Laith Tashtoush | Business Administration | Best Researcher Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Laith Tashtoush | Business Administration | Best Researcher Award 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Laith Tashtoush | Near East University | Turkey

Assist. Prof. Dr. Laith Tashtoush holds a PhD in Business Administration from Near East University (2020), following his Master’s degree from Al-Albayt University (2008) and a Bachelor’s degree from Mu’tah University (2003). Since March 2024, he has been serving as Assistant Professor, contributing extensively to research and education in business administration, human resource management, organizational behavior, and international business. His PhD research focused on the impact of human resource management functions on organizational commitment and citizenship behavior in Jordanian universities, while his Master’s thesis examined the role of information system capabilities in enhancing competitive advantage strategies. Dr. Tashtoush has supervised 30 Master’s and postgraduate theses across diverse topics including digital marketing, social media, blockchain, cryptocurrency, strategic management of sustainability, ethical leadership, entrepreneurial development, international trade, e-commerce, customer loyalty, and SME performance in multiple countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Yemen, Turkey, and North Cyprus. His supervision spans studies on organizational culture, leadership styles, employee motivation, productivity, brand equity, service quality, and the effects of globalization on business performance. He has guided research on the integration of technology and innovation in business advancement, green practices, and financial performance evaluation of multinational firms, bridging theoretical concepts with practical applications. Dr. Tashtoush’s work contributes to understanding the dynamics of human resource management, leadership, and strategic decision-making in global and emerging markets. He has published 15 international journal articles and book chapters, with an h-index of 6 and over 180 citations, reflecting the impact and relevance of his research in academic and professional circles. Through his teaching, mentorship, and research, he advances knowledge in business strategy, organizational development, and sustainable management practices, fostering the next generation of business leaders and scholars.

Profiles: Scopus Orcid Google Scholar 

Featured Publications

Eyupoglu, S. Z., & Tashtoush, L. (2020). The relationship between human resource management practices and organisational citizenship behaviour. South African Journal of Business Management, 51(1), 1–11.

Tashtoush, L. (2021). The effect of social media on consumer buying behavior in commercial banks. Saudi Journal of Business and Management Studies, 6(2), 28–38.

Tashtoush, L. (2021). The role of information systems capabilities as a driving force in enhancing organizational performance.

Harb, H. K., Eyupoglu, S. Z., & Tashtoush, L. (2023). The relationship between administrative empowerment and organizational commitment: The mediating role of job satisfaction amongst academic staff in higher education. SAGE Open, 13(4), 21582440231218229.

Tashtoush, L. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the relationship between supply chain strategy and organizational performance. Asian Journal of Economics, Finance and Management, 7(1), 1–17.

Tashtoush, L., & Fathi, A. (2022). The impact of service quality on corporate social responsibility and customer citizenship behavior in telecommunication companies. In 2022 International Conference on Data Analytics for Business and Industry.

Tashtoush, L. M. I. (2020). Impact on organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior in Jordanian universities. Near East University.

Kwakye, S., Ertugan, A., & Tashtoush, L. (2024). Navigating purchase intentions: The influence of reviewers’ comments moderated by risk and trust. Behavioral Sciences, 14(7), 552.

Gang Liu | Business | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Gang Liu | Business | Best Research Article Award

