Our People
Gnosis is led by two prominent, cross-discipline business specialists with significant contribution to global scientific knowledge and industry experience: Prof. Demetris Vrontis (Managing Director) and Prof. Alkis Thrassou (Director). The institute further enjoys the valuable support of in-house funded research experts, scholars, scientists, research assistants, and support staff. It is particularly honoured to enjoy the learned contribution of international visiting professors and faculty of the highest caliber.
Our Research Staff
Prof. Demetris Vrontis
Managing Director
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Demetris Vrontis
Prof. Demetris Vrontis, Ph.D., is the Vice Rector for Faculty and Research and a Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is the Founding Editor and Editor in Chief of the EuroMed Journal of Business, an Associate Editor of the International Marketing Review, a Consulting Editor of the Journal of International Management, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Strategic Marketing, a Senior Advisor of the International Studies of Management & Organization, a Senior Associate Editor of the FIIB Business Review and an editorial advisory board member in numerous academic and scientific marketing, management and business-related journals. He has a wide editorial experience and has successfully edited over 80 guest editions in top-tier journals. He is the President of the EuroMed Academy of Business and the Managing Director of Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, which serve as important and influential regional hubs in the area of Business and Management. He has widely published over 500 refereed journal articles, 70 books and 90 chapters, and he has presented papers at over 100 conferences around the globe. His refereed journal articles appeared in some of the most prominent journals, globally. He is a fellow member and certified Chartered Marketer of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Chartered Business Consultant. He is also currently serving as a consultant and is a member of the board of directors of several international companies.
Prof. Alkis Thrassou
Director
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Alkis Thrassou
Alkis Thrassou, Ph.D., is a Professor at the University of Nicosia (Cyprus, EU) and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds (UK). He is Director of Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, Chief Editor of Palgrave Intersections of Business and the Sciences, Managing Editor of Palgrave Studies in Cross-disciplinary Business Research, Associate Editor of EuroMed Journal of Business, and Senior Research Fellow of the EuroMed Academy of Business. He has published in numerous internationally esteemed journals and books, and his works carry many thousands of peer citations. He is ranked #36 globally in ‘Marketing’ by Scholargps.com (2024) and #8 in ‘Business and Management’ in Greece and Cyprus (combined) by Research.com (2024). He further retains strong ties with industry, acting also as a consultant, and holding the prominent professional qualifications of Chartered Marketer (FCIM), Chartered Construction Manager (FCIOB) and Chartered Management Consultancy Surveyor (MRICS).
Dr Stelios Stylianou
Senior Researcher, Head of Funded Research
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Stelios Stylianou
Stelios Stylianou, Ph.D., holds a bachelor’s degree in social and Political Science, from the University of Cyprus, a Postgraduate tittle in Sociology from the City University in London, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Cyprus. He has worked for RTD TALOS as the Director of Tenders Department for fifteen years being responsible not only for the submission of proposals but also for the management and coordination of Local and European Research and Development projects, targeting mainly NGO’s and small and medium-sized enterprises. Currently at University of Nicosia he is holding the position of the Head of Funded Research Administration for Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, and he oversees the management and implementation of European and national research projects. He is very active in social affairs, and he is member in several social NGO’s.
Ms Chrystalla Pachita
Senior Researcher
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Chrystalla Pachita
Chrystalla Pachita holds a BA in English Studies, an MSc in Education, Leadership and Management and an MSc in Green & Digital Management. With substantial experience as a Project Manager and Researcher, she has worked with cross-functional, international partners in interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral projects (Erasmus+, EEA & Norway Grants, Creative Europe, Horizon Europe, Interreg, ESF, ESC, AMIF, PPPA, CERV). She currently holds the position of Project Manager & Researcher at GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, where she contributes to the development, management, and implementation of European and national research projects.
Prof. Manlio Del Giudice
Senior Research Fellow
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Manlio Del Giudice
Manlio Del Giudice, Ph.D., is Full Professor of Management at the Pegaso Digital University in Italy, where he holds the position of Head of the Department of Management and Economics, as well as Head of the Department of Law. He is the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Knowledge Management and holds key editorial positions in several other international mainstream scientific journals on management. His academic profile includes over one hundred scientific publications at 4* Elite, 4* and 3* ABS level, as well as many monographs by flagship publishers like Springer, Palgrave Macmillan, Elsevier, Routledge, and Taylor & Francis, and carries the impressive citation H-index of 70+. Prof. Del Giudice is ranked 1st among Italian Full Professors in the field of Managerial, Economics and Social Science research, and 15th globally, by the “Data for updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators”, research published by Stanford University, US. His main research interests concern Knowledge Management and Data Security for Intelligence, Data Analysis for Geoeconomics, Cybersecurity, Technology Transfer, Foresight Management.
