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GIGS 5th Annual Conference 2026

Global Initiative for Governance and Sustainability

GIGS 5th Annual
Conference

Innovation, Social Preferences, and Sustainable Value Creation for Business, People & Planet

Dates July 8–11, 2026
Format 4 Days · Multi-Track
Tracks Finance · Accounting · Management · IR
Day One

Arrival & Welcome

Wednesday, July 8, 2026
16:30
20:00
Registration Opens
Welcome & check-in for all conference participants
15:00
16:00
Main Hall
North Africa – North America Dialogue
Sustainable Leadership in Business Education
Deans Meetings
By Invitation Only
Day Two

Sessions & Keynote

Thursday, July 9, 2026
Tracks:
Finance
Accounting
Management
Industrial Relations
8:30
10:30
Registration Continues
8:45
8:55
Main Hall
Conference Opening Remarks & Welcome
Amna Chalwati, Ines Chaieb, Nadia Massoud, Chokri Slim, Samir Trabelsi and Robert Wood
Co-Chairs
9:00
10:30
Concurrent Sessions
Session 1A
Accounting
ESG, Biodiversity & Corporate Accountability
Breakout Room A
Chair: Marleen Willekens, KU Leuven
Tax Avoidance and Digital Tax Transparency
Hussein Warsame*, University of Calgary, Canada; Rahat Jafri, MacEwan University, Canada; Mark Anderson, University of Calgary, Canada; Michael Wright, University of Calgary, Canada
Ali Ghali, UQAR
The Biodiversity Impact of Corporate Divestitures
Dushyantkumar Vyas*, University of Toronto; Ole-Kristian Hope, University of Toronto; Vlad-Andrei Porumb, University of Manchester; Simona Rusanescu, University of Groningen
Oussama El Ajal, University of Miami
Enhancing Audit Quality: Intertwining Human and Technology Resources
Marleen Willekens*, KU Leuven; Jente Carlier, KU Leuven; Koenraad Debackere, KU Leuven; Simon Dekeyser, KU Leuven
Samir Trabelsi, Brock University
Session 1B
Finance
ESG Investing & Fund Performance
Breakout Room B
Chair: Stéphane Chrétien, Université Laval
Is Creditor Protection a Blessing or a Curse for the Environment? Evidence from Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Samir Saadi*, Paris School of Business; Omrane Guedhami, University of South Carolina; Sadok El Ghoul, University of Texas at El Paso; Syrine Sassi, University of Ottawa
Stéphane Chrétien, Université Laval
Environmental Disclosure, Regulatory Pressure, and Sustainable Investment: Evidence from Mergers and Acquisitions
Hamdi Driss*, Saint Mary's University; Kee-Hong Bae, York University; Nan Xiong, Durham University
Salma Ben Amor, University of Quebec in Outaouais
Reputation, Perception, and Pricing: Evidence from ESG Reputation in U.S. Equity Markets
Stéphane Chrétien*, Université Laval; Claudia Champagne, Université de Sherbrooke; Frank Coggins, Université de Sherbrooke; Maxime Brochu, Desjardins Funds
Mohamed Ayadi, Brock University
Session 1C
Management
Sustainability, Green Strategy & Consumer Behaviour
Breakout Room C
Chair: Kay Sebastian Dallmann, ESCP Business School
Greenness-based product differentiation in retailing: Optimal strategies under a stochastic setting
Ramzi Hammami*, Rennes School of Business; Erfan Asgari, Excelia Business School; Yannick Frein, Grenoble INP
Kay Sebastian Dallmann, ESCP Business School
The Payment Experience: A Catalyst for Sustainable and Conscious Consumption
Kay Sebastian Dallmann*, ESCP Business School
Idrak Ezdini, Laval University
The role of emotions in shaping managers responses to the socio-environmental pressures
Idrak Ezdini*, Laval University
Ramzi Hammami, Rennes School of Business
10:30
10:45
☕ Coffee Break — Main Hall
10:45
11:40
Main Hall · Keynote Address
Keynote Address
Josef Zechner
WU Vienna University of Economics and Business

