Invited Speakers

  • Prof. Jinshuai Hu
    Xiamen University, China

    Associate Dean, Institute for Financial & Accounting Studies
     

    Jinshuai Hu is a Professor of Accounting and Associate Dean at the Institute for Financial & Accounting Studies, Xiamen University. He currently serves as a Guest Editor at Journal of Risk and Financial Management and an editorial board member at Contemporary Accounting Review, Financial Management Research, Modern Economy and Management, and Global Studies on Economics and Finance. He got his master's degree from Xiamen University and Ph.D. from Hong Kong Baptist University. His research interests include the role of accounting information in China’s and global capital markets, financial reporting and disclosure, corporate governance, and social media. He has taught courses for undergraduate, master’s, MBA, and Ph.D. students, including Financial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, and Contemporary Accounting Issues. Professor Hu has published more than ten academic papers at top-tier accounting or finance journals in recent years, including Journal of Accounting & Economics, Journal of International Business Studies, Management Science, Review of Accounting Studies, Journal of Corporate Finance, Journal of International Accounting Research, Emerging Markets Review, Accounting & Finance, and Journal of International Accounting, Auditing & Taxation. He got the first-class award of the 14th Outstanding Achievements in Social Sciences in Fujian Province (2021), the Double First-Class University Construction Award of Xiamen (2023), the Gejiashu Outstanding Research Award of Xiamen University (2023, the highest-level award in social science research by Xiamen University), and the Vernon Zimmerman Best Paper Award for Best Doctoral Student Paper at the 22nd Asian-Pacific Conference on International Accounting Issues (2010). His research has been reported by media and institutes such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nsfc.gov.cn), Fujian Provincial Government (fujian.gov.cn), Fujian Daily (fjsen.com), Haixia News (hxnews.com), Minnan News (mnw.cn), Tencent News (new.qq.com), and Sohu News (news.sohu.com).

    Abstract: This study examines whether and how corporate managers provide information in response to ordinary investors’ demands. We identify ordinary investors’ information demands using questions posted on the online communication platforms launched by China’s stock exchanges. We utilize a machine-learning topic modeling technique to link information demanded by investors and information provided in the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) sections of annual reports at the topic level. Measuring the informativeness of MD&A disclosures by the association between year-over-year MD&A modifications and changes in operating performance, we find that this association is weaker when operating performance has decreased than when it has increased. More importantly, the topic-level asymmetric informativeness of MD&A disclosures decreases with the number of investor questions posted on the same topic, and this result is stronger for firms with weaker information environments. Additional analyses show that the MD&A modifications are driven by the inclusion of additional content rather than by the removal of past content and that these modifications do not come at the expense of lower disclosure quality. Taken together, our findings suggest that managers improve the informativeness of a key narrative disclosure in response to ordinary investors’ information demands.

  • Prof. Norzaidi Mohd Daud
    Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
     

    Professor Dr. Norzaidi Mohd Daud is a distinguished academic currently holding the position of Professor at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia, where he has made substantial contributions to the fields of human machine interaction, maritime studies, and halal certification. His extensive experience and expertise are recognized not only within his institution but also on a national level through his role as an Ordinary Member of Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (YIM), a foundation under Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), which drives innovation and technological advancement.
    In his illustrious career, Professor Dr. Norzaidi has held 15 visiting and adjunct professorships across prominent institutions worldwide, reflecting his commitment to global academic collaboration and knowledge exchange. These appointments include prestigious universities such as King Saud University, Universitas Lampung, and Universitas Negeri Islam Raden Fattah, as well as other renowned institutions like Universitas Widyatama, Management and Science University, and Universiti Islam Selangor. His academic influence spans across diverse regions, with additional appointments at INTI International University, Multimedia University, and Universiti Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia Institute of Aviation Technology, among others, underscoring his dedication to fostering educational excellence and research across multiple platforms and cultures.
    Professor Dr. Norzaidi’s academic achievements are extensive, characterized by a prolific output of 135 published works that have contributed significantly to the academic literature in his field. His innovative contributions are also demonstrated by the 91 awards he has received in recognition of his research and development in invention and innovation. A sought-after voice in academia and industry, he has delivered 26 keynote addresses at various international conferences, where he shares his insights on cutting-edge topics. Furthermore, he has been invited as a speaker on 391 occasions, reflecting the high demand for his expertise. Dr. Norzaidi has also played a pivotal role in academia as an examiner for 140 theses, guiding and evaluating research to uphold rigorous academic standards. In addition, he has authored 13 books, which have become invaluable resources for students and professionals alike, showcasing his commitment to knowledge dissemination and academic growth.