Prof. Stefano Bresciani
Senior Research Fellow
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Stefano Bresciani
Stefano Bresciani, Ph.D. in Business Administration, is Full Professor in Innovation Management and Digital Transformation at the School of Management and Economics, University of Torino, where he is the Director of the Ph.D. program in Business & Management, and the Director of the MBA – Master in Business Administration. He undertakes research integrated with the Department of Management of the University of Torino; his main areas of research include innovation management, knowledge management, international business and open innovation. Professor Bresciani is the Editor in Chief of the British Food Journal, the Associate Editor of the Technological Forecasting & Social Change, the International Journal of Consumer Studies, and the Journal of Intellectual Capital. He is the Vice President of the EuroMed Research Business Institute (EMRBI), Director of the Research Center of the Q-Institute, Chairman of the EMRBI Research Group on “Multinational enterprises and corporate governance”, and Member of the Steering Committee as Representative for Europe of the Academy of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Knowledge (ACIEK). He is visiting professor at University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He has published many and significant refereed journal articles, contributed chapters and books and presented papers to conferences on a global basis.
Prof. Alberto Ferraris
Senior Research Fellow
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Alberto Ferraris
Alberto Ferraris, PhD in Business and Management, is currently working as a Full Professor at the Department of Management, University of Turin. He is Fellow (F-EMAB) of the EuroMed Research Business Institute (EMRBI) and member of the Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, School of Business at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is author of more than 100 academic and scientific articles, many published in top international journals, such as Journal of World Business and Annals of Tourism Research. He also served as Guest Editor or in the Editorial Board of several prestigious international journals, such as Journal of Business Research, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change. He is co-Editor in Chief of the British Food Journal (Emerald) and he is also in the Editorial Board of several international journals, such as Journal of International Management, IEEE Technology and Engineering Management, Multinational Business Review.
Prof. Armando Papa
Senior Research Fellow
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Armando Papa
Armando Papa, Ph.D., is currently Professor of management, innovation and marketing at the department of Economics and Statistics at the University of Salerno. He is Fellow of the EuroMed Research Business Institute (EMRBI) and he is member of the GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, School of Business at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. In the past, he has served at the University of Teramo, the University of Rome Universitas Mercatorum, and ICxT Innovation Center, University of Turin. He holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Naples Federico II and an MBA in Finance. He specializes in Knowledge Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Corporate Governance and Family Business. He is Managing Editor of Journal of Knowledge Management and of International Studies in Management and Organization, and Associate Editor of Journal of Knowledge Economy. He is also an editorial board member for Journal of Intellectual Capital, British Food Journal, Management Research Review, and other international journals. He is member of the I.P.E. Business School of Naples and he is listed as Innovation Manager at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.
Dr Costas Priporas
Research Fellow
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Costas Priporas
Constantinos Vasilios Priporas, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Middlesex University Business School, UK. He holds a BSc in Business Administration from Drexel University (USA), an MBA in Marketing and Management from Cleveland State University (USA), and a PhD in Marketing from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne (UK). He is an award-winner marketing educator and consultant with more than 24 years of academic experience. He is a Fellow of the EuroMed Research Business Institute (EMRBI). His research interests include consumer behavior as well as strategic marketing issues with applications on services, retailing, innovation, social media, and international marketing. He has published in several top journals and international conferences. In addition, he co-authored a textbook on Technology and Innovation for Marketing and co-edited a book on Market Sensing. He has supervised through to completion 15 PhD students. He is a member of several professional bodies and an editorial board member of the International Marketing Review and Journal of Customer Behaviour. He has also acted as a guest editor, reviewer, and track chair in academic journals and conferences.
Dr Gabriele Santoro
Research Fellow
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Dr Gabriele Santoro
Dr Gabriele Santoro, Ph.D. in Business & Management, is Associate Professor in Innovation Management and Digital Transformation at the School of Management and Economics, University of Torino. He undertakes research integrated with the Department of Management of the University of Torino; his main areas of research include business model dynamics, growth hacking, digital ecosystems and platforms, and open innovation. Dr. Santoro has authored several papers in international journals such as Technovation, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Small Business Economics, and Journal of Business Research. He is currently associate editor of the EuroMed Journal of Business and the Journal of Responsible Production and Consumption. He is one of the shareholders of Progesia s.r.l.s., a consulting firm based in Turin (Italy), working as consultant on projects related to e-commerce management, growth hacking strategies, innovation development and strategy.
Dr Leonidas Efthymiou
Research Fellow
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Leonidas Efthymiou
Leonidas Efthymiou, Ph.D., is Associate Professor in Organisation, Tourism and Hospitality Studies at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He previously worked at Intercollege, Pearson Education and the University of Leicester, and has also taught online for Universities in Europe, Africa and the United States, frequently travelling also to Africa, in his capacity as Instructional Designer. He has co-edited and published several books, articles, media reports, policy papers and book chapters. His research output lies at the intersection of hospitality, employment, digitisation and education. Leonidas received a number of awards, including the best PhD Thesis award, by the Academy of Management, Boston Massachusetts, 2011. He trained at the universities of Leicester (PhD, MSc), Derby (BA) and the Higher Hotel Institute Cyprus (Dip. Hons).
Dr Georgia Sakka
Research Fellow
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Georgia Sakka
Dr. Georgia Sakka holds a Bachelor’s degree from Aristotle University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and School Improvement from the University of Manchester, a Master’s degree in Management from Brunel University, and a PhD in Business Administration from the University of Nicosia. Her research interests include Sustainability, Social Media in the Workplace, Marketing, and Digital Innovation. She has published her work in several ranked and indexed top-tier journals and has participated in international conferences and workshops, where she has presented her work and acted as a Session Chair and Paper Discussant. Additionally, her background experience includes involvement in European-funded research projects as a Project Manager, where she was responsible for the scientific and administrative implementation of these projects.
Dr. George Yiapanas
Research Fellow
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George Yiapanas
George Yiapanas, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in Business Administration in the field of Sports Management, an MA degree in Management, a degree in Accounting, and Certificates in Football Management [FIFA supported program] and in Security Management. He is currently appointed by the University of Nicosia as an Adjunct Faculty in the fields of Sports Strategic Management and Sports Marketing, and by the University of Roehampton, UK as a Lecturer, in the fields of Leadership, and Sustainable Business Strategy. He is also a Research Fellow at GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science. His primary research interests lie in the areas of strategic management, sports governance, and sports safety management. He attended many local and international conferences and has published a substantial number of scientific papers in internationally esteemed journals and books. Dr. Yiapanas is further the Finance Manager of GSP Stadium in Nicosia, CY, with more than twenty years of experience in the sports industry. He is a board member of the Cyprus Association for Sports Management [CyASM] and a Fellow member of the EuroMed Research Business Institute [FEMAB/EMRBI]. Due to his wide professional and social contribution to sports, and his expertise in the field, he has served as a member of the Parallel Parliament of Cyprus through direct appointment by the President of the House of Representatives.
Dr Aleksandra Figurek
Researcher
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Aleksandra Figurek
Aleksandra Figurek, Ph.D., is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Banja Luka (Republic of Srpska, B&H), finishing top of her class of over six hundred students. She later obtained a Masters degree from the same University and a PhD thesis from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. She developed her knowledge at various institutions of many European countries, and was awarded for her achievements by the Government of the Republic of Srpska. Dr Figurek reached the rank of Associate Professor at the University of the Republic of Srpska, and has been involved in several research projects, publishing also in scientific journals, books and conferences. She is multilingual and is currently studying for her second PhD at the School of Business of the University of Nicosia, Cyprus, while also being a researcher for GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science.
Ms Naziyet Uzunboylu
Researcher
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Naziyet Uzunboylu
Naziyet Uzunboylu, Ph.D. (Cand.), received her BA from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK, and her MBA from the University of Nicosia, Cyprus. Following professional experience, she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the School of Business of the University of Nicosia. Additionally, she serves as a Researcher for the Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science. Her Ph.D. and research interests focus on Social Media Marketing, User-generated Content, Consumer-Brand Engagement, and Strategic Branding. Through her research, she aims to explore the dynamic interactions between consumers and brands in the digital age, and how these interactions can be leveraged for strategic brand management. Ms. Uzunboylu is actively engaged in scholarly publishing, contributing to prominent peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and books. Her work addresses various aspects of marketing and management, providing valuable insights into contemporary challenges and strategies within these fields.
Ms Emmanouela Kokkinopoulou
Researcher
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Emmanouela Kokkinopoulou
Emmanouela Kokkinopoulou, is PhD candidate at the Department of Management, University of Nicosia, Cyprus, and a Researcher for Gnosis Mediterranean Institute for Management Science, Cyprus. She studied at the Athens University of Economics and Business, and later obtained an MBA from the University of Nicosia. Her research interests relate to consumer behavior in relation to marketing, sustainability and well-being. She has presented her work at several conferences around Europe and she has published a number of scientific articles in peer reviewed journals. She further collaborates on research projects within the broader business sector.
Ms Meliz Bozat
Assistant Researcher
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Meliz Bozat
Meliz Bozat, Ph.D. (cand.) received a BA from the University of Nicosia (Cyprus) in Tourism Leisure and Events Management, and after few years of work experience in the tourism & events management field, she studied for an MBA in Events Management at Bournemouth University (UK). Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at University of Nicosia, School of Business, and a researcher for GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science. Ms. Bozat’s research interests and PhD focus include Tourism, Hospitality, Destination and Events Management and Marketing, the application of New Technologies in Business, as well as Consumer Behavior and Sustainable Development. Ms Bozat is actively engaged in scholarly publishing, contributing to prominent peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and books.
Mr Giannis Theofanous
Assistant Researcher
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Giannis Theofanous
Giannis Theofanous is currently pursuing a PhD degree at the School of Business of the University of Nicosia, and he holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, an MSc in management and entrepreneurship from the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), and an MSc in education, leadership, and management from the Cyprus International Institute of Management (CIIM). Currently, he works as an Instructional Designer at the University of Limassol, as faculty member at Unicaf, Cyprus, and as a researcher at GNOSIS Mediterranean Institute for Management Science; he has also worked at the CUT on various projects as a researcher. He publishes scientific works in peer-reviewed journals and books in the fields of accessible tourism, digital inclusivity, and management. His research interests include digital innovation in business, social entrepreneurship, accessible tourism, hospitality, and tourism challenges, topics on which he has publish scientific journal and conference papers, as well as book chapters.