Moderator: Ines Chaieb, Swiss Finance Institute & University of Geneva
11:45
13:15
Concurrent Sessions
Session 2A
Accounting
Technology, AI & Innovation in Accounting
Breakout Room A
Chair: Ali Ghali, UQAR
Interim Trading and the Performance Evaluation of Equity Mutual Funds
Ali Ghali*, UQAR; Stéphane Chrétien, Laval University
Hussein Warsame, University of Calgary
Do Auditor Attributes Affect the Value of Global Diversification?
Abed AlNasser Abdallah*, American University of Sharjah; Amina Liya, American University of Sharjah; Feras M. Salama, American University of Sharjah; Kim Gleason, American University of Sharjah; Eid Alotiabi, American University of Sharjah
Marleen Willekens, KU Leuven
CEO Risk-Taking Incentives and Corporate Greenwashing
Amna Chalwati*, Saint Mary's University; Mohamed Dhibi; Imen Saafi; Samir Trabelsi, Brock University
Fayez Elayan, Brock University
Session 2B
Finance
Green Finance & Sustainable Investment
Breakout Room B
Chair: Ines Chaieb, University of Geneva
The Seagrass Financing Gap: Cost-Architecture Barriers and Policy Pathways for Sub-500-Hectare Coastal Restoration
Khorchani Issam*, Deserv Consulting
Manel Kammoun, UQO
Do Geopolitical and Climate Risks Matter for Global Mutual Fund Performance?
Mohamed Ayadi*, Brock University
Khorchani Issam, Deserv Consulting
The Relationship of Green Sentiment Index with the Returns and Flows of Socially Responsible Mutual Funds: A Time-varying Causality Approach
Manel Kammoun*, Université du Québec en Outaouais; Mouna Boujelben Abbes, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax; Moez Boujelben, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax
Flavio De Carolis, University of Geneva
Session 2C
Management
Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Capabilities
Breakout Room C
Chair: Imen Latrous, UQAC
Social intrapreneurship in family firms: A distinctive strategic capability
Hela Chebbi*, ESG – UQAM
Cyrine Bahri, FSEGT
Synergizing individual and organizational capabilities with AI to foster managerial innovation: A micro-foundations approach
Majdi Ben Selma*, Université du Québec à Montréal; Rahma Laouiti, Brest Business School, France; Slim Belaid, Esta Belfort, France
Khalil Rhaiem, UQAC
Failing to learn and learning to fail through open innovation
Cyrine Bahri*, Fsegt Tunis; Khalil Rhaiem, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi
Majdi Ben Selma, UQAM
15:00
17:00
JIAR Regional International Accounting Forum
Tunisia
Energy Inclusion in the Scientific Debate: A Bibliometric Analysis of Emerging Research Trends
Chayma Matoussi*, ESCT; Riadh Elferktaji, ESCT
Geopolitical Risk, Tail Risk, and the Limits of Diversification: Evidence from Oil, Gold, and Bitcoin
Nadia Ayari*; Kamel Naoui, Finance; Ghassen Elmontassar, Méthodes Quantitatives
Does Public/Private Status Affect the Level of Earnings Quality? The Case of Tunisia
Nadia Jouini*, LARIMRAF; Ezzeddine Abaoub
An Experimental Examination of the IFRS 18 Standard to Relocate non-GAAP Financial Measures to the Notes of the Financial Statements
Sameera Khatoon*, University of Saskatchewan; Linda Thorne, York University; Nicolas Epelbaum, Toronto Metropolitan University
Day Three

