By 
Kent Business School researchers have been ranked among the top 2% of the most influential scientists globally, according to the latest 2024 update of a prestigious database compiled by Stanford University.
This independent report, published annually, identifies researchers whose work is having a significant impact on their fields worldwide. Rankings are based on a composite citation score (with and without self-citations), reflecting the quality, reach and influence of academic research over time. Inclusion in the top 2% signifies consistent contributions to global knowledge, shaping both academic thinking and real-world practice.
This recognition highlights the world-class research environment at Kent Business School and its commitment to producing work that informs policy, advances theory, and drives innovation in business and management.
The KBS academics recognised in the top 2% are:
Professor Thanos Papadopoulos – Deputy Dean
Recognised for the fifth consecutive year, Thanos specialises in operations and information management. His research focuses on digital technologies transforming supply chains to boost resilience and sustainability. With over 150 publications in top journals like British Journal of Management and European Journal of Operational Research, he also serves as Associate Editor for several leading journals.
Professor Shaomin Wu – Professor of Operational Research and Data Analytics
Shaomin develops data-driven methods to improve decision-making under uncertainty, with applications in maintenance, reliability, risk analysis, and sustainable operations. His interdisciplinary research appears in journals including European Journal of Operational Research and Reliability Engineering & System Safety.
Dr Aydın Özkan – Senior Lecturer in Finance
Aydın researches corporate finance and banking, focusing on capital structure, governance, and financial stability. His work helps explain how firms manage financial risks and create long-term value, published in journals such as Journal of Banking and Finance.
Professor George Saridakis – Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business
George’s internationally recognised applied research focuses on small firm dynamics, entrepreneurial behaviour, and performance. His insights inform both policy and practice, particularly in the areas of economic recovery and SME resilience. His work has been published in leading journals in his field. He is the author of more than 100 academic articles, several edited volumes, numerous book chapters, and a range of policy-related reports. He is a Fellow of both the Academy of Social Sciences and the Royal Society of Arts.
Professor Patricia Lewis – Professor of Management
Patricia is an expert on gender in management and entrepreneurship, investigating how gendered norms affect women’s organisational experiences. She has held key leadership roles and served as Joint Editor-in-Chief of Gender, Work & Organization. She was elected to the British Academy of Management College of Fellows in 2022.
Dr Chefi Triki – Senior Lecturer in Operations Research and Logistics Systems
Chefi’s research covers optimisation and stochastic programming with applications in logistics and resource management. He has won awards such as Best Research Paper at the SMILE Conference (2024) and contributes actively to teaching modules on logistics and project management.