Zhang Haiyan | Organizational Behavior | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhang Haiyan | Organizational Behavior | Best Researcher Award

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zhang Haiyan | Organizational Behavior – HOD at Jiangsu Normal University, China

Dr. Haiyan Zhang is a dedicated Associate Professor at Jiangsu Normal University’s Business School, specializing in business management with a focus on organizational behavior and human resource management. With a rich academic and research background, she has made significant contributions to understanding workplace dynamics, pay dispersion, and pro-environmental employee behavior. Over her career, Dr. Zhang has established herself as a respected scholar in the field, demonstrating strong commitment to advancing knowledge through research, teaching, and international collaborations. Her work blends theory with practical insights, helping organizations enhance team performance and employee well-being.

Academic Profile

ORCID

Education

Dr. Zhang’s academic journey reflects a solid foundation in business and management studies. She completed her doctoral studies in Business Management at Nanjing University, earning her Ph.D. in 2018. Prior to this, she obtained her master’s degree in Business Management from China University of Mining & Technology in 2008, and her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the same institution in 2005. She also enriched her research perspective during a visiting scholar stint at the University of Western Australia between 2018 and 2019, engaging in cross-cultural academic exchange and broadening her global outlook.

Experience

Since joining Jiangsu Normal University, Dr. Zhang has held the role of Associate Professor, contributing extensively to both teaching and research activities. Her academic career spans over a decade, during which she has participated in numerous research projects, including international collaborations that have expanded the reach and impact of her work. Dr. Zhang’s leadership extends beyond academia into community and student mentorship, where she promotes sustainable practices and ethical business behaviors. Her involvement in academic societies and professional networks reflects her commitment to continuous learning and leadership within her discipline.

Research Interest

Dr. Zhang’s primary research interests lie in organizational behavior, with a special emphasis on green compensation, workplace envy, and team dynamics. She investigates how organizational policies influence employee pro-environmental behaviors and overall performance. Her work explores horizontal pay dispersion’s effects on team member role performance, uncovering nuanced interactions between workplace fairness and motivation. Additionally, her recent research extends into the psychological impacts of workplace stigma and cultural tightness-looseness, highlighting social and cognitive factors influencing organizational effectiveness. These interdisciplinary themes position her research at the cutting edge of business psychology and sustainability.

Awards

Throughout her career, Dr. Zhang has been recognized for her scholarly excellence and leadership potential. While specific awards are not listed, her candidacy for the Best Researcher Award is supported by her robust publication record in high-impact journals and her active role in academic service. Her contributions to advancing knowledge in organizational management and sustainable workplace practices underline her eligibility for prestigious research accolades.

Publications

📄 The (in)congruence effects of organizational green compensation and employee green conscientiousness on pro-environmental behavior (BMC Psychology, 2024) — widely cited for advancing environmental organizational behavior research.
📄 The effect of maternity-leave stigma on fertility intentions in China (Acta Psychologica, 2024) — offering critical insights into workplace stigma and social behavior.
📄 Development of the Cultural Tightness-Looseness Orientation Scale for College Students (Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 2023) — providing a valuable tool for cross-cultural research.
📄 Detrimental effect of horizontal pay dispersion on team member work role performance via envy (Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 2022) — widely cited for linking pay structure with team dynamics.
📄 Cognitive dissonance of self-standards: interaction of green compensation and training (Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 2021) — an influential study on employee motivation.
📄 Team member work role performance: benefits from performance-based pay dispersion (Frontiers in Psychology, 2020) — recognized for its contributions to performance management literature.
📄 Zero-Sum Construal of Workplace Success Promotes Initial Work Role Behavior (Frontiers in Psychology, 2020) — cited for exploring motivational psychology in new employees.

Conclusion

Dr. Haiyan Zhang’s body of work showcases her as an innovative researcher and dedicated educator, making her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her expertise in exploring the interplay between organizational policies and employee behaviors has generated valuable insights that benefit both academic theory and practical applications in business settings. With a proven track record of impactful publications and active participation in international collaborations, Dr. Zhang is well-positioned to continue contributing meaningful advances to the field. Her commitment to research excellence, sustainable organizational development, and leadership within academia marks her as a deserving recipient of this prestigious recognition.

