Kanellos Toudas | Financial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas | Financial Data Analysis | Research Excellence Award

Agricultural University of Athens | Greece

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanellos Toudas is a scholar in accounting and financial analysis with extensive academic, governmental, and professional experience. He earned both his graduate and postgraduate diplomas in Business Administration from the University of Piraeus, followed by a Ph.D. in Financial Management and Accounting from the Athens University of Economics and Business, and later extended his research expertise through postdoctoral studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Toudas has combined rigorous academic work with significant professional service, beginning his career as an auditor for the Hellenic Capital Market Commission, where he later served as Head of the Accounting Department. His public-sector leadership includes roles as Deputy Mayor of Finance and Deputy Governor within national financial and agricultural institutions. In academia, he is an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, having also taught at major Greek universities in areas such as accounting principles, financial analysis, and IFRS. He has authored and co-authored numerous research papers and has participated in many national and international conferences. His research interests include financial reporting, auditing, accounting standards, and capital market regulation. Dr. Toudas continues to contribute to the advancement of accounting research and financial governance through teaching, scholarship, and public service.

Profile : Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Toudas, K., Poutos, E., & Balios, D. (2013). Concept, regulations and institutional issues of IPSAS: A critical review. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2(1), 43–54.

Boufounou, P., Mavroudi, M., Toudas, K., & Georgakopoulos, G. (2022). Digital transformation of the Greek banking sector in the COVID era. Sustainability, 14(19), 11855.

Boufounou, P., Moustairas, I., Toudas, K., & Malesios, C. (2023). ESGs and customer choice: Some empirical evidence. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 3(4), 1841–1874.

Frangos, C., Frangos, C., Sotiropoulos, I., Orfanos, V., Toudas, K., & Gkika, E. (2012). The effects of the Greek economic crisis on eating habits and psychological attitudes of young people: A sample survey among Greek university students. Proceedings of the World Congress of Engineering, 1, 485–489.

Georgakopoulos, G., Toudas, K., Poutos, E. I., Kounadeas, T., & Tsavalias, S. (2022). Capital structure, corporate governance, equity ownership and their impact on firms’ profitability and effectiveness in the energy sector. Energies, 15(10), 3625.

Reda Louziri | Behavioral Economics Research | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Reda Louziri | Behavioral Economics Research | Research Excellence Award

Ministère de l’Économie et des Finances du Maroc | Morocco

Dr. Reda Louziri is a distinguished finance and management scholar with a Doctorate in Economics and Management from the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences – Souissi, Mohammed V University, Rabat, awarded with “Très Honorable” and recognized as one of the top three finalists for the Best Thesis in Finance by the Moroccan Association of Control, Accounting and Audit (AMCCA). She also holds a Master in Finance and Management from Cranfield School of Management, UK, and a Master Grande École from ESC Rouen, France, with a specialization in corporate finance. Professionally, she has extensive experience as an Inspector of Finance and Head of Brigade at the General Finance Inspectorate (IGF) within the Moroccan Ministry of Economy and Finance, overseeing audits of public institutions, ministerial departments, and international development projects. She also has experience in credit risk analysis at BMCI – BNP Paribas and consulting at Mazars Maroc. Dr. Louziri has published two scholarly documents, including one Scopus-indexed article, cited 11 times with an h-index of 1. Her research focuses on corporate finance, dividend policy, capital structure, corporate governance, and financial performance. She has received awards for research excellence and has contributed to academic teaching in finance. Dr. Louziri’s work bridges theoretical research and practical application in public and corporate finance.

Profiles : Scopus  | Orcid

Featured Publications

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2025). Characteristics of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Their Impact on Dividend Payments in the Moroccan Stock Exchange. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 18(2), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18020070

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2023). Does the level of free cash-flow impact dividend payments? The case of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Revue Internationale des Sciences de Gestion.

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2022). Dividend policy determinants: Literature review and research model proposal. International Journal of Accounting, Finance, Auditing, Management and Economics. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7378354

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2022). Board of directors and ownership structure impact on dividend policy: The case of the Moroccan stock market. African Scientific Journal. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7356197

Louziri, R., & Oubal, K. (2022). Determinants of Dividend Policy: The Case of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 15(12), 548. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm15120548

Shawn (Xiaoguang) Chen | Public Policy | Research Excellence Award

Dr. Shawn (Xiaoguang) Chen | Public Policy | Research Excellence Award

University of Western Australia | Australia

Dr. Shawn (Xiaoguang) Chen is an applied economist whose research spans public finance, taxation, misallocation, and development economics. With an h-index of 4, 9 scholarly documents, and 256 citations across 251 citing documents, he has contributed influential work to both international and top-tier Chinese journals. He holds dual PhDs from the London School of Economics and Peking University, supported by competitive scholarships including the LSE Postgraduate Research Scholarship. Dr. Chen is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia and has held visiting positions at Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Hong Kong, and the University of Toronto. His research particularly focuses on tax enforcement, VAT systems, government incentives, misallocation, and firm productivity in developing economies, especially China and Sri Lanka. He has secured major research grants from the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, China’s National Science Foundation, and multiple institutional programs. Recognized for scholarly excellence, he has received awards such as the Best Paper Award at the Public Finance Forum of China, the Gregory Chow Award, and early-career distinctions from the Western Australia Chinese Scientists Association. Dr. Chen continues to advance empirical public finance with policy-relevant insights rooted in rigorous causal identification.

