Zulnaidi Yaacob | Entrepreneurship and Start-up Strategies | Academic Leadership in Business Strategy Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob – Entrepreneurship and Start-up Strategies – Academic Leadership in Business Strategy Award

Alignment with Award Category

Given his extensive research, leadership, and contributions to entrepreneurship and financial well-being, Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob is highly deserving of recognition in categories such as Academic Excellence, Research Leadership, and Entrepreneurship Education. His interdisciplinary approach and global collaborations exemplify the qualities of an outstanding academic leader.

 

 Universiti Sains Malaysia | Malaysia

Profile

Scholar

orcid

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Assoc Prof Dr Zulnaidi Yaacob began his academic journey with a strong foundation in accounting. He obtained a Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) in 1999 from a prestigious Malaysian university. His passion for academia and research led him to pursue a Master in Accounting in 2003, further honing his expertise in the field. In 2008, he completed a PhD in Management Accounting from Universiti Utara Malaysia, marking the beginning of a distinguished academic career dedicated to advancing financial and management accounting knowledge.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob has built a remarkable career as an academic and researcher. Currently serving as the Dean of the School of Distance Education at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), he has played a pivotal role in shaping the institution’s academic policies and programs. His contributions extend beyond administrative duties, as he has actively engaged in various professional development courses, such as the Executive Certificate for Entrepreneurial Leaders (Swansea University, UK, 2017) and Professional Certificate in Blockchain Fundamentals (University of California, Berkeley, 2019). These certifications underscore his commitment to lifelong learning and adapting to the evolving landscape of accounting and entrepreneurship.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Entrepreneurship and Start-up Strategies

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob’s research interests span multiple disciplines, including Management Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Financial Well-being, and Quality Management. His research has been instrumental in providing insights into financial decision-making, organizational performance, and sustainable entrepreneurship. His extensive publication record includes numerous journal articles addressing quality management practices, financial stability, and the impact of public policy on entrepreneurship. Notable publications include:

  • Developing Instrument for Measuring Organizational Performance (Jurnal Akuntabilitas, 2008)
  • The Link Between Quality Management and Balanced Scorecard Cause-and-Effect Linkage (Malaysian Management Journal, 2008)
  • Kesan Pengurusan Kualiti Terhadap Prestasi Perkhidmatan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan (Jurnal Kemanusiaan, 2008)

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions to academia and research. Some of the most notable accolades include: Excellent Educator Award (2010, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Best Paper Award (2010, IAM Conference, Taiwan), National Book Industry Fund, (2012, DBP and Ministry of Finance Malaysia), Outstanding Reviewer Award, (2013 & 2014, Emerald Literati Network) Excellent Service Award (2017, Universiti Sains Malaysia), Entrepreneurship Mentor Award (2018, Universiti Sains Malaysia) These achievements reflect his dedication to excellence in education and research

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob’s influence extends beyond his institution. As a Visiting Scholar at prestigious universities such as the University of Newcastle (Australia), Universitas Trisakti (Indonesia), and Hebei University (China), he has contributed to global academic discourse. His keynote addresses at international conferences, including The International Engineering & Management Conference (2012) and The 10th International Research Symposium (2024, Prince Songkhla University, Thailand), have highlighted critical issues in financial well-being and sustainable entrepreneurship.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Dr. Zulnaidi Yaacob continues to shape the future of accounting and entrepreneurship education through his research, teaching, and mentorship. His work on financial well-being and management accounting will remain valuable for policymakers and business leaders. His commitment to distance education ensures that quality education is accessible to a broader audience, fostering future generations of accountants and entrepreneurs.

Conclusion

Assoc Prof Dr Zulnaidi Yaacob’s distinguished career reflects a profound impact on academia and entrepreneurship. Through his extensive research, international engagements, and leadership in education, he continues to contribute significantly to the fields of management accounting, financial well-being, and quality management. His legacy as a scholar and mentor will undoubtedly inspire future generations in the academic and business communities.

📚Publications

Determinants of effective financial risk management in small business: A theoretical framework
Authors: NA Rahman, Z Yaacob, RM Radzi

Journals: Information Management and Business 

Impact of logical thinking skills and digital literacy on Thailand’s generation Z accounting students’ internship effectiveness: Role of self-learning capability
Authors: N Imjai, S Aujirapongpan, Z Yaacob

Journals: International Journal of Educational Research

Strategy for financial well-being among public servants in Malaysia
Authors: NN Wahab, Z Yaacob

Journals: Journal of Techno-Social

Giovanna Ferraro | Small businesses | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Giovanna Ferraro – Small businesses  –  Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

As a nominee for the Best Researcher Award, Giovanna Ferraro stands out due to her: Strong research output in high-impact journals, Involvement in major European innovation projects, Contributions to Fintech, Industry 4.0, and complex network research, Editorial roles and mentorship of emerging scholars

