EuroMed Newsletter

Issue 002 - October 2010

If you have any news you would like to have included in our next issue please submit details to editor. Table of Contents

Editor’s Note 3

Presidents’ Corner 4

The Annual EuroMed Conference 6

Call for Conference Venue 9

The EuroMed Journal of Business Submission and Tracking goes Online 10

Call for Papers 11

Latest News 12

Miscellaneous 15

EuroMed Newsletter ISSN 1986-2253 Published by EuroMed Press

2 Editor’s Note

I am delighted to welcome you to the second issue of the EuroMed Newsletter! The EuroMed Newsletter contains the latest news taken place among the EMRBI community. This issue also introduces the notable keynote speakers of the Annual EuroMed Conference, hosted by the University of , November 4-5 2010, Nicosia-. Moreover, the EuroMed Newsletter communicates the most recent developments foster by the EMRBI. These are exciting opportunities for research teaching, training, and consulting to researchers, universities, and businesses (private and public), governments and other organizations and students.

We would like to encourage members to submit their news. Your contributions will help keep the EMRBI in tune and in touch with each other. Further, they convey and contribute in promoting, in a potent way, how we continuously enhance ourselves in the vital spheres of teaching, research and social service.

Ruth Rios-Morales

Editor: Ruth Rios-Morales (PhD), EMRBI - Country Director for Switzerland & Deputy Director of Research at Les Roches-Gruyère, University of Applied Sciences, CH 1630 Bulle, Switzerland Tel. 00 41 26 919 78 78 Fax 00 41 26 919 78 79, Email: [email protected] 3 Prof. Demetris Vrontis Prof. Yaavok Weber Dear members and associates,

rd In addition, in our aim to make your participation to We are approaching to the date of having our 3 the EuroMed Conference more productive, we have Annual Conference, with first one organized in managed to secure a number of journal guest editions Marseilles, France and the second one in Salerno, Italy. for the publication of the best conference papers. Thisyear,theconferenceishostedbytheUniversityof Nicosia in Cyprus and will take place at Hilton Park Thesearethefollowing: Hotel during the 4th and 5th of November, followed by a day excursion on the 6th. The conference Chairs are 1. EuroMed Journal of Business - EMRBI's official Dr Alkis Thrassou, Dr Ioanna Papasolomou and Dr Journal Yioula Melantiou. The Leader of the Organizing 2. Cross Cultural Management: An International Committee is Ms Yianna Orphanidou and the Journal Conference Coordinator is Ms Yiola Michael. 3. International Journal of Organizational Analysis We have received up to now more than 150 4. European Journal of Innovation Management registrations from about 45 different countries and this 5. International Journal of Bank Marketing number is increasing every day. We have managed to 6. Qualitative Market Research - An International secure Key Note speeches from top tier Academics Journal and Practitioners from the region. The President of the 7. Journal of Global Responsibility Republic of Cyprus and the President of the Parliament 8. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Technology are also invited to address the conference (their confirmations is still pending) together with the Mayor 9. International Journal of Technology Marketing of Nicosia and the Presidents of Cyprus Chamber of 10. Global Business and Economics Review Commerce and Industry who have already confirmed 11. MIBES TRANSACTIONS International journal their participation. More information about other 12. World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management important invited guest (from Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and Sustainable Development Turkey and US) is provided in this newsletter. 13. Organizations and Markets in Emerging Also, we are glad to inform you that we have secured Economies an ISBN number for the Book (ISBN 978-9963-634- 14. Journal of Transnational Management 83-5) of the proceedings entitled Business 15. International Journal of Online Marketing Developments across Countries and Cultures.

