Zhihui Ding | Data Science in Marketing | Best Paper Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhihui Ding | Data Science in Marketing | Best Paper Award

Associate Professor at the School of Business, Qingdao University of Technology, China

Zhihui Ding is an Associate Professor at the School of Business, Qingdao University of Technology, whose research advances the intersection of innovation management and digital transformation. With a solid academic foundation and considerable contributions to applied research, Ding has established himself in areas such as product innovation, business model innovation, and AI-enabled industrial upgrading. He has led several high-profile research projects funded by national and provincial agencies, including the Ministry of Education. In addition to publishing more than 20 scholarly articles and an academic monograph, he actively engages in interdisciplinary collaborations to address practical industrial challenges. His expertise and academic output position him as an influential voice in the business and innovation research community.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Zhihui Ding holds a PhD with a specialization in innovation management and organizational strategy. His academic training laid the groundwork for his research pursuits that focus on industrial transformation and technology-driven innovation. Throughout his educational journey, he has cultivated a deep understanding of both classical and contemporary business theories, with a special emphasis on strategic innovation models. His educational background complements his current role as a master’s supervisor, where he mentors graduate students in cutting-edge research areas, encouraging them to explore practical applications of theoretical frameworks in business and management.

Experience

With a current appointment as Associate Professor at Qingdao University of Technology, Ding has accumulated years of academic and applied experience. He is a leading researcher and educator in the School of Business, where he contributes to both curriculum development and academic research. His leadership has extended to the successful management of key research initiatives including a Humanities and Social Sciences Youth Fund project. He has also undertaken consultancy roles, such as participating in a city-level project supported by the Deputy Mayor of Qingdao that explored the integration of manufacturing with productive service industries. His academic and project-based experiences are synergistically aligned, fostering impactful contributions to both scholarship and society.

Research Interest

Zhihui Ding’s research interests lie in product innovation, innovation management, business model innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled industrial transformation. He particularly focuses on how firms can integrate users into innovation processes, using game theory and strategy modeling to understand customer participation in innovation ecosystems. He introduced novel frameworks like the “user gatekeeper” concept to explain online innovation behaviors. His recent work addresses the transformative role of AI in industrial and educational sectors, especially regarding the development of new profit models and mass customization strategies. Ding’s research portfolio bridges theoretical rigor with applied relevance, contributing to academic advancement and real-world problem-solving.

Award

Zhihui Ding has earned recognition through numerous funded projects, particularly the Humanities and Social Sciences project under the Ministry of Education. His academic leadership has been pivotal in securing multiple grants at the provincial and municipal levels. Acknowledging his contributions, his research outcomes have been integrated into regional economic policy-making efforts, such as the Qingdao industrial development initiative. Additionally, he has been nominated for the Best Paper Award under the AI Data Scientist Awards, reflecting the academic community’s recognition of his influential and innovative publications in AI-driven research areas.

Publication

Zhihui Ding has published over 20 scholarly papers and an academic monograph. Below are selected works with their publication year.

  1. Ding, Z., Lu, Z., & Zhu, W. (2025)Evolutionary Game Analysis of Knowledge Sharing in Enterprise Sponsored Virtual Communities Considering User Characteristics,

Conclusion

Zhihui Ding stands out as a thought leader at the nexus of business innovation, strategic transformation, and digital evolution. With a research trajectory marked by intellectual originality and practical applicability, he continues to make significant academic and societal contributions. His work blends theoretical exploration with real-world relevance, particularly in China’s evolving industrial landscape. Through sustained research efforts, collaborative projects, and impactful publications, Ding remains a central figure in shaping how businesses and educational institutions adapt to and benefit from innovation and AI technologies. His ongoing pursuits promise to advance both scholarly knowledge and practical solutions for a rapidly transforming world.

