Cities in flux: harnessing open innovation to enhance urban management

Estibaliz Rodriguez-Nunez is an Associate Professor at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in the area of market research and commercialization. PhD in Business Administration, thesis “Social value as a consequence of the capacity for social innovation in cities: a network model,𠇍 in the area of city management and innovation for local development. She has published and reviewed several articles in relevant scientific journals in the field of management related to cities, which is her current research line. Predoctoral stay as a visitor researcher at the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (France). She has presented different works on this topic in related international conferences, obtaining the committee award in the XIX International Congress of Public and Non-profit Marketing. Currently, she is a member of the research group ECISE UPV/EHU (GIU21/025) “Circular Economy, Innovation, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship” (2022/2025), where they develop various research, organizational and transfer activities in this field.

Amparo Cervera-Taulet is a Professor at the University of Valencia (Spain), with significant contributions to public sector marketing and consumer behavior specifically in urban, education and leisure sectors – tourism, culture and sports. Her research in public and nonprofit marketing emphasizes the role of emotional and experiential factors in shaping perceptions and behaviors. This includes investigations into how public organizations can enhance loyalty and engagement through improved service experiences and tailored marketing strategies. A notable area of her work addresses the emotional and gender-specific responses providing insights into how public sector entities can optimize their offerings to diverse groups. Dr Cervera-Taulet’s studies extend to sustainability in the public sector. Her findings have practical implications for public institutions striving to balance economic, environmental and social objectives. Her extensive publication record reflects her commitment to advancing public sector marketing to enhance service delivery and stakeholder well-being.

Iñaki Periañez-Cañadillas is a Professor at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in marketing areas. He has been running different positions in the University of the Basque Country (Vice-dean for Quality, Innovation in Education and Entrepreneurship and Director for Master’s Degree in Business Management and Marketing and Commercial Management). He has authored different papers and congress presentations related to cities’ competitiveness models and cities’ social value creation systems. He has also published about the identification of labor competencies demanded by the business management area and its interest for improving the offer of higher education in the area of business and economics.