4 Further, during the conference, we will give you the . Exploration of new opportunities for opportunity to meet with the Editors of many of the international business consulting; above journals, who will in turn present to you their . Co-organization of international conferences, seminars and executive workshops; journal and related developments and opportunities. . Opportunity for the involvement in any of the We are also very glad to provide annual Institute’s own committees which are designed complimentary membership to all registered authors to encourage debate and disseminate ideas on and co-authors to the EuroMed Academy of research and teaching, and simultaneously promoting individual/group research interests Business. This membership includes a number of and ideas (e.g. Research Interest Committees, benefits including: Teaching and Practitioners committees); . Access to a strong network of distinguished . Priority in leading the Institute’s efforts in your universities, organisations and individuals country by being appointed as Country Director (academics, researchers and professionals) of or been elected as a Chair of any one of the verified high standard, experience and caliber in Institute’s committees; their corresponding fields; . Free subscription to the EuroMed Journal of . Collaboration with the EuroMed Research Business with electronic and/or hard copy Centre for the submission of proposals for access; funding to authorities, both at a national and . Free issues of the EuroMed Newsletter, international level; published twice a year. . Access to and utilisation of EMRBI’s infrastructure to promote research and teaching excellence; Looking forward to seeing you again at the 3rd . Utilisation of EMRBI's experience and Annual EuroMed Conference in Cyprus. infrastructure in organising workshops, in- house seminars, consulting and training Best regards, programs;

Professor Demetris Vrontis (PhD) Professor Yaavok Weber (PhD) President, EuroMed Research Business Institute President, EuroMed Research Business Institute Editor, EuroMed Journal of Business Chair, Strategy and Enterprise School of Business Administration Dean, School of Business, University of Nicosia College of Management Rishon, Lezion Israel

5 The Annual EuroMed Conference ______Addressing the Conference

Mr Charilaos G. Stavrakis Minister of Finance Republic of Cyprus

Mr. Charilaos G. Stavrakis was appointed Minister of Finance on 29 February 2008.

He was born in 1956. He studied Economics at the University of Cambridge from where he graduatedin1979withDouble-FirstClassHonours. He holds an MBA from Harvard University, Graduate School of Business Administration. In 1988, he became a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB).

Mr. Stavrakis has had more than 20 years experience in the banking sector. In 1989 he undertook a two-month consulting position in the . At the he held various positions including the position of Head of Strategic Planning and Business Development and Senior Manager of Treasury and International Services. In the period 1998 to 2004 he served as Group General Manager International Banking. As from June 2003 until 2008 he was also the General Manager of the Cyprus Investment & Securities Corporation Limited (CISCO), the investment banking arm of the Group. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Oil Refinery. He has also been a member of the Board of the Bank of Cyprus Australia, the Bank of Cyprus (Channel Islands) Ltd., the Bank of Cyprus (AEDAK), the Bank of Cyprus Mutual Funds Ltd and BOC Ventures Ltd.

On 1 January 2005 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer - Cyprus and Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer with additional duties the management of the subsidiary companies of the Group: Bank of Cyprus Factors, Bank of Cyprus Finance Corporation, Eurolife, General Insurance of Cyprus, the Cyprus Investment and Securities Corporation Ltd. (CISCO), BOC Mutual Funds Ltd., and Bank of Cyprus UK and the setting up of banks in Russia and Ukraine.

In June 2005 he was appointed Chairman of the Electricity Authority Cyprus Board of Directors. In August 2005 he was elected Chairman of the Cyprus Bankers Employers Association and he was reelected in June 2006 for another year. Mr. Stavrakis served in the afore-mentioned posts until his appointment as Minister of Finance on the 29th of February, 2008.

6 The Annual EuroMed Conference ______Academic Key Note Speaker Professor Haim Levy Hebrew University of Jerusalem

We are delighted to announce that our Academic Keynote speaker in the 3rd Annual conference of the EuroMed Academy of Busines is Prof. Haim Levy. Professor Levi is Miles Robinson Professor of Business Administration at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Professor Levy was ranked high in Nobels’ list in Economic and Ranked as the most prolific researcher in Finance in the World, based on publications in 16 core journals in Finance. Prof. Levy has also ranked as the most cited in Richard Brealy and Helen Edwards, A Bibliography of Finance Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press 1991 (cited in JournalofFinance, June 1991). He is among the top 100 researchers ranked by their citations in JF, JFQA, and and JFE during the period 1974-1998 (out of 12,637 researchers who have published in these Journals). He has co-authored papers with two Nobel Prize winners in Economics (H. Markowitz and P. Samuelson). Prof. Haim Levy Prof. Levy has co-authored papers with two Nobel Prize winners (H. Markowitz Samuelson).

