Prof. Dr. Maria da Conceição da Costa Marques | Business Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Dr. Maria da Conceição da Costa Marques | Business Sciences – Institute of Accounting and Administration, Portugal

Maria of the Conception of Costa Marques is a distinguished academic and Professor of Accounting and Management at ISCAC Coimbra Business School. Her career spans over two decades of research, teaching, and public service-oriented scholarship. As a verified researcher in the field of accounting, governance, and management, she has consistently contributed to enhancing the theoretical foundation and practical applications in public sector accounting. Known for her interdisciplinary outlook and historical depth, she has played a critical role in shaping academic dialogue and advancing public sector transparency through effective financial and governance practices.

Profile:

Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Education:

Maria Marques completed her academic journey with a strong emphasis on accounting, public administration, and educational management. Her educational foundation integrates historical analysis with contemporary financial theory, equipping her with the expertise to address complex governance and accounting issues. Her academic formation was driven by a commitment to public value, institutional accountability, and the evolution of governance models across public sector systems.

Experience:

With extensive teaching and research experience at ISCAC Coimbra Business School, Maria Marques has mentored generations of students and young researchers in areas ranging from auditing, public sector accountability, to higher education financial systems. She has contributed to both national and international academic collaborations and served as a co-author and principal investigator in numerous publications. Her career reflects a balance between rigorous academic research and applied engagement with governance institutions, particularly within the framework of Portuguese public administration and higher education systems.

Research Interests:

Maria Marques’s research interests include public accounting, corporate governance, management in higher education, historical development of accounting practices, and the application of strategic models such as Balanced Scorecard in public and private institutions. She is particularly known for exploring how public institutions can align governance principles with transparency and efficiency. Her work emphasizes the interconnection between historical accounting evolutions and modern administrative reforms, making her research both reflective and forward-thinking.

Awards:

While specific awards are not explicitly listed in her profile, Maria Marques has earned significant academic recognition through consistent citations, collaborative projects, and scholarly impact in her field. Her academic achievements are underscored by the respect of her peers, the sustained relevance of her research, and her leadership in Portuguese public accounting literature. These elements collectively represent a strong basis for her nomination for the “Best Researcher Award.”

Selected Publications 📚:

1. Application of Corporate Governance Principles to the Public Sector (2007) – Journal of Contemporary Administration – Cited by 252 – A foundational article linking governance theory with public sector reform.

2. Auditing in the Public Sector: An Instrument for Improving Public Management (2004) – Accounting & Finance Journal – Cited by 91 – Co-authored research focusing on the value of audit systems for public accountability.

3. Contribution of the ABC Model to Decision Making: The Case of Universities (2012) – Accounting Notebooks – Cited by 40 – A practical case-based application of cost-accounting methods in higher education.

4. Chronological Summary of Public Accounting in Portugal (1222–2016) (2017) – Journal of Accounting and Finance Evidence – Cited by 49 – A rich historical narrative on the evolution of public accounting.

5. New Models of Government in Public Universities in Portugal and Competitiveness (2012) – Journal of Public Administration – Cited by 35 – A timely reflection on policy reforms during economic shifts.

6. Strategic Management and Balanced Scorecard: The Particular Case of SMEs in Portugal (2012) – Business and Management Review – Cited by 34 – Extends management frameworks into the SME context.

7. Public Finance and Double-entry Bookkeeping: A Guided Tour Through the Literature (2013) – Accounting Universe Journal – Cited by 37 – Integrates historical insight into financial practice evolution.

Conclusion:

Maria of the Conception of Costa Marques stands out as a committed academic whose work bridges the gap between historical accounting practices and modern-day governance challenges. Her scholarship has had a demonstrable impact on Portuguese public administration, with ripple effects across educational and managerial sectors. She combines intellectual depth, policy relevance, and educational engagement, making her a fitting nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her work not only preserves the heritage of public accounting but actively shapes its future, ensuring it remains adaptive, accountable, and impactful.