Profile : Scopus

Featured Publications

Geng, H., Chen, S.X., & Wu, Y. (2025). “The displacement effects of US–China political tensions on China’s international and domestic research collaboration: Evidence from the ‘China Initiative’.” Scientometrics, 40(2), 289–337. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-025-05465-1

Chen, S.X. (2024). “Vulnerability to tax enforcement and spillover effect of corruption: Cross-industry evidence from China.” Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization. https://doi.org/10.1093/jleo/ewac019

Dewage Thilini Sumudu Kumari, R., Tang, S.H.K., & Chen, S.X. (2023). “Un-incorporation and conditional misallocation: Firm-level evidence from Sri Lanka.” B.E. Journal of Macroeconomics. https://doi.org/10.1515/bejm-2022-0107

Dewage Thilini Sumudu Kumari, R., Tang, S.H.K., Chen, S.X., & Li, B. (2023). “Can land misallocation be a greater barrier to development than capital? Evidence from manufacturing firms in Sri Lanka.” Economic Modelling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106368

Mudiyanselage, H.K., & Chen, S.X. (2021). “What impairs the ‘money machine’ of VAT in developing countries?” International Tax and Public Finance. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10797-021-09705-x

AbdelKarim AlBataineh | Behavioral Economics Research | Best Researcher Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. AbdelKarim AlBataineh | Behavioral Economics Research | Best Researcher Award

University of Petra | Jordan

Assist. Prof. Dr. AbdelKarim Fawwaz AlBataineh is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of economics, with a strong focus on financial and banking sciences. He has built a career that blends teaching, research, academic leadership, and professional service. Over the years, he has contributed to advancing knowledge in areas such as financial inclusion, governance, remittances, sustainable development, and economic growth. His career is marked by scholarly publications, participation in academic committees, and recognition through prestigious awards.

Professional Profiles

Orcid
Google Scholar

Education

Dr. AlBataineh pursued his higher education in the Russian Federation, where he developed expertise in economics and management of national economies. He completed a Master of Science in Engineering of the Economies of Radio and Television Production and later earned his Doctorate in Economics. His doctoral research explored organizational and economic factors shaping the development and efficiency of media industries, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach that connects economic theories with practical applications in technology and communication.

Experience

His academic career began with teaching roles at Al-Zaytoonah Private University before joining the University of Petra, where he has served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Financial and Banking Sciences. Beyond teaching, he has taken on leadership and service roles, including Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and membership in key university and faculty-level committees related to accreditation, academic program management, and quality assurance. He has also contributed to guiding students through academic counseling, examination oversight, and research mentorship. In addition to his academic experience, Dr. AlBataineh gained valuable early professional exposure in media and consulting roles, bridging the gap between economics and applied industries.

Research Interests

Dr. AlBataineh’s research interests lie at the intersection of financial sciences, economic development, and technological innovation. His studies address critical issues such as the role of financial inclusion in promoting investment, the effects of remittances on poverty alleviation, corporate governance under crisis conditions, the impact of smart contracts on land registry systems, and the role of business incubators in fostering women’s entrepreneurship. He has also investigated the dynamics of price policies, financial ratios, and inventory management, offering insights into the functioning of markets and organizations in Jordan and beyond. His commitment to exploring diverse topics highlights his adaptability and dedication to contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Award

Dr. AlBataineh’s scholarly achievements have been recognized through the Al Hussein Fund for Excellence Economic Research Award, honoring his contributions to labor economics and applied financial studies. This recognition underscores his ability to generate impactful research with relevance to policy, practice, and sustainable development in the region.

Publications

AlBataineh, A.F. (2025). The effect of smart contracts (blockchain technology) on Jordan’s land registry and survey department for sustainable development. Discover Sustainability.

Yousef Ali, H.Y.A., Hamshari, Y.M., Alqam, M.A., & AlBataineh, A.F. (2025). Effects of corporate governance at information asymmetry on the presence of COVID-19 pandemic. Data and Metadata, 2(2), Article 672.

AlBataineh, A.K.F., Harb, A.S.M., Alnajjar, A.H., & Alhaj, R.S. (2024). Evaluating the impact of business incubators on promoting growth and creativity in women’s projects in Jordan. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 13(4), 158–170.

AlBataineh, A. (2024). The effect of remittances on poverty and economic growth in Jordan: Evidence from augmented autoregressive distributed lag model. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 30(4), 915–933.

AlBataineh, A. (2024). The effect of price policy on market share for retail stores in Jordan. Kurdish Studies, 12(1), 45–57.

AlBataineh, A. (2023). Role of financial stability in strengthening the relationship between financial inclusion and investments in the Jordanian financial sector. Journal of Hunan University Natural Sciences, 50(4), 25–34.

