Salim Ben Sassi | Economics | Best Researcher Award

Salim Ben Sassi | Economics | Best Researcher Award

Associate Professor, High Institute of Management of Tunis, Tunisia

Salim Ben Sassi is an Associate Professor at the High Institute of Management of Tunis. With a PhD in Economics (Quantitative Methods), he has expertise in statistics, financial data analysis, and information systems. His research focuses on quantitative methods applied to market finance.

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๐ŸŽ“ Education

Salim Ben Sassi holds a PhD in Economics (Quantitative Methods) and has a strong academic background in statistical analysis and financial modeling.

๐Ÿ’ผ Experience

As an Associate Professor at the High Institute of Management of Tunis, Salim Ben Sassi teaches and conducts research in quantitative methods and finance. He is also a consultant in statistics and financial data analysis.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Interest

Salim Ben Sassi’s research focuses on several key areas, including financial modeling, applied econometrics, volatility modeling, and portfolio optimization. His work in these areas aims to develop innovative solutions for financial analysis and risk management. By applying quantitative methods to financial markets, Salim Ben Sassi’s research contributes to a better understanding of market dynamics and the development of effective investment strategies.

๐Ÿ† Award

Salim Ben Sassi is nominated for the Best Researcher Award, recognizing his contributions to quantitative methods and finance.

๐Ÿ“˜ Publications

Interconnectedness of Stock Indices in African Economies Under Financial, Health, and Political Crises, Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 2025, DOI: 10.3390/jrfm18050238 (Cited by: Anouar Chaouch; Salim BEN SASSI)

Are African Stock Markets Affected by Global Shocks in the Very Short Term?, SSRN, 2024, DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4881386 (Cited by: Kchaou, O.; Ben Sassi, S.)

US Fundsโ€™ returns-based ESG extraction and implementation: a multifaceted quantile regression approach, Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 2024, DOI: 10.1080/20430795.2024.2420916 (Cited by: Farah Nasri; Salim Ben Sassi)

The Dynamics of Contagion and Behavior of the Euro Area Sovereign Bond Markets, Bankers, Markets & Investors, 2022, DOI: 10.54695/bmi.170.6938 (Cited by: Oussama Kchaou; Salim Ben Sassi; Makram Bellalah)

Can fiat currencies really hedge Bitcoin? Evidence from dynamic short-term perspective, Decisions in Economics and Finance, 2021, DOI: 10.1007/S10203-020-00314-7 (Cited by: Majdoub, Jihed; Ben Sassi, Salim; Bejaoui, Azza)

Market dynamics, cyclical patterns and market states Is there a difference between digital currencies markets?, Studies in Economics and Finance, 2020, DOI: 10.1108/SEF-08-2019-0302 (Cited by: Bejaoui, Azza; Ben Sassi, Salim; Majdoub, Jihed)

Optimal weights and hedge ratio behavior in Brent oil and Islamic Gulf stock markets, Journal of Energy Markets, 2020, DOI: 10.21314/JEM.2020.204 (Cited by: Ben Sassi, Salim; Majdoub, Jihed; Mansour, Walid)

Conclusion โœ…

Based on his research achievements, publications, and experience, Salim Ben Sassi is a suitable candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His contributions to quantitative methods and finance demonstrate his potential to make a significant impact in the field. With some further emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and publishing in top-tier journals, he is well-positioned to continue making meaningful contributions to research.

Douglas Mwirigi | Economics | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Douglas Mwirigi | Economics | Best Researcher Awardย 

Mr. Douglas Mwirigi at HUNGARIAN UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ANDLIFE SCIENCES, Hungary.

Mwirigi Douglas is a dedicated finance scholar and educator with a strong passion for sustainable development and economic transformation. ๐Ÿ“š Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Finance at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), Hungary ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ, Douglas has cultivated a diverse background in academic instruction, financial consultancy, and research. With a consistent academic trajectory from Kenya to Hungary, he combines practical experience with deep academic insight. His areas of specialization include financial management, business analysis, and systems evaluation. He served as a Tutorial Fellow at Kirinyaga University from 2018 to 2022 and worked with TechnoServe, gaining vast experience in financial consultancy and economic advisory roles. His scholarly works focus on finance, SME development, and sustainable agricultural practices. Known for his analytical mindset, communication skills, and leadership qualities, Douglas remains committed to mentoring students and contributing to policy-driven research that supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Professional Profile

ORCID

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๐ŸŽ“ Education

Mwirigi Douglas’s educational journey showcases a strong focus on finance, business, and economics. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Finance at Magyar Agrar โ€“ es Elletudomanyi Egyetem (MATE), Hungary ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ, since August 2022. He earned his MBA in Finance from Kirinyaga University in 2018 and previously completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in 2016. ๐Ÿงพ His foundational education was built at Kithithina Mixed Day Secondary School, where he earned his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2011. Douglas has also completed professional training as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA โ€“ Finalist) through KASNEB, reaching Section 6 by 2016. ๐Ÿ“Š This academic background has solidified his analytical skills and equipped him with tools necessary for practical financial problem-solving and academic excellence. He merges theory and practice to bring a comprehensive perspective to his research and teaching endeavors.