Full Program & Awards

Friday, July 10, 2026
Tracks:
Finance
Accounting
Management
Industrial Relations
9:00
10:30
Concurrent Sessions
Session 3A
Finance
Macroeconomics, Asset Pricing & Market Dynamics
Breakout Room A
Chair: Sami Ben Naceur, International Monetary Fund
How is Inflation Priced in Global Markets?
Ines Chaieb*, University of Geneva & Swiss Finance Institute; Vihang Errunza, McGill University
Sami Ben Naceur, International Monetary Fund
Political Polarization, Government Policy, and Asset Pricing
Qi Zeng*, University of Melbourne; Mike Gallmeyer, University of Virginia
Walid Ben Omrane, Brock University
Global Investors in a Fragmenting World: Evidence from Sino–U.S. Rivalry
Shahid Khan*, The Pennsylvania State University, Berks; Jing Lu, University of Guelph; Omair Haroon, Lahore University of Management Sciences; Zhimin Yu, Alvernia University
Ines Chaieb, University of Geneva
Session 3B
Industrial Relations
HR Governance, Socio-Ecological Transition & Industrial Relations
Breakout Room B
Chair: Yasmine Mohamed, UQAT
Gouvernance des relations industrielles et innovation durable au Québec : le rôle des institutions et du dialogue social dans la transition socio-écologique
Yasmine Mohamed*, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Hela Chebbi, ESG UQAM
Des préférences sociales à l'innovation organisationnelle : recomposition des relations industrielles au Québec à l'ère socio-écologique
Yasmine Mohamed*, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue; Wassila Merkouche, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Nourhene Ben Youssef, Université de Sherbrooke
État de la littérature sur la gouvernance de l'intelligence artificielle en santé
Nourhene Ben Youssef*, Université de Sherbrooke; Linda Ayemele Paka, Université de Sherbrooke
Yasmine Mohamed, UQAT
Session 3C
Finance
Capital Markets & Corporate Finance
Breakout Room C
Chair: Salma Ben Amor, UQO
Does the Control Premium Destroy Value? Evidence from Merger of Equals
Fayez Elayan*, Brock University; Kuntara Pukthuanthong, University of Missouri
Nadia Massoud, University of Melbourne
Political Backlash and Corporate Sustainability: Evidence from Canadian Firms Cross-Listed in the United States
Salma Ben Amor*, University of Quebec in Outaouais; Mohamed Nasrallah Khiar, University of Quebec at Montreal; Maher Kooli, University of Quebec at Montreal
Hamdi Driss, Saint Mary's University
Hedging Climate News
Flavio De Carolis*; Ines Chaieb, University of Geneva
Amna Chalwati, Saint Mary's University
A Critical Look at Macroeconomic News Surprise Measurement
Walid Ben Omrane*, Brock University
Fayez Elayan, Brock University
10:30
10:45
☕ Coffee Break — Main Hall
10:50
11:30
Main Hall · Keynote Address
When Technology Rewrites Finance: FinTech, AI, Banks, and the New Systemic Risk
Sami Ben Naceur
International Monetary Fund
11:40
12:25
Main Hall · Keynote Address
Keynote Address
Khrystyna Bochkay
University of Miami

Moderator: Oussama El Ajal, University of Miami
12:25
12:45
Main Hall
Best Paper Awards & GIGS Scholarships
Announcements & Ceremony
🎓 GIGS 6th Annual Conference
July 14–18, 2027
Day Four

Professional Development

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Formation Certifiante

Gouvernance ESG, création de valeur durable
et gestion stratégique des risques

Pour les décideurs tunisiens — dirigeants, administrateurs et responsables institutionnels

Inscription avant le 30 juin 2026
Frais d'inscription 300 TND
Contact conference@gigs-initiative.org
7:30
9:00
Ouverture des inscriptions & Petit-déjeuner de réseautage
9:00
9:15
Main Hall
Réception de bienvenue — Discours d'ouverture
Coprésidents Amna Chalwati, Ines Chaieb, Nadia Massoud, Samir Trabelsi et Robert Wood
9:15
10:45
Main Hall
ESG pour Décideurs : De la Conformité à la Stratégie Durable
Robert Wood, Macquarie Business School
Nadia Massoud, Université de Melbourne
Samir Trabelsi, CPA Ontario Distinguished Professor of Governance
Amna Chalwati, Saint Mary's University
Ines Chaieb, Swiss Finance Institute & Université de Genève
Hatem Ben Ameur, HEC Montréal
10:45
11:00
☕ Pause-café de réseautage
11:00
11:45
Keynote
Du reporting de durabilité à la création de valeur : le rôle stratégique des normes ESG
Jean-Philippe Levasseur
Fondateur, Carbone Québec

Pour les entreprises, les investisseurs et les économies émergentes
11:45
12:30
Panel I
Femmes dans les conseils d'administration et gouvernance inclusive
Neila Ben Zina, PDG, Wimbee Technology
Jean-Philippe Levasseur, Carbone Québec
Samir Trabelsi, Université Brock
12:30
13:15
Panel II
Gouvernance ESG, stratégie durable et gestion des risques : leviers de croissance et de compétitivité pour la Tunisie
Pourquoi la gouvernance ESG est essentielle pour la prochaine phase de croissance de la Tunisie
M. Lotfi Khezami, Bourse des Valeurs Mobilières de Tunis
M. Sami Chenini, Conseil du Marché Financier
Intégrer la durabilité dans la stratégie, le modèle d'affaires et les plans de gestion des risques
Mme Afef Khedhir, Castel Afrique
M. Lamjed Ben Hmida, Telnet
Gestion des risques ESG pour les conseils d'administration et les dirigeants
Mme Houda Hamdi, Fédération Tunisienne des Sociétés d'Assurances
Mme Najla Gharbi, PDG, La Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations
13:30
13:45
Cérémonie
Remarques de clôture & Remise des certificats
Certification GIGS — Gouvernance ESG, Stratégie Durable & Gestion des Risques
GIGS 5th Annual Conference 2026  ·  July 8–11, 2026   ·   Program subject to change  ·  All times are local