 

 University of Rome Tor Vergata | Italy

Profile

Scopus

Orcid

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Giovanna Ferraro’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in Enterprise Engineering, leading her to obtain a Ph.D. in the field. She has always been passionate about research and innovation, particularly in the areas of technology transfer, strategic management, and Industry 4.0. Her early academic achievements set a solid base for her career, allowing her to explore complex networks and business innovation.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Management Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Giovanna Ferraro is a distinguished academician actively involved in both national and international research projects. She has collaborated extensively with European institutions, particularly in technology transfer and business innovation management. She has played a pivotal role in several European projects, particularly those funded under the Horizon 2020 and COSME programs. These projects focus on SME innovation management, scaling up business activities in the Single Market, and enhancing enterprise competitiveness across Europe.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Small businesses

Giovanna Ferraro’s research contributions span innovation management, open innovation, technology transfer, Industry 4.0, Fintech, and complex networks. Her work has provided valuable insights into the evolving technological and economic landscape of Europe. One of her key research directions is integrating EU countries in Circular Economy, Energy Transition, and Social Justice using a multilayer network approach. This framework enables policymakers and researchers to evaluate policy analogies, facilitating better integration of sustainable strategies across nations. Another significant research area is Fintech patent analysis, where she has examined patent certificates to identify technical trends, influencing factors, and technological advancements. By employing network analysis techniques, she has detected innovation clusters, highlighting technological substrates and trajectories that shape the future of financial technology. Her work has laid a strong foundation for future studies in strategic innovation and technology transfer, helping businesses and policymakers understand and navigate the complexities of modern economic ecosystems.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Giovanna Ferraro has earned widespread recognition in academia and industry for her contributions to technological forecasting, strategic management, and business innovation. Her work has been published in prestigious journals, including: Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Technovation, Expert Systems with Applications, Small Business Economics, Annals of Operations Research. She has also served as a guest editor for leading journals like the Journal of Business Research and the Journal of Innovation and Knowledge. Additionally, she is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Engineering Business Management.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Through her work in innovation ecosystems and enterprise competitiveness, Giovanna Ferraro has influenced policymaking and business strategies across Europe. Her research provides practical solutions for SMEs, governments, and multinational corporations seeking to optimize their innovation management strategies.

 

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Giovanna Ferraro’s legacy lies in her ability to bridge the gap between academic research and practical business applications. She continues to contribute to large-scale innovation ecosystems and policy integration models, ensuring that her research has real-world implications.

Conclusion

Giovanna Ferraro has made significant strides in innovation management, strategic business growth, and technology transfer. Her academic rigor, extensive research portfolio, and leadership in European innovation projects position her as a leading figure in the field. Her work is not only academically enriching but also holds tangible value for businesses, policymakers, and technology-driven enterprises. As she continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation, her contributions will undoubtedly shape the future of Industry 4.0 and business strategy in the years to come.

📚Publications

Mapping socio-environmental policy integration in the European Union: A multilayer network approach

Authors: Roy Cerqueti; Giovanna Ferraro; Raffaele Mattera; Saverio Storani

Journals: Journal of Cleaner Production

The process supporting the emergence of the environmental innovation capabilities within small businesses: An empirical investigation

Authors: Giovanna Ferraro; Renato Passaro; Ivana Quinto; Antonio Thomas

Journals: Business Strategy and the Environment

Correction: Individual learning ambidexterity behavior and individual job performance in services: the role of organizational structure

Authors: Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu; Giovanna Ferraro; Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu; Bogdan Georgescu

Journals: Review of Managerial Science

Individual learning ambidexterity behavior and individual job performance in services: the role of organizational structure

Authors: Sebastian Ion Ceptureanu; Giovanna Ferraro; Eduard Gabriel Ceptureanu; Bogdan Georgescu

Journals: Review of Managerial Science

Promoting sustainability goals: innovation trajectories of Fintech through patent analysis

Authors: Giovanna Ferraro; Antonio Iovanella; Alessandro Ramponi; Giulia Rotundo

Journals: Annals of Operations Research

Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska | Entrepreneruship | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska  –  Entrepreneruship  –  Best Researcher Award

Alignment with Award Category

Her research contributions align well with the Best Researcher Award or an Excellence in Innovation category. Her focus on economic innovation, technological entrepreneurship, and policy implications for SMEs demonstrates a strong alignment with global business transformation and technological advancement

 

Departament of Management, Economics and Finance | Poland

Orcid

Scopus

Scholar

🎓Early Academic Pursuits 

Education and Training

Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska, an accomplished academic and researcher, embarked on her educational journey with a strong foundation in economics and law. She earned her Master of Arts (MA) in Economics from the University of Bialystok in 2001, followed by a Master of Law degree from the University of Bialystok’s Department of Law in 2005. Her academic rigor culminated in a Ph.D. in Economics from the Warsaw School of Economics in 2004. Her doctoral dissertation, titled “The Impact of the European Union Funds on the Functioning of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Podlasie Province in Poland,” demonstrated her keen interest in economic development and the practical implications of financial support structures for business growth.