Haonan Xu | Business Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Haonan Xu | Business Intelligence | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Haonan Xu is a distinguished scholar in the field of management science and engineering, specializing in multimodal transport, shipping economics, and supply chain management. His academic and research contributions have significantly advanced knowledge in these areas, particularly regarding AI integration in port operations, emission reduction in shipping supply chains, and multimodal transportation strategies. With a robust publication record in high-impact journals and recognition through prestigious awards, Dr. Xu continues to influence both academic and industrial landscapes. His work is characterized by a strong analytical approach, incorporating mathematical modeling, empirical analysis, and policy evaluation to address real-world transportation and logistics challenges.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Xu obtained his Ph.D. in Management Science and Engineering from Dalian Maritime University, where he was recognized as an excellent postgraduate. Prior to this, he completed his Master of Engineering in Logistics from Chongqing Jiaotong University, earning accolades for his volunteer work and research excellence. His undergraduate studies in Economics at the same university provided him with a solid foundation in economic theories and quantitative analysis. Throughout his academic journey, Dr. Xu has demonstrated exceptional leadership, contributing to teaching missions and earning multiple recognitions for his outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.

Experience

Dr. Xu has a rich background in both academia and practical research. His teaching experience includes serving at Chongqing Jiaotong University, where he currently leads research initiatives. Earlier in his career, he contributed to educational development at Garden Primary School, successfully securing national funding for information technology projects. His work has extended to collaborative research on port operations and supply chain management, engaging with international scholars and policymakers to address critical global challenges in transportation and logistics.

Research Interests

Dr. Xu’s research primarily focuses on multimodal transport, shipping economics, and supply chain management. His studies explore the integration of AI in port decision-making, the impact of carbon reduction policies on shipping logistics, and strategies for optimizing rail-water multimodal transportation. His research employs advanced analytical methods, including game theory, econometric modeling, and network analysis, to provide insights into improving efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in global transportation systems.

Awards

Dr. Xu has received multiple prestigious awards for his academic and research excellence. These include:

  • First Prize for Thesis Award from the Chongqing Municipal Education Commission.
  • First Prize for Creative Education from the Chongqing Education Information Technology and Equipment Center.
  • Recognition as an Excellent Student Leader and recipient of the Outstanding Graduation Thesis award.
  • Chair of the Social Science Planning Program of Chongqing, leading a significant funded research project. These accolades highlight his contributions to both theoretical advancements and practical implementations in logistics and transportation research.

Selected Publications

Dr. Xu has published extensively in top-tier journals, with several of his works being highly cited. Below are some of his key publications:

“The impact of AI technology adoption on operational decision-making in competitive heterogeneous ports,” published in Transportation Research Part E (2024). This study examines the role of AI in enhancing port service quality and its implications for social welfare. (Cited by: Highly Cited in ESI)

“Emission reduction technologies for shipping supply chains under carbon tax with knowledge sharing,” published in Ocean & Coastal Management (2024). This paper explores the influence of carbon tax policies on green shipping technologies. (Cited by: High-impact environmental studies)

“Incentive policy for rail-water multimodal transport: Subsidizing price or constructing dry port,” published in Transport Policy (2024). It analyzes policy incentives for optimizing multimodal transportation efficiency. (Cited by: Notable transportation policy papers)

“The effects and conflicts of co-opetition in a rail-water multimodal transportation system,” published in Annals of Operations Research (2023). This study develops a multi-party game model for conflict resolution in multimodal transport. (Cited by: High-impact logistics research)

“International container intermodal competitiveness: an empirical study from Chinese hub ports,” published in Ocean & Coastal Management (2024). This empirical study evaluates the competitiveness of China’s multimodal transport hubs. (Cited by: Global trade logistics research)

“Economic-environmental coordination and influencing factors under dual-carbon goals: A spatial empirical analysis,” published in Environment, Development, and Sustainability (2024). The study uses network DEA to analyze sustainable transportation policies. (Cited by: ESI Highly Cited)

“The study of OEM/ODM supply chain decision-making considering supply risk,” published in China Management Science (2024). It develops a multi-party game model to address supply chain risk management. (Cited by: Supply chain strategy scholars)

Conclusion

Dr. Haonan Xu’s academic and research journey exemplifies his commitment to advancing the fields of transportation, logistics, and supply chain management. His work integrates innovative methodologies with real-world applications, influencing both policy and industry practices. With a strong publication record, notable awards, and active participation in funded research projects, he continues to contribute significantly to the academic and professional community. His research not only enhances theoretical knowledge but also provides actionable insights for improving efficiency and sustainability in global transport systems.