ISD 2026

Štefan Bojnec (PhD) is Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Management, University of Primorska, Koper-Capodistria, Slovenia, and Lead Researcher at the Institute of Economic Policy and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Management, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovakia. His international academic career spans particularly Southeast, Central and Eastern Europe (SCEE), and Asia. He has served as a researcher and visiting professor at numerous institutions, including at IAMO in Halle (Saale), Germany, where he is member of the Scientific Advisory Board. He has contributed extensively to fields such as transition and reform processes in SCEE, European integration, enterprise and agricultural economics, international economics, sectoral, rural and regional development, and sustainable economic development. With more than 2,100 bibliographic records, including over 380 peer reviewed scientific articles, he is among Slovenia’s most prolific and cited economists, awarded with the Slovenian state Zois recognition.

Michael Christofi is Professor of Entrepreneurship, Management and Innovation. His research interests lie on the interface of innovation, marketing and entrepreneurship, family business, and information technology. He is Senior Editor of Information Technology & People and Associate Editor of International Marketing Review. Michael’s research has been cited over 10,000 times, leading him to be ranked among the top 2% of scientists from Stanford University. His research work has been published in premier publication outlets, such as in Journal of Product Innovation Management, Risk Analysis, British Journal of Management, Journal of World Business, Journal of Business Ethics, Technovation, Human Resource Management Review, Journal of Business Research, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, International Journal of Human Resource Management, International Business Review, and International Marketing Review, among others. He has also co-authored several book chapters and won various awards for his research work and academic service. He has also guest-edited more than 20 special issues of leading academic journals such as, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Ethics, Technovation, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Business Research, Technological Forecasting & Social Change, International Marketing Review, and European Management Journal, among others.

Daniela Spina is a researcher and Tenure-track Assistant Professor in Agricultural and Food Economics at the University of Catania (Italy), Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Her research focuses on farm and agribusiness sustainability, circular and resilient agri food systems, innovation, and consumer behaviour in the context of environmental and climate challenges. She is actively involved in several international and EU funded research projects, including initiatives supported by Next Generation EU, and serves as Scientific Coordinator of the PROMESERVAGRI 4.0 project under the INTERREG Italy–Tunisia programme. Her academic excellence has been recognised with prestigious awards, including the Giuseppe Medici Prize for the best PhD thesis in agri food economics in Italy.
Her research has been published in a number of internationally recognised, peer reviewed scientific journals, including British Food Journal and Economia Agro Alimentare / Food Economy, contributing to high level academic and policy relevant debates on sustainable agri food systems and consumer acceptance of innovation. With extensive experience in international research collaboration, academic teaching, and conference speaking across Europe, Daniela Spina bridges scientific research, policy insights, and real world practice, offering a compelling and evidence based perspective for academic, professional, and stakeholder audiences.