ECR-Led Event: Theorizing and Testing Family Business Heterogeneity – Reflections and Recommendations

Date: 17 February 2025
Time: 15:00-17:00

Speakers:

• Dr Xinrui Zhang
• Dr Hanqing "Chevy" Fang (Associate Professor, Department of Business and Information Technology, Missouri University of Science and Technology)

Overview:
This seminar will explore theoretical and empirical perspectives on family business heterogeneity. The speakers will provide reflections and recommendations on how to conceptualize and test family business differences, offering valuable insights for researchers in the field.

ECR-Led Event: Reputation Issues in Business Journal Ranking Systems

Date: 23 April 2025 (TBC)

Speakers:

• Dr. Dian Wang
• Professor Gary Davies
  

Overview:
This session will critically examine the influence of business journal ranking systems on research visibility, academic careers, and institutional reputation. The discussion will address the challenges and potential biases within ranking systems and explore strategies for navigating them.

ECR Support Workshop: Bidding for Research Funding and Research-Informed Teaching

Date: 27 March 2025
Time: 11:00-13:00

Speakers:

• Dr Sanaz Vatankhah
• Prof Allan Williams (Professor of Tourism and Mobility Studies, University of Surrey)
• Prof Levent Altinay (Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Oxford Brookes University)
• Prof Gareth Davis (Professor of Innovation Management, Swansea University)

Overview:
This hands-on workshop is designed to support ECRs in developing strong research funding proposals and integrating research findings into teaching. The expert panel will share practical guidance on securing competitive funding and enhancing the impact of research on pedagogical practices.

Ethics of AI in Research: A Triad of Perspectives

Date: 26 May 2025
Time: 15:00-16:30

Moderator: Dr Sanaz Vatankhah

Speakers:

• Dr Mahwish Zahara (Researcher perspective)
• Prof Fevzi Okumus (University of Central Florida, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management)
• Publisher Perspective (TBC)

Overview:
This seminar will explore the ethical challenges surrounding AI in research from three key perspectives: researchers, journal editors, and publishers. Topics will include AI-generated content, ethical authorship, transparency in AI-assisted research, and the implications of AI-driven decision-making in academia.

Mindful Consumption in the Era of Digital Transformation

As part of ongoing commitment to fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration within the TIBAM community, an upcoming event on "Mindful Consumption in the Era of Digital Transformation" has been announced.

Date: February 28th
Time: 13:00-15:00
Location: Online link to MSTeams

Understanding and practising mindful consumption is crucial in today's dynamic business and management landscape. Join us for an insightful session exploring mindful consumption's impact on technology, innovation, and sustainable business practices.

Agenda:
Prof. Sharad Gupta (Cardiff Metropolitan University): Keynote Speaker
Mohamad Hajli (Moderator): Interactive Q&A Session

Place Branding and Marketing

The Research seminar had two sessions:

Professor Mihalis Kavaratzis (Professor of Place Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University (SFIPM) had a presentation on 'Can place branding 'rise to the occasion' and contribute to sustainable and resilient development?'.

Abstract: Place branding can assist places in their effort to develop in a more sustainable manner and to become more resilient. However, there are preconditions that are necessary for place branding to play this important role. The recent pandemic has helped re-formulate priorities around sustainability and the digital transformation of places. Now, more than ever is the chance to rethink and start over. This presentation will argue that place branding should and can ‘rise to the occasion’ of helping places in our turbulent times by becoming what is introduce as ‘RISE’ place branding: Responsible, Inclusive, Smart and Equitable.

Dr Barbara Czarnecka, Associate Professor in Marketing, LSBU, talked about 'The dilemma between omni-cultural versus mono-cultural branding in multicultural towns'.

The seminar was a resounding success and a profound journey into the world of place branding. The insightful presentations from Dr. Barbara Czarnecka and Prof. Mihalis Kavaratzis illuminated the significance of place branding for sustainability and inclusion, offering diverse perspectives that underscored its importance in fostering multicultural understanding.

