GIKA is the one global organization that welcomes scholars seeking to acquire a deep understanding of innovation and knowledge theory and practice. GIKA continues to grow, with more than 600 paper submissions to GIKA 2017 in Lisbon. These submissions are a testament to GIKA’s international scope, with authors from more than 70 countries submitting papers.

 

GIKA membership expresses a researcher’s continuing focus on innovation and knowledge processes. GIKA members embrace the wisdom of GIKA Fellow Gerd Gigerenzer, who argues that “Scientists’ tools are not neutral.” Tools-in-use indicate the relevance of alternative theories and the researcher’s focus as to how to answer research questions. GIKA members recognize the need to contribute useful theory on why superior innovations are often rejected by users who would benefit the most from their adoption. GIKA members understand that innovation and knowledge research is tricky business since people in organizations/firms often tell more and less than they actually know consciously and non-consciously.

 

During the stay, cooperation was established with a group of researchers from the Chilean Universidad de la Frontera - Dean of the Law and Business Faculty dr. Valeska V. Geldre Weiss was actively looking for cooperation opportunities. Victor Haines of the University of Montreal, Canada, was interested in reading lectures at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Sandra Cavero Brujula, a vice-dean from the Spanish School of Economics and Business Administration, conducts research on emotional intelligence, so we have found common themes for scientific discussion. Issam Kouatli from the Business School in Lebanon, created a support system and strategy for investors in the stock market. This topic is very close to the topic of VGTU Finance Engineering Department scientists. The international team of researchers (J.E. Grahm USA, C.Lassala, ISBN, B.Ribeiro-Navarette USA) presented innovative evaluation of investment funds. Xia Liu (USA) surprised us by innovative sentiment analysis methods. The received references to innovative open source research tools (fsQCA, Mallet) will be implemented in the fields of study and research at the faculty of Business Management.

 

The Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) hosted the 2017 GIKA conference in its prestigious school ISEG, Lisbon School of Economics and Management (www.iseg.ulisboa.pt). Located in the heart of the city, ISEG facilities combine the beautiful features of a historic Convent with modern, functional and comfortable classrooms, auditoria and other amenities.