Business Key Note Speaker Mr Ekren Demirtas Turkish President of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce

Mr. Ekrem Demirtas, the President of Izmir Chamber of Commerce, will be attending 3rd Annual Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business. Executive Board of Izmir Chamber of Commerce will also attend the Conference. During the Conference Mr. Ekrem DEMIRTAS and Executive Board of Izmir Chamber of Commerce will have meetings with the President and Executive Board of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce to develop business relationships between Turkey and Cyprus. Izmir Chamber of Commerce was established in 1885 and is still active as a Constitutional Professional Legal Entity to cater for the common needs of its members, to facilitate their professional activities, to maintain professional discipline, moral values and solidarity so as to establish honesty and reliability in the relations between the members and with third parties, and to as provided for under its statutory law. Mr. Ekren Demirtas Izmir Chamber of Commerce is the second biggest and most institutionalized chamber in Turkey. (www.izto.org.tr) 7 The Annual EuroMed Conference ______Other Very Important Key Note Speakers Eleni Mavrou, Manthos Mavrommatis, Michael Sarris, Peter Kash, and Iskandar Najjar

Eleni Mavrou, is the first female, Mayor of Nicosia, since 1/1/2007. She studied Civil Engineering and Politics and International Relations. She served as General Secretary of the United Democratic Youth Organization (E.D.O.N.) and she is a member of the Central Committee of AKEL since 1990. She served as a Councillor of the Nicosia Municipal Council from 1986 to 1996. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2001 and was re-elected in the 2006 elections. In 2003 she was appointed by the House of Representatives as a Cyprus observer at the European Parliament until the elected Cyprus Members of the European Parliament took office. She was a member of the delegation of the House to the E.U.-Cyprus Joint Parliamentary Committee and was also a representative of the House to the Convention for the Future of Europe.

Manthos Mavrommatis is the General Manager of the family business and a member of the Board of other private companies. He served as Chairman of the Youth Organisation and as a member of the Board of the Cyprus State Fairs Authority. He served as Chairman of the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the period 1999-2005. He was elected Chairman of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in December 2005. He is the Honorary-Consul of Mexico in Cyprus.

Dr. Michael Sarris studied Economics at the London School of Economics and received his Doctorate in the United States. From 1972 to 1975 he worked at the and the Bank of Cyprus. In 1975, Michael joined the World Bank. In the course of his career, his work covered a broad range of sectors in Africa, Latin America and East Asia. At the end of 2004, he retired from the World Bank as a Department Director. In September 2005, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, appointed him as Minister of Finance, where he served until the change in government in March 2008. During his tenure, Cyprus prepared for and successfully introduced the as its national currency.

Peter Kash is co-founder and President of Riverbank Capital Securities specializing in creating and financing biopharmaceutical companies. In his more than 20 year career he has co-founded more than a dozen companies and has co-raised over $800 million in private and public financings. He has served on several private and public boards both as Chairman and Vice-Chairman . He has traveled and lectured in over 60 countries worldwide.

Dr. Iskandar Najjar is Professor Emeritus, at Al-Quds University (Palestine) since November 2008. His previous positions at Al-Quds University include being Provost and Dean of the Economic Sciences and Business College. Dr. Iskandar also serves as World Bank Consultant for the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and as Chairman of the Economic and Social Development Studies Department at the College of Arts and Letters in Al-Quds University.

8 The Annual EuroMed Conference ______

Sponsors and Supporters

Cyprus Association

9 Call for Conference Venue ______Call for Conference Venue Proposal

While we are all looking forward to the next Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business, we would like to look timely ahead for planning for the following conferences.

We would therefore like to encourage suitable and dedicated potential hosts for future Conferences to submit a letter of intent to Dr. Rudi Kaufmann [email protected]

Please consider hundreds of participants and presentations over two-three days, and thus, please refer in your letter to some preliminary conditions about your university dedications to this conference such as administration (for example, committees and members), logistics (rooms for presentations, possible hotels for accommodation, tourist sites, transportation if necessary), Gala dinner, etc.

