IHEC of Sousse International Symposium 2025

OVERVIEW

The IHEC of Sousse International Symposium 2025, scheduled for April 18-19, invites a diverse community of researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and students to converge on the transformative theme: “Synergizing Sustainability, Digital Innovation, and Resilience in the Green Transition Era.” This symposium is not just an academic gathering, it is a dynamic arena for reimagining the future of our planet through collaboration and innovation.

As the call for a sustainable, green transition becomes more urgent, this event serves as a catalyst for actionable solutions. It will explore how digital innovation can drive environmental stewardship, socio-economic resilience, and sustainable growth. Researchers will unveil groundbreaking studies that open new horizons for tackling pressing global challenges, while policymakers will uncover strategies to craft forward-thinking frameworks that harmonize technology and sustainability. Industry leaders will discover transformative practices to embed environmental responsibility into their operations, ensuring competitiveness and compliance with green transition imperatives.

Students, the visionaries of tomorrow, will play a pivotal role, engaging in dialogue with experts, participating in hands-on workshops, and bridging academic theory with practical applications.

Featuring inspiring keynote addresses, expert panels, and interactive sessions, the symposium promises to bridge the gap between ideas and implementation. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, it aims to drive impactful change, equipping all participants with the tools to champion innovation, resilience, and sustainability in the face of an evolving global landscape. This is more than a symposium; it is a movement toward a sustainable, interconnected, and resilient future.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Manlio Del Giudice is Full Professor of Management, Head of the Department of Management and Economics, Director of the Research Center in Data Analysis, Intelligence, Security, Information at Pegaso Digital University which, with approximately 200,000 students, is the largest university in Italy and the second largest in Europe. In the same University he had also recently served as the Head of the Department of Law. He built his scientific career abroad for around 14 years in a vast number of Institutions around the world, from South Africa to New Zealand, from the Mediterranean Europe to the Middle East, from the Balkans to North Africa, before returning to Italy and becoming, in 2018, one of the twenty youngest Full Professors in the country across all academic disciplines. He holds the role of Editor in Chief of the Journal
of Knowledge Management and holds top editorial positions in flagship mainstream journals in his field: Department Editor for IEEE Technology on Engineering Management; Area Editor for Data-driven Innovation, Information Security and Digital Intelligence at Technovation; Associate Editor for Journal of Business Research, Distinguished Editorial Advisory Board Member for International Journal of Information Management, Special Issue Editor for Journal of World Business, Strategic Advisory Board Member for the Journal of Intellectual Capital, Consulting Editor for the Journal of International
Management, Associate Editor for International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, etc.. Listed among the most influential scientific profiles in global research since the first edition (2020) of the Data for updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators by Stanford University, in the latest update of the world ranking (September, 2024) he was ranked 9th in the research of his field of study at a global level, in 1st place among the Italian Full Professors in the field of Managerial, Economic and Social Sciences research. His profile boasts over 200 international
publications and an h-index of 71 (as of January 2025). Professor Del Giudice is regularly invited to deliver keynote speeches (over 50 per year) at major conferences in numerous countries across the Globe. He has been carrying out technical-scientific collaborations with numerous Italian and foreign Government and Research bodies, for more than fifteen years. He is an expert in Knowledge Management, Data Security and Protection for Business Intelligence, Data Analysis for Geoeconomics.

Peter Gabor Szilagyi is Professor of Finance at EDHEC Business School.

He was previously Associate Professor at Central European University and Assistant Professor at Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. At CEU, Peter Gabor Szilagyi was Head of MS in Finance and Director of Business Master's Programs and served on the Board of Advisors at the CEU InnovationsLab startup incubator. At Cambridge, he served as Director of the MPhil in Finance. Peter Gabor Szilagyi completed his PhD at Tilburg University and held a research fellowship at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.

Peter Gabor Szilagyi is Editor of Elsevier's Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions & Money. He was previously Editor and remains Advisory Editor at the Journal of Multinational Financial Management. He is also Subject Editor at Emerging Markets Review and Associate Editor at Finance Research Letters.