The session, coordinated and moderated by Dr Ioana Stoica and Dr Augusta Evans, embodies our commitment to cultivating a vibrant research culture. By engaging our colleagues in research activities and events, we strive to enrich the academic environment for all, including our students.

The seminar's attendees experienced firsthand the advantages of research informed teaching, leaving with a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between place branding and its role in shaping sustainable, inclusive communities.

Early Career Researchers Support Workshop

The Tourism, International Business and Marketing (TIBAM) research centre hosted an impactful Early Career Researchers (ECR) Support Workshop on May 14th, aimed at nurturing the growth and development of early career researchers.

The workshop was designed to:

• Empower ECRs with strategies to begin and sustain successful academic careers.
• Provide insights into balancing research with teaching responsibilities and utilizing academic networks.
• Explore the ethical and practical implications of using AI in academic research.

Keynote Speakers:

• Professor Andrew Church - Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Bedfordshire, who opened the workshop and emphasized the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in research.
• Professor Levent Altinay - Editor-in-Chief of the Service Industries Journal, discussed the intricacies of academic publishing and the significance of multidisciplinary research.
• Professor Paul Jones - Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, shared personal insights from his journey from a PhD student to an academic.
• Ms. Fulu Akinduro-Aje - Research Integrity Manager at Taylor & Francis, focused on the ethical implications of AI for research.
• Professor Giampaolo Viglia - Editor-in-Chief of Psychology & Marketing, emphasized enhancing research impact through interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Professor Yanqing Duan - Associate editor of the International Journal of Information Management (2018-2022), provided comprehensive advice on successful academic publishing.

The workshop provided a platform for vibrant discussions, networking opportunities, and the sharing of insights on navigating the complexities of modern academia. The diverse and dynamic participation from both physical attendees and virtual participants contributed significantly to the rich dialogue and collaborative spirit of the event.

Key Findings

• Innovation and Interdisciplinary Research: Professors shared valuable insights on navigating the complexities of academic publishing and leveraging interdisciplinary collaborations to enhance research impact.
• Ethical Implications of AI: There was a significant focus on the ethical use of AI tools in research, emphasizing transparency and integrity in their application.
• Career Development: The discussions underlined the importance of international collaboration and the development of a diversified portfolio of academic and administrative skills.

Major Recommendations

• Support Networks: Establish more robust support networks for ECRs that facilitate access to mentoring and collaborative opportunities.
• Workshop Series: Regular workshops and seminars should be continued to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in academic research.
• Transparency in AI Use: Researchers are encouraged to be transparent about the use of AI tools, aligning with ethical standards to maintain the integrity of the research process.

The workshop concluded on a high note with commitments to enhance the academic competence of ECRs and extend the impact of their research beyond academia into societal contributions. This workshop not only highlighted the critical aspects of academic research and publishing but also focused on the real-world application of research findings, aiming to solve pressing global issues.

A big thank you to all our panel members, participants and supporters who made this event a great success!

• View/download the full report [PDF]
• See LinkedIn post

Contact Information

Dr Sanaz Vatankhah
E: sanaz.vatankhah@beds.ac.uk

Prof. Xavier Font (University of Surrey, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Sustainable Tourism) and Prof. Mostafa Rasooli Manesh (Edith Cowan University, Australia) run a research seminar on Sustainable Tourism and Publishing Tips for Early Career Researchers (ECRs).

The session provided insights into sustainable tourism research and best practices for publishing in high-ranking journals. The discussion covered research trends, methodological approaches, and practical tips for ECRs aiming to publish in esteemed academic outlets.

Prof. S. Mostafa Rasoolimanesh's (Edith Cowan University, Australia) session was about "Sustainable Tourism Research: Recent Trends and Prospects" where she talked about a comprehensive understanding of the current and future landscape of sustainable tourism research, emerging areas ripe for exploration and how to position your work to make a lasting impact.

Prof Xavier Font's (University of Surrey) session “Publishing in Journals of Sustainable Tourism” explained benefits from actionable insights on the publishing process, from structuring your paper to responding to peer reviews, how to understand what top journals look for and how to align your work with publication standards to maximize acceptance rates.