The University’s benefits of hosting the conference are manifold: .Enhancing international academic reputation by conference organization and publication of conference proceedings. EMRBI advertises the host institution to academic and professional institutions and also through its website banners. .Strengthening the network with academic peers implying ongoing future co-operation (i.e. research projects, exchange programs) .Getting access to journal publications (see list in current Call-for-Papers) .Free University membership for one year (see benefits as well as value of 1850 ) .Promoting the host/organising institution in the regional and international academic environment .Promoting the organizing institution in local media (TV, Radio, Published Media) and business/professional environment .Creating awareness and reputation to local partners (i.e. industry, government, local community) via workshops being an integral part of the conference .Recruiting and training Doctorate students via Doctorate workshops being an integral part of the conference

Shortlisted institutions will be approached at a later stage for visiting the premises and finalizing the details for the conference organization.

We are looking forward to receiving your letter of intents for hosting one of the forthcoming Conferences of the EuroMed Academy of Business.

10 Emerald – EMRBI Collaboration and Support ______

As official partners of the EMRBI and publishers of the By Dr Martyn Lawrence association’s journal, Emerald is proud to work alongside Publisher – Emerald the Editors of the EuroMed Journal of Business (EMJB).

Usage (electronic article downloads) is a key metric that librarians use to determine whether or not to subscribe (or re-subscribe) to a journal. We are keen to increase electronic usage of EMJB and thus raise the profile of the journal amongst scholars in the EuroMed region. Since all members of EMRBI receive a personal subscription to EMJB, I encourage you to access the journal online and therefore increase the dissemination, citation and impact of the published articles.

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the publishing aspect of the journal: [email protected]

Access the journal via: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/emjb.htm

Emerald, on behalf of EMJB, is sponsoring the pre- conference reception at the third EMRBI conference in Nicosia, Cyprus, 4-5 November 2010.

We value EMRBI great efforts and consider it as a very important strategic partner for Emerald. At the same time, we highly praise the EuroMed Network and its overall scientific, professional and academic contribution.

11 The EuroMed Journal of Business Submission and Tracking goes Online EuroMed Journal of Business now uses ScholarOne Manuscripts for online submission and tracking. ScholarOne Manuscripts is an internet based, intuitive and author-friendly interface for submitting articles to Emerald journals. Online submission facilitates a fast and efficient publication service and provides the author with the ability to track their paper through the review process.

Authors will need to create an account for EuroMed Journal of Business,eveniftheyhaveanaccount on a different journal. Please see the instructions below explaining how to register. Then follow the on-screen guidance which takes you through the submission process.

Registering on ScholarOne Manuscripts .Log on to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/emjb .Click on the create account link at the top right of the screen. .Follow the on-screen instructions, filling in the requested details before proceeding .Your username will be your email address and you have to input a password of at least 8 characters in length and containing two or more numbers .Click 'Finish' and your account has been created

Submitting an article on ScholarOne Manuscripts .Once Registered go to http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/emjb with your username and password. This will take you through to the Welcome page. .(To consult the Author Guidelines for this journal, click on the Home Page link in the Resources column). .Click on the Author Centre button. .Click on the ‘submit a manuscript’ button which will take you through to the Manuscript Submission page. .Complete all fields and browse to upload your article. .You must upload a minimum of 2 files – your article file (with NO author details) and a separate title page (with all author contact details). This journal operates a double blind peer review process. .When all required sections are completed, preview your .pdf proof. .Submit your manuscript.

Guidance can be found on the Emerald ScholarOne Manuscripts Support Centre (http://msc.emeraldinsight.com).

If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for please e-mail [email protected] for assistance.

When your paper is successfully submitted you will receive an email indicating that your paper has been received together with its unique identity number. This means that The Editor, Publisher, and Reviewers will be able to process your paper in addition to you being able to track your paper at each stage of the publishing process.

12 Call for Papers ______2010/2011 Emerald/EMRBI Business Research Award for Emerging Researchers Promoting excellence and innovation in business research The following documents will be required: •a covering letter containing full contact details for all Call for papers contributors Emerald Group Publishing Ltd and the EuroMed •a full paper in line with the EuroMed Journal of Business Research Business Institute (EMRBI) are delighted to submission requirements promote excellence and innovation in business research (www.emeraldinsight.com/emjb.htm) by sponsoring the 2010/2011 Emerald/EMRBI Business Research Award for Emerging Researchers. The closing date for receipt of applications is 1 July 2011.