    Abstract: This article investigates the relationship between technology continuance usage and officers’performance within Malaysia's maritime industry. Analysis of survey data collected from 357 maritime officers reveals that various factors, including availability, accuracy, security, and trust, significantly influence continuance usage. Moreover, continuance usage has a discernible impact on the performance of maritime officers. Notably, this study stands out for its focus on continuance usage, particularly its mandatory aspect among maritime officers in Malaysia. These findings offer valuable insights into strategic technology investment within the maritime sector, emphasizing the crucial role of technological advancement in enhancing the performance of maritime officers.
    Keywords: Continuance usage; Availability; Trust; Security; Accuracy; Maritime industry Paper types: Research Paper

  • Assoc. Prof. Sarmann Kennedyd
    University of Texas at Dallas, United States

     

    Dr. Sarmann I. Kennedyd is a distinguished academic and professional with a robust background in strategy, project, and program management. He holds a PhD from SKEMA Business School in France and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Kennedyd is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM), showcasing his expertise in both traditional and agile project management methodologies. His academic career includes roles as an Associate Professor of Operations Management at the University of Texas Dallas and previous positions at Northeastern University, Kean University, and Northern New Mexico College.
    In his professional career, Dr. Kennedyd has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills. As a Senior Analyst and Project/Program Manager at USAC in Washington, DC, he led significant technological initiatives, improving data analytics and system integration, and enhancing overall efficiency. His efforts in program and portfolio management resulted in substantial improvements in project delivery rates and process streamlining. Prior to this, he served as a Senior Financial Analyst at USAC and a Senior Business Analyst at Verizon, where he managed large-scale financial accounts and implemented key business process improvements.
    Dr. Kennedyd’s research interests lie in agile project management, eCommerce adoption in emerging markets, and enterprise risk management. He has contributed to academic literature, with publications in renowned journals and presentations at international conferences. His dedication to education and research is further evidenced by his numerous awards and recognitions, including the Jindal Faculty of the Year Award finalist and multiple excellence awards in project management and customer service. Dr. Kennedyd is also an active member of professional organizations such as PMI and the Scrum Alliance.

    Abstract: This study uses qualitative thematic analysis of IT blog and forum discussions relating to the use of agile practices in software development. Six key themes emerged as to the disadvantageous use of agile practices in software development: the interactions of micromanaging, daily standup, job satisfaction, job involvement and goal clarity have on project delivery success when using Agile Scrum framework. Scrum promotes high levels of team autonomy and frequent delivery of sprint results; however, the findings suggest that there are underlying challenges in the agile adoption highlighting the need for sustainable work practices and improved team motivation in the Agile implementation process. Software developers report when using agile Scrum a weariness due to lack of job involvement and perceive Scrum’s constant team check-in as micromanagement, thus leading to the Scrum’s team’s loss of autonomy. Also, daily standups, intended to improve team alignment often become more ritualistic rather than beneficial. In addition, the unrelenting pace of Scrum sprint cycles is perceived to diminish the team’s job satisfaction and loss of creativity. Even though, Scrum greatly achieves timely project deadlines, but the focus on speed of delivery compromises team’s work quality. Also, lack of clarity in sprint goals adds to the confusion and constant team check ins. The study emphasizes the need to balance Agile’s efficiency with sustainable work practices and motivated team development to be more effective, which are also principles five and eight of the Agile Manifesto Twelve principles. Thus, when implementing agile Scrum proper focus should be on training in the framework itself and the agile principles to cement the agile foundations.

    Keywords: Agile practice; Job satisfaction; Micromanagement; Job involvement; Daily standup; Goal clarity; Project success.