Lázaro Florido-Benítez | Marketing | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lázaro Florido-Benítez | Marketing | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Lázaro Florido-Benítez | Marketing | Lecturer and Researcher at University of Málaga | Spain

Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak is a distinguished academic and thought leader in the fields of tourism, urban regeneration, place branding, and destination management, with a strong reputation for bridging the gap between theory and practice through impactful research and industry collaboration. He has pursued advanced academic qualifications in tourism, business, and urban studies, equipping him with a multidisciplinary perspective that enriches his contributions to academia and the global tourism sector. Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak has accumulated extensive professional experience as a professor, researcher, consultant, and editor, actively engaging with international organizations, government bodies, and industry associations to shape sustainable tourism policies, strategies, and practices. His research interests cover a wide spectrum, including smart tourism, resilience of destinations, sustainable development, consumer behavior, tourism technology adoption, and the evolving relationship between urban spaces and tourism. He has demonstrated a particular focus on understanding how destinations can adapt to rapid changes brought about by globalization, digital transformation, and shifting visitor expectations. Candidates such as Prof. J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak, with 34 documents, 398 citations, and a 12 h-index, exemplify the power of impactful research and practice in shaping tourism’s sustainable future. Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak is highly skilled in research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, strategic planning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and knowledge transfer that benefits policymakers, practitioners, and communities alike. His academic leadership is reflected in editorial roles with reputable journals, coordination of funded research projects, and mentoring of postgraduate students and early-career researchers. He has been recognized with multiple awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to tourism research, teaching excellence, and his ability to influence international tourism policies and practices. Throughout his career, Prof J. Andres Coca-Stefaniak has consistently demonstrated a commitment to advancing the tourism discipline while ensuring its positive impact on local communities and global sustainability. His profile represents the ideal blend of rigorous academic research, real-world application, and visionary leadership, positioning him as one of the leading figures in contemporary tourism studies and a driving force for the future of global tourism innovation.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Featured Publications 

  • Florido-Benítez, L., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2025). Aerotainment—A new paradigm for sustainable development in tourism. Sustainable Development, 1–11. [Citations: 5]

  • Florido-Benítez, L., Morrison, A. M., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2025). Aerotainment – merging airport and theme park experiences. Annals of Tourism Research, 101, 103881. [Citations: 4]

  • Florido-Benítez, L., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2025). Towards a new generation of smart tourism cities–GenAI-enabled aerotainment. Cities, 106311. [Citations: 3]

  • Florido-Benítez, L. (2025). The role of cybersecurity as a preventive measure in digital tourism and travel: A systematic literature review. Discover Computing, 2, 52. [Citations: 2]

  • Florido-Benítez, L. (2025). Metatourpolis and aerotainment: Two concepts to be considered to empower tourism and travel activities in smart cities. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Horizons, 1(2), 69–86. [Citations: 1]

  • Florido-Benítez, L., & del Alcázar Martínez, B. (2025). The disruptive use of artificial intelligence (AI) will considerably enhance the tourism and air transport industries. Electronics, 14(1), 16. [Citations: 2]

  • Florido-Benítez, L. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence: A proactive and creative tool to achieve hyper-segmentation and hyper-personalisation in the tourism industry. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 11(1), 83–103. [Citations: 3]

 

Alhamzah F.Abbas | Marketing and Business | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alhamzah F.Abbas | Marketing and Business | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Alhamzah F.Abbas | Marketing and Business – Senior lecurer at University of Technology Malaysia, Malaysia

Alhamzah F. Abbas is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in Johor Bahru. He currently serves as an Associate Editor for PLOS ONE, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal. He has held leadership positions, including serving as the Vice President of the International Student Society (ISS) and the International Research Quality Assurance (IRQA). His academic journey began with a Bachelor’s Degree in Management, followed by an MBA in Marketing, both from the University of Kufa in Iraq. He earned his Ph.D. in Management (Marketing) from UTM in 2023. His professional expertise and contributions have made him a leading academic in marketing and business research.