💼Professional Endeavors 

Academic Positions

Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Bialystok University of Technology, Faculty of Management, Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska has dedicated her career to advancing research and education in economics, innovation, and technological entrepreneurship. Her professional journey includes involvement in various prestigious organizations and academic committees, reflecting her commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination. She is a member of the IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (since 2013) and the Polish Economic Society (since 2007). Additionally, she has played a crucial role in organizing conferences on innovative development and social economy in Poland, further strengthening her position as a thought leader in these fields.

📚Contributions and Research Focus on Entrepreneruship

Her research primarily revolves around technological entrepreneurship, innovation management, and economic development. She is currently working on her habilitation book project, “The aim of technological entrepreneurship – trends and model commercialization of research.” Her scholarly contributions explore the predictors of technological entrepreneurship growth in a changing economic environment, with a specific focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Polish energy sector. Furthermore, her work in entrepreneurial orientation, family businesses, and social economy models has provided valuable insights into the dynamics of business development and sustainability. Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska has been instrumental in bridging academic research with practical business applications. Her studies on barriers to financing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and corporate social responsibility have influenced policy discussions and strategic planning for businesses in Poland and beyond.

🏆Accolades and Recognition 

Her academic excellence and contributions have been recognized through multiple fellowships and international engagements. She has participated in research fellowships at esteemed institutions worldwide, including ISVOUGA, Instituto Superior de Entre Douro e Vouga, Portugal (2023); University of Belize, Faculty of Management and Innovation, Belize (2023); Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, Vietnam (2022); and Long Island University, Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, USA (2015). Her global academic engagements underline her commitment to cross-border knowledge exchange and the integration of international perspectives in her research.

🌍 Impact and Influence 

Community Impact

Through her extensive research and publications, Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska has significantly impacted the academic community and the business sector. Her work on regional economic development, particularly in Eastern Poland, has informed regional policy strategies and investment decisions. She has edited and authored chapters in key publications, including “Eastern Poland: Selected Aspects of Regional Development in the Period 2007-2013,” addressing topics such as European cohesion, effective regional policies, and the role of social economy in fostering societal cohesion. Her studies have also emphasized the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) for small and medium enterprises, contributing to a broader understanding of ethical business practices and sustainable development. Her research findings have been published in high-impact journals such as Energies, Financial Internet Quarterly E-Finanse, and Journal of Intercultural Management, further extending her influence in the academic and business communities.

🔮Legacy and Future Contributions 

Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska’s legacy is rooted in her dedication to advancing economic knowledge, fostering technological entrepreneurship, and promoting social economy models. As she continues her academic and research journey, her focus remains on developing innovative strategies for economic growth and sustainability. Her ongoing research into commercialization models of technological entrepreneurship aims to provide practical frameworks for businesses and policymakers. Her contributions to conference committees, academic societies, and research fellowships suggest that her influence will continue to grow, shaping the future of economic and management sciences. By mentoring young researchers and collaborating with international institutions, she ensures the continued expansion and refinement of her research themes.

Conclusion

Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska stands as a distinguished academic and researcher whose work has significantly contributed to the fields of economics, technological entrepreneurship, and innovation management. Her professional journey, marked by rigorous academic pursuits, extensive research contributions, and global collaborations, underscores her expertise and dedication. As she continues her research on the commercialization of technological innovations, her insights are poised to benefit businesses, policymakers, and the academic community alike. Her unwavering commitment to excellence makes her a strong candidate for prestigious research awards and recognitions.

📚Publications

Sustainable development of smart cities through municipal waste incinerators: the examples of artificial intelligence in technological entrepreneurship

Journals: Engineering Management in Production and Services
Authors: Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska; Marie Pavlakova-Docekalova; Milena Ratajczak-Mrozek; Cindy Thompson

Overcoming the Challenge of Exploration: Organizational Readiness of Technology Entrepreneurship on the Background of Energy Climate Nexus

Journals: Energies
Authors: Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska; Michał Bąkowski; Magdalena Forfa

Overcoming the Challenge of Exploration. Organizational Readiness of Technology Entrepreneurship on the Background of Energy Climate Nexus

Authors: Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska; Michał Bąkowski; Magdalena Forfa

Sztuczna inteligencja w zarządzaniu kapitałem przedsiębiorstwa w dobie Przemysłu 5.0 [w:] Akademia Zarządzania – 7(4)/2023

Journals: Academy of Management
Authors: Monika Walicka; Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska

Trends in the development of technological entrepreneurship based on artificial intelligence

Journals: Academy of Management
Authors: Wioletta Czemiel-Grzybowska