Pascal Nguyen is a Professor of Finance at the University of Montpellier, where he is in charge of the Master’s program in finance & green finance. Before taking up his current position, Pascal was Dean for Faculty and Research at ESDES (Lyon Catholic University), Professor at NEOMA Business School, and Senior Lecturer and Director of the Honours program at UTS. His research focuses on the implications of governance and ownership structures on corporate decisions and performance. He is investigating the determinants and effects of board diversity and corporate social responsibility. His most recent works have appeared in the Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, European Financial Management, Energy Economics, and Journal of Business Research.

Samir Trabelsi is an academic researcher, economist and professor of accounting and governance at the Goodman School of Business of Brock University. Trabelsi began teaching at Goodman School of Business in 2004. In 2021, he was awarded the title of Distinguished Scholar by CPA Ontario. Prior to his academic career, Trabelsi practiced public accounting at KPMG Tunisia.

In July 2022, Trabelsi was elected as the President of the Canadian Academic Accounting Association for a three-year mandate.

Trabelsi is a frequent speaker and commentator on issues in the areas of corporate governance, sustainability, fighting corruption, and risk management for various news media such including TV, radio, and print media.

GUEST SPEAKERS

Khaled Guesmi is a full professor of Finance and the Director of the Center of Research for Energy and Climate Change (CRECC) at Paris School of Business. He also holds positions as an Adjunct Professor at Telfer School of Management, University of Canada, and an Affiliate Professor at the University of Luxembourg. Dr. Guesmi's research and teaching interests lie in empirical finance, applied time-series econometrics, and commodity markets. He obtained his HDR (Habilitation for Supervising Doctoral Research) in July 2015 and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University Paris Nanterre (2011) and an M.Sc. in Finance from Paris I University of Sorbonne (2005). Dr. Guesmi has co-authored numerous books and published over 100 articles in leading refereed journals. He currently serves as a Senior Editor at Finance Research Letters, a Senior Editor at the International Journal of Emerging Markets, an Associate Editor of Research in International Business and Finance and a Senior Editor of Journal of Economic surveys In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Guesmi is the Project Manager of the European Commission's Horizon 2020 Program for Research and Innovation. This program seeks to promote a radical re-design of energy strategies in the southeastern Mediterranean region by developing new models of cooperation between the EU and these countries. The focus is on sustainability and efficiency policies, with cooperation applied to various aspects of the energy sector such as the development of renewables, energy efficiency technologies, and demand-side policies. Dr. Guesmi believes that the EU's support in these areas could bring added value and contribute to the sustainable development of these countries.

Khaled Hussainey is Professor in Accounting at Bangor Business School (United Kingdom). Formerly, he held positions at Portsmouth University, Plymouth University, Stirling University, Manchester University, and Ain Shams University. His research interests focus on corporate narrative reporting. He has been featured in the list of “World Ranking of Top 2% Researchers” by Stanford University (United States). He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed academic papers in journals such as the Journal of Corporate Finance, British Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Journal of Accounting Literature, Journal of International Financial Management & Accounting, European Financial Management, Accounting and Business Research, International Journal of Finance and Economics, International Review of Financial Analysis, Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, and Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting. He has received external research grants from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the British Academy, the Qatar National Research Foundation (QNRF), the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), and Abu Dhabi University. He is a Co-Editor of the Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Editor of the International Journal of Emerging Markets, and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Finance and Economics, Journal of Applied Accounting Research, International Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Performance Evaluation and Review of Accounting and Finance.

TOPICS

This symposium invites researchers to submit their papers on the following topics:

      I.        Accounting, Fiscal Standards and Corporate Finance

     II.        Quantitative Methods in Finance

    III.        Marketing and managerial Practices

   IV.        Applied Economics and policies

V. Online Track: Future Perspectives and Emerging Challenges in the Financial Services Sector

Each of these topics is divided into main tracks as outlined below:

I. Accounting, Fiscal Standards and Corporate Finance

Track 1: Accounting and Fiscal Standards in the Era of Digital Transformation

This track examines the intersection of digital innovation and sustainable accounting practices, focusing in particular, on how emerging technologies are transforming fiscal standards to foster resilience and support the green transition.