Conclusion

Assist. Prof. Dr. AbdelKarim AlBataineh is an accomplished academic whose career reflects a balance of teaching excellence, research innovation, and community engagement. Through his contributions to higher education, scholarly publications, and professional service, he continues to influence the field of economics and financial sciences. His dedication to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges positions him as a respected scholar and mentor within the academic and professional community.

Mircea-Iosif Rus | Emerging Research Trends | Outstanding Contribution Award

Dr. Mircea-Iosif Rus | Emerging Research Trends | Outstanding Contribution Award

Nird Urban Incerc Cluj-napoca Branch | Romania

Dr. Mircea-Iosif Rus is a Romanian economist and senior researcher with extensive expertise in economic sciences, sustainable innovation, and research management. He serves as Branch Director and Level I Scientific Researcher at NIRD URBAN INCERC, Cluj-Napoca, and is an expert within Romania’s National Committee for Accreditation of Academic Titles. With over three decades of experience spanning academia, administration, and R&D, he has authored numerous publications and led high-impact projects in energy, construction, and eco-innovation. His research excellence is recognized nationally and internationally, particularly in applying blockchain and AI technologies to sustainable development and smart construction.

Professional Profile

SCOPUS

Education 

Dr. Rus holds a PhD in Economic Sciences and multiple postgraduate qualifications, including in Civil and Commercial Law, Quantitative Economics and Finance, and Library & Communication Science, all from Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. He also earned bachelor’s degrees in Political Science, Economics, and Management. His multidisciplinary academic background combines economics, law, and political studies with applied research training. His higher education reflects a strong foundation in public finance, econometrics, business law, and communication. These academic credentials have equipped him to engage in cross-sectoral research and contribute to policy development and financial leadership in scientific and innovation-based institutions.

Professional Experience 

Dr. Rus brings over 35 years of professional experience, with a core focus on economic research and development. Since 1999, he has held key positions at NIRD URBAN INCERC, rising from Economist to Branch Director and Senior Scientific Researcher. His roles have included financial coordination, project leadership, and administrative management of national and European R&D projects. He also served as Economic Director at TERMOCAD SRL and managed wholesale operations at NAPOCOM SA. His strategic roles in research management and national scientific committees underscore his expertise in innovation, finance, and policy implementation in the construction and energy sectors.

Awards & Recognition 

Dr. Rus has received numerous awards for his contributions to research and innovation. His accolades include multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals at EUROINVENT, INVENTCOR, and iCAN exhibitions for pioneering work in green buildings, AI in construction, and sustainable composite materials. He has been honored by prestigious institutions such as the Romanian Inventors Forum, the Polytechnic University of Timișoara, and international associations. His innovative work on blockchain, R&D governance, and alternative energy has earned Diplomas of Excellence and Special Awards for impact, creativity, and interdisciplinary contribution across the fields of engineering, economics, and environmental sustainability.

Research Skills

Dr. Rus is skilled in designing, managing, and evaluating complex research and development initiatives. His expertise includes economic modeling, cost-benefit analysis, and financial oversight in scientific projects. He specializes in sustainability-focused research, integrating AI, blockchain, and composite materials into smart urban infrastructure. His experience spans national core programs, EU-funded projects, and cross-disciplinary research involving economics, engineering, and policy. He is adept in research communication, strategic innovation management, and quantitative analysis, demonstrated through his extensive publications and active participation in accredited exhibitions. As a certified project and innovation manager, he advances research that bridges academic inquiry and real-world technological solutions.

Publications

Inflaţia în România în perioada de tranziţie

Authors: Rus M.-I.
Journal/Source: Vol. Specializare, Integrare si Dezvoltare, Editura Sincron, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2003

Finanţarea activităţii de cercetare-dezvoltare. Studiu comparativ

Authors: Rus M.-I.
Journal/Source: Sesiunea de Comunicări Ştiinţifice a Facultăţii de Ştiinţe Economice, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2004

Politici monetare aplicate în România în perioada tranziţiei

Authors: Rus M.-I.
Journal/Source: Sesiunea de Comunicări Ştiinţifice a Facultăţii de Ştiinţe Economice, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2004

Ţintirea directă a inflaţiei. Studiu comparativ

Authors: Rus M.-I.
Journal/Source: Vol. Lumea Financiară – Prezent şi Perspective, Casa Cărţii de Ştiinţă, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2004

Analiza comparativă a metodelor utilizate pe plan internaţional pentru estimarea costurilor şi formarea preţurilor în activitatea de construcţii

Authors: Rus M.-I., Simion C., Enulescu C.
Journal/Source: Acta Technica Napocensis, Proceedings of the International Conference, Constructions 2008, Editura Napoca Star, Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2008

Research and its place in economical development

Authors: Rus M.-I.
Journal/Source: Acta Technica Napocensis, Nr. 53, Editura Universităţii Tehnice Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2010

Fields of research activity

Authors: Rus M.-I.
Journal/Source: Acta Technica Napocensis, Nr. 53, Editura Universităţii Tehnice Cluj-Napoca
Year: 2010