research projects further highlights her active engagement in addressing regional and national challenges in the field of management.

 

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Digital Transformation Strategy

Dr. Pan Xiaoyan’s research focuses on strategic management, innovation, and entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of digital transformation. Her groundbreaking work explores how digital capabilities and strategic orientation influence new product development performance. She has published extensively in international, national, and provincial-level journals, with eight notable papers to her credit. Key contributions include: Strategic Orientation, Digital Capabilities, and New Product Development in Emerging Market Firms: The Moderating Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (Sustainability, 2021) – This study examines how corporate social responsibility moderates the relationship between strategic orientation and digital capabilities in emerging markets. The Rise of Corporate Digital Transformation and Government Regulatory Innovation (East Asian Journal of Business Economics, 2021) – This paper highlights the interplay between corporate innovation and government regulations in the digital era. Digital Supply Chain: Green Synergy Effects of Intelligent Technology and Dynamic Capabilities—An Empirical Study Based on 200 Manufacturing Enterprises (Supply Chain Management, 2023) – This empirical study emphasizes how intelligent technology fosters green synergy in supply chain management.

 

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Pan has been recognized for her exemplary work through various academic and professional accomplishments. Her leadership in research projects—spanning university-level teaching reform, municipal innovation, and provincial management strategies—has cemented her reputation as a thought leader in her field.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Dr. Pan’s work has had a profound impact on both academia and industry. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, her research offers actionable insights for businesses navigating the challenges of digital transformation. Her studies on digital supply chains and the value realization path of data as a factor of production have significantly influenced how organizations approach innovation and strategic management in the digital age.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Dr. Pan Xiaoyan’s legacy lies in her ability to address contemporary challenges in management through innovative research and practical applications. Moving forward, she is well-positioned to continue her contributions to the field, particularly in exploring the intersection of digital transformation, sustainability, and strategic innovation. Her research projects and publications serve as a valuable resource for academics, policymakers, and industry leaders alike.

Conclusion

Dr. Pan Xiaoyan’s unwavering commitment to advancing strategic management, innovation, and entrepreneurship makes her a leading figure in her discipline. Her academic rigor, professional achievements, and impactful research reflect her dedication to addressing the evolving challenges of the digital era. As a scholar, educator, and researcher, Dr. Pan exemplifies the qualities of a visionary leader, leaving an indelible mark on her field and paving the way for future advancements in management and digital transformation.

📚Publications

  • What Drives Firms to Go Green in China? The Role of Digitalization

    Authors: Pan, X., Xiao, S.

    Journals: Sustainability 

  • Strategic orientation, digital capabilities, and new product development in emerging market firms: The moderating role of corporate social responsibility

    Authors: Pan, X., Oh, K.-S., Wang, M.

    Journals:  Sustainability 

Augustine Gyan| Policy Implementation and strategies | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. Augustine Gyan – Policy Implementation and strategies – Best Researcher Award

University of Bayreuth | Germany

Author Profile 

Early Academic Pursuits 🎓

Education and Training

His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sociology with Information Studies from the University of Ghana, where he laid the foundation for his future studies in social sciences. He pursued his passion for understanding global development theories and practices at the University of Bergen, Norway, completing both an MPhil in Global Development Theories and Practice, and an MPhil in Anthropology of Development.

 Professional Endeavors 💼

Academic Positions

Currently a Ph.D. candidate in Social Anthropology at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, he serves as a Junior Fellow, contributing actively to academic discourse in African studies. His role as Editor of BIGSASWorks! underscores his commitment to scholarly publication and dissemination.

Teaching Experience 

Drawing from his academic background and practical insights, he has contributed to education as a Tutor in Social Studies at Obiri Yeboah Senior High School. This experience has enriched his perspective on social issues and education in Ghana.

Contributions and Research Focus on  Policy Implementation and strategies📚

Research and Publications

His research focuses on critical issues affecting African societies, with particular emphasis on mining impacts, urbanization, and governance challenges. His publications in reputable journals such as the Extractive Industries and Society Journal highlight his scholarly contributions to understanding governance and socio-environmental dynamics in Ghana’s gold mining sector.

Conference Engagements

He actively participates in international conferences and workshops, presenting research findings on topics ranging from digital land governance to the social impact of mining in Africa. These engagements reflect his dedication to exploring alternative perspectives and solutions to complex societal issues.

Accolades and Recognition 🏆

Awards and Honors

He has been recognized with prestigious awards and scholarships, including the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship and the Norwegian Quota Scholarship. These accolades underscore his academic excellence and commitment to advancing knowledge in African studies.

 Impact and Influence 🌍

Community Impact Through his research and academic pursuits, he aims to influence policy and societal change, particularly in the realm of sustainable development and social justice in Africa. His work contributes to broader discussions on governance, resource management, and community empowerment.

 Legacy and Future Contributions 🔮

Future Contributions Looking ahead,  he seeks to expand his research portfolio, exploring new dimensions of social anthropology and development studies. His goal is to continue advocating for marginalized communities and promoting sustainable development practices across Africa.

In summary, his academic journey and professional endeavors exemplify a deep commitment to scholarly excellence and societal impact. Through his research, publications, and active engagement in academic forums, he continues to shape discourse on critical issues facing African societies, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of social anthropology and development studies.

Notable Publications