Dr. Gang Liu | East China University of Science and Technology | China

Professor. Gang Liu is a distinguished scholar in engineering and innovation management, currently serving as a professor at the School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), Shanghai, China. With a career devoted to academic excellence and leadership in the fields of project and entrepreneurial management, Professor Liu is recognized for his commitment to bridging theory and practice in business and engineering disciplines. His academic journey and contributions have shaped numerous research collaborations and student mentorships, creating a thriving knowledge environment. Alongside him, Wannan Wang is a dedicated Ph.D. researcher at ECUST, developing a strong research footprint in innovation and entrepreneurship. She has co-authored publications with Prof. Liu and brings a contemporary and rigorous approach to research in emerging managerial trends. Their joint work reflects a synergistic pursuit of knowledge and practical application, positioning both scholars as valuable contributors to global academic and professional networks.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Prof. Gang Liu earned his Ph.D. from the School of Economics and Management at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he focused on the intersection of economics, technology, and management. His doctoral work laid the foundation for his future contributions to innovation ecosystems and complex project governance. His educational background integrates analytical rigor with real-world application, which has been central to his pedagogical and research philosophy. Wannan Wang, currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, has cultivated her academic roots under Prof. Liu’s mentorship. She completed her undergraduate and master’s studies in business management disciplines, earning accolades for academic excellence. Her ongoing doctoral work delves into innovation strategy and entrepreneurial ecosystems, aligning with the dynamic demands of modern management research. Their combined educational foundations ensure a robust, multidisciplinary perspective in their scholarly contributions.

Experience

Prof. Liu brings over two decades of experience in academia, research, and consulting in the field of engineering and innovation management. At ECUST, he has held senior roles in curriculum development, academic committee leadership, and cross-industry research partnerships. He has been actively involved in guiding national-level projects and supervising graduate theses, contributing significantly to the cultivation of next-generation management professionals. His hands-on experience in coordinating interdisciplinary project teams adds a practical edge to his research in project and innovation management. Wannan Wang, while still in the early stages of her career, has already contributed to several peer-reviewed journals and international conferences under Prof. Liu’s guidance. She has participated in collaborative research projects focused on entrepreneurial innovation in the digital economy. Her research assistantships and participation in innovation labs reflect her growing experience and commitment to scholarly excellence, building a strong academic foundation for future independent research leadership.

Research Interests

Prof. Liu’s primary research areas include project management, innovation management, and entrepreneurial management, with a particular focus on the interplay between engineering and business strategies. He explores how innovation can be fostered within large-scale projects and complex organizational ecosystems. His recent studies delve into agile project methodologies, stakeholder dynamics in innovation systems, and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Wannan Wang’s research interests align closely with her advisor’s. She focuses on innovation management in startups and developing economies, analyzing how emerging technologies influence business model innovation and entrepreneurial behavior. Her recent work examines how digital transformation impacts innovation capacity in small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Together, their interdisciplinary research aims to generate solutions to real-world challenges, emphasizing sustainable growth, collaboration, and technological advancement in business practices.

Awards

Prof. Liu has received multiple recognitions for academic excellence and research impact. He has been honored with the Shanghai Municipal Research Award for his work on innovation performance in engineering enterprises and received several grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). He has also been recognized as an Outstanding Mentor for Graduate Research at ECUST and has won multiple Best Paper Awards at international conferences such as ICEM and IAMOT. Wannan Wang has been awarded the Ph.D. Research Excellence Fellowship at ECUST and was recognized for her outstanding contribution at the Annual Graduate Innovation Symposium. Her early achievements highlight her potential for future leadership in academia. Their accolades reflect both individual merit and collaborative strength in scholarly innovation and educational advancement.

Publications Top Notes

Innovation Capabilities and Project Success in Engineering Enterprises.

Digital Transformation and Entrepreneurial Strategy.

Project Governance and Innovation Ecosystem Performance.

Conclusion

Prof. Gang Liu and Wannan Wang together form a powerful academic pairing whose contributions enrich the fields of innovation and entrepreneurial management. Prof. Liu’s deep expertise in managing complex projects and fostering innovation ecosystems has established him as a thought leader in business-engineering integration. His mentorship has cultivated the growth of early-career researchers like Wannan Wang, whose work is already gaining traction in respected academic platforms. Their collaborative dynamic reflects a shared vision for research that is impactful, globally relevant, and practically applicable. Through their combined efforts in teaching, research, and academic leadership, they continue to influence students, scholars, and industry stakeholders. Their nomination for this award is a testament to their dedication to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of global management practices.