๐Ÿ’ผ Experience

Douglas has cultivated a rich professional background in teaching, finance, and consultancy. From 2018 to 2022, he worked as a Tutorial Fellow at Kirinyaga University, teaching finance, economics, and accounting. ๐Ÿ“˜ His role involved curriculum design, student supervision, assessment, and research development. Before that, he served as a Business Counselor at TechnoServe (2017โ€“2018), analyzing financial records, supporting operational changes, and improving marketing strategies for small businesses. Earlier, he contributed as an intern in various finance roles, including at TechnoServe (Business Plan Preparation), Caytree (in collaboration with Kirinyaga University), and Kithithina Secondary School, gaining practical experience in budgeting, reporting, and project development. ๐Ÿงพ As a teacher and trainer, Douglas previously served at Kithithina and Kithithiani Secondary Schools, nurturing youth talent. His versatility across academia, private sector consultancy, and community-based roles reflects his capacity to lead, manage, and train in multidisciplinary environments. ๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ

๐Ÿ”ฌ Research Interests

Douglas’s research interests are centered on the intersection of finance, sustainability, and development economics. ๐ŸŒฑ๐Ÿ“ˆ He is especially passionate about understanding how financial management practices, access to credit, and technology integration affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. His current Ph.D. work extends into evaluating agricultural finance and dairy sector sustainability, with implications for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ๐Ÿ“˜ He leverages bibliometric analysis, econometrics, and case studies to assess borrower behavior, financial inclusion, and policy impact. His scholarly work often intersects with climate economics, aiming to understand how agriculture-driven economies can adopt finance-backed sustainable practices. Douglas is also invested in understanding how educational institutions and policies can empower young entrepreneurs through financial literacy and innovative funding mechanisms. His vision is to bridge academia, policy, and practice to build inclusive and data-driven financial systems for long-term economic growth. ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿ’ก

๐Ÿ† Awards

Douglas has earned several recognitions, most notably the Hungaricum Stipendium ๐ŸŽ“, a prestigious scholarship awarded by the Hungarian Government. He received this award in September 2022, allowing him to pursue his Ph.D. in Hungary and contribute to academic research at MATE University. The award not only recognizes academic excellence but also fosters global collaboration, and Douglasโ€™s selection reflects his merit, dedication, and long-term vision in finance and development studies. In addition to his scholarship, Douglas has been active in conference participation and community-based awards, including being a conference presenter and rapporteur at Kirinyaga Universityโ€™s Annual International Conferences and a student leader speaker at the Bomas of Kenya in 2010. ๐ŸŒŸ His professional engagements and volunteer roles further show his commitment to excellence, mentorship, and service in local and global communities. These accolades affirm his potential as a future leader in academia and finance. ๐Ÿ…

๐Ÿ“š Top Noted Publications

Douglas has authored and co-authored impactful research focused on finance, sustainability, and bibliometric analysis. His works include:

1. A Bibliometric Analysis of Borrowersโ€™ Behavior

Journal: Journal of Risk and Financial Management
Year: 2024
Status: Published | ๐Ÿ”— [Read here] | ๐Ÿ“‘ Cited by: 1
Abstract: This paper utilizes bibliometric techniques to analyze global research trends on borrowers’ behavior. It maps key authors, influential journals, citation networks, and thematic clusters, offering insights into the evolution of the field.
Keywords: Borrowersโ€™ behavior, financial management, bibliometrics, citation analysis

2. Mapping the Scholarly Landscape: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Kenyaโ€™s Dairy Sector and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Status: Under Review (2024)
Abstract: This study investigates how academic research on Kenyaโ€™s dairy sector aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It employs bibliometric mapping to identify research gaps, thematic focus areas, and the interplay between agricultural development and sustainability goals.
Highlights:
๐Ÿงญ Focuses on SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action)
๐Ÿ“š Uses co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic evolution analysis

3. From Cow to Climate: Tracing the Path of Dairy Sustainability

Year: 2024
Abstract: This paper explores the relationship between dairy farming and climate resilience. It examines sustainable practices, emissions metrics, and policy frameworks influencing dairy productionโ€™s environmental impact.
Focus Areas:
๐Ÿ“Š Life cycle analysis (LCA)
๐ŸŒฑ Sustainable agricultural practices
๐ŸŒ Climate-smart dairy initiatives

4. The Effect of Working Capital Management on the Performance of SMEs in Kenya โ€“ Case Study: Kirinyaga County

Year: 2018
Abstract: This case study evaluates the effect of working capital components (inventory, receivables, payables) on the profitability and operational efficiency of SMEs in Kirinyaga County.
Findings:
๐Ÿข Positive correlation between effective cash management and SME performance
๐Ÿ’ฐ Recommendations include policy support and financial literacy programs

5. Enhancing Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Access and Performance through Technological Integration

Year: 2018
Abstract: This study argues that integrating financial technology (FinTech) can bridge credit gaps for SMEs. It proposes digital platforms, mobile banking, and data analytics as tools for improving credit scoring and operational performance.
Key Insights:
๐Ÿ’ก FinTech adoption enhances creditworthiness assessment
๐Ÿ“ˆ Demonstrated improvements in SME access to finance and business outcomes

Conclusion

Mr. Mwirigi Douglas demonstrates strong potential and growing achievement in research, teaching, and community service. His commitment to academic excellence, sustainability-focused research, and international engagement makes him a worthy candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award, especially in the Emerging Researcher or Young Researcher category.