The Award-winning entry will receive a cash prize of Judging criteria €1,500 (or currency equivalent), a certificate, a winner’s The entries will be judged by the Editor and at least one logo to attach to correspondence, and publication in the Editorial Advisory Board member of the EuroMed EuroMed Journal of Business as a full paper. Runners-up Journal of Business. In addition we seek self nominations will also be considered for publication. to [email protected] for those EMRBI members who wish to take part in the Judging Committee. In addition, authors of the winning entry and those of up to ten highly commended papers will receive a Entries will be judged on the following criteria: complimentary 12-month membership of EuroMed •Significance/implications for theory and practice Academy of Business; which will include an online •Originality and innovation subscription to the EuroMed Journal of Business. •Appropriateness and application of the methodology •Analysis and presentation of the data (if applicable) Eligibility •Quality of the literature review. To be eligible for the Award, the research must address the environmental opportunities and threats, or Short-listed applicants may be required to answer marketplace developments and trends, in the European- questions from the judging panel with regard to the Mediterranean region. In an effort to promote and reward research paper submitted. The Editor reserves the right research from new researchers, the Award is open to any not to select a winning paper if, in his judgement, none of researcher who has undertaken a doctoral degree program the entries is considered satisfactory. inthepast5years.Thepapermaybeco-authoredwitha senior faculty member. Key dates The closing date for receipt of applications is 1 July 2011 Submission requirements Short-listing and further contact will take place during Submissions must be made online at: July/August 2011 Winners will be announced at The 4th Annual EuroMed ww2.emeraldinsight.com/awards/emrbi.htm Conference of the EuroMed Academy of Business.

Contact For further information, please contact: Devon Blake, External Relations Executive Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, United Kingdom T +44 (0) 1274 515605, F +44 (0)1274 785200 E [email protected] 13 Latest News ______Official Launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Trade and Partnership Fair

The Euro-Mediterranean Trade and Partnership Commerce and Industry Mr. Manthos fair, the online exhibition was launched at a Mavrommatis addressing the meeting expressed ceremony held at Hilton Park hotel on 21st June his appreciation to Business Global for their vision 2010. and courage in creating and organizing the The organizers of the exhibition are Business exhibition which he was convinced will be of Global Plc in partnership with the Cyprus benefit to all participating countries including Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cyprus. EuroMed Business Research Institute. The The chairman of Business Global Plc Mr. Andreas meeting was attended by government officials, Kaisis after welcoming his guests said that the business leaders, ambassadors and other “Euro-Mediterranean Trade and Partnership Fair” dignitaries. The guest speaker was Dr. Luigi is of particular importance to both European and Troiani, the Secretary General of EuroMed TDS Non-European countries bordering the an organization created in 1998 under the Mediterranean Sea and comes at a time most patronage of the European Commission and the needed when enterprises in the region are facing Presidency of the European Union. difficult challenges because of the global economic In his opening address the Minister of Commerce, recession and the contraction in international Industry and Tourism Mr. Antonis Paschalides.The trade. minister stressed the importance of the “Euro- The President of the EuroMed Research Business Mediterranean Trade and Partnership Fair” to Institute (EMRBI), Professor Demetris Vrontis, small and medium size enterprises as the Fair will has welcomed the guests and outlined the give them the opportunity to access new markets importance of strengthening the EuroMed and find new business partners. Network and presented EMRBI and its various The President of the Cyprus Chamber of functions and activities.

14 Prof. Demetris Vrontis, President of the EMRBI, addressing Guests and Partners Latest News ______The Research Committee Module

The EMRBI is delighted to announce the new Research Committee Module that upgrades our services to our members, and, facilitate communication between committee members. We invested much effort during the last six months in it and believe that its new technology will help all of us to promote and achieve the goals of EMRBI, EMAB, and the new research center (EuroMed Research Centre) that EMRBI has established.

