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Plenary Sessions

Mirjeta Beqiri, Full Professor of Operations Management, Gonzaga University, USA
 
Fiona Carmichael, Full Professor of Labour Economics, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK
 
Danijela Jacimovic, Full Professor, Department for International Economics at Faculty of Economics, University of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro.
 
Blendi Barolli, Full-time Senior Lecturer, Niigata University of Management, Faculty of Tourism Management, Japan
 

Prof  Mirjeta  Beqiri

Mirjeta holds a BBA in Statistics from the University of Tirana, Albania and an MBA, & amp; PhD in Operations Management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Mirjeta teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of Data Analysis and Operations Management. Moreover, in 2017, along with the Gonzaga in Florence faculty, Tamara Evans, Mirjeta initiated and successfully developed and carried out the first faculty-led study abroad program at the MBA level – Doing Business in Europe: Gonzaga in Belgium and Italy. In addition to teaching in the School of Business Administration, Mirjeta teaches Inferential Statistics in the DNP program in the School of Nursing and Human Physiology, as well as volunteers to teach in the Jesuit Worldwide Learning program.

 

Prior to coming to the United States, Mirjeta worked as the Director of the Statistical Directory of the District Council of Shkoder, Albania, and as Assistant Professor and Department Chair at the Faculty of Economy, University “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Shkoder, Albania. Her research interests include perceived waiting times, service quality, outsourcing, business ethics, business education, and distance learning. She is a member of several professional organizations, such as Decision Sciences Institute, POMS, and EUROMA, and served as the member of “Ruane Award of Business Education Innovation” Selection Committee (2016, 2017), as well as the Co-Chair of the Instructional Award Innovation Competition, Decision Sciences Institute (2017).


For her outstanding performance, Mirjeta has been awarded “Best Paper Award” (2007),
“Outstanding MBA Professor of the Year Award” (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013), Gonzaga University’s “Faculty Exemplary Award” (2013), “Wilfrid and Patricia Loeken SBA Vision and Values Award” (2013), “Wilfrid and Patricia Loeken SBA Excellence” (2014), “Centioli Faculty Award” (2016), “Jepson Faculty Fellowship” (2007, 2009, 2015), and Barnes Research Award (2018). Additionally, Mirjeta has been awarded the Gratitude ofUniversity of Shkodra (Albania) for “Distinguished contribution in the establishment, sustainment and advancement of the School of Economics”.

 

Mirjeta has also served as the Chair of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, Graduate Programs Committee, and IT Committee in the School of Business. At the university level, Mirjeta has served as the Chair of the Academic Council Curriculum Committee; furthermore, she serves on the International Education Council, Community Engagement Advisory Board, Core Executive Committee, and Faculty Senate, to name a few. Recently, Mirjeta was appointed as the MBA Programs Director. In the Spokane community, Mirjeta serves on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest Board and supports other organizations as well.

Prof Fiona Carmichael

Fiona joined Birmingham Business School in 2007. She has a PhD in Economics from the University of East Anglia (1989) and an MPhil in economics from Cambridge University (1985). Her first degree in Economics, Politics and Quantitative Methods is from The University of East Anglia (1983). Her main theoretical and empirical contributions are concentrated at the intersection between labour economics, the sociology of work and HRM,  in health economics and in sports economics and policy. Current research is focused mainly around employment and policy issues linked to older age, the ageing society and the care economy.

 

Fiona's qualifications include: 

1980-1983: BA(Hons) first class: University of East Anglia; Economics, Quantitative methods and Politics

1984-1985: MPhil: University of Cambridge; Economics

1985-1989: PhD: University of East Anglia; Multinationals in the Labour Market

1999-2001: Postgraduate Certificate in Further, Adult and Higher Education: Manchester Metropolitan University

 

Fiona's teaching consists of: 

  • Advanced Business Economics at Masters/Doctoral level:

  • Economics and Economic Policy for Business

  • Regression with Categorical Dependent Variables

 

Fiona's research is concentrated at the intersection between labour economics, the sociology of work and HRM and in health economics. She also researches topical issues in sports economics and policy and has published work in economic development and game theory. 

 

A major focus of her research is on the interaction between paid work and individual characteristics and circumstances including older age, caring responsibilities and ethnicity. Current research is located around issues linked to older age and the ageing society, uses mixed-methodologies and is inter-disciplinary.

 

Main areas of current research are:

  • The ageing labour force: Ageing and employment, retirement decision making, active ageing

  • Women's unpaid work particularly the trade-off between informal care provision and paid employment

  • Economics of sports and sports policy

 

Grants awarded:

British Academy (2015). Autonomy, interdependence, and social security: an integrated study of disability benefit entitlement and family life. £9.285 (PI)

Fiona is a lead member of the Caregiving Research Network.

Prof Danijela Jacimovic

Danijela  Jacimovic is a Professor of International Economics, Globalization of World Economy, Introduction of EU Economics, EU economics at the Faculty of Economics, University of Montenegro. Dr Jacimovic was born in Podgorica, Montenegro at 25 March 1972, she is married and has two kids.

 

 

She teaches International Finance and EU Institutions at the undergraduate studies. Also, she teaches at the Faculty of Political Studies, at the undergraduate program (courses EU Institutions and European Integrations). She was Visiting professor at many international universities (London School of Economics, Great Britain, Bologna University, Italy, Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, Austria, University of Tokyo, Japan).  She has been the team leader and researcher in many international and domestic projects. (Jean Monett, IPA, bilateral research projects) 

 

Dr Danijela Jacimovic holds a Ph.D. degree in International Finance which was earned at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro in 2002. She also has a Master degree in International economics was earned at the same institution in 1997. Her graduate studies were completed at the University of Montenegro, Faculty of  Economics, Podgorica, Montenegro, 1994. She authors research and publications within major fields of study such as international economics, international finance and European integrations.

 

Her  Ph.D degree in International finance was earned at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro at 2002. Master degree in International economics was earned at the same institution at 1997.

PhD Blendi Barolli

Blendi is a full-time Senior Lecture, Niigata University of Management, Faculty of Tourism Management. He is engaged in the presentation of research at international and national meetings. Recipient of research grants with numerous published articles.

 

Blendi's work experience includes: 

Niigata University of Management, Faculty of Tourism Management, Full-time Senior Lecturer.
National University of Fukushima, Specially Appointed Officer

National University of Niigata, Center for Fostering Innovative Leadership, PhD Researcher

National University of Niigata, Graduate School of Modern Society and Culture, PhD Researcher
Green Sigma Holdings, Part-time researcher 

National University of Yamagata, Business Institute for Glocal Innovation, Full time
Lecture (PhD Researcher)
Green Sigma Holdings, Part-time researcher

Albania, Ministry of Agriculture (6 months) Ministry of Public Order (18 months), Bilisht-
city Branch, Finance chief

His education consists of: 

National University of Niigata, Graduate School of Modern Society and Culture Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy).
National University of Yamagata, Graduate School of Society and Culture (Master in Policy)
Fan. S. Noli University, Faculty of Economics, Department of Management

Blendi holds awards and honours such as: 

Japanese Government-sponsored foreign student

JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) Scholarship student, Niigata University
International Exchange Committee Scholarship
Yoneyama Rotary Memorial Scholarship

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