Track 2: Disclosure and ESG Standards

This track explores the development of corporate disclosure practices and ESG frameworks, highlighting their pivotal role in promoting sustainability, transparency, and accountability in an ever-changing global environment.

Track 3: Corporate Finance and ESG Strategies

This track focuses on the integration of ESG principles into financial decision-making, emphasizing the transformative role of sustainable finance in building resilience and advancing the green economy.

Track 4: Governance and Social Responsibility

This track examines governance models and corporate social responsibility initiatives, emphasizing their role in promoting ethical leadership, enhancing resilience, and advancing sustainable development goals.

II. Quantitative Methods in Finance

Track 1: Machine Learning, Cryptocurrency and renewable energy market in the green transition Era

This track investigates the intersection of machine learning, cryptocurrency, and renewable energy markets, emphasizing their transformative role in driving innovation, optimizing risk management, and fostering sustainability within the evolving landscape of the green transition.

Track 2: Behavioral Finance, Resilient Markets, and Sustainability in the Digital and Green Transition Era

This track explores how behavioral finance insights shape sustainable and resilient financial markets, emphasizing the role of digital innovation in influencing market dynamics and supporting the green transition.

Track 3: Stochastic Modelling, Sustainability, and Risk Forecasting in a Green World

This track focuses on the application of stochastic modeling techniques to address sustainability challenges and enhance risk forecasting. It highlights innovative approaches for navigating uncertainties in financial and environmental systems, supporting the transition to a more sustainable and resilient green economy.

Track 4: Climate Change, Green Finance, and Resilient Economies

Focusing on the nexus of climate change and financial systems, this track explores innovative green finance solutions, sustainable investments, and strategies for building resilience during the green transition.

Track 5: Financial Markets Evaluation and the Role of Green Assets in Asset Management

This track focuses on the evolution of financial markets in the context of green assets and sustainable investment portfolios. It covers the evaluation of financial markets with an emphasis on green stocks, green bonds, and ESG-focused funds, analyzing their performance and integration into traditional market structures.

Track 6: FinTech Innovations for Sustainable Finance and Green Technology

This track investigates the role of financial technology (FinTech) in promoting sustainable finance and facilitating the green transition. Topics covered include digital platforms for sustainable investments, blockchain technology for transparent green bonds, AI-powered impact measurement tools, and the use of digital currencies to finance sustainable projects.

III.Marketing and managerial Practices

Track 1: Corporate Sustainability and Organizational Resilience in the Era of Change

This track examines how corporate sustainability practices contribute to organizational resilience in the face of global challenges. It explores strategies for integrating sustainable practices into business operations, fostering adaptability, and ensuring long-term success amidst rapid environmental, social, and economic changes.

Track 2: Sustainability, Consumer Behavior, and Resilient Adoption of Disruptive Technologies

This track examines the interplay between consumer behavior and disruptive technologies in driving sustainable practices. It explores how shifting consumer preferences are influencing the adoption of innovative technologies that foster resilience and sustainability in dynamic markets.

Track 3: Entrepreneurship for a Sustainable Future

This track highlights entrepreneurial initiatives that leverage digital innovation and green business models to promote sustainability and resilience. It explores how startups and established businesses are driving sustainable practices through creative solutions, transformative technologies, and eco-friendly approaches. The discussions will focus on the critical role of entrepreneurship in shaping a sustainable future.

Track 4: Marketing Trends in the Age of Sustainability and Digital Innovation

This track explores the latest marketing trends at the intersection of sustainability and digital innovation. The discussions will focus on how these trends are reshaping marketing strategies, enhancing brand resilience, and driving long-term growth in a rapidly changing market landscape.

V. Applied Economics and policies

Track 1: Economic Implications of Sustainable Development and Green Transition Strategies

This track explores the economic challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development, emphasizing strategies that build resilience and support the green transition. It examines how businesses, governments, and institutions can navigate the complexities of fostering long-term sustainability.

