11th International Conference on Economics and Management at GSOM SPbU

On October 3-5, 2024, the 11th International Conference on Economics and Management took place at the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg State University (GSOM SPbU). The event brought together leading experts and scholars from around the world to discuss pressing issues in economics, finance, and management in times of global turmoil.

Representatives from the Department of Finance at the Saint-Petersburg School of Economics and Management actively participated in the conference. Varvara Nazarova, Associate Professor and Head of the Department, chaired the "Strategic Finance" section, where the joint research with Associate professor Iya Churakova was presented. Their presentation devoted to the role of Research and Innovation in enhancing companies' competitiveness. Another speaker in this session was Julia Tarasova, who shared her study on the nature of the ESG index and its impact on companies' financial performance. Her work sparked lively discussions, highlighting the growing importance of analyzing sustainable business practices in today’s environment. Additionally, PhD student Denis Kartashov presented on the influence of ESG characteristics on Merger and Acquisition premiums, touching on an equally significant topic.

PhD students and lecturers on the Department of Finance, Kassiet Kambaraliyeva, Olga Alexeeva, and Boris Lodyagin also presented their research. Kassiet’s work focused on information disclosure, sanctions, and their effects on the activities of Russian public companies, revealing that sanctions have prompted companies to rethink their disclosure strategies and adapt to new business realities. In the public-private partnership section, Boris presented the research on the resilience of airport reconstruction projects, particularly examining the financial and social effectiveness of the Pulkovo airport renovation in light of large-scale events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the international sanctions imposed in 2022. Olga’s presentation addressed the impact of unconventional monetary policies by the European Central Bank (ECB) on government bond yields in the Eurozone, paying particular attention to long-term bonds and the differences in yields between central and peripheral European countries. This topic was further elaborated on by senior lecturer Carlos Rincon, who analyzed the effects of the ECB's unconventional monetary policies on the Eurozone stock market, focusing on sector-specific impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ECB's economic support measures—an especially relevant discussion on financial stability.

Associate professor Darko Vukovic chaired a section dedicated to the digital transformation of the financial sector. The presentations covered topics such as the use of digital technologies in finance, including predictive analytics, combating financial crime, and the impact of digitization on customer satisfaction and sustainability indicators.

The conference attracted both Russian and international academics and practitioners, providing an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and establish new professional connections. HSE’s representatives made important contacts with industry and academic experts, laying the foundation for future research projects and potential collaborations. Topics such as ESG, climate risks, strategic financial management, and risk management were at the forefront of discussions. Participants delved deeply into investment and corporate governance issues in an era of global uncertainty.

The conference proved to be a fantastic platform for discussing and testing research findings, as well as for networking. HSE representatives hope to present updated research results at the next conference in 2025.