Sep 30, 2026

KFUPM Faculty Win Best Abstract Award at EuroMed Conference

A research paper by two KFUPM Business School (KBS) faculty members received the Best Abstract Award at the 19th EuroMed Academy of Business Annual Conference, held September 23–25 in Paphos, Cyprus. Dr. Md Asadul Islam, Assistant Professor, and Dr. Abdullah Almashayekhi, Associate Professor, represented KFUPM at the event, where their paper on “Developing Performance Quality: A Moderated Mediation Model” attracted significant interest and opened discussions about future academic collaborations.

Dedicating their teaching and research efforts to the Department of Management and Marketing, the professors’ ability to generate interest had particular relevance in a gathering of over 350 participants from 55 countries. Available in the 19th volume of the conference proceedings published by EuroMed Academy Press, the paper’s abstract effectively communicated the essence and contributions of their research and, as such, encouraged multiple attendees to engage further with the faculty members’ work.

The work examines how agentic AI, which can perform tasks with some independence, relates to the quality of employees’ work. Using data from 388 employees, it found that technology and organizational conditions were associated with better performance. Teams’ ability to review their work together and adjust their approach also helped explain how several AI-related factors supported performance. The strength of the relationship between team reflection and performance varied with competitive pressure. The practical takeaway is that organizations adopting AI should also support teamwork and regular reviews of working practices to help employees improve their results. To discover the full details of the study, read more on page 1478 of the conference proceedings here.

The conference brought together senior academics, researchers, editors-in-chief, and associate editors of internationally recognized academic journals under the theme “Global Strategy and Innovation for Business Excellence in Challenging Times.” It provided an international setting in which attendees could present their latest ideas and research, while connecting with peers working in different yet relevant academic contexts.

Interest in the paper further led to conversations with renowned scholars and researchers from several countries. Through these exchanges, Dr. Islam and Dr. Almashayekhi developed new academic networks and began exploring how those connections could translate into future work. Their discussions have already prompted brainstorming about research collaborations, joint publications, knowledge exchange, and other academic initiatives.

The visit provided an additional opportunity to introduce participants to KFUPM’s overall research activities. Prof. Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Chair Professor of Digital Business in the Department of Information Systems & Operations Management, also delivered a keynote address titled "The Rise of Agentic AI: Opportunities, Challenges, and a Future Research Agenda." Through their active involvement in the conference, the faculty members helped strengthen the university’s presence within the international academic community and establish connections for continued scholarly engagement.