Track 2: Central Banking, Regulation, and SDG Challenges in a Digital Era

This track addresses the evolving role of central banks and regulators in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights the importance of resilience and the integration of digital innovation within the financial system to drive progress toward these global objectives.

Track 3: Climate Change, Economic Development, and Resilient Growth Strategies

This track examines the intersection of climate change and economic development, focusing on sustainable growth strategies. It explores innovative approaches to mitigate the impacts of climate change while ensuring economic progress.

Track 4: Economic Modelling and IT Innovations for Sustainable Economies

This track focuses into the integration of IT innovations and economic modeling to address sustainability challenges. It investigates how leveraging technological advancements and analytical tools, promote digital transformation, and a sustainable economic systems.

VI. Online Track: Future Perspectives and Emerging Challenges in the Financial Services Sector

Chairs: Peter Öhman & Mustafa Nourallah (Mid Sweden University, Sweden)

Best papers will be invited to undergo the review process for publication in regular issues of Financial Services Review.

Peter Öhman Mustafa Nourallah

ORGANIZERS

The Institute of Higher Commercial Studies of Sousse (IHEC Sousse)

The Institute of Higher Commercial Studies of Sousse (IHEC Sousse) is a leading institution in higher education, renowned for its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Established in 2002, the institute has continually fostered a dynamic academic environment that bridges theory and practice, equipping students to thrive in complex and competitive global markets. Mission IHEC’s mission is to prepare tomorrow's economic leaders distinguished by their effectiveness, performance, and proactivity. IHEC Sousse leverages highly qualified interdisciplinary teams, innovative pedagogy, and applied research tailored to the real-world demands of socio-economic stakeholders. Vision The IHEC of Sousse aspire to create an environment of excellence and personal development for all. IHEC Sousse is committed to fostering an inclusive atmosphere of collaboration, innovation, and mutual support, enabling every member: students, faculty, and administrative staff to realize their full potential and contribute positively to society.

LaREMFIQ (Laboratoire de Recherche en Économie, Management et Finance Quantitative)

LaREMFIQ (Laboratoire de Recherche en Économie, Management et Finance Quantitative) is a prominent research laboratory based in Sousse, Tunisia, affiliated with the University of Sousse. It specializes in multidisciplinary research across economics, management, and quantitative finance, addressing both theoretical frameworks and applied solutions to contemporary socio-economic issues. The laboratory is a hub for innovation and collaboration, bringing together researchers and practitioners to tackle challenges in areas like financial modeling, strategic management, and economic policy. With a focus on sustainability and regional development, LaREMFIQ contributes to advancing knowledge and supporting decision-making processes at both national and international levels, reinforcing its role as a leader in academic and applied research in Tunisia.

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES

SPECIAL ISSUES:

Development and Sustainability in Economics

Special issue of Development and Sustainability in Economics and Finance, titled “Innovations and Challenges in Sustainable Finance” under the Guest-editorship of Pr. Sabri Boubaker, Pr. Izidin El Kalak, and Pr. Imen Ghadhab. Submission deadline: July 31st, 2025.

Journal of Economic Asymmetries

Special Issue of Journal of Economic Asymmetries, titled “Asymmetries in Environmental Economics and Sustainable Finance” under the Guest-editorship of Prof. Md Akhtaruzzaman, Prof. Sabri Boubaker, and Prof. Thai-Ha Le. Submission deadline: July 31st, 2025.

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES

In consultation with the Editor-in-Chief, authors of high-quality papers are invited to submit their manuscripts to the regular issues of the following journal and will undergo traditional double-blind peer review.

International Review of Economics and Finance

Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting

Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting

Modern Finance

Revue Française de Gouvernance d'Entreprise

Authors can submit their papers to the conference and the Revue Française de Gouvernance d'Entreprise at the same time, with a fast-track review process.

Journal of Knowledge Management

In consultancy with the Editor-in-Chief, high-quality papers are invited to submit to the regular issues of the Journal of Knowledge Management

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