The Seventeenth Annual International Conference of the Institute of Economic Sciences

The Seventeenth Annual International Conference of the Institute of Economic Sciences and the Twentieth International Conference on Strategic Management entitled Leveraging Strategic Management for a Sustainable Digital Economy took place from September 11 to 13, 2025. The conference was organized by the Institute of Economic Sciences, the International Strategic Management and Managers Association (ISMMA), Gebze Technical University (Turkey), Yildiz Technical University (Turkey), and the Australian University (Kuwait). The event aimed to bring together researchers from around the world working on applied economic topics and to promote the exchange of ideas and the presentation of ongoing research projects.

This year’s conference stood out for its strong focus on interdisciplinary research and innovative approaches in economics. A particular highlight was the emphasis on neuroeconomics, demonstrating how domestic science effectively bridges theoretical knowledge and practical solutions. Prof. Dr. Cornelius Bothma from the University of South Africa delivered a keynote lecture presenting the state of the art in neuroeconomic research, with a particular focus on neuromarketing and its relevance in today’s business environment. Dr. Erhan Artuc from the World Bank addressed the impact of automation and artificial intelligence on international trade, while representatives from mBrainTrain presented a portable EEG system in combination with eye-tracking glasses - an innovative technology that offers unique insights into the unconscious mechanisms of consumer decision-making and opens up new avenues in neuromarketing and neuroeconomics.

In addition to the keynote speeches, a special session was dedicated to showcasing the results of successful European and international projects in which researchers from the Institute of Economic Sciences are actively engaged, further underlining the Institute’s role in international scientific and research collaboration. More than 100 researchers from 14 countries across multiple regions participated in the conference, highlighting its truly international character.