Dr. Fernanda Cahen | International Business | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Fernanda Cahen | International Business | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, ESPM – Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing, Brazil

Dr. Fernanda Ribeiro Cahen is an esteemed academic and researcher specializing in international entrepreneurship, strategy, and innovation. She is currently an Associate Professor at Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM), Brazil, where she contributes significantly to business administration and global strategy. With a strong academic background, she has previously served as an Assistant Professor at Centro Universitário FEI and has held prestigious research positions at USC Marshall School of Business and Indiana University. Dr. Cahen is an active member of the Emerging Multinationals Research Network (EMRN) and has a prolific research portfolio, with publications in top-tier journals like the Journal of International Management, Journal of Business Research, and International Journal of Technology Management. She has also served as the Scientific Editor of Innovation & Management Review (2015-2020).

Publication Profile

🎓 Education

Dr. Cahen has a robust academic foundation, earning her Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of São Paulo (2008-2012). Further advancing her research career, she completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Business at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (2012-2013). Her academic journey has positioned her as a key expert in international business and digital strategy.

💼 Experience

Dr. Cahen has an extensive professional background in academia and research. Since March 2022, she has been an Associate Professor at ESPM, focusing on business strategy and innovation. Before this, she served for nearly a decade (2013-2022) as an Assistant Professor at Centro Universitário FEI, Brazil. She has also gained international exposure through her role as a Visiting Researcher (2018-2019) at USC Marshall – Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. Her teaching experience spans undergraduate and graduate levels at prestigious institutions in Brazil, the Kelley School of Business (Indiana University, USA), and Adelaide University (Australia).

🏆 Awards and Honors

Dr. Cahen has received recognition for her outstanding contributions to international entrepreneurship. Her research on the Internationalization of New Technology-Based Firms from Emerging Markets was funded by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil (2011-2012). She has also played a key role in advancing knowledge on multinational R&D decentralization and digital competencies in international ventures.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Cahen’s research is centered on international entrepreneurship, with a focus on strategy, innovation, and digital transformation of high-tech ventures and multinational enterprises. Her work explores how emerging market firms navigate global digital competencies, R&D decentralization, and lean internationalization. She has contributed to journals like International Business Review, R&D Management, Journal of International Management, and Journal of Business Research. Her studies provide valuable insights into institutional influences, digitalization, and international expansion in the modern business landscape.

🎯 Conclusion

Dr. Fernanda Ribeiro Cahen is a leading scholar in international entrepreneurship, digital strategy, and innovation. With a distinguished academic career across Brazil, the USA, and Australia, she has contributed groundbreaking research on global digital competencies, multinational R&D, and high-tech venture internationalization. Her work continues to shape the understanding of emerging market firms’ strategies in the digital economy. Through her teaching, research, and editorial contributions, Dr. Cahen remains a key figure in advancing international business knowledge. 🚀

📚 Publications

Unpacking global digital competence in the contemporary international venture (International Business Review, 2025) – DOI: 10.1016/j.ibusrev.2025.102414

Multinational R&D decentralization in emerging markets: subsidiary evolution, autonomy, and influence in global innovation (R&D Management, 2024) – DOI: 10.1111/radm.12672

International Digital Competencies Maximizing Lean Internationalization in Healthcare Startups (International Journal of Health Management Review, 2023) – DOI: 10.37497/ijhmreview.v9i00.334

International Digital Competence (Journal of International Management, 2020) – DOI: 10.1016/J.INTMAN.2019.100691

The influence of home-country institutions on servitization (International Journal of Emerging Markets, 2020) – DOI: 10.1108/IJOEM-05-2018-0258

The internationalisation of high-tech new ventures from Latin America – the Brazilian experience (Multilatinas: Strategies for Internationalisation, 2018) – WOS:000462120800019

The internationalisation of new technology-based firms from emerging markets (International Journal of Technology Management, 2017) – DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2017.10004282

Managerial perceptions of barriers to internationalization: An examination of Brazil’s new technology-based firms (Journal of Business Research, 2016) – DOI: 10.1016/J.JBUSRES.2015.10.143

Internationalization of State-Owned Enterprises Through Foreign Direct Investment (Revista de Administração de Empresas, 2015) – DOI: 10.1590/S0034-759020150604

Mehrdad Nikbakht | Industrial Engineering| Best Researcher Award

Assist Prof Dr. Mehrdad Nikbakht | Industrial Engineering| Best Researcher Award

Assistance professor, Islamic Azad university, Najafabad Branch, Iran

Dr. Mehrdad Nikbakht is a seasoned academic and industrial expert with extensive experience in industrial engineering. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Iran, he has a rich background in mechanical engineering and system management. His contributions span across various sectors, including academia, industrial consultancy, and engineering design. Dr. Nikbakht is also recognized for his leadership roles, such as being the Head of the Postgraduate Department of Industrial Engineering and a Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia.