Ms. Zamageda Zungu | Management | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Zamageda Zungu | Management | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Zamageda Zungu | Management – Lecturer at University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Ms. Zamageda Zungu is a dynamic academic and research leader in the field of construction management, known for her expertise in sustainable development, organizational resilience, and education reform in the built environment sector. She is currently a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand and a member of the CIDB Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Construction Industry Growth. Ms. Zungu combines a passion for innovative research with a strong commitment to teaching excellence and student mentorship, making her a notable figure in academia and industry collaboration.

Profile Verified:

Orcid | Scopus | Google Scholar

Education:

Ms. Zungu holds an MSc in Building (Construction Project Management) and a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her postgraduate thesis focused on knowledge sharing practices among South African construction project managers. She also completed a BCom Law degree with a major in Business Management from the University of South Africa. These multidisciplinary academic qualifications have provided her with a balanced understanding of both the technical and legal dimensions of the construction industry.

Experience:

With over seven years in academia, Ms. Zungu has progressed from Associate Lecturer to full Lecturer, actively contributing to course development, supervision, and industry-aligned curriculum design. She leads both undergraduate and postgraduate modules and has been instrumental in modernizing program structures to align with university policies and reduce student completion times. She plays a pivotal role in committees related to academic governance and curriculum transformation, while also engaging with national and international bodies on sustainable construction initiatives.

Research Interests:

Ms. Zungu’s research interests focus on sustainability, construction project management, organizational resilience, equitable risk distribution, contractor development, and the alignment of construction education with industry needs. Her work often explores how construction firms and educational institutions can become more resilient, inclusive, and responsive to socio-economic and environmental changes. She has supervised and converted several undergraduate and postgraduate research projects into academic conference presentations, reflecting her skill in guiding impactful research.

Awards:

Ms. Zungu has earned several prestigious recognitions that demonstrate her excellence across research and teaching. These include the Best Paper Presentation Award at the EPPM 2023 Conference and Best Second Year Lecturer awards for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024). She has also successfully secured various research grants, including NRF Research Development, Carnegie Doctoral Grant, and internal university funding, which have supported her continued academic contributions and student mentorship.

Selected Publications:

📘 “A critical literature review on organizational resilience: why current frameworks are insufficient for contracting firms in the construction industry” (2025), International Journal of Construction Management – [Cited by 6 articles]

🏗️ “Client and Contractor Experiences in Framework Construction Agreements in South Africa” (2025), ICE Proceedings: Management, Procurement and Law – [Cited by 4 articles]

🏢 “Methods used by clients to determine contingency sums for construction projects in the Middle East” (2025), ICE Proceedings: Management, Procurement and Law – [Cited by 5 articles]

🌍 “Building Organizational Resilience Capacities and Capabilities in Construction Firms” (2024), Springer: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering – [Cited by 7 articles]

🛠️ “Detecting and preventing unbalanced bidding in South African public sector construction” (2024), WABER-SuDBE Conference Proceedings – [Cited by 3 articles]

🔍 “Equitable Risk Sharing in South African Construction Projects during Exceptional International Events” (2023), ASOCSA Conference Proceedings – [Cited by 4 articles]

📚 “Factors Constraining Effective Knowledge Sharing among Construction Project Managers in South Africa” (2019), CIB World Building Congress – [Cited by 9 articles]

Conclusion:

Ms. Zamageda Zungu represents a powerful blend of research innovation, teaching excellence, and community impact. Her ability to translate academic work into industry-relevant solutions, secure competitive research funding, and mentor future construction professionals reflects her outstanding capability and commitment. With a proven record of research productivity, academic leadership, and national influence, she is a highly deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award. Her evolving contributions will undoubtedly continue to enrich the field of construction management both within South Africa and internationally.