Data-driven and green-minded: a strategic approach to operational sustainability

Dr Islam Bourini is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Director of the PhD Program at Dubai Business School, University of Dubai. He holds a PhD in Business Management (Strategic Management) from Tenaga Nasional University, Malaysia, an MSc in Management from University Utara Malaysia, and a BSc in Business Administration from Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan. A distinguished academic, researcher, and thought leader, Dr Bourini has authored more than 40 Scopus-indexed publications, contributing to leading journals such as Business Strategy and the Environment, Business Ethics, the Environment and Responsibility, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, and International Journal of Innovation Management. His research focuses on strategic management, leadership, innovation, sustainability, and green practices, with recent work exploring AI-enabled capabilities and dynamic capabilities in organizational contexts. Beyond research, he has played a pivotal role in program development, accreditation, and strategic planning, including leading reforms of doctoral programs and contributing to AACSB accreditation processes. He teaches across undergraduate, MBA, and PhD levels, supervises doctoral candidates, and is actively engaged in academic service as a reviewer for several top-tier journals. Previously, he served as Managing Editor for academic journals in Malaysia and continues to contribute regionally as a steering member of the PRME MENA Chapter, demonstrating his commitment to advancing responsible management education and sustainable practices.

Dr Muataz Al Hazza, PhD, PMP, RMP, SMIEEE, is a Professor at the School of Engineering and Computing, American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), specializing in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. He joined AURAK in Fall (2019). Dr Al Hazza has published over 120 research papers, with 97 indexed in Scopus, and his scholarly work spans project management, risk management, the circular economy, Industry 4.0, and advanced manufacturing techniques. He has led several funded research projects and supervised numerous PhD, master’s, and undergraduate students, contributing substantially to both academia and industry. He holds a BSc in Metallurgy Engineering (1983) and an MSc in Engineering Management (1988) from the Production and Metallurgy Department, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, and earned his PhD in Engineering (2012) from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Dr Al Hazza is a Project Management Professional (PMP) certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) since January 2018, and he also holds the PMI-RMP (Risk Management Professional) credential. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and continues to advance interdisciplinary research linking sustainable industrial systems, artificial intelligence, and Industry 5.0.

Ammar Kaddoura is an Industrial Engineer and Research Assistant who graduated from the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) with a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering. His work focuses on green supply chain management, sustainable manufacturing, and industrial engineering methodologies such as Lean principles and the House of Quality (HOQ). He has contributed to optimizing manufacturing processes, improving sustainability, and enhancing efficiency through data analysis and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Ammar also gained professional experience as an Engineer Intern at ADNOC Group, applying industrial engineering techniques to improve operations, reduce costs, and promote innovation and sustainability in industrial systems.