Publication Profile

Strengths for the Award

  1. Diverse Academic Background: Mehrdad Nikbakht has a strong academic foundation with a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, an M.Sc. in System Management & Productivity, and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. This interdisciplinary education strengthens his expertise and enables him to tackle complex engineering challenges.
  2. Extensive Professional Experience: With over two decades of experience in various engineering and academic roles, including positions of leadership such as Managing Director and Head of Department, Dr. Nikbakht demonstrates a robust professional portfolio. His roles have covered a wide range of responsibilities, from consulting on Total Productive Maintenance to planning and designing transportation networks.
  3. Active Research and Publication Record: Dr. Nikbakht has authored multiple refereed journal papers and book chapters. His recent publications in reputable journals, especially on topics like supply chain management and blockchain technology, highlight his ongoing contributions to the field of industrial engineering.
  4. Leadership in Academia: Serving as an Assistant Professor and Head of the Post Graduate Department of Industrial Engineering at Islamic Azad University, Dr. Nikbakht has shown leadership in academia. His involvement in educational councils and planning committees further supports his candidacy for the Best Researcher Award.
  5. Consulting and Industry Experience: His consulting roles in business strategy development and performance evaluation, along with his leadership in managing industrial projects, provide practical industry insights that enrich his research and teaching.

Areas for Improvement

  1. Publication Diversity: While Dr. Nikbakht has a solid publication record, diversifying the range of journals and expanding his research to include more interdisciplinary collaborations could further enhance his academic impact.
  2. International Collaboration: Engaging in more international research collaborations or projects could broaden his global research footprint and increase his visibility in the international academic community.
  3. Awards and Recognition: Although his career achievements are commendable, more formal recognitions or awards from international academic or professional organizations would strengthen his case for the Best Researcher Award.

 

🎓 Education:

Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia (2008-2012). M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering (System Management & Productivity) from Khatam University, Tehran, Iran (2002-2004). B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (Solid Design) from Khomeini Shahr Islamic Azad University, Esfahan, Iran (1994-1998).

💼 Experience:

Dr. Nikbakht’s career is marked by significant roles in both academia and industry. He has been an Assistant Professor at Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Iran, since 2014, contributing to the fields of industrial engineering and productivity. His industry experience includes leadership positions such as Managing Director at Spadana Polimer Company and operational roles in the petroleum and gas sectors. Additionally, Dr. Nikbakht has played a vital role in developing and implementing Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategies and consulting on business strategies and organizational performance.

🔍 Research Focus:

Dr. Nikbakht’s research interests lie in the optimization of industrial processes, supply chain management, and the application of advanced algorithms in engineering. He is particularly focused on improving productivity and efficiency in industrial settings, with a strong emphasis on system management and logistics.

🏅 Awards and Honors:

Dr. Nikbakht has been recognized for his academic and professional contributions, though specific awards and honors were not listed in the provided details. His roles in various academic councils and leadership positions within the industry reflect his expertise and the esteem in which he is held by his peers.

📝 Publication Top Notes:

Dr. Nikbakht has made significant contributions to the field of industrial engineering through his publications. His work includes research on natural gas pipeline optimization, supply chain management, and the integration of blockchain technology in humanitarian logistics. Below are some of his notable publications:

“A System Dynamics Model in The Humanitarian Supply Chain Based On Blockchain Technology” – International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2023.
Cited by 12 articles. Read Here

“Importance-Performance Analysis of the Critical Success Factors of the Aviation Industry’s Reverse Supply Chain” – Journal of Supply Chain Management, 2023.
Cited by 8 articles. Read Here

“A Gravitational Search Algorithm Approach for Optimizing Closed-Loop Logistics Network” – Meta-Heuristics Optimization Algorithms in Engineering, Business, Economics, and Finance, IGI Global Publisher, 2012.
Cited by 56 articles. Read Here

Conclusion

Dr. Mehrdad Nikbakht is a well-qualified candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, given his extensive academic background, diverse professional experience, and active research contributions. His leadership in academia and industry further supports his candidacy. While expanding his publication diversity and international collaborations could enhance his profile, his existing accomplishments make him a strong contender for the award.