Ass. Prof. Ioanna A. Giannoukou

Dr Ioanna A. Giannoukou is an Associate Professor at the Department of Management Science and Technology of the University of Patras, Greece. Her academic specialization lies in the strategic development and innovation management through the integration of emerging technologies. She holds a PhD in Strategic Management from the University of Patras, an MSc in Management and Internal Auditing from Cass Business School (City University of London) and a postgraduate degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Hellenic Open University. Dr Giannoukou has over 15 years of teaching and research experience in higher education and is deeply engaged in interdisciplinary academic work at the intersection of tourism, innovation and digital transformation. Her research interests focus on strategic management, digital innovation, sustainable entrepreneurship, smart tourism, ethical use of AI in education and the implementation of technological solutions in cultural and business environments. She has participated in and led numerous European and national research initiatives, including Erasmus+, Interreg and "Research–Create–Innovate" programs. These projects have addressed a wide array of topics such as sustainability, business innovation, smart energy systems, inclusive tourism, digital curation in museums and digital transformation of public and private sector organizations. Dr Giannoukou has published extensively in international scientific journals and conference proceedings, with her work reflecting a strong emphasis on applied research and innovation-driven strategies. She has also contributed to the editorial work of collective volumes and acted as a reviewer in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to her role at the University of Patras, she is also an Adjunct Academic Staff Member at the Hellenic Open University, actively teaching and supervising undergraduate students in the Tourism Management (DIT) program. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Business Strategy, Innovation and Digital Entrepreneurship, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Organizational Change, Total Quality Management and Strategic Planning. She is particularly interested in how emerging technologies such as AI, big data analytics and digital marketing tools can be leveraged to enhance business competitiveness, sustainability and user experience in tourism and cultural industries. Throughout her career, Dr Giannoukou has cultivated collaborations with public institutions, regional development agencies, tourism enterprises, cultural organizations and research institutes, promoting knowledge transfer and policy innovation. She is committed to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between academia and practice, with a strong focus on promoting responsible innovation and inclusive growth.