Assoc. Prof. Amar Razzaq

Huanggang Normal University, China

Research Area: Food Marketing, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Economics, Natural Resource Economics

Brief: Dr. Amar Razzaq's research focuses on agricultural sustainability, water resource management, food security, cross-border e-commerce business, and rural e-commerce in developing countries like Pakistan and China. His work enhances irrigation efficiency and equity, examines the adoption of water-saving technologies, and analyzes the profitability of various cropping systems. He also explores socioeconomic factors affecting agricultural decision-making, rural household welfare, income inequality reduction through agricultural mechanization in China, and climate risk management through off-farm diversification in Pakistan. Additionally, he investigates the links between women’s asset ownership and child nutrition security, using advanced econometric techniques and value chain analysis.

Currently he is an Associate Professor at Huanggang Normal University and a Visiting Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia and Metharath University, Thailand. Dr. Razzaq is also a consultant with the Asian Development Bank, working on projects related to sustainable development and ecosystem protection. He serves as an Executive Member of the Cross-Border Ecommerce Research & Practice Group at HZAU and is a member of the International Alumni Liaison. His professional contributions include roles as an Academic Editor for PLOS ONE, a Review Editor for Frontiers in Environmental Sciences, a Managing Editor for Entrepreneurship for Sustainability, and a Guest Editor for Heliyon and Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. He is also a co-founder of the Sino-Pak Cross-Border E-commerce Association and organizes the annual International Cross-Border E-commerce Forum. Dr. Razzaq aims to provide policy insights that promote efficient resource use, support farmer livelihoods, and enhance nutrition security through his extensive research and interdisciplinary collaborations in agricultural and environmental economics.

Title of Keynote Speech: Taobao Villages: The New Engines of Economic Growth and Rural Transformation in China

Abstract:  In recent years, the rise of "Taobao Villages" has emerged as a powerful force driving economic growth and rural transformation in China. These digital entrepreneurship clusters, centered around the e-commerce platform Taobao, have reshaped the economic landscape of rural areas, creating new opportunities for employment, income generation, and social empowerment. This study examines the emergence and growth of "Taobao Villages," clusters of rural online entrepreneurs who have established shops on the Taobao Marketplace. The study focuses on two case studies of Taobao villages in Shiyan and Zhijiang counties of Hubei province, highlighting the different approaches adopted by local governments and Alibaba to promote rural e-commerce. In Shiyan, the Taobao village of Xiayingcun capitalized on its existing reputation for selling turquoise stone, growing into a thriving e-commerce hub with annual sales of 14 million RMB. In contrast, the Zhijiang model relies on subsidies and incentives provided by the local government and Alibaba to encourage established companies to set up units in the village and incentivize villagers to participate in rural e-commerce. The success of these Taobao villages demonstrates their role as incubators for rural entrepreneurs, enabling them to learn from their neighbors and form clusters of e-commerce activity. The study also reveals that rural e-commerce does not require a high level of education, and people with basic skills can start an e-commerce business provided there is adequate rural infrastructure. The findings suggest that the growth of rural e-commerce in China has been facilitated by several factors, including significant investments in rural digital networks and infrastructure by the Chinese government, the establishment of service stations by Alibaba in rural areas, and the relatively young and tech-savvy rural population. The development of Taobao villages has played a critical role in promoting local economic development, creating employment opportunities, and alleviating poverty in rural areas. This research contributes to the understanding of how e-commerce can transform rural economies and offers valuable insights for other developing countries seeking to promote rural development through digital technologies.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. KALIYAN MATHIYAZHAGAN

Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Research Area: Business Strategy, Business Logistics, Social Change

Brief: Dr. K. Mathiyazhagan is the Chairperson – the Research Centre and Associate Professor, at Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He is an assistant editor in Technological Forecasting and Social Change (Elsevier) -IF: 12, associate editor in Business Strategy and the Environment (Wiley) – IF: 13.4, Management Decision (Emerald)- IF: 4.9 and Environment, Development and Sustainability Journal (Springer) with an impact factor of 4.1. He is a leading guest editor of special issues in the Journal of Business Logistics (JBL), the International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management (IJPDLM), the International Journal of Logistics Management (IJLM), Sustainable Production and Consumption (Elsevier), Socio-Economic Planning Science (Elsevier).

Title of Keynote Speech: Leveraging Business Culture for Sustainable Economic Development

Abstract: In the pursuit of sustainable economic development, organizations must recognize the vital role that business culture plays. This keynote speech delves into the concept of leveraging business culture to drive long-term economic growth. By exploring how organizational culture can foster innovation, attract investments, and promote social responsibility, attendees will gain valuable insights into cultivating a culture that fuels sustainable economic development.

A.Prof. Cui Wei

School of Shipping Economics and Management/Dalian Maritime University, China

Introduction: Cui Wei, post doctoral fellow of Wuhan University Business Administration Mobile Station, associate professor of the School of Shipping Economics and Management of Dalian Maritime University, review expert of the Ministry of Education funded projects, review expert of the Ministry of Education's Degree and Graduate Education Development Center, decision consulting expert of the social science think tank of the Liaoning Provincial Party Committee, expert on the "Internet plus" direction of the Dalian municipal government think tank, information review expert of the Liaoning Provincial Department of Education, special researcher of Dalian Social Science Union, review expert of Dalian science and technology and financial projects.

Speech Title: The governance value of data assets throughout their entire lifecycle

Abstract: We will discuss the value of data and its governance system, including the current challenges of data ownership and application, discussing the value of data from the perspective of business needs, defining business models with data, and reconstructing business systems.