The Research Committee Module permits to each member to have his contact details, research interests, and her/his picture. Moreover, a special Research Forum allows discussions among committee members on their academic interests (research, teaching, applications for research funds, administration of courses in their schools/departments, etc.). Furthermore, it will allow fruitful interaction among members from different committees to find new opportunity of research, for instance, interdisciplinary research.

For the participation in the Research Forum and to be able to change personal details, there is a need for personal PASSWORD.

We would like to encourage you to:

Send your picture to Maya Finger at [email protected] Ask Maya for a User Name and Password Use these to fill in and update your affiliation details. With the User Name and Password you can also enter the Research Forum and start a new discussion group or join other discussions that may be of your interest.

For further details please contact Maya Finger or visit:

http://www.emrbi.com/main.asp?cat=news&sCat=news_list

15 Latest News ______The Online Marketing and Management Collection of Seminar-Style Lectures

The EMRBI have organized a special discounted offer enabling associates and friends to obtain immediate access to the Henry Stewart Talks collection of online lectures known as: The Marketing and Management Collection.

The Marketing and Management Collection contains over 450 audio-visual presentations (“talks”) divided into 40 comprehensive series, and is being expanded monthly with new series and talks.

All talks have been specially commissioned from world leading experts and are designed to brief all those who need to be knowledgeable on the fundamental concepts, latest models and new techniques in the fields of Management, Marketing, Branding and Sponsorship.

The collection is easily accessible via: www.hstalks.com/p/emrbi

Additional information is provided to you at the attachment.

Format Every talk is a seminar-style, animated audio visual presentation, with informative visuals and synchronized narration. The online, stream-played talks, preserve each speaker's personality and approach allowing you to experience world class presentations wherever you want and as often as you want. To review talks or to order your copy, please visit the collection at: www.hstalks.com/p/emrbi

16 Miscellaneous ______

The EMRBI Contributor Award of the Year 2009

Simona Mihai Yiannaki, Ph.D, M.B.A. is a lecturer in Banking and Finance with the European University Cyprus, an editor of Megabyte review, member of SPACE, member of the scientific committee of CKS, an European Science Foundation and other Elsevier, Emerald and AIBUKI Conference papers and journals reviewer, andlastbutnotleastaRICmemberwithEMRBI since 2008. Before undertaking academic work, she was a corporate banker and a Chief Financial Officer with a portfolio of over EURO 250 million in mergers and acquisitions.

For her volunteered work she was awarded at the 2nd EMRBI Conference in Salerno the EMRBI Contributor Award of the Year. Simona coordinated in 2009 and 2010 two international TEMPUS projects and one project ENPI-CBC, and designed and prepared with her team the 2nd EMRBI Conference AWARDS, participating also in the CCMIP in July 2010. Dr. Simona Mihai Yiannaki

Of the successfully submitted projects, we mention the TEMPUS IV: CBAHEE- “Cross Border Alliances: HEI and Enterprises M&As and JVs” with a total budget of EUR 1,641,015 in 2009 and “InnoCDL – Teaching Innovation in Higher Education Via Cooperative Distance Learning” with a total budget of EUR 1,533,703 submitted in 2010. Both TEMPUS IV projects were submitted on Higher Education and Society, under Joint Projects, with the participation and important input from the following international universities, associations and research centers from a high variety of Euro-Mediterranean countries.

17 Miscellaneous ______

The EMRBI Contributor Award of the Year 2009

Evangelos Tsoukatos (Ph.D, M.A, PgD, BSc) is a lecturer at the department of Finance and Insurance of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete, serves as member of the editorial board in quite a few scholarly journals and member of the scientific committee of several international conferences, is a member of CIRCLE and reviewer in a number of conferences and journals. Evangelos is chair of the “Cross-Cultural Management” and member of the “International Marketing” RIC committees of the EMRBI since 2008. Before undertaking academic work, Evangelos worked in Insurance and the ICT industry. Dr. Evangelos Tsoukatos

For his voluntary work he was awarded at the 2nd EMRBI Conference in Salerno the EMRBI Contributor Award of the Year. Evangelos coordinated in 2009 and implemented in 2010 the “Cross-Cultural Management Intensive Programme” and has already gained approval and funding for the 2011 implementation of the programme. He also submitted the TEMPUS IV: “European Cross-Cultural MBA” with a total budget of EUR 1,650,000.

18 Miscellaneous ______

Facebook, a new communication tool to enhance our networking

Facebook (FB) is the most important social network launched in By Dr Matteo Rossi., February 2004 that is operated and privately owned by Facebook Inc., Università degli Studi with more than 500 million active users (July 2010). Del Sannio, Benevento Italy A social network is a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called nodes, which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.

As all social networking website, also in FB users can add people as friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by workplace, school, or college.

Today, EMRBI has a FB page (go to www.facebook.com and then to EUROMED EMRBI) where our network members can exchange opinions, ideas and share research interests and proposals.

The FB page is currently managed by Dr Matteo Rossi., Università degli Studi del Sannio, Benevento – Italy

19 Miscellaneous ______

Massimo D’Antona National Award

At the 11th anniversary of the murder of Massimo D'Antona – scholar in the field of labor law –, on May 20th 2010, at the meeting hall of the Italian Ministry of Labor, the commemoration ceremony and the delivery of the Massimo D'Antona Prize took place.

The Italian Minister of Labor, Senator Maurizio Sacconi, delivered the prize to the two winners; one of whom was Isabella Spanò, member of the EMRBI. Dr. Spanò received this award for her dissertation about the perspectives on Social Security for the Italian younger generation.

Many personalities were present: apart from the Minister of Labor; several General Directors of the Ministry of Labor, including the General Manager of Human Resources, Dr. Concetta Ferrari; the INPDAP General Director, Dr. Massimo Pianese; the Chairman of the INAIL Board of Auditors, Dr. Paola Chiari; and the Commander of Military Police for the protection of labor, Col. Luciano Annichiarico.

Also present were representatives of trade unions and federations and the members of the Board of the “Massimo D’Antona” Foundation.

Dr. Isabella Spanò and Dr Palmisciano

20 Miscellaneous ______World Business School Council For Sustainable Business

At the 2010 annual AOM conference in The vision of WBSCSB is to be a sustainability Montreal, a small group of concerned deans and think-tank and platform for action of business professors took a first step to create the World schools contributing to make business (more) Business School Council for Sustainable Business sustainable. The Council seeks business schools (WBSCSB). So far, there have been many to contribute through their research, education valuable contributions by individual business and engagement. Research must address pressing scholars addressing the pressing sustainability sustainability issues in a global and overarching issues of our times; however business schools on way, transcending disciplinary perspectives where an institutional level have not yet assumed their necessary, and producing insights that are timely, responsibility. widely understood and actionable. Education must embrace sustainability as an integrated While the World Business Council for function of business in order for graduates to Sustainable Development was founded in 1992 to effectively address sustainability as part of their organize a contribution of the business management responsibilities. And business community to the global challenges posed by scholars and educators can and should use their sustainable development, business schools have competence and reputation to engage in public still not managed to organize a collective effort dialogue and activities to further sustainable towards this goal. The founders of WBSCSB are development. convinced it is high time for business schools to step up and orchestrate scholarly thinking on a For all interested in supporting or joining the global basis to respond effectively to the pressing WBSCSB: www.wbscsb.com. sustainability issues of our times.

Founding members: Dr. Katrin Muff, Prof. Thomas Dyllick, Dr Sanjay Sharma and Dr Paul Shrivastava 21 Miscellaneous ______New Book Launching – Quality Uncertainty and Perception

by Lalit Wankhade and Balaji Dabade

Quality Uncertainty and Perception (Springer, 2010) was recently published by Lalit Wankhade and Balaji Dabade.

The book addresses the complex issue of quality uncertainty due to information asymmetry in the backdrop of information economics, total quality management and marketing science. Reliability Engineering, Seven Management Tools and System Dynamics are used to develop theories on quality uncertainty and perception. Quality perception is identified as a multidisciplinary measure of business performance. The tools are developed to minimize quality uncertainty or to maximize quality perception. A few worksheets are provided for applying these theories to improve business performance.

22 EuroMed Newsletter ISSN 1986-2253 Published by EuroMed Press