Invited Speakers

 

Prof. Guangming Cao, Ajman University, United Arab Emirates

Guangming Cao, BSc, MSc, PhD, is a Professor of Data Analytics and head of the Digital Transformation Research Center at Ajman University. His scholarly pursuits revolve around the impacts of ICTs such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and social media on organizational decision-making, capabilities, and performance. He has contributed over 100 peer-reviewed articles to the academic discourse. His scholarly contributions extend across an array of journals, including the European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Journal of Business Research, Technovation, Industrial Marketing Management, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Information Technology & People, International Journal of Management Review, Supply Chain Management, and Production Planning & Control. Dr. Cao’s dedication to excellence in research has been recognized by his receipt of the IMM (Industrial Marketing Management) Best Paper Award 2023.

Topic: The Intricate Connections between Digital Strategy, Absorptive Capacity, Digital Technology Use, and Digital Innovation

Abstract: Digital innovation is often examined solely as the use of digital technology, although there is evidence to suggest that multiple organizational factors play essential roles in the innovation process. This study therefore aims to investigate how a firm’s digital innovation is affected collectively by its digital technology use, absorptive capacity, digital strategy, and environmental dynamism. The research employs partial least squares structural equation modeling with data from a survey of 250 Chinese firm managers. The findings reveal a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between digital technology use and digital innovation. Moreover, both absorptive capacity and digital strategy exert positive influences on digital innovation directly and indirectly through digital technology use. Furthermore, environmental dynamism moderates the impact of digital strategy on digital innovation positively. This research contributes to the literature by developing a richer and more nuanced understanding of how digital innovation is affected jointly by several key organizational factors. It also provides actionable managerial insights for firms aiming to enhance their digital innovation initiatives.
 

 

 

Assoc. Prof. Mitsunori Hirogaki, Kyushu University, Japan

Mitsunori Hirogaki graduated with a Bachelor of Science: Commerce from Doshisha University and pursued his Master's Degree in Commerce and Ph.D.: Commerce from Kobe University. Dr. Hirogaki is currently an Associate Professor of Marketing Strategy at Kyushu University, Graduate School of Economics, Department of Business and Technology Management (QBS Business School), where he teaches Marketing Strategy and International Marketing. He also teaches marketing research and consumer behavior at Ehime University.
He has served as an administrator in various capacities at Kyushu University and as one of the professors in various training programs dealing with Marketing in short-term executive programs, an Introductory Education Program for Freshman MBA students, and a regular feature on QTnet "Morning Business School" radio educational program aired by FM Fukuoka, and at Nikkei Business School. As a member of a research group at the Center for the Study of the Creative Economy (Doshisha University), he works with big data analysis to construct systems that identify seeds of innovation. Dr. Hirogaki’s current research focuses on Cross-Cultural Consumer Behavior in international marketing and marketing strategies in mature, developed societies.
He has published numerous papers in international journals such as Journal of Marketing Management; International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management; International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research; International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business; Micro and Macro Marketing; International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation; and International Journal of Business and Globalisation. He is a member of the Japanese Economic Association, Japan Society of Marketing and Distribution, Kyushu Association of Economic Science, and Japan Association for Consumer Studies.

Topic: Assessing Japan's EV Market Potential: Nationwide Consumer Insights

Abstract:  Addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions necessitates a global transition to sustainable transportation. Japan's Green Growth Strategy aims to revolutionize its automotive sector by committing to sell electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles by 2035. Despite proactive policies and significant marketing efforts, Japan's EV adoption rate lags behind other developed nations, posing challenges to its environmental goals and economic growth potential. This speech presents nationwide survey results regarding the factors influencing Japanese consumer behavior towards electric vehicles.

 

Assoc. Prof. João Alexandre Lobo Marques, University of Saint Joseph, Macau, China

Associate Professor, Head of Department, Research Coordinator at the University of Saint Joseph, Macau, SAR China. Founder of the Laboratory of Applied Neurosciences (LAN/USJ). PhD in Engineering Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Brazil. Post-Doctorate and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Leicester - UK. Visiting Associate Professor at the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) - Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technologies (SIAT). Associate Professor and Software Department Chief at University Gregorio Semedo (UGS), Angola (2009-15). Has large experience in Artificial Intelligence, Bioengineering, and Applied Computer Science, focusing on signal and image processing. RESEARCH AREAS - Neuroscience applied to management (marketing, leadership, performance) - Business Analytics - Big Data Applications - Theory of Constraints - Project management - Digital Signal Processing - Bioengineering / Computer-Aided Diagnostic Systems - Artificial Intelligence - Deep Learning - Nonlinear analysis and dynamics of time series.

Topic: The AI Project Manager

Abstract: The use of Artificial Intelligence for corporate decision-making has been consistently and exponentially growing in the last few years due to the popularization of classification algorithms, pattern recognition tools and clustering techniques. In this talk, the modelling and preliminary results of the system called the AI Project Manager are presented.
The AI Project Manager consists of developing an innovative multi-stage integrative, intelligent system to perform tasks and decision-making processes as a corporate Project Manager based on multiple AI-based subsystems and statistical analysis of primary and secondary data.
A central subsystem integrates a set of specialized subsystems responsible for specific classifications and analyses. These modules communicate and cooperate in obtaining decisions based on data collections, subsets of documents, and previously learned lessons, aiming to add to the system not only the technical specificities of the company but also the intuitive and subjective aspects of working on complex projects with multiple constraints and a variety of stakeholders. The computational methods employed include Large Language Models (LLM); Bayesian Classifiers; Decision Trees; Support Vector Machines (SVM); Regression techniques; Clustering techniques; k-Nearest Neighbors; Fuzzy Inferential Systems; Artificial Neural Networks (ANN); and a statistical inferential testing module. Each of these techniques is validated for specific decision-making processes and aims to provide a range of possible decisions with corresponding weights to support the final decision from a human Project Manager or Project Team. The proposed system uses a bi-lingual (Chinese/English) LLM solution for processing external data on project management and internal data sources from the company knowledgebase (technical and financial reports, relevant key performance indicators, established corporate policies, human resources management, career plans, etc); CART Decision Trees and Inferential Statistics for the analysis of the major Project Constraints (Scope, Schedule, Cost, Resources, Quality) and Risk Management analysis. In addition, non-supervised clustering for variable grouping is implemented based on probabilistic distance-based approaches, such as the Centroid technique. A Bayesian classifier is considered in the User Interface to analyze and rank user inputs and requests.
The AI-PM system is currently in the first phase of qualitative tests, and the feedback provided by specialists in the area is positive and encouraging to expand the project, indicating that the AI-PM can be used as a research platform for the area of Project Management and related topics such as Change Management, Investment Decisions, Career Management, among multiple others, and also a high-value tool to support project managers in their decision-making processes in a world of increasing uncertainty and complexity in projects.