Profile Verification

ORCID | Scopus

Education

Alhamzah’s academic foundation was laid with a Bachelor’s in Management from the University of Kufa (2008-2012). He further pursued his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), specializing in Marketing, from the same institution (2013-2015). Building on his passion for management studies, he continued at UTM, where he earned his Ph.D. in Management (Marketing) from 2019 to 2023. His educational trajectory showcases a commitment to understanding marketing strategies and management practices, preparing him for his current academic and research roles.

Experience

Alhamzah has extensive experience in both academic and organizational settings. He is a Senior Lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, where he imparts knowledge in the fields of management and marketing. His professional development includes serving as an Associate Editor for PLOS ONE since 2024, where he has contributed to the peer-review process. Additionally, Alhamzah’s leadership skills were demonstrated during his tenure as Vice President of the International Student Society (ISS) and IRQA, fostering a collaborative and vibrant academic community. His combination of teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities highlights his dedication to advancing both education and research in his field.

Research Interests

Alhamzah’s research primarily focuses on management and marketing, with an emphasis on consumer behavior, digital marketing, and business sustainability. His recent work explores emerging topics such as market mavenism, post-COVID tourism behavior, and sustainable leadership. He is particularly interested in the intersections of technology, social media, and consumer behavior, examining how digital platforms influence purchasing decisions and customer loyalty. His academic curiosity also extends to social entrepreneurship, the role of social media influencers, and digital payment systems, with a broader aim of addressing global challenges in business and marketing through empirical research.

Awards

Alhamzah’s outstanding contributions to academia and research have earned him numerous accolades. His research articles have been published in high-impact journals, gaining recognition within the academic community. As an Associate Editor for PLOS ONE, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of scholarly knowledge. Additionally, his work in sustainable development and social entrepreneurship has been well-received in various international conferences, further solidifying his status as a rising star in his field.

Publications

Abbas, A. F., Jusoh, A., Mas, A., Sahi, A. M., & Khatib, S. F. A. (2023). Current Status of Market Mavens Research: A Literature Review. Emerging Science Journal, 7(1), 273–288.

Abbas, A. F., Khwaja, M. G., Abbasi, A. Z., & Hameed, A. (2023). Market mavenism, tourists’ co-creation experience, loyalty, and vaxication intention: mediating role of travel incentives in the post-COVID-19 environment. Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, 18(4), 532–550.

Abbas, A. F., Khatib, S. F., Ismail, I. H., Khan, M. N. A. A., Sulimany, H. G. H., & Bazhair, A. H. (2024). Crisis and environmental governance decisions amidst the COVID‑19 pandemic: Lessons from European countries. Heliyon, 10(4).

Majeed, A. H., Abbas, A. F., Younis Agha, M. N., & Kadhim, K. G. (2024). Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Development: The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Alleviating Poverty. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, 1-31.

Zulfiqar, U., Abbas, A. F., Aman-Ullah, A., & Mehmood, W. (2024). A bibliometric and visual analysis of revisit intention research in hospitality and tourism. Journal of Tourism Futures.

Fayad, A. A., Khatib, S. F., Abbas, A. F., Ghaleb, B. A. A., & Mousa, A. K. (2024). The determinants and consequences of board multiple directorships. Corporate Governance: The International Journal of Business in Society.

Ali, J., Jusoh, A., Idris, N., Nor, K. M., Wan, Y., Abbas, A. F., & Alsharif, A. H. (2023). Applicability of healthcare service quality models and dimensions: future research directions. The TQM Journal, 35(6), 1378-1393.

Conclusion

Dr. Alhamzah F. Abbas stands out as an accomplished academic and researcher. His diverse roles as a Senior Lecturer, Associate Editor, and leader in student organizations exemplify his commitment to advancing higher education. His research interests focus on the confluence of marketing, digital platforms, and sustainable development. Alhamzah’s work has made a substantial impact in the field of business management, evident through his publications and contributions to academic journals. With a track record of scholarly excellence, his future in academia and research looks exceptionally promising. His efforts in addressing critical global issues through research, combined with his leadership skills, make him